For 5K & 1/2 Runners, Rent Car of Not For Marathon Weekend?

[4TheKids]

I have a car reserved but am wondering if it's truly worth it - We were renting the car just to make sure we can get to the 5K and Mini on time (i.e., not stress out about missing the bus, can sleep in a little later than people catching the bus, can leave immediately after the races, etc.). Don't plan to use the car to the parks because my sister's family will not rent a car so we'll all use the bus instead.

I read the final instructions and it said if we plan to drive, give 90 minutes travel time so kinda eliminate any saved time from taking the bus. So I'm hoping all you experienced Disney runners can help me make up my mind. my questions are:
1) We're staying at POFQ. If I take the bus, is there a set time the bus will come to the resort or is it the standard response that bus comes every 20 minutes? If set time, then I would at least know what time to go outside and wait for bus.
2) If I keep the car, what is the latest time I should leave the resort to make 5K (instruction says must be at EPCOT by 6:15) and 1/2 (must be in corral by 5)?
3) If I keep the car, how long will it take to leave the parking lot? I have read a couple of blogs and writers said it took them an hour just to get out of parking lot then everything is normal again.
4) If we ride the bus to go back to resort, does it wait until it's full before we can leave or leave at set time? And, does it stop at multiple resorts? I expect POR and POFQ will share but wondering if we'll have to share with any others.
5) What would you do - Rent a car or ride the bus?

If it helps, my DS16 will probably finish the 1/2 close to 1:40. For 5K, DD and DH will probably finish around 26 minutes.

Thanks!

 

[cewait]

I have done both and generally rent a car, but more for grocery runs and other side trips. You are correct in the understanding that you cannot just show up for the race with just enough time to hop out of the car, do a little business and start the race. The reason, at least for the half, is that the road into the parking lot is part of the course.

So ...
1) the busses run on more of a demand schedule. Think about getting 20,000 folks to the parking lot through an hour window. Busses will run from 3-4 on the morning of the half (and a similar window for the 5k). You will more than likely walk out to the bus stop and will be greeted by a line waiting for the next bus. The earlier you head out in the window the less likely you will be greeted by a line. On the return trip, the busses seem to run by more of a schedule...but it's not anywhere near a 20 minute thing between busses. And during peak periods the busses are again continuous and a line will form.
2) if driving drive over in the same timescale as the bus schedule. Traffic and be a bear if you wait til the last minute. So waiting until 4 on race morning could make a 15 minute drive turn into a 40-45 minute drive.
3) most years leaving the parking lot is not all that bad.... But there are years where the lot just backs up. 2010 and 2007 are two years that I am familiar with hour long waits exiting the parking lot.
4) the busses usually fill without much of a wait usually, a line is present and the bus fills as son as it arrives. The POR is a solo route
5) I rent a car as described above. About half the time ride busses and the other drive. It all depends on weather and how I am feeling about the day. When driving I will leave the resort about 3:15 and camp out in the parking lot. I would rather be at the site than worrying about traffic, etc. I also get out and walk around and meet up with friends. The real advantage of driving is to have a shelter for those morning when the temps are in the lower 40s and the wind is blowing. One thing I do and would encourage others to do is to stop at the bus stop and fill your car is you do drive. When I drive I try to pick up a car load. It's a great way to meet a few folks.

I am in the rent a car camp, but would not plan on saving much sack time. You will save more time with regard to getting to and from the expo and 5k than you will for the half

 

[Duanerice]

Good advice from Charles.

Since I drive to Disney I always have a car. Makes life easier, going to the Expo, getting groceries, etc. But, other than the 5k, I always ride the bus to the races. I'm nervous enough on race day, I don't need the added pressure of dealing with the traffic. Too much of a hassle. In 2008 my wife drove over later in the morning so we took the car back. What a pain. Between trying to get out of the parking lot and all the road closures, it wasn't worth it. Never again. When I am done I just want to hop on the bus and let Disney worry about getting me back.

For the 5k the parking lot is not nearly as busy as for the half or full. I had no problem driving there.

I always stay at POP so I can only comment on the busses there. Other than waiting in line, I never had to wait for a bus. The line wasn't from lack of busses but just the shear amount of peeps waiting to get on. As soon as one bus left, another was right behind it. At POP they had 2 busses loading at the same time. The bus stop for the half was definitely more crowded than the full. I normally get to the bus stop right about 4. Last year for the full I didn't get to the bus stop until 4:30 and still made it in plenty of time. There were only 5 of us on the bus.

If you'll take a little advice from a veteran, don't be in such a hurry to get it over with. Enjoy the experience. Sleep is over rated on race day. Getting up at 3 instead of 4 is not really going to make a difference Other than last year (freezing my butt off) I always hang for a bit and enjoy the atmosphere. Before and after the race there is a band and characters. Unlike a lot of other races, this is an event, not just a half marathon or whatever. Enjoy the event. The experience of a Disney race is not just the race but all the other stuff that goes on.

Hope you have a great race and trip.
Duane

 

[Bephus]

I have only run one Disney race but here was my experience.
I ran the full in 2007 and was staying at OKW. I was out for the bus at 3, there were only a handful of people(I think because of the multiple stops within the resort). Anyway, our bus was pretty empty so they went to SSR to pick up excess runners there (may have been TNT resort that year because I seem to recall a lot of purple getting on the bus).
So, the gist of my story is: they get you on the buses as quickly as they can and will redirect buses to pick up any slack.
I am planning on taking the bus for the half and full and driving to the 5k.