DianeL said:
We have a question on getting Barb from OKW to Epcot so she can catch the Monorail to transfer to the MK to watch us go thru for the half then return to Epcot.
Walk to the bus area where the course passes thru before it enters the Epcot gate then walk to the finish/family area.
Do you think it's possible to do this?
How close to 6 am do the buses run from the resorts (OKW) to Epcot?
How long of a walk from the resort bus drop area (course crossing thru) to the finish is it? Is it even possible to get between the two locations as the racers are going thru Epcot? Can you walk it in 16 minutes or less?
Any tips on the fans getting around using Disney transporation?
TIA!!!!
I'm trying really hard to remember what you are describing....
Busses start running at 3am--athletes are given priority and as long as there is room, spectators can board. Once the race starts--expect the bus service to slow due to detours and such.
For the finish---the half, they enter through the front and we took a parking exit lane I believe to enter---I don't think we ever crossed by where the busses go (having a hard time remembering where the drop off is though)....we entered so that we would run to the right of SE....so we had turnstyles removed just for us. Anytime there is a possibility of a guest path being crossed, there will be crossing guards who will let you go as long as their is a gap. If there isn't a gap they expect you to hold up until the gap has passed.
For the full--runners enter from the boardwalk area behind EPCOT and exit to the right of SE and behind some offices and where the kennels are. They do not interfere at all with anything in the drop off areas or the parking lot b/c they never enter until the finish area which is blocked off for several days anyway leading up to the event.
My memory is coming back....
I do if facing the front entrance of EPCOT--to the right is the monorail station and to the right of that is the bus area.....
The finish is totally on the opposite end of the parking lot---I would venture about a 20 minute brisk walk plus you need some crowd sorting time b/c the finish line is crowded.
It is all doable--as long as you aren't too fast. I cheered last year for the full and it took us a while to take the monorail back to EPCOT from TTC. We did catch most of our teammates---but made it just in time for the speedies (I think we missed one or two).
A cell phone will be your best friend if catching your personal cheering team is important to you.
HOnestly if she can handle the walk from OKW--that might be the easiest way to get to the monorail at EPCOT..but she'd have to leave NLT 5:15-5:30 to get to the station on time. If she's watching the full---she would need to know if you are Red or blue start as they enter the park and two different entrances---one goes through the turnstyles--the other entered somewhere else past the monorail station.
I'm not sure I understand your last question---seeing the corral starts really isn't all that it is cracked up to be.....if she sees the first start....she can get to the start faster by walking from the resort. It is hit or miss if she will get to the EPCOT entrance in time to see you go by there..depending on how quickly she can walk and how fast you run.
I was just hoping I'd hear others had been able to catch a bus at 5 am and still made it to the MK. We'll be in the last Wave and have just under 16 minute mile paces so hoped we could keep her toasty in the room if it ends up being cold and still have time to make it to the MK to catch us. 
Gotta love those alerts!
