How long at Expo WDW marathon weekend?

[Koda]

Hi,

Just wondering how much time we should allow for visiting the Expo. We will be going on Thursday 1/10, probably mid-afternoon. Are the lines for picking up race packets very long? I want to have time to browse the merchandise, and check out the other displays. Is there anything we shouldn't miss?

Also, I read that there are buses going from the resorts to the Expo. We are staying at Pop. Would it be quicker, or even possible for us to walk there?

Thanks for the info! Can't wait!

[Koda]

Just wondering if Epcot opens a little early on the mornings of the 1/2 and full marathons. I figure that I will finish the 1/2 by 7:30 or so, depending on how many pictures I stop for. DH and DD will meet me at the finish in the Epcot parking lot. I thought it would make sense to go into Epcot right at opening, after the race to get on Soarin' and TT before the lines get too long. Or do all of the runners do this, and the lines are extra long?

Are there lots of activities and photo ops at the finish that I will not want to miss?

Just trying to maximize our park time because we are only there for 3 days.

Thanks!

[Koda]

Whoops!! I meant to make that send post a new thread!

[FFigawi]

Originally Posted by Koda

Just wondering how much time we should allow for visiting the Expo. We will be going on Thursday 1/10, probably mid-afternoon. Are the lines for picking up race packets very long? I want to have time to browse the merchandise, and check out the other displays. Is there anything we shouldn't miss?

I've never found the lines to get packets very long when going on Thursday morning. They do an excellent job of having enough segregation between the various races and between the bib numbers that there typically aren't more than a few people in line at any one time. Lines come into play when you get to the expo itself. The lines for the Disney gear are typically longer than the ones at most of the other booths, but even those have been tolerable. We are usually in and out in under an hour on Thursday morning before we head to Universal to ride coasters for the rest of the day.

As far as what not to miss, I'd suggest stocking up on shoes. There are usually some pretty good deals on shoes, both the latest and greatest models and the previous generation too. There's also plenty of socks, jackets, goo, and other stuff in case you forgot something, but no one on this board ever forgets anything because they all use Charles' great packing list as a guide. Keep an eye out for it in December.

[cewait]

packing lists, weather reports, historic temps experienced.....

The minimum amount of time to push through the expo is about an hour. That would be hitting the parking lot in your car about 2 hours after the expo opens on THursday. THen there is no line and the initial rush is dying off as the Lunch hour approaches. It also assumes that you know your first stop is the HP Pavilion (old Milkhouse) for the bibs then over to the Jostens Center for the shirts. IT also assumes that you know that once you enter Jostens, you know to walk LEFT and head down the stairs and to hug the left walk as you push to the back for the shirt area. From there you are almost forced to make a tour through the official souvenir shopping area then make you way back to the front.

I have been to the expo on Saturday to pick up lost gels in the past and it still takes a good 40 minutes.

Note, DO NOT plan on walking from Pop. You must leave through the main gate if on foot and the walk is along a non-sidewalked roadway... the same roadway used by thousands of runners imitating Clark Griswold as they arrive on property and not looking for walkers. Plus, Expo day is always HOT.

[Rupert B Puppenstein]

I think an hour is fair for Marathon weekend. You can breeze through any other time, but with the amount of vendors and deals, it turns into a challenge to get out of WWOS in less than that. But, it is a fun challenge!