Half Marathon viewing without a park pass

[tripletsmama]

An anyone tell me how half marathon viewing works? My DH is running. My kids and I have annual passes, but my brother has a 7 day hopper. He would rather not use a park day just to come in and cheer. Are people allowed in magic kingdom before the posted opening time just to watch the runners? What about Epcot? Where are some other good viewing locations that aren't in the parks? Any tips and info are appreciated, this is our first time!

 

[OKW Lover]

Deleted

 

[that's nice]

According the the rundisney.com site....

Magic Kingdom® Park

Spectators will be able to see their runner run through the Magic Kingdom® Park near Cinderella Castle (Mile 5.3 for the Half Marathon and Marathon). This location will be open at 5:30 a.m. You do not need a ticket to enter the Magic Kingdom® Park, but to enter the ChEAR Zone area, you will need a ChEAR Zone wristband.

To reach the Magic Kingdom® Park spectator area from Epcot®, walk from the start of the monorail station at Epcot® and ride it to the Transportation and Ticket Center. Exit the monorail, walk down the ramp and follow the overhead signs for the monorail to Magic Kingdom® Park. Ride the monorail to Magic Kingdom® Park and exit the platform heading towards the Magic Kingdom® Park entrance. Proceed through the entrance and Main Street U.S.A. toward Cinderella Castle, where you will find the spectator area.

Other Walt Disney World® Theme Parks

If you want to watch your runner in another Walt Disney World® Theme Park, you will need to purchase a Theme Park ticket once that park is open for the day. Transportation to these parks is available through the monorail and bus system at the Walt Disney World® Resort.

Finish Line


Spectators can see their runners again at the Finish Line. There will be a limited number of complimentary seats along the Finish Line available on a first-come, first-serve basis. Reserved seating is available for purchase through our ChEAR Squad.

The Finish Line is located in the Imagine Lot of Epcot®. To reach the finish line from Magic Kingdom® Park, take the monorail back to the Transportation and Ticket Center. Exit the monorail and follow the signs for the monorail to Epcot®. Ride the monorail back to Epcot® and upon arriving, walk down the ramp and exit to your left towards the parking lots. The Imagine Lot and Finish Line area will be on your right.

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Keep in mind the 1/2 goes from Epcot parking lot to MK and back. I'll be running on Saturday!!!! Good luck to your husband!

And don't forget to sign up for runner tracking to see how your husband is doing...

http://live.xacte.com/wdw/alerts/

 

[MdmMim]

No ticket needed to go in and cheer the runners on.

 

[CAStevens218]

When my Dad and I ran last year we thought a great place to watch would have been just outside EPCOT. It wasn't crowded at all and it would have made it really easy for us to find my husband and brother watching us.

Have fun!

 

[tripletsmama]

This is great news! We are staying at Bay Lake Tower. Our plan was to walk to mk and watch, then monorail to Epcot to watch him finish. Does this plan sound do-able?

 

[bdklein]

You do not need a ticket to enter the Magic Kingdom® Park

So its free admission/entrance to the MK for the day? And to all the rides and attractions?

 

[tripletsmama]

So its free admission/entrance to the MK for the day? And to all the rides and attractions?

I would assume once the park opens all the people in the specified race viewing area will be ushered out.

 

[bdklein]

I would assume once the park opens all the people in the specified race viewing area will be ushered out.

That makes too much sense. Brain fart on my behalf

 

[Deb & Bill]

So its free admission/entrance to the MK for the day? And to all the rides and attractions?

Nope. They don't allow spectators past Main Street at the hub. None of the stores are open, so you are limited to that short block of Main Street and then ushered out of the park. All the runners will be through the park long before 9AM.

 

[RunningGirl]

Give this a try. It will help you plan it out.

http://espnwwos.disney.go.com/events/rundisney/spectator-tool

 

[tripletsmama]

Give this a try. It will help you plan it out.

http://espnwwos.disney.go.com/events/rundisney/spectator-tool

Great tool, thanks!