How early do you need to arrive for the Half-Marathon?

[Chropistopy]

Hi guys! I've read that the buses start at 3 o'clock for the marathon/half marathon. I know the marathon starts at 6 o'clock. When do you actually need to be there? I'm new to this....wondering what would require anyone to be there 3 hours ahead of time. Is there some type of check-in process that we'll need to go through that morning? :confused3

Thanks!!

[wtpclc]

According to the FAQ, you must be in the waiting area by 4:30 when the gates to the start open. I would imagine some people want to be close to the gates when they open, etc. SO, they probably are the ones on teh bus at 3.

[Lisa loves Pooh]

They claim that the busses run from 3am to 4am only...I've only been once and I didn't wait around to see what happened later on. The busses actually run all morning--but from 3-4, I think athletes are given priority...and then after that you are at spectator mercy as they try to get spectators to the proper areas on time. If you walk to the start from Port Orleans or OKW (you should be able to do this, but not guaranteed due to security measures)....as long as you're there by 5:30--you'd be good...there really isn't an official sign in procedure or anything...but there is the port o potty waits and the nervous energy people are trying to burn off.

At runners world, one of the athletes commented they did sleep in and just walk across the street to the start about 5 or so--giving them about 2 hours extra rest above the competition.

[wiskband]

YEP! I was so excited...I was up at 2:30 on the bus by 3!
It is so excited to be up and getting ready for this at WDW of all places!!!!!!!!! Just reading this thread made me go back and remember what a great experience it was!
renee

[Chropistopy]

Thanks for all the replys! As I'm new to this, I just couldn't figure out what required three hours.

Thanks again!!

[DoeWDW]

I was on the bus at 3:15 AM.

When we got to the Epcot parking lot, there were lines for the port-o-potties. That took 15-20 minutes - longer waits later in the AM.

There were stations to check a bag that you could pick up at the finish. I'd imagine this could take some time. I travelled light - didn't check anything to be picked up at the end.

Then there was a 20 minute walk to the start area. They wanted everyone in their proper start corral by 5 AM.

We spent lots of time standing or sitting around and chatting with other people around us. It's a rather festive atmosphere.

[Tiger Lily 03]

I was one of those up and at 'em early. It is quite the festive thing and the anticipation could be felt. I loved being part of ALL the hype. This was my first ever 1/2 Marathon and I wanted to savor everything I could. I would do it all again the same.

For those "seasoned" in the experience of running events, then a later arrival would be a great idea. For me, I will be there early once more as I am doing my first ever full! I want the entire experience baby!
:teeth: :banana: :Pinkbounc :cheer2: :earsgirl: :cool1: :earboy2:

[Lani]

Part of the reason Disney runs those buses so darn early is because they have so many people to shuttle, and they don't want everyone to wait until the last minute.

That said, it's a REAL hurry-up-and-wait kind of thing. You will definitely feel like cattle.

Since you get a plastic baggie to hold your belongings and which you can check in (and claim at the finish line area), use it to bring a bunch of junk. Bring your breakfast, a small disposable camera, your phone, your sweater, etc. etc. and then whatever you end up not taking with you on the marathon, just leave it in the bag--since you'll end up having to wait for two hours.

The announcers will insist in a very insistent voice that you MUST go to the starting line area NOW, thank you. In all honesty, don't worry too much about rushing, especially if you aren't part of a big group. You can easily take your time then walk to your corral and find yourself a good spot to wait until the start. But once you're in the corral area, that's it. You can start mooing if you want. ;)