Please help me work this out in my head

[Shelly D.]

DH is running the marathon and I'm trying to figure out where I can take the kids to cheer him on. I will be traveling with two small kids (an easy going 6 year old, and a more challenging 2 year old).

We are staying at AKL, so I was thinking we could take the bus to AK after breakfast and wait to see dad in the parking lot. Then we'd take the bus to Epcot and meet him at the finish line.

Is this do-able? And also, where do we go once we get to Epcot? I figured that if we're there early, we can do a few rides before heading to the finish line.

I have signed up for cell phone texts at the split mile markers, and he will also have his iphone on his arm if he wants to reach me.

Any suggestions would be much appreciated. I suppose if the kids wake up in a "mood" we will just go straight to Epcot and not mess with AK, but I would love to see him and give him a boost at that point in the race.

[gatorphipps]

That looks like a good plan to me. If you have any idea on his planned pace, that would be helpful. I say this b/c sometimes the text splits are late...or, like last year, do not come at all.
I do have to put a disclaimer....I have never supported this race b/4 b/c I am always the one running it. But DH met me at AK and the finish and it seemed to work out.
Not an easy race to support though. Someone else may have a better suggestion.:confused3

[hockeygirl]

I would think that your plan would work out. Although last year, my fiance didn't go to AK to watch so I am not totally sure. It may take you a little bit to get from AK to Epcot on the bus, but I would think you would have enough time, unless your DH is very speedy!

A word on the text messages..don't rely on them at all! Last year, they didn't come and my fiance was worrying about me wondering if I was OK, as was my family back home that was waiting for them. I would rely on your cell phones. When I am getting close to where my fiance is supposed to be, I call him on the cell, so he can look for me, and he also tells me exactly where he is so I can find him. Last year, I had him bring some water, a towel, and some other stuff for me, and I stopped by him for a few seconds.

[10nis]

Sounds like a really good plan!

AK parking lot/AK entry area is a great spot for spectators and a terrific spot to boost the spirit of runners.....try and "figure" out what time you would expect him there if things go according to plan in case you don't get the texts.

There are several places you can stand and cheer inside EPCOT very close to the finish if you don't want to wait with the crowd at the actual finish. If you go in to EPCOT to enjoy the attractions, you will have to exit the park and walk a bit of a ways to get to the finish of the marathon.

Have fun!

[ChloroFiend]

Let me point you to this guy...

http://disneyworldsports.disney.go.com/dwws/en_US/marathon/spectator/detail?name=SpectatorDetailPage

It's a spectator planning page that'll help you figure out where good spots to view might be, tailored to your runners expected pace. Might help out a bit. :)

[Aisleleven]

AK is a great spectator spot!! It is before the "really tough" part of the course...the overpass "Hills" and the out and back...

If I needed spectator support anywhere, it was as I was leaving the AK...

So I think your plan is right on target and would agree with the others who say not to rely on the text messages coming through...

[jbucci]

That is a really cool site!!! I had no idea it existed.