From Fort Wilderness to January marathon starting line

[RadioFanatic]

I just made my reservations at FW Cabins today and am doing the marathon. I would love to get some details on how to get from FW to the starting line. Will there be buses like there were when I went from Beach club to the start this past time?

also, what time is the first boat from FW to MK? I need to know for dh and ds who will be going to the finish line to meet me.

 

[cewait]

yes... bussing will be running from all disney resorts as well as the Swan and Dolphin on Race Day mornings.

The boats will usually start up an hour before park opening or 8 am on race day. Though, I would suggest they take a marathon bus 90-120 minutes before your expected finish time. Or get up with you then monorail up to the TTC and see you pass there and then walk over to the Poly and watch you pass there.

Options....

 

[RadioFanatic]

I just did my first marathon this past weekend and it took me just under 5 and a 1/2 hours. So I was thinking if they take the first boat to MK and then the monorail to epcot, they should make it in time to see my finish - would you agree? if they do the boat/monorail thing, do you still think they would need to take 90-120 minutes before I expect to end?

 

[cewait]

I just did my first marathon this past weekend and it took me just under 5 and a 1/2 hours. So I was thinking if they take the first boat to MK and then the monorail to epcot, they should make it in time to see my finish - would you agree? if they do the boat/monorail thing, do you still think they would need to take 90-120 minutes before I expect to end?

I would think that they would be there with a lot of extra time. Playing it out; leave the dock at 8:00 and arrive MK about 8:20. 20 minute transfer to the monorail and 10 minutes to the TTC makes it 8:50. 20 minute train switch and 20 minutes to Epcot gets them there about 9:30.

Assuming a D corral, you will start just about 6 AM, so you finish about 11:30.

They would have time to Soar, and do a couple other things while you are working your way back to Epcot.

Works well.

Note (mainly for folks who are locked into busing) the reason I suggest a couple hours for the bus is that traffic will be affected by the race. Usually the Half has the most impact on post start marathon bussing sine the entrance into Epcot is shut down for the race and buses are diverted in through an alternative means. Usually not so bad on marathon day once the race clears Floridian Way and if on Bear Island Road. The notable exception to this are the AK resorts and the All Star Resorts. The marathon will affect transportation out of these two places at least until 10-10:30.

 

[John VN]

I just did my first marathon this past weekend and it took me just under 5 and a 1/2 hours. So I was thinking if they take the first boat to MK and then the monorail to epcot, they should make it in time to see my finish - would you agree? if they do the boat/monorail thing, do you still think they would need to take 90-120 minutes before I expect to end?

Why not catch the bus from the Outpost at FW to EPCOT and save a ton of time. Bus takes 15 minutes or less to get from FW to EPCOT normally. Before we started racing we would take the bus to EPCOT and the added time was only about 5 to 10 minutes to get there.

 

[cewait]

Why not catch the bus from the Outpost at FW to EPCOT and save a ton of time. Bus takes 15 minutes or less to get from FW to EPCOT normally. Before we started racing we would take the bus to EPCOT and the added time was only about 5 to 10 minutes to get there.

The only reason I added the time was due to the 2012 bus issues. While it was a half marathon issue more than a full.... I would hate for folks to cut is short. Otherwise, I agree. The likelihood of having a bus issue from there is remote.

I hear you are selling warm spots in the RV this year if the weather turns cold.

 

[John VN]

The only reason I added the time was due to the 2012 bus issues. While it was a half marathon issue more than a full.... I would hate for folks to cut is short. Otherwise, I agree. The likelihood of having a bus issue from there is remote.

I hear you are selling warm spots in the RV this year if the weather turns cold.

Not only warm spots but nice hot or cold shower after race then breakfast.

UH OH! Just remembered that DD will be with us and possibly 2 of her friends so no more room for 2013 but 2014 is another year.