Getting into Epcot on Princess Half Marathon day

[cindym]

We have early FP's for Epcot on Princess Half Marathon day. I didn't know the marathon was that day. We can't change parks because I can't get Frozen FPs or our ADR another day. We are veterans with many visits. We are staying at POR. Would it be better to go to HS and enter at the IG instead of at the front of Epcot? Or we could Uber to the BC also.

 

[Mr. Drauer]

it doesn't really make much difference. The race starts at 5:30 AM and they do not completely block of traffic in any places. The finish area is way off to the left side of the parking lot, and the runners do not go by the main entrance. You will be able to get to wherever you need to with little inconvenience (you might wait a couple of minutes to cross an area as runners go by)

 

[Alesia]

Just take the bus to Epcot.

 

[bumbershoot]

I would take Disney transportation (which I don't normally do) and take it early to make up for delays. Know that depending on where you're going inside the park you might be delayed from crossing main thoroughfares until there's a break in runners and the cms let you go. Take that time to cheer the runners on. Those of us who are still out there by park opening need all the encouragement we can get!

 

[cindym]

Thanks all! We will definitely be cheering as my DD (who will be with us) is a marathon runner. She's not running at Disney though.

 

[disnut8]

As with all marathon events, the Disney Cast Members will be there to "show you the way" and if there is tape on the sidewalks, make sure you notice and don't cross it as the runners will be in the middle of the sidewalk. We were there on the true marathon day a few years ago and friendly Cast Members told us we had to walk on one side of the walkway but we needed to be on the other side to meet up with family. The Cast Member pointed out a crossing place a few yards up and said that Cast Member would tell us when to cross. And both of them did it with big smiles on their faces and we had to wait less than a minute to get to where we needed to be. The whole process was painless to us non runners.

 

[Chip_Dale]

Do not remember what marathon it was but all resort buses were not stopping at Epcot in the morning but dropping off at the TTC. There was a long line to get on the Epcot monorail. would have been faster to take the HS bus and walk or boat over to the IG entrance.

 

[scrapquitler]

We have early FP's for Epcot on Princess Half Marathon day. I didn't know the marathon was that day. We can't change parks because I can't get Frozen FPs or our ADR another day. We are veterans with many visits. We are staying at POR. Would it be better to go to HS and enter at the IG instead of at the front of Epcot? Or we could Uber to the BC also.

We've didn't notice any disruption in the parks when there were marathons. The only way we even knew the marathos were going on was by the signs/extra bus stop at the resort, seeing people wear their medals in the park, and one bus being re-routed on the way to the park to avoid a road closure. I don't think you need to change your plans or worry about a disruption at all.

 

[BigredNole]

After experiencing how bad it was 1st hand, if there is a marathon that day, get to the park BEFORE the marathon starts or don't go near MK or Epcot.

 

[mouseketeerwannabe]

After experiencing how bad it was 1st hand, if there is a marathon that day, get to the park BEFORE the marathon starts or don't go near MK or Epcot.

I disagree. We have been during several race weekends and have gone to EPCOT on the Sunday of the half marathon. As stated earlier, the half starts at 5:30 so it would be ridiculous to get to the park before the race starts. You will have very little disruption from the race. Go as planned and enjoy!

 

[bumbershoot]

After experiencing how bad it was 1st hand, if there is a marathon that day, get to the park BEFORE the marathon starts or don't go near MK or Epcot.

Which event were you there for?

Princess is a Half, not a full marathon (they only have a fall in January) so it ends much earlier than the full would.

But it starts at 5:30 so you can't get to the park before that.

Any race routed through magic kingdom has runners out by the time of park opening. The issue is driving to MK because some lanes are blocked. Make the most of it by opening your window and calling encouragement to the runners. If we are still out there by the time you're in the road we need your support!

It just take Disney transportation and
Take it as early as you can.

 

[BigredNole]

I don't know which marathon it was, but it was not posted at CSR nor the bus stops. Their management agreed they dropped the ball because there were many of us affected. We were waiting for a bus at about 7:45AM. AK and DHS buses came and went like crazy. After a long time and a call to the main desk, a bus for Epcot came at 8:30AM. Off we went with about 25 people on the bus. Then the backup and wait. We were told they cannot go to Epcot and we have to go to TTC then take the monorail. At 9:30, we get to the TTC only to get into monorail lines that went everywhere. It was so crazy, CMs were suggesting to get to DHS or AK by bus at TTC. We do and get to DHS just before 11AM. We were given 3 FPs each when we got there. When we got back to CSR, there was a message from the manager at the front desk (no details). We expected the Mousekeeper broke something and they wanted to talk to us. Nope. The manager called us down to apologize for the issue. She stated that they should have notified guests the night before and should have had signs up at the bus stops. She gave us 3 FPs for our entire party for the next day as well.

Things may have changed since then, but I make it a point to know if there is a marathon. If there is, no Epcot or MK that day.

 

[MoonFaerie]

I don't know which marathon it was, but it was not posted at CSR nor the bus stops. Their management agreed they dropped the ball because there were many of us affected. We were waiting for a bus at about 7:45AM. AK and DHS buses came and went like crazy. After a long time and a call to the main desk, a bus for Epcot came at 8:30AM. Off we went with about 25 people on the bus. Then the backup and wait. We were told they cannot go to Epcot and we have to go to TTC then take the monorail. At 9:30, we get to the TTC only to get into monorail lines that went everywhere. It was so crazy, CMs were suggesting to get to DHS or AK by bus at TTC. We do and get to DHS just before 11AM. We were given 3 FPs each when we got there. When we got back to CSR, there was a message from the manager at the front desk (no details). We expected the Mousekeeper broke something and they wanted to talk to us. Nope. The manager called us down to apologize for the issue. She stated that they should have notified guests the night before and should have had signs up at the bus stops. She gave us 3 FPs for our entire party for the next day as well.

Things may have changed since then, but I make it a point to know if there is a marathon. If there is, no Epcot or MK that day.

When? Was it January? That's a full marathon which is a very different situation than a half marathon. I've been going to PHM weekend for years, and is really not a problem.

 

[cindym]

Thanks all! I'm really thinking Uber to the BW and walk in the IG.

 

[sunflare]

I don't know the Princess route, but if it's like the other ones that go through Epcot, the Boardwalk is part of the running path. It'll be crowded.

 

[DOOM1001]

I don't know the Princess route, but if it's like the other ones that go through Epcot, the Boardwalk is part of the running path. It'll be crowded.

The Princess is pretty much an exact copy of the January marathon weekend half marathon,course runs from outside Epcot to MK and back to Epcot,no running at all on the Boardwalk.The smaller races,mostly the 10k's run though the Boardwalk but those races end super early before the parks open.The Wine and Dine and the Dark Side Star Wars half both have run through the Boardwalk in the past but the courses in both those races are in a state of flux as their courses have changed lately due to construction at DHS,I believe Dark Side will probably run through the Boardwalk this year while Wine and Dine won't.The full in January is the biggie that runs through pretty much all of Disney with the last 2-3 miles going from DHS to Epcot going through e Boardwalk.

 

[rteetz]

I don't know which marathon it was, but it was not posted at CSR nor the bus stops. Their management agreed they dropped the ball because there were many of us affected. We were waiting for a bus at about 7:45AM. AK and DHS buses came and went like crazy. After a long time and a call to the main desk, a bus for Epcot came at 8:30AM. Off we went with about 25 people on the bus. Then the backup and wait. We were told they cannot go to Epcot and we have to go to TTC then take the monorail. At 9:30, we get to the TTC only to get into monorail lines that went everywhere. It was so crazy, CMs were suggesting to get to DHS or AK by bus at TTC. We do and get to DHS just before 11AM. We were given 3 FPs each when we got there. When we got back to CSR, there was a message from the manager at the front desk (no details). We expected the Mousekeeper broke something and they wanted to talk to us. Nope. The manager called us down to apologize for the issue. She stated that they should have notified guests the night before and should have had signs up at the bus stops. She gave us 3 FPs for our entire party for the next day as well.

Things may have changed since then, but I make it a point to know if there is a marathon. If there is, no Epcot or MK that day.

I have to say that's not a common issue. It's unfortunate that happened to you that day but I've never heard of anything happening like that any other time. I've done January marathon weekend 3 years in a row now and never had a major issue like that.

 

[sunflare]

The Princess is pretty much an exact copy of the January marathon weekend half marathon,course runs from outside Epcot to MK and back to Epcot,no running at all on the Boardwalk.The smaller races,mostly the 10k's run though the Boardwalk but those races end super early before the parks open.The Wine and Dine and the Dark Side Star Wars half both have run through the Boardwalk in the past but the courses in both those races are in a state of flux as their courses have changed lately due to construction at DHS,I believe Dark Side will probably run through the Boardwalk this year while Wine and Dine won't.The full in January is the biggie that runs through pretty much all of Disney with the last 2-3 miles going from DHS to Epcot going through e Boardwalk.

Yep, and that's the one race I didn't get to do this year Darn weather...