Getting to universal on marathon day

Stryker · Feb 27, 2015

We're planning to go to universal studios may 10th. That's the day of the tinker bell marathon in DL. I remember seeing a map of road closures & I think harbour blvd was on it. I can't remember where I saw the map though?

So my question is how can we get to universal studios on May 10 if the street our hotel (del sol) is on is closed? We don't have a car & will be relying on shuttles for the trip. Will we have to walk a mile through marathon spectators early in the morning to meet a shuttle or do they have side streets they can use?

I'm a bit stressed about this day because it's the first day of our vacation. We had wanted to do DL our first day but have decided to skip it to avoid massive crowds. If we had known about the marathon we would've picked a different date to start our trip. I hope we can at least get to universal without much trouble.

StageTek · Mar 4, 2015

I think your best option would be to contact the hotel. I'm sure they have made arrangements for shuttles to access their property and would be happy to assist you in getting the right shuttle at the right time.

Stryker · Mar 6, 2015

StageTek said:
I think your best option would be to contact the hotel. I'm sure they have made arrangements for shuttles to access their property and would be happy to assist you in getting the right shuttle at the right time.

Thank you

SMD · Mar 11, 2015

If it's your first day, why not stay outside the marathon route for 1 night and then arrive at the other hotel after the race is over.

bumbershoot · Mar 15, 2015

Remember that it's a Half, not a full marathon, so the amount of time it takes up will be less.

If I recall from starting the Disneyland Half, we ran on Katella then turned up Harbor to start, but there was only half-closure of the street. DH and DS were spectating there and saw the world's slowest head-on collision as a lady slowly slowly slowly turned right into someone, because they were sharing the same side of the road. Right in front of tons of police. So I'm not sure it's 100% closure.

If you're using shuttles, the shuttle drivers SHOULD know what they are doing.

Having been there during the Disneyland Half, I wouldn't be worried about "massive" crowds at all. And that's held over Labor Day weekend, not just May. Spectators are OUTSIDE of the parks, runners are, too. Later, runners are limping around, moving slowly (you can get around them easy!) and sitting in restaurants eating a lot of food.

I personally wouldn't do this to myself, to go to Universal to avoid crowds in the parks. I'd go on another day, and just enjoy the early start in the parks before the limping runners (and tired spectators) show up.

Stryker · Apr 7, 2015

bumbershoot said:
Remember that it's a Half, not a full marathon, so the amount of time it takes up will be less.

If I recall from starting the Disneyland Half, we ran on Katella then turned up Harbor to start, but there was only half-closure of the street. DH and DS were spectating there and saw the world's slowest head-on collision as a lady slowly slowly slowly turned right into someone, because they were sharing the same side of the road. Right in front of tons of police. So I'm not sure it's 100% closure.

If you're using shuttles, the shuttle drivers SHOULD know what they are doing.

Having been there during the Disneyland Half, I wouldn't be worried about "massive" crowds at all. And that's held over Labor Day weekend, not just May. Spectators are OUTSIDE of the parks, runners are, too. Later, runners are limping around, moving slowly (you can get around them easy!) and sitting in restaurants eating a lot of food. I personally wouldn't do this to myself, to go to Universal to avoid crowds in the parks. I'd go on another day, and just enjoy the early start in the parks before the limping runners (and tired spectators) show up.

Thanks for the info. Hopefully it won't be too hard to navigate that day. We were planning on a day at universal anyway so it seems like just as good a day as any. I'm sure it will be crowded there too anyway since it's Mother's Day & other DL guests might have the same plan as us. I did email one shuttle company & they said they might not be able to pick us up from the hotel but probably can just meet us at the end of the street.

SMD · Apr 7, 2015

Stryker said:
Thanks for the info. Hopefully it won't be too hard to navigate that day. We were planning on a day at universal anyway so it seems like just as good a day as any. I'm sure it will be crowded there too anyway since it's Mother's Day & other DL guests might have the same plan as us. I did email one shuttle company & they said they might not be able to pick us up from the hotel but probably can just meet us at the end of the street.

You need to check the Tinker Bell route. It's totally different than the DL Half. Miles 1 and 2 start east on Ball and go south on Harbor until the shuttle entrance. Then miles 8-9 are north of Ball heading south on Harbor until they continue east on Ball. The mile 12 marker is at the corner of Harbor and the south end of HoJo. Mile 13 overlaps mile 2 on Harbor. Ball will be closed, Harbor will be closed and Katella will likely be closed in at least 1 direction, probably both.

Getting to universal on marathon day

Stryker

Earning My Ears

StageTek

It's kind of fun to do the impossible.

Stryker

Earning My Ears

SMD

DIS Veteran

bumbershoot

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Stryker

Earning My Ears

SMD

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