Marathon Expo Question

[kim3339]

My dad and I are running, he is doing Goofy and I am doing the marathon. I have a red eye on Thursday night, getting in really early Friday morning. He is thinking of taking a flight Friday morning, flight arriving at 4:30pm. I figure by the time he gets to the resort, 6:00. So we will have time to get to the Expo for his bibs for Saturday morning. I am wondering how crowded it is on Friday at the Expo. We've never ran WDW before, and I really would like to get t-shirt/jacket or something for the marathon (Not really that important for him). Will there still be a good selection of merchandise and sizes Friday night or should I go early Friday morning when I get there and then go again with him at night? Also, I know at DL, you can pick up the bib info for someone if you have their signed waiver and picture ID. On the off chance something would happen at his flight, can I pick up his stuff for him? Thanks!!

[jbucci]

I had a similar situation last year. I came down on Thurs and my DH did not come till late Friday night. If you want a selection of merchandise I would recommend going as early as possible. Stuff was literally flying off of the racks and selling out in the first day of the expo.

You can pick up race packets for someone if you have a copy of their photo ID and a signed waiver but you can not get the wristband needed for Goofy. When you pick up your own Goofy stuff they put a wristband on you that gets switched out after you successfully complete the half so Disney can keep track of who has completed the race. They will not give you a wristband for someone else no matter what signed letter, ID or anything else you have. Fortunately, there is a tent open on race morning near the race start/bag check area where you can get your wristband if you were not able to make it to the expo on Thurs or Friday-- you just have to bring photo ID in the morning (my DH actually brought a photocopy of his own license so he didn't have to worry about his real one during the race).

I hope this helps.

[cewait]

I would definitely go early if you are in town and pick his bibs up as well as shopping at the expo. When he gets in late that night he can still head to the expo for the band or just wait to go to the Goofy booth on race day morning.

[Duanerice]

If you want anything - go Friday! It gets really crowded later on on Friday so go early!

Just get his bibs and he can check in Sat morning for the wrist band. Heck, he needs to be there early anyway, might as well have something to do :)

Duane

[kim3339]

Thanks for the information. My dad couldn't get the early flight on Friday so he is now getting in at 8pm (Southwest free flight). So he can definitely get a band at a booth at the staging area Saturday morning and that won't be a problem? Thanks again!!

[cewait]

Scary I know but they are set up for this. Besides runners like your dad there are a few who will get their wrist band caught and torn off during the day Friday.

If as in past years, once he heads into the family reunion area that morning, make a shrp left turn. There are a couple race tents set up there, one being the band replacement tent.

[kim3339]

Thanks again fo rthe info and the help. I just didn't want to screw him up by picking up his stuff after he did all the training. Thanks!!!