how will the triathalon affect boats to MK?

[rimmer]

I was just about to schedule our first pop-up trip to Ft.W for next weekend May16-18 when I discovered the Tri athalons are being held the same weekend. Does this effect the boats to MK and how chaotic is it at the ft. during this time? If it's crazy I'll never get dh to go again. We have season passes and only live 2 1/2 hrs away, should we postpone till the fall?

 

[Disney Campers]

it definitely impacts the Fort, road closures major congestion by pioneer hall etc bay lake is used and the swimmers swim quite far out, but I honestly can't remember if the boats still run in some capacity. I would suggest taking the bus or driving, the congestion at the bay lake / pioneer hall might not be worth it to get to MK by boat if it is available.

 

[PolynesianPixie]

I though swimming in Bay Lake was a no-no now. Do they just make an exception for this event?

 

[ChrisAlli]

We checked out of our cabin the day before it started last year. It got really crowded and I know roads were closed and pretty sure the boats were not running that morning, they did have signs everywhere and left something in the cabin telling us everything that would be delayed, closed, moved and for when and how long.

It was kind of wierd because the beginning of the week, the place was like a ghost town, then if filled up.

 

[Colson39]

I though swimming in Bay Lake was a no-no now. Do they just make an exception for this event?

Yea, it's an exception for them. Overall, if people did swim in the lake nothing probably would happen, but there is a chance that the bacteria that occurs now in hot lakes during the summer could show up. So to be on the safe side, they just don't allow swimming at all.

I'm sure they test the water before the races just to be double safe.

 

[PolynesianPixie]

Yea, it's an exception for them. Overall, if people did swim in the lake nothing probably would happen, but there is a chance that the bacteria that occurs now in hot lakes during the summer could show up. So to be on the safe side, they just don't allow swimming at all.

I'm sure they test the water before the races just to be double safe.

Ah! Yeah, I heard about that bacteria. Freaky stuff. I swam in bay Lake as a kid and always wondered why you no longer could. I figured it was pollution from all the boats.

 

[seabee]

And those pesky otters!

 

[PolynesianPixie]

And those pesky otters!

gotta watch out for them!

 

[medic9016]

The boats did not start running until early afternoon, the last time we were there during a triathlon. The busses started running earlier to help people get out of the Fort. I think there was a MK bus that morning also.

 

[rimmer]

Thanks for the quick response. We have decided to put off our camping till maybe Oct. But I talked dh into still going next weekend and just staying off site since nothing else is available. Thanks agian, you guys are alway so helpful, I'm ashamed I'm only on when I'm planning a trip. Please forgive me

 

[ironz]

rimmer...sorry you postponed, but I totally understand, esp. if you/DH aren't into that sort of thing. haha! I'll be one of the triathletes running around.

And in case people come here for info...yes, the boat traffic is delayed until late morning...the swim starts at 6:30 for the first wave (group) of athletes. Swimmers will be in the water for the next few hours, so the boat traffic is minimized.

They give us warnings about the bacteria (which is more a problem later in the year when the lake has been hot for longer), and there are dozens of lifeguards, etc. on the water with us in boats and kayaks for safety. Plus, we're all trained for this distance of swim (1.2 miles).

The Fort will be a flurry of activity all weekend, with various road closures on Sunday. I believe WDW is usually decent about getting info out to the guests if a resort will be affected...but in case, people can view the course maps at www.floridahalfironman.com

Lots of nice athlete bodies walking around! Eye candy for all!

If anyone is around, come watch and cheer!

 

[rimmer]

Thankyou Ironz
Good Luck with the race

 

[ntsammy5]

And those pesky otters!

Most of them will be drunk and passed out!

 

[des1954]

And those pesky otters!

Leave the otters outta this!!! What did they ever do to you!!

gotta watch out for them!

OMG - Here's proof of drunken otters!!!

This is my highly trained otter, Ollie....

 

[ntsammy5]

If anyone is around, come watch and cheer!

Do they have a lot of entertainment along the course like they do for the marathon? That would be neat! During the marathon traffic is messed up until at least 11AM, but the course didn't come near the Fort.

I always wanted to try a triathlon, but the swimming always killed me. I have the buoyancy of a rock.

Good luck -- are you competing with a team? Like Team In Training? (better not put the abbreviation here)

 

[des1954]

I hold these truth's to be self-evident


I deny that NTSAMMY5 is my brother!! He was adopted!!

 

[AuburnJen92]

we checked out on a marathon day and they put this note on the rv that we could check out late because of it..no rushing to get out by 11! (like anyone does anyway...) they told us to stay put until 1

 

[ironz]

Do they have a lot of entertainment along the course like they do for the marathon? That would be neat! During the marathon traffic is messed up until at least 11AM, but the course didn't come near the Fort.

I always wanted to try a triathlon, but the swimming always killed me. I have the buoyancy of a rock.

Good luck -- are you competing with a team? Like Team In Training? (better not put the abbreviation here)

Actually, it is very different from the marathon...
no real entertainment, other than some music at the start and finish. Disney doesn't produce the race...basically, they are letting us play in their backyard, so no characters, etc.

The swim will be in Bay Lake...the transition area, where we switch from swim to bike and then bike to run is in a field by the Hoop De Doo place. The bike course winds a little through property, past Epcot, and exits over by AK...then we ride north of property for a while (total bike is 56 miles---would be nightmare road closures if we were on property that long), then the run is along some of the FW roads, some on paths mowed by the canals in FW, and along the path between WL and FW (3 loops of running, for a total of 13.1 miles). Course closes at 3 pm, or so.

I'm not with a "team" like TNT (another way to abbreviate them), but with a training group from my home...I think there will be about 7 or 8 of us from central TX there.

So...though it's a different atmosphere than the running events (more intense), it's still a good time, and we're at WDW!

 

[ynottony99]

I think that it would make the event much more interesting if the boats ran their regular schedule.

 

[dtum]

We're checking in on Saturday afternoon. Are things going to be a mess? Towing our 5r, we can't just take any detour.