How to get to the Health and Fitness Expo on Marathon weekend?

[tinkerbell of winter]

I just realized this, is there a way to catch a bus to the Health and Fitness Expo at WDW? Would you have to perhaps go to the TTC or Downtown Disney and catch a bus. Also the morning of the 5k do the buses come to the resorts early for transportation to AK? This may be a stupid question but I just thought of it.

 

[AKbabe]

I'm dying to know this as well and planned to ask in the next couple of months. When we went for the half-marathon, we had a car. This time we won't and I was hoping I didn't have to keep taking taxis or rent a car.

 

[princessmomma]

No such thing a stupid question. We all learned along the way.

To answer your question, there are specialty marked Expo buses that run almost continually all day Friday and Saturday for all the resorts. They don't stop at the regular bus stops but right outside the front doors. At least they did at the Swan the POFQ. They will be departing from the same spot race mornings between 3 and 4 a.m. to take you to the race starts for the half and full marathons.

Not sure about the 5K.

 

[AKbabe]

Okay, but doesn't the Expo start on Thursday? The 5K is on Friday and we have to pick up our race packets on Thursday so that won't help us if buses don't run until Friday.

 

[DianeL]

The buses are running on Thursday when the Expo opens. This year they had a time sheet for events for Marathon Weekend inside by the check in. Bus start on Thursday is questionable.

In 2005 & 2006 we were on the buses around 2 pm because we were at the Expo before it opened and in 2005 no lines. 2006 a few more people.

In 2007 while waiting for the bus at 2 pm we saw one arrive and then start to leave. We started running towards the bus and the bellman who was closer managed to get them to open the door for him only to be told...they were doing 'dry runs' well heck with that it was already well after 2 pm, I'm thinking it was pushing 2:30. Susan asked that same nice bellman to call us a cab we beat the bus to the Expo while it was still doing it's 'dry run'.

I can't say how it will be on Thursday, January 10th but the 'dry run' bus told us they would start the actual pick ups at 3 pm. In Jan 2008 we are renting a car anyways so we will head over early again.

BTW, this year was the longest line we had seen out of our 3 WDW weekends and a que had been formed. That said it moves unbelievable fast. Before you know it your inside the Milk House and then entering were you get the bib/chips. Make sure your waiver is signed. You will need to show ID so don't forget that either. The signed waiver thing I've forgotten 2 out of 3 times

Sorry, can't help with the bus info for the 5K. This will be my 1st WDW 5K and we'll have the car

Allow for time for the Expo if it's your 1st. Not only is there wonderful Disney merchandise there are others present from shoes, socks and tech shirts to other races being represented. There will be speakers that they will have the times for in a little booklet for you. It's a wonderful Expo

Happy training!!!!!

 

[AKbabe]

Thanks so much to both of you. This has been incredibly helpful info!! I'll see you at the 5K!

 

[escape]

The signed waiver thing I've forgotten 2 out of 3 times

I remembered mine for last January but give it a few more times and I'll have a record like this.

OP, I know this won't help you at all but for those not doing the 5K, you might consider picking up your packet Friday morning. We went around 10ish this past January and there were no lines to get into the packet pickup room.

 

[runwdw2008]

Is there a cost for the Expo -- beyond buying stuff?
Dona

 

[ultramickeymouse]

Is there a cost for the Expo -- beyond buying stuff?
Dona

No, the expo is free. They have some free goodies there.

 

[runwdw2008]

No, the expo is free. They have some free goodies there.

Whoo Hoo. The only thing better than cheap is free.

Dona

 

[Tiger Lily 03]

Jennifer, you might try emailing the race folks to find out the answer about busses and 5k.

It will be such fun and I am definitely getting revved reading the questions!

 

[postesf]

HI Jen! If you do e-mail and get answers...please post them! I'm staying at POP and have same questions... How do I get the EXPO? What time does the bus pick up on 5K race morning...

Thanks!!!
Stacie

 

[aldisneygrl]

Hi I am staying at Pop and running the 5k with my dd9. I emailed this question to Disney when I registered. Thought I would share it with you.

My question to them:

Do the resort buses provide service to the Wide World of Sports? Also,
how early in the morning do the buses start running. I am looking at
coming for the 5K Fun Run in January 2008, and was planning on utilizing
the Magic Express service so I would not have a car. I was wondering
how I could get to the Expo from my hotel? Also, I know that I would
have to be at Animal Kingdom early on race day, and was wondering if I
would be able to use the Disney bus system for that.

Their first response:

Thank you for contacting Disney Sports Travel. There will be
transportation provided to/from the marathon events, including the expo,
to all Disney owned and operated resorts.


Thank you,
Disney Sports Travel
407-939-7810

Then I got a second response:

We will provide transportation from all Disney Resort to and from the
Expo and to Animal Kingdom for the 5K. You will need to check the
transportation schedule for the pick up times when you get here.
Thanks.



Hope this helps some of you. It is my first time as well. Maybe we should all go together?