Half-Marathon logistics questions

[LAL77]

Hi there! I'm running in the half-marathon in a couple of weeks. I'm really looking forward to the run but I've got a bunch of questions about logistics in the morning.

In other posts, I see a lot of discussion of 3am bus pick-ups. I am staying off-site and my husband is going to drop me off. So, can someone tell me what time I need to arrive to the start area and where exactly he should drop me off? Does it make sense for him to drop me at the TTC and have me take the monorail in? Suggestions please.

I also see a lot of discussion of "throw-away" sweats. I've done this for a lot of races but I also have lots of stuff to check for the bag check. Can someone explain how bag check works at this race? When do you have to turn your bag in? I like to check my glasses but don't like hanging out 2+ hours without them. Etc. So, when and where is the bag check. How close to race start must you check your bag?

I'm trying to plan our Friday itinerary and I was curious as to how long you've spent at packet pickup and expo if you go first thing on Friday.

Finally, and this is a toughie..... My purse was STOLEN and I have applied for a new Drivers License however the license is going to take aprox 15 days to arrive. I have written to the race coordinators for suggestions about packet pickup and how to handle this but have not heard back. Does anyone have any suggestions on how to handle this for packet pick-up. I have to have a photo id and right now I have none. I don't have a passport.

Thanks! Sorry my questions are long-winded. LOL

 

[cewait]

Lots of options on dropping off and it depends on if he wants to see you later. Since I see you want to check gear the TTC would be a great spot to drop. He can drop you in the Epcot parking lot but I am never sure how cars get back out. I know cabs and busses get out but I would hate to lock him into the lot. If you do not check a bag, you can get dropped at the intersection of Bonnet Creek and Vacation Club Way (was Community Dr on some maps). It’s a kiss and drop spot so he could not wait long at this location.

If you look at the program you will see the family reunion area. We gather in the family reunion area pre-race. Then to get to the start corral you must pass through the baggage check tents. If you don’t have a bag you still go through the tent. You will need to show a race number so be prepared for that. Once through the tent it is a runner’s only area and there are several hundred portolets there. Turn to the left and move to the far end of this area to get to the corrals. Once they open that gate (usually around 5, though will be earlier this year due to the 5:40 start) it is about a 0.6 mile walk to the start. I find that in the dark and with the walk going through a woodsy damp area and with any wind I usually wear sleeves and possibly a top that I will throw away at the line. Disney wants all bags by 5, but you can usually wait until 30 minutes pre-race to drop the bag if you want….just know that Disney also closes corral at 10 minutes pre-race so if you wait too long you are headed to the back of the line.

I usually spend an hour at the expo and most of that is devoted to the process. You get your bib in the Milk House then walk to the Jostens’s Center. There you head to the back of the expo for your swag bag and shirt. Disney stuff is right there. Then you must make your way out through the vendor area. I know a few reps so I try to catch my friends on the way out.

I would bring your receipt from the driver’s license and explain just like you did here. It may not work as smoothly as if you had a photo ID, that is all you have at this time.

 

[Ronda93]

Great descriptions Charles. In the family reunion area, do WISHers meet at a particular letter? Seems like I've read about that, too.

Thanks,
Ronda

 

[Sandy321]

Welcome LAL!

Charles gave you the best answers, I'll add for chit chat...

Race area drop off - I take the buss, so I cant help you there!

Bag of Stuff - again, Charles gave you the detailed timing... When I was dropped off the bus, I felt like a lemming, just follow ALL the people to the area, and then this huge staging area (after race the families find you by last name initial, or whatever letter you pre arrange) There is a stage with music and lots of other stufff... LONG Lines to the portapotties... and then the tent for bag drop off - drop off your bag and go thru to the runners only area - more portapotties, fewer lines!!

I bring a towel to sit on, and throwaway sweats, gloves, and food to eat, a bottle of water to slowly sip on.... while I sit and wait. I am grateful for the WISH team to sit with, and listen to -

Then like Charles says its a long walk around and thru to the corrals, again, I think I went about an hour before I crossed the start line - so I was glad I had a towel (and here I always chuckle at the people that hop over the 'fence' to use the bushes... dh says this is why women bring towels - for their privacy!)

I live in IL - I can go to the DMV and get a state issued "ID" same day.... have you tried this? Give them a call to see - Good luck, I would also ask them it doesnt sound like you are flying - but you could use that as an excuse to expediate things...

Good Luck!

 

[Duanerice]

First, glad to have you with us. It is going to be a great time!

I am staying on site so I'll take the bus. Someone that drives in will probably chime in later today. If your husband gets you there by 4:30- - 4:45 you should be OK. Be prepared for traffic jams though. Sometime around 5:00 they close the roads. I would advise him to drop you off at EPCOT, just my suggestion. That way you are at the holding area and don't have to take the monorail. Probably less traffic at the TTC though.

The bag checkin is between the general gathering area that has bands, concessions, etc. and the runners only area that had 10,000 port-a-potties (or close to it). You can check you bag right up to the start I think, but the problem is the bag check is still about 1/2 mile from the start. So depending on how soon you want to get to the corrals, they do fill up fast, you might have to check you bag 45 minutes to an hour before the start.

I've been to packet pick up on Friday morning with out much hassle. Pretty good time to go actually. Later in the day it can be a zoo. You have to go to one building to get your bibs then over to the back of the Expo to get your race packet. Typical Disney you have to go through the entire shopping area to get out Give yourself an hour if you get there early.

Sorry but no idea on the ID. Good luck with that.

see you soon,
Duane

 

[LAL77]

cewait: Thanks a million! Lots of awesome information!

Sandy321: Great suggestion for a towel! LOL. I'm definitely going to want to sit in the corral area!

Duane: Thanks! I'll definitely hit the expo first thing so we can go ahead to Animal Kingdom.

Everyone: I'm still working on the ID issue. I"ve been to the DMV twice and now I'm calling the race people to see what they think..... wish me luck!

Thanks all!

 

[K80K]

Finally, and this is a toughie..... My purse was STOLEN and I have applied for a new Drivers License however the license is going to take aprox 15 days to arrive. I have written to the race coordinators for suggestions about packet pickup and how to handle this but have not heard back. Does anyone have any suggestions on how to handle this for packet pick-up. I have to have a photo id and right now I have none. I don't have a passport.

Two years ago I left my license in my carry on bag and showed up to the expo with my purse. They allowed me to pick up my packet with my BJs card, lol. Not sure if they were supposed to or not, but maybe in addition to what Charles suggested about bringing your receipt for your license if maybe you had some other ID with your name and photo on it like a wholesale club membership, gym membership or work ID that might help.

 

[PeterPan09]

I'm one of those annoying plodder/run-walk people doing my first half. I only signed up after being assured by fellow race volunteers that I could do it-but I'm really getting scared now that it's close.

I live off-site and will be driving myself over. Should I just go to the EPCOT parking lot?

 

[dsnyfan21]

I'm one of those annoying plodder/run-walk people doing my first half. I only signed up after being assured by fellow race volunteers that I could do it-but I'm really getting scared now that it's close.

I live off-site and will be driving myself over. Should I just go to the EPCOT parking lot?

Yes, I would recommend driving right over to the EPCOT parking lot. They will just direct you as to where to park.

Tracy

 

[cewait]

Yes but make sure you understand that there are detours on property!

Read the race booklet.

Briefly, Epcot Dr will be closed coming from the south so you will need to enter the parking lot from World Dr.

 

[skfulkers]

Charles is right on with his answers. Just to add to that, I've been to the Runner's Relations booth several times--it seems like every year for something or another--and they've always been very accomodating for all sorts of things. I can't imagine if you showed up there with any two or three forms of id that you have (credit card, gym membership, etc) and told them your story that they wouldn't give you your race packet. Especially if your husband was there and he had his id with him as well.

And one item regarding the drop-off location on Saturday morning. Keep in mind that the second location that Charles mentioned (Bonnet Creek & Vacation Club Way) is past the "secured runners-only checkpoint" at the baggage tents and technically not a real entry point for runners to the corrals. I've seen several people enter there, but I've also talked to runners in past years who were turned away from this bridge by security and told they must enter the corrals from the Epcot parking area. If that happens to you and your husband has already pulled away, you could be in a real mess as you'd need to walk to the nearest resort, which should be Port Orleans French Quarter, to take a bus to the start area.

It may work out fine for you, just wanted to make sure you realized what type of entrance this was. But for the extra time you could use to sleep in, it might be worth it!

Have a great race!

Steve

 

[cewait]

And one item regarding the drop-off location on Saturday morning. Keep in mind that the second location that Charles mentioned (Bonnet Creek & Vacation Club Way) is past the "secured runners-only checkpoint" at the baggage tents and technically not a real entry point for runners to the corrals. I've seen several people enter there, but I've also talked to runners in past years who were turned away from this bridge by security and told they must enter the corrals from the Epcot parking area. If that happens to you and your husband has already pulled away, you could be in a real mess as you'd need to walk to the nearest resort, which should be Port Orleans French Quarter, to take a bus to the start area.

....

Steve

Thanks Steve, I used to caveat my drop off spot with your message that you will not have bag check. I have never really heard of anyone getting turned away at that spot (other than spectators) but I can see it occurring. Anything other than what is strictly in the book is always subject to interpretation by a volunteer and the closer to race time the less time you have to react to something not working the way you imagined!!!

I would say that the closest bus at that time, should you not get past the bridge is OKW. There is a bus stop that you can literally hear but it's a5-8 minute walk to the stop.

Or its a swim across the canal.

Thanks for sharing the runners do get turned back on occation. I will modify my message just a bit.

 

[skfulkers]

Actually, Charles, there's one other thing that I've always wanted to try but was too chicken to do it. See if you think this would work--if you were turned away at Vacation Club Way, my thinking is you could walk down Bonnet Creek to Buena Vista Drive and then cut through the grass (or the actual on-ramp) to Epcot Dr. I know when I've been on the Blue course, I've stretched near the bridge that goes over Buena Vista Dr since it was at the back of the corrals and there was plenty of room to stretch out. I'm betting you could cut up that ramp (or through the grass) since it's not such a centralized point from which you could be turned away.

It's a long walk from Vacation Club Way, but if it were me and I was standing in the middle of Bonnet Creek and had the option to do the buss-hopping or try the grass route, I might go off-road.

Think it would work? (and by the way, my DW is rolling her eyes at me right now!).

Steve

 

[Tiger Lily 03]

Nothing to add to the questions already expertly answered.

Only want to point out that many WISHers will meet friends and family after the event at the W location.There is usually a photo op for those who are hanging around at any given time.

 

[cewait]

Steve, not so sure on that one.....

FHP is located at the intersection of Epcot and Buena Vista. It's only Disney Security and OCSD at the bridge. I used to stay at CBR in my early marathon years so I thought I would walk from there one time. I have driven to the race a few times since and I have convinced myself that this would never have been possible.

Plus that's about a mile on Bonnet Creek and Buena Vista where you are in harm's way. I know there are folks who walk from POR to the race but I really discourage them from doing that on the forums that I am a member of; there are just too many risks involved with that early morning walk.

Actually, the only reason I mention the drop off is that I have seen folks dropped there every year I look over there. I have a local friend who is dropped there most years with little issue. He laoughs at me since I am in the gathering area before 4 most years.

 

[AUBandPilot]

Quick question for those that have stayed on property and taken the bus to the start...

Where does the bus drop you off? Same place for half and full?

Thanks!!

 

[cewait]

Quick question for those that have stayed on property and taken the bus to the start...

Where does the bus drop you off? Same place for half and full?

Thanks!!

It is near the family reunion area. The Race Weekend Program has a nice map of the area. You walk about a tenth of a mile to get into the bright lights of the gathering area. You pick you ride up in that same area post race.

 

[Sandy321]

Just follow the people in front of you - there is a steady stream of people walking - no doubt - - we just walked "to the light" (ie the staging area!!)