BCV transportation for January WDW Half?

[lenshanem]

Do they have buses running in the morning there? I'm assuming this will be the only way to get to the front of Epcot that morning, but we can walk back to our room after the race through Epcot...

We'll have a car. I'm wondering if we should just drive or do the above...

Thoughts of ease?

 

[KeenHo]

Shan ~ Definitely! We've done that a few times now. Most times they pick up right in front of Beach Club. In the past we've had to walk over to Yacht Club to get a bus also, but I think they figured that one out.

So, yes, there are buses to anf from the Half and Marathon to BCV.



Howard

 

[lenshanem]

Think it would be easier to drive or take their bus back and forth to BCV?

I think we might not get passes so now we won't be able to walk back to BCV thru Epcot.

 

[10nis]

We stay at Epcot resorts - have always had a car, and have just not wanted to mess w/ the traffic situation by driving the car. I have read posts with great advice about driving to the start. If you decide to do that there are plenty who can give you insight on how to time it, etc.

Now I kind of feel like the early morning bus ride is part of the "experience!" Being with the other participants...everyone anxious and tired and wondering why they signed up for a race that requires a 3am bus ride (We usually get the bus loading area around 345a.)

We do usually walk thru EPCOT to get back to the resorts (requires park entry so bring your park pass!). If you aren't going to have park passes you will catch the bus back to the resort. Last year after the half we took the bus back, it wasn't horrible but not exactly my favorite memory of the week end, either (cold on the bus, had to wait a while (10-15 min?) for the bus to arrive and then wait for it fill up before we left). I prefer walking back.

If memory serves, it is a bit of a hike from the bus drop off before the race and not as far for the return trip.

One of the mornings we had to wait a while for the bus at the BC. By the time the buses arrived, it took 3 of them to get everyone who had accumulated to the start. I never really get too worried about being stranded at the resort and not making the start bcs there is someone there who calls for buses (I don't know who this person works for - does not appear to be Disney and for sure not the resort).

Probably more than you wanted to know!

 

[twotoohappy]

Now I kind of feel like the early morning bus ride is part of the "experience!" Being with the other participants...everyone anxious and tired and wondering why they signed up for a race that requires a 3am bus ride (We usually get the bus loading area around 345a.)

LOL! The bus ride in the morning was a blast!
We stayed at BCV and they picked us up where
the regular Disney buses go - not in front of the resort
We got to the bus stop at 3:30 and there was a bus
just leaving and another one came about 10 min. later.
We're staying at BCV again this year and will be on
that oh so early bus

I walked back to BCV after the race and
my friend took the bus.
The walk back to BCV is loooong because you
have to walk waaaaay around to the front of Epcot.
I'll be taking the bus home this year!

 

[BamaEd1]

We'll be staying at the Contemporary. Do we monorail the whole way or do we bus to the start and monorail home? Thanks!!!

 

[10nis]

monorail resorts catch the monorail to the start and also monorail back to the resort after the races! In previous years, the guide states that the monorail resort participants also need to be on the monorail by 4am race mornings. People w/ experience might be able to tell you if there is a cushion with time for those who use the monorail? I have always thought that it much be must easier on race mornings to stay monorail but we love the EPCOT area too much to stay anyplace else.

 

[BamaEd1]

Thanks, 10! I didn't know that I would get a reply from someone so famous! I got a Disney Endurance brochure at the expo for the Country Music Marathon/ 1/2 Marathon and your picture is in it! Glad to know you're a WISHer See you in January!!!!

 

[dsnyfan21]

Ed: If you are staying at a monorail resort, then the monorail is THE way you get to the start in the morning. They do not have buses ins the AM to take you. I was at the Poly last year and it was great. You take the monorail to the TTC and then hope on the monorail to EPCOT. You do have a bit of a cushion and would want to be headed for the start area around 4:30 I would say. (I was on the monorail around 3:30am because I wasn't sleeping tha t great anyway and had some nerves to work out. Got on at Poly with 4 other people, 2 people got on at GF and 4 people got on at Contemporary) There are LOTS of people when you get off the monorail when you get there as the crowd builds. You may want to use the Porta potties and there will be a bit of a line at them, so give yourself time for that. You may want to meet up with the WISHers at the W tent for a chat and a photo and do some light warmups and stretching. They have a live band playing at the start area. Family and friends can come in the area with you, but once you pass through the tents to check-in your stuff and into the corrals it is race participants only. They start announcing corrals line ups and then moving people over the the accual start line area.
On the way back, you take the monorail to the TTC and transfer to the resort monorail back to the Contemporary.
Hope that helps.