Bus or Monorail for 2011 half/marathon?

[Lorelei528]

I'm not sure if this is where I should be posting this question, but I'm wondering if there are major differences between getting to the start etc. with transportation if you are staying at a bus (ie. AKL) or a monorail (CR,BLT) resort?

I guess I'm kind of looking for pros/cons/opinions etc.

Obviously I'm a first timer (goal to walk the half) and just booked our DVC, but now am second guessing myself.

Any thoughts/comments greatly appreciated.


Thanks!

 

[JimB.]

I've done it both ways. Each do have pros/cons.

1. monorails are cool, BUT, you have to changeover at the TTC. Going TO the start (especially if you are a "really paranoid/no way in h*** I'm EVER gonna be late" kinda' guy like me) this is not an issue. When the 'rails are just starting up, they are pretty empty. I'm sure they get crowded as the start approaches though. There were less than 10 people on the entire train when I went to the starts this past January. Coming back, they were packed like sardines in a can.

2. Buses do not stop, except possibly when you stay at a big resort. When I was at Saratoga Spring a few years back, they stopped 2 or 3 times inside the resort. They may do that at the big moderates or values. I really do not know. When I was at AKL last year, they were waiting at the front lobby & started right at 3 am.

3. The walking distance to the start from the bus drop off & monorail platform is virtually the same, BUT the pickup buses back to the resorts is right next to the finish area, which is MUCH closer than the walk back to the monorail. Trust me, this year that was a BIG issue for me personally. I'm not sure if buses run to the monorail resorts or not.

If I had to choose between the 2, I would probably choose the monorail TO the start and a bus back. If that's not an option, the buses work fine. Wait time back is minimal (10-15 minutes max is all I have ever experienced)

 

[Cindylou]

I've stayed at POR and taken the bus and the Poly and taken the monorail. Both trips went smoothly, I made it to the start with plenty of time to spare. I felt like I could leave the room later when I was counting on the monorail to bring me there.
My DH picked me up after the race the year we stayed at POR so I didn't have to take the bus. The ride back to the Poly was quick and easy on the monorail. I think it's a nice treat to stay at a monorail, but not essential that you do.

Good luck,
Cindy

 

[dsnyfan21]

ok, 1st off, If you are staying at a Monorail resort hotel (Poly, GF, Contemporary) you have no choice. You have to take the monorail to get to the start. There is no Marathon Bus Service. I have done both, stayed at Poly and Pop. I Just personally don't feel as rushed getting to the start using the monorial. Got on just about 4am, so not too bad. Bus, I feel more like I need to get out there and get in the line to get on the buses.
Getting back, if you took monorail over, you take it back. Same for the bus.

Good luck and of course their is the price difference, but sure you know about that already.

-Tracy

 

[heatherlynn444]

we stayed at the Poly this year and while I complained about being in the Tahiti building becuase it was so far from the main building, it was literally steps away from the TTC! we just walked there, hopped on the monorail, and there you go! it was so easy and nice to not have to change monorails etc. so that would be my choice!

 

[jbucci]

We stayed at BLT this year. No problems getting the monorail in the morning. We left kind of early being paranoid about the travel time, but I've heard the monorails let you leave a bit later because they obviously don't have to deal with roads closing pre-race. Had no problems with the bus the year before from SSR.

We were able to take the bus back to the resort after the race even though we took the monorail in the morning. The only hitch was it was not a direct bus-- it stopped at Fort Wilderness and Wilderness Lodge first, then BLT/Contemporary. Normally this would not have been a big deal, but we were freezing after the half and would like to have gotten back faster-- were a bit annoyed with ourselves for not walking all the way back to the monorail (the buses were closer).

This may not be true, but it seemed to me that the wait time for buses was longer for the All Star and POP resorts and much less for the moderate and deluxe, likely because of the sheer number of people who stay at value resorts. The bus back to the "higher end" resorts were running really quickly and did not seem to be a problem.

 

[cewait]

I think you'll find plusses and minuses for both forms of transport. It is a personal decision as much as anything.

I have taken bus, driven and this last year monorail from BLT. I was anxious about the BLT and monorail being the last stop on the loop before TTC. So on the half day I was out there by 3:30. No wating at all. I had friends who caught the 4:15 that day and they arrived with no issues either. Based on that I took one just after 4 on Sunday and can report no waiting. It's almost like they dispatch a train per resort as the Sunday train was empty as it arrived in the gate.

I really do not have a preference of either form of transportation.

 

[sk8ingmom]

I personally prefer the monorail - as in "I will never, ever stay off the monorail again!". If you are traveling with anyone who wants to see you race, but doesn't necessarily want to leave the resort at 4 am, monorail is the way to go. From monorail resorts, we can see DH run by in 4-5 different places. The one year we stayed at POR, we tried for hours and didn't see him until the finish.

Last year was the first time I ran as well. At the end of the half I was tired and freezing and the wait to get on a bus was insanely long. It was nice to have the option of walking to the monorail to get back to BLT.

 

[forceword]

Hi everyone,

just to widen the topic out, I'm staying at the Beach Club for the 2011 Goofy. Do I need park admission to walk back to the Beach Club after each race ? What's it like getting back to the Epcot resorts after each race ?

thanks,

Liam

 

[JimB.]

Liam - you will not be allowed to go through Epcot to get back to the BC w/out a ticket.

The buses run regularly, & although it is kinda' like getting from home plate to first base by way of the pitcher's mound, it is an easy trek.

 

[cewait]

Liam - you will not be allowed to go through Epcot to get back to the BC w/out a ticket.

The buses run regularly, & although it is kinda' like getting from home plate to first base by way of the pitcher's mound, it is an easy trek.

I also want to add that you are most likely not going to be able to walk through Epcot even burning a pass after the half if you are faster than a 2:30 half. (5:50 + 2:30 = 8:20...park opens 9:00)