Half Marathon from Saratoga Springs

[tripletsmama]

Hello, I am looking for information regarding transportation to the half marathon from Saratoga Springs. My sister, husband, and mother will be running.

1. Is there a shuttle from Saratoga Springs to the start line?
2. What time should they plan to be on the shuttle?
3. Does the shuttle pick up from each individual stop within the resort, or do they need to go to the carriage house?
4. We will be renting a vehicle. Is it easier/better for them to drive themselves?
5. What is the best way for the kids and myself to reach the finish line? Epcot bus?

Thanks for any tips and information! Last time we did marathon weekend, we stayed at BLT, and the monorail made transportation a bit easier.

 

[Deb & Bill]

Hello, I am looking for information regarding transportation to the half marathon from Saratoga Springs. My sister, husband, and mother will be running.

1. Is there a shuttle from Saratoga Springs to the start line?
2. What time should they plan to be on the shuttle?
3. Does the shuttle pick up from each individual stop within the resort, or do they need to go to the carriage house?
4. We will be renting a vehicle. Is it easier/better for them to drive themselves?
5. What is the best way for the kids and myself to reach the finish line? Epcot bus?

Thanks for any tips and information! Last time we did marathon weekend, we stayed at BLT, and the monorail made transportation a bit easier.

There are shuttles from all the resorts to the Epcot parking lot where the race starts.

They should probably be at the bus stop no later than 3AM since the race starts around 5:30AM. The bus will only pick up at the Carriage House (kind of like the Disney Cruise Line buses). These buses are not Disney buses, but chartered buses so the drivers don't know the resort routes.

If they choose to drive, they need to leave SSR by 4AM. They have to drive all the way around the Epcot resorts since the road to Epcot will be closed where Disney Vacation Club Drive intersects Epcot Center Drive (by the stop light near OKW). It took me about an hour to get from OKW to the Epcot parking lot the last time I drove from OKW to the parking lot. There were a lot of cars on Vista Blvd between DHS and the Epcot resorts (traffic jam). People were pulling their cars off the road and parking on the shoulder and running to the start. The Orange County Sheriffs Dept blocks all traffic turning right towards Epcot and the MK. I told them I was going to Epcot and they let me through. Everyone else was directed straight ahead toward CSR. The Epcot parking lot closes at 6AM and doesn't reopen until about 8 or 9AM.

Take the Epcot bus and walk from the bus stop to the finish line (that will be in the parking lot). You'll see the tents and all the people as you head that way.

 

[ludari]

Not all resorts receive transportation to the marathon start. Please check the runDisney site for your particular race and under resorts they will list all the race host resorts. If your resort is not one of the race host resorts you can always take a cab.

 

[bumbershoot]

Not all resorts receive transportation to the marathon start.

For the WDW marathon weekend in January, all resorts are host resorts and have transportation.

For other races like Princess, Wine&Dine, and so on, select resorts are hosts.



I believe transportation STARTS at 3am. Many people choose to go as early as possible, because it's better to be there and bored than be on a later bus that is very very delayed.


DH and DS might do some spectating at the January Half, and I'm urging them to take Disney transportation.

 

[Pennyguy23]

I went on a little later bus around 4:30 last time. Still had to sit for quite a while. Depending on your corral. You should be there in plenty of time. Tell them Good luck and have a blast. It is so much fun!

 

[Deb & Bill]

Just don't wait for the last bus. Because there might not be room on the bus if every one does that. And they don't call in extra buses.

You also have to be careful not to think the Disney Cruise Line bus is the marathon bus. They sometimes arrive about the same time.

 

[Disney_Mama]

Can people who are not running get on the bus? We have 4 people running but all on different days. DH is doing the full, DD's are doing the 1/2 and I am doing the 10. We all want to be at the finish line for each other.

 

[bumbershoot]

Can people who are not running get on the bus? We have 4 people running but all on different days. DH is doing the full, DD's are doing the 1/2 and I am doing the 10. We all want to be at the finish line for each other.

Yes, it's for runners and family/friends.

Did you guys see that the waivers (bib numbers), corral placement, and event program guide are all now available on rundisney's WDW Marathon weekend page? It has a lot of info about transportation in the event guide. You read it at home as a PDF and then when you get to the expo you get the printed version.

 

[tripletsmama]

Great information, thanks all! Anything that involves waking up at 3:30am does not sound like a good time to me! They're pushing their luck to get me to the finish line on time.