Driving in from bonnet creek?

[klk77]

first time half marathon run, and am nervous about the morning (timing and directions). Any suggestions for how to drive in from the Wyndham bonnet creek? Also, if in an early corral, what kind of timeline should I be using?

Thanks!

 

[MilesMouse]

I'm wondering some similar things. I've done a runDisney event before but stayed on property. This time, staying at Wyndham BC. I'm assuming uber (unless you have rental) will be best option. I've read through older threads seeing some mention that they have special shuttles for the marathon but I don't know about the other races. I'm also not sure what time to expect road closures to get to the corral drop off area. I'm thinking worse case to uber to a WDW resort and taking the runner shuttles from there. We're already up so early so what's another 30 minutes?

 

[BuckeyeBama]

I drove to all the races from BC last year. Really easy drive - about 10 minutes - just take your normal route to the Epcot parking lot as those roads will be open. Will be doing the same this year.

As for when to go - that depends on your comfort level. You won't sit in much traffic unless you wait really late.

 

[Greatfalls]

So I'm trying to figure out the road closure map in the event guide, which is borderline incomprehensible. Epcot Center Drive is closed both ways from 11 pm the night before to 9:30 am for both the half and full. The map says Epcot Auto Plaza is closed from 5 am to 7:30 am, and the only way in is the ramp from World Drive North. Am I correct that the only way from Bonnet Creek to the lots is to go left onto Buena Vista Drive, then take World Drive after the Swolphin, and then take the exit ramp onto the Epcot Center Parking Road? I guess I'll try to leave by 3:30 and get there by 4. At least I'll be able to sit in the car to stay warm.

 

[Deb & Bill]

So I'm trying to figure out the road closure map in the event guide, which is borderline incomprehensible. Epcot Center Drive is closed both ways from 11 pm the night before to 9:30 am for both the half and full. The map says Epcot Auto Plaza is closed from 5 am to 7:30 am, and the only way in is the ramp from World Drive North. Am I correct that the only way from Bonnet Creek to the lots is to go left onto Buena Vista Drive, then take World Drive after the Swolphin, and then take the exit ramp onto the Epcot Center Parking Road? I guess I'll try to leave by 3:30 and get there by 4. At least I'll be able to sit in the car to stay warm.

Yep. That's the way you'll want to go.

 

[TwoLittlePrincesses]

I drove to all the races from BC last year. Really easy drive - about 10 minutes - just take your normal route to the Epcot parking lot as those roads will be open. Will be doing the same this year.

As for when to go - that depends on your comfort level. You won't sit in much traffic unless you wait really late.

This is what I'm planning on doing for the Princess 10K and Half. Is it a very long walk from the parking to the corrals? I'm a first timer.

 

[Deb & Bill]

Roughly a mile or a bit more. It's a hike.

 

[klk77]

It was a good hike. I’m also a first timer, and I left WAY to late (4:10). I foolishly was in the right hand lane ready to turn off Buena vista for a very long time. The traffic barely moved. People in the lane to the left went by then cut in farther down. It took me 45 minutes! By the time I’d made it to my corral (B), they’d closed entry to it, and that was with me running at times to get there.

Once I was in the corral waiting to go, my Fitbit had me at around 4500 steps, or 2 miles, which would have been mostly me getting from the parking lot to the corral start.

 

[MilesMouse]

This is just thinking out loud, but would there be any sense (or allowed) to take an uber from the BC to a Disney resort and hop in line for one of the race buses? Or would the extra work involved just be put to better use by going a little earlier straight to the Epcot drop off?

 

[Greatfalls]

I stayed and Bonnet Creek and rented a car, but I decided to use the bus for the half (I didn't run the full). I originally didn't like that the only option was 3 am, as I thought that would mean I'd have to wait in the cold for over two hours before race time. But I was glad I chose the bus. First, the buses took a crazy route, going past the Four Seasons, Fort Wilderness and the Poly before heading back toward Epcot. It ended up being a half hour ride, but it was a good opportunity to chat with others and close my eyes for a few minutes. Then there was a lot of walking, first from the bus drop off to the main gathering area, and later from the gathering area to the corrals. I only did Wine and Dine before, where the corrals were right next to the gathering area. But for this week, they said it was a half mile to get to the corrals, but it felt like more. I had over 7,000 steps on my Fitbit before the race start. Anyway, between gear bag drop, one picture with Pluto, a couple of porta potty visits, and all the walking, there wasn't much waiting around, and I didn't have to deal with the stress of a big backup into the parking lot.

 

[Deb & Bill]

It was a good hike. I’m also a first timer, and I left WAY to late (4:10). I foolishly was in the right hand lane ready to turn off Buena vista for a very long time. The traffic barely moved. People in the lane to the left went by then cut in farther down. It took me 45 minutes! By the time I’d made it to my corral (B), they’d closed entry to it, and that was with me running at times to get there.

Once I was in the corral waiting to go, my Fitbit had me at around 4500 steps, or 2 miles, which would have been mostly me getting from the parking lot to the corral start.

Was there a police officer at the corner telling you that the road was closed? We were on our way to Epcot from OKW and got stopped because he had to tell us the road was closed ahead to the MK. We told him we were going to Epcot to watch the race and then we still had to wait for the other police officer to get finished with the vehicle ahead of us. They had the turn lane separated from the straight lanes at the light with a line of traffic cones.

 

[Deb & Bill]

I stayed and Bonnet Creek and rented a car, but I decided to use the bus for the half (I didn't run the full). I originally didn't like that the only option was 3 am, as I thought that would mean I'd have to wait in the cold for over two hours before race time. But I was glad I chose the bus. First, the buses took a crazy route, going past the Four Seasons, Fort Wilderness and the Poly before heading back toward Epcot. It ended up being a half hour ride, but it was a good opportunity to chat with others and close my eyes for a few minutes. Then there was a lot of walking, first from the bus drop off to the main gathering area, and later from the gathering area to the corrals. I only did Wine and Dine before, where the corrals were right next to the gathering area. But for this week, they said it was a half mile to get to the corrals, but it felt like more. I had over 7,000 steps on my Fitbit before the race start. Anyway, between gear bag drop, one picture with Pluto, a couple of porta potty visits, and all the walking, there wasn't much waiting around, and I didn't have to deal with the stress of a big backup into the parking lot.

For the Half my son and our friend got on the bus at OKW and the driver turned right out of OKW and went toward SSR and then over to I4 and the College Program housing. It took them about an hour to get to Epcot and that was only after one of the runners sitting in the front of the bus gave the driver directions. My son was in Corral A and had to run to make the start. On Sunday they drove over leaving around 3:45.

 

[Deb & Bill]

This is just thinking out loud, but would there be any sense (or allowed) to take an uber from the BC to a Disney resort and hop in line for one of the race buses? Or would the extra work involved just be put to better use by going a little earlier straight to the Epcot drop off?

I don't think I would rely on Uber on race morning. With all the road closures and traffic, someone who isn't aware of all of it might get you lost.