Disney Marathon Expo questions??

[Destination:Athlete]

My family and friends and I are all staying off-Disney; to get to the expo, do we have to purchase a ticket? Is there a parking fee or entrance fee to get in?

We're just trying to plan things out....thanks!

 

[momof2minnies]

No entrance fee but have always stayed on prop, not sure about parking.I would guess no.

 

[cewait]

You can drive. Lots of parking but expect a walk. Try to arrive as early in the day as you can afford. Think about finding times that locals would not be sneeking off work to go to the expo and you willbe fine.

No fee to enter.....Even though Disney says they charge to enter, I have never been charged for entry, but I have not been there for anything ither than Spring Training, Run Disney events and to run the facility when no other event was ongoing.

 

[Destination:Athlete]

Thanks so much, everyone!!

Went through the program today....wow....it's really REAL.....!!

 

[kimara]

When we are at the Expo, what forms of payment are accepted? I would figure cash and credit, but can I use my Disney Visa Rewards card?

 

[FireDancer]

For the Wine & Dine parking was free, I don't see why it wouldn't be in January. You normally do need a ticket to get into WWoS but that is waived when there is an expo so on site or off you can get in free.

What is taken will depend on the vendors but the official Disney Merch does take credit and debit. I have no idea about a rewards card though, are you talking about the regular Disney Visa through Chase.

All of the vendors I've every bought from took credit but it isn't inconceivable (though is unlikely) that there would be cash only vendors.

 

[kimara]

Frank- thanks for your quick reply!

I am speaking of the Rewards card that I get because I use my Disney Visa by chase SO much. Its like a 1% cash back type card, but instead of cash it is a rewards card to use at the parks or Disney Stores.

 

[FireDancer]

Frank- thanks for your quick reply!

I am speaking of the Rewards card that I get because I use my Disney Visa by chase SO much. Its like a 1% cash back type card, but instead of cash it is a rewards card to use at the parks or Disney Stores.

Does it have a Visa logo on it? If it does it should be fine based on how the merchant agreements with Visa are structured. If it doesn't I really don't know. I'd bring it along with another form of payment they do take just in case they don't take the rewards card.

 

[cewait]

The Disney Rewards card would/may work for OFFICIAL race merchandise only. A better bet would be to use you room key and then settle some/all the room bill with the rewards card.

 

[kimara]

thanks, Coach, I will use room key then pay that with the rewards card. perfect.

 

[liznboys]

FYI. At the W&D Expo I used my Disney Visa to buy my Disney merchandise and they gave me a % discount. Can't remember what it was, 10-20. I don't know if they do that at all the Disney expos though.

 

[wtpclc]

Destination:Athelete - since you're staying offsite, leave early race morning. Traffic is a bear. I know some people laugh at how early on-siters need to catch the bus, but don't cut it short. Plus, if it's not freezing cold, gettign tehre early is a great chance to soak up the atmosphere and meet up with fellow WISHers.

 

[Destination:Athlete]

Thanks, wtpclc!!

We're planning on leaving our place right now at 3am (we're staying at a condo in Kissimmee)...should we leave earlier than that?

 

[wtpclc]

Thanks, wtpclc!!

We're planning on leaving our place right now at 3am (we're staying at a condo in Kissimmee)...should we leave earlier than that?

That sounds about right to me. Not that I am the best judge of time, as I take the bus. Still, that seems good.

 

[cewait]

Thanks, wtpclc!!

We're planning on leaving our place right now at 3am (we're staying at a condo in Kissimmee)...should we leave earlier than that?

You should be good. Just remember that you must come up World Drive, not Epcot Drive from off-site. Garmin and all the maps will direct you to Epcot so just beware. It's not a hard drive to figure out once you know of the closed roads.

 

[Destination:Athlete]

We're going to try and do a "dry run drive" two nights before - two reasons:

1. We won't have a Garmin or any other map device, so we're going off of the directions they tell us at the Expo;
2. We're going to be hyped up/nervous/excited that morning, so I want to make sure I know where we're going before we get there.

Hopefully all the really helpful information you've given us will make sense once we get there!

 

[cewait]

We're going to try and do a "dry run drive" two nights before - two reasons:

1. We won't have a Garmin or any other map device, so we're going off of the directions they tell us at the Expo;
2. We're going to be hyped up/nervous/excited that morning, so I want to make sure I know where we're going before we get there.

Hopefully all the really helpful information you've given us will make sense once we get there!

A test drive is a great idea. Make sure that you do time the drive and then add a little buffer on it. Most likely you will wake up uber-early and then want to come over.