Best way to MK on morning of the marathon?

[chip 'n dale rule]

We'll be getting the Disney early Sunday morning and checking in at POR and we would like to head to MK as soon as we finish checking in. The marathon is going on that morning so I'm looking for tips about the best way to get the MK. We will have our own car but I don't think we should use it. Any suggestions? Thanks!

 

[DonnaL]

I agree about not using your car....however, not sure what your best transportation would be from POR.......I'm guessing it would need to be bus.....my guess is ...the buses are probably going to be using the back route from the POR area .....turning right onto Bonnet Creek Parkway, then left on Vista Blvd to World Drive......the upper end of World Drive after the toll booths......I don't think the marathon goes thru that upper end of World Drive.
We were leaving VWL for the airport one year on the morning of the marathon and I seem to remember being routed from VWL to World and over Vista..

Edit: Actually, I just googled WDW Marathon route and got a very clear route showing all the roadways involved......and I was incorrect that the upper portion of World Drive is not used.....so I would suggest you simply get on a MK bus and let the bus driver worry about getting you there!!

 

[AllyElly]

What would be the best time to leave for MK on Sunday (full marathon) to avoid the most traffic? MK opens at 8, and we'll be leaving from Pop. We don't need to be there for rope drop if there is crazy traffic in the morning. We will have 4 kids, ages 6 and under with us so we don't want to be stuck on the bus for a long time.
Thanks!

 

[DonnaL]

There really isn't crazy traffic the morning of the marathon, however, due to the route of the runners......quite a few of the normal traffic patterns on the WDW roadways are disrupted since runners are using those roadways. I would suggest you do a google search for "Walt Disney World marathon route" to see which roadways will be affected between Pop and MK and plan accordingly. Disney has been doing the marathon for a number of years now.....I'm sure they've got traffic patterns/routes under control for marathon morning.....we're usually leaving to head home at some point on marathon weekend (except for this year...) and have never had a problem.....there is plenty of temporary signage to direct traffic.

 

[winthropf]

The marathon route goes up World Drive past the Contemporary and Magic Kingdom. Buses that morning for MK and Epcot will be dropping people off at the TTC. This causes all buses to make the left turn from World Drive to the TTC on Seven Seas Drive. Last year only two or three buses were getting through on each cycle of the traffic light.

I will be taking a taxi to the Contemporary that morning and walking to the MK. When doing this, you must wait for a break in the runners to cross World Drive, but it beats waiting in line to make the left turn. Last year I was on a bus waiting to make that turn for 45 minutes.

 

[joelkfla]

Driving might be faster than the bus. World Dr. should be open into the MK parking lot, which would avoid the congestion at World Dr. & 7 Seas.

Turn left out of POR. If Epcot Center Dr. is open by the time you leave, turn right onto it (1st light south of PO), then get into the left lane and follow signs to MK. If Epcot Center Dr. is still closed, continue down to Buena Vista Drive and turn right to World Dr.

I think the road past CR to MK should be open to buses by 10:30, at which point a bus would be faster.