Expo - Transportation?

[MinnieLiberty]

How did you guys get to the Expo to pick up your race numbers? I don't have a car, so is it possible to get there by bus/monorail? Or is getting a cab the way to go?

My and my boyfriend would like to get to enjoy the parks, and were going to try to get there during the afternoon when the parks are hopping. We don't want the expo to take up most of the day, so I want to know what you guys recommend as the best mode of transportion getting there from Magic Kingdom, Epcot or MGM (we'll probably skip Animal Kingdom that day!).

Thanks!

 

[DavidandDenise]

There will be busses from the resorts that take you to the expo--nice coach busses--we runners get to ride in style. You guys could either catch a bus at your resort or a resort close to the park you're in at the time. MK -- I'd recommend walking to the Contemporary, EPCOT or MGM -- I'd recommend walking or taking the boat to the Boarkwalk (or other nearby EPCOT resort). You won't need to spend much time at the expo; it's really small compared to most. However, depending on what time you show up, it can be a long wait to pick up your packet. If you go closer to when it's over, the line will be really short! Have a blast! =)

 

[MinnieLiberty]

Awesome! How often do these buses run? Are only runners allowed on the buses? My boyfriend will be on this trip with me, and he isn't running either events, so I wouldn't wait to leave him behind!

I'm so excited! I can't wait to get some merchandise! (I'm such a dork!)

 

[DianeL]

Nope not just for racers, friend and family are allowed Buses run often I guess. This year were we waiting on the 1st bus. Be prepared to wait though when leaving the Expo. Both years I swear we were sitting on the pavement waiting. Both years we left the Expo and headed to POP to grab a bite and the 1st year to check out the resort before transfering to a park (we just grabbed a locker at the park) Otherwise leaving I'd just grab any resort bus and then switch to a park unless you want to take your stuff back to your resort. But we didn't want to waste valuable park time

Gotta love the merchadise!!! and get what you want there because even though they had a trailer at the finish this year (not sure in past) there is a long line. At least there was a huge line when i stopped by and I think I was in line for a 1/2 hour and gave up and was still at least 5 people away. I had bought all i wanted but in 2005 they had postcards with the course (nice for scrapbooking) and was told if they came and arrived late they would send them to the finish line well it seems they never were ordered this year

My fave race thing is the mugs. I love drinking my morning coffee out of them and can't wait to get my DL one and the new 2007 WDW one. The mug itself has been the same offwhite base with a blue rim and handle and the logos the only thing changing. Love them! It's the first then I grab when I hit the merchandise area LOL

This year they had magnets not sure in 2005 but they were in containers by the registers along with the different race pins.

I will again buy all my stuff at the Expo and not waste time at the finish.

This year now that we're getting more and more into running we're going to take a look at the other vendors too. I saw One More Mile down there in January and hope they are in DL or at least return to WDW because I love that saying and want to check out their sizing.

My friend left her fave gel at home and silly lady didn't think to look at the Expo but I believe Cliff was there AND Powergel was there because I remember seeing them. So if you just have to have your fave gel and left it at home take a look at the Expo.

I can't remember what else was there because we picked up our shirt/bag, drooled over the DL Medal and races to the Merchandise area sadly bybassing everyone else.

I can't wait!!! Friday, Sept 15th, I'll be the one working on my arm muscles carrying my race shopping bags

Happy training!!!! Ok I think I've edited it for the last time, keep thinking of something else LOL

 

[MinnieLiberty]

WOW! That's a lot of info! I love it!

Yeah, me and my boyfriend don't want to waste precious park time as well. We're gonna get there on Thursday probably in the afternoon. Would you recommend the first day as the day to get your race stuff? Also, around what time is it the most crowded?

I would love a mug! I hope that they made enough, because I really would love one! Is the merchandise section huge? Or is the selection limited? I wished that they had all that stuff online, so then I could get everything picked and shipped, but oh well!

Anyway, glad you had a great time! And good luck on the Disneyland Half! I'm sooo jealous, because I can't go there since I'm already taking so many days off for other races! Perhaps next year. *crosses fingers*

At the finish line, did they have the full assortment of merchandise, or was it limited?

That's it for questions for now. I'm sure I'll think of more later! Thanks again!

 

[DianeL]

We were waiting for the buses to start in 2006. The poor CMs at OKW were probably on the verge of calling and paying for a cab for us just to get us outta there LMBO

We went on Friday, the Expo started at 3 pm and we were on the 1st bus to it at 2 pm. Walked a bit and eventually just stood when the crowd started to form. There was quite a crowd moving into the building as the doors opened and I thought we'd be there for hours with so many people. It moved quickly though and before I knew it we were walking to our line to pick up our bib/chip and there was only maybe 3 in front of us. It moves really quick.

From there we moved downstairs to get our bag with shirt/goodies and drooled

Then races to the merchandise . To me it's pretty good sized but! I just remembered where online I saw pictures of it since I have yet to paste a photo here LOL....


http://www.disneyrunning.com/06prephotosrm.html


Not my photos but kewl photos of the Expo. Where the Milk House sign is along the back of the Expo is the upper level where you check in and get your chip/bib.

The photo's taken of the over looking Expo, directly in front/beneath you would be the Disney Merchandise area. This past year Marathon and Goofy were on the right as you look at the pictures and Donald was on the right. At least I think Goofy was all on the right! LOL I only had eyes for Donald Mugs weren't a problem on Thursday, but I don't recall them at the finish but again I never made it all the way to the 'counter'.

Hopefully someone else who went on Friday will be able to tell us how the selection was on Friday

They had shirts and the bean/plush characters at the trailer for sure. Everything is in the trailer and when you get to the counter you tell them what you want. I think they both pins & magnets still because Susan bought a pin at the Sports store at DTD on Monday which is where they would have sent them after the races. The had very very limited, like 1 rollling rack of t-shirts at the Sports store in DTD afterwards. I bought the 1/2 Marathon baseball cap (wore it for it too LOL) and they weren't at DTD and I don't recall seeing them at the trailer but perhaps they had them in boxes underneath? Same goes with the mugs. Buy the mug at the Expo! Don't wait on that one.

Buy at the Expo and save yourself the headache and stiff muscles

They have t-shirts that will have your race logo on it. There is the shirt that will say "I did it" and I believe it always has the course map on the back. The logo shirt for Donald 2005 and 2006 was only a logo on the front chest area. There was 3rd Donald this year that I LOVE. Run, Walk, Jog, Waddle LOVE IT! The only one I didn't buy at the Expo was the logo shirt but in the end I lucked out and they had it at DTD with one in my size. Susan bought the jacket (yellow) perhaps someone else can describe it because I know I want one now but can't remember exactly what it looks like but that could or could not be there next year. Baseball cap with the logo for your race (Did they have a Goofy one too? Again, I only had eyes for the Duck LOL)

There was more, i think there were polos but can't recall. This year there were 2 plush (beanie size) ... Mickey and Stitch. Oh the 5x7 frame which is flexible rubbery stuff but it's Marathon Weekend not race specific. There was a luggage tag too made of the same stuff and Weekend general.

There is more and sadly I didn't spend much time looking at the Mickey and goofy stuff as i was already losing time over Donald trying to decide on this and that LOL

I'm sure others can and will say that other Expos/races are better but this is the only Race/Expo of this size I've done and I am a Disney nut so to me it's all amazing and exciting. So I hope you enjoy it as much as we do.

Definitely go with the finish line is more limited, it's a trailer like the kind you walk up to and order a hot dog out of at fair. I think they had 6 registers though but it was tight. And if you find you wish you had bought something after the Expo/finish check out the Sports store at DTD just in case they got in what you missed

Good luck!!!!

 

[MinnieLiberty]

You are so awesome! Thanks for all the info. I DEFINITELY will make sure that I make my purchases at the Expo, since I don't want to risk not getting my mug!

I'm soo excited! Me and my boyfriend are both Disney nuts as well. I'm going to have to bring an extra duffel bag for my souvenirs! YAY!