Jan. WDW Marathon Weekend Expo

[minniebeth]

My family will be at WDW for the Marathon Weekend in Jan. My DH and DS are running the 1/2, myself and my 2 DDs are doing the 5K. We will be having other family pick up our packets for us (with all the necessary things they need to do so) but my question is: is it worth going to the Expo at the WWofS to walk around? Anything fun and worth doing or is it just another typical marathon expo?
Any thoughts would be appreciated! Thanks!

 

[marathonmommy]

My family will be at WDW for the Marathon Weekend in Jan. My DH and DS are running the 1/2, myself and my 2 DDs are doing the 5K. We will be having other family pick up our packets for us (with all the necessary things they need to do so) but my question is: is it worth going to the Expo at the WWofS to walk around? Anything fun and worth doing or is it just another typical marathon expo?
Any thoughts would be appreciated! Thanks!

I think it's typical - but on much grander scale. It also helps get me in "the mood" and is part of the event's excitement. But hey, I love Expos!

 

[Hockeychic]

I think so but I am a fan of expos and go to any in my area even if I am not doing the race.

 

[bunnyfoo]

I think the Disney expo is super crowded and it's hard to walk around. But you get the best selection of race merchandise there. Just be prepared for the lines and crowds.

 

[UsMcWifeForever]

when my DH ran the marathon in 2009, we liked the expo (but we like expos in general lol) I liked that we were able to pick up some free buttons with the race logo/date on them to put away. It was very crowded and you can not take strollers into the expo so that was a little bit of a pain lol. But it did help to get you into that "Disney race" mind set.

 

[Bookwood]

This new setup using the Jostens building for the expo does help alleviate some of the crowding, and I have to admit to being a fan of the no stroller rule (sorry don't hate me), but I've been hit by them at Expos and worried for my Achilles.

 

[verticalchaos]

This new setup using the Jostens building for the expo does help alleviate some of the crowding, and I have to admit to being a fan of the no stroller rule (sorry don't hate me), but I've been hit by them at Expos and worried for my Achilles.

AMEN! Far too many people have no clue how far out their strollers extend from them and plow into people (not to mention the people who let the little darlings who the strollers are meant for push them around...the kids can't even see over the stroller!!!). Definitely not a good thing when you're about to run a race! In general I'm not anti-stroller...I'm just anti-people who are clueless about courtesy when using them. (And especially the ones who claim it's YOUR fault they ran into you.)

 

[PurpleTurtle]

Ha! I love this. Funny story (now) re: strollers in the expo. My DH ran in Jan. of 2006. My twins were 1 then, so he took them to pick up his packet, not realizing that he couldn't take the stroller in. Well, he ended up having to carry them BOTH into the expo to get his packet, etc. Not good, poor guy. No strollers are great, unless you need a stroller!

P.S. He's running again this Jan., but no stroller needed for us now The kids are all doing the Mickey Mile (tried to get us all into the 5K, but it was already closed.)

 

[DisneyBride'03]

Ha! I love this. Funny story (now) re: strollers in the expo. My DH ran in Jan. of 2006. My twins were 1 then, so he took them to pick up his packet, not realizing that he couldn't take the stroller in. Well, he ended up having to carry them BOTH into the expo to get his packet, etc. Not good, poor guy. No strollers are great, unless you need a stroller!

P.S. He's running again this Jan., but no stroller needed for us now The kids are all doing the Mickey Mile (tried to get us all into the 5K, but it was already closed.)

Bless his heart...one of a parents worst nightmares!! Have fun!

 

[minniebeth]

Thanks for the posts everyone, I have a few more questions:

do the buses run from all the resorts on the expo days?
how much time would you allot for the expo?

and my DD's question: Is there any place to eat or are there any food vendors there? (Lol, she would ask that question! )

Thanks!

 

[FireDancer]

Thanks for the posts everyone, I have a few more questions:

do the buses run from all the resorts on the expo days?
how much time would you allot for the expo?

and my DD's question: Is there any place to eat or are there any food vendors there? (Lol, she would ask that question! )

Thanks!

Yes, for the January event every onsite resort has buses. The only place I'm not sure about is Shades of Green but all the "normal" resorts have buses.

How much time really depends on when you go. The least crowded will be when the expo first opens on Thursday or Friday. On Saturday the crowds are probably a little lower because it will only be folks running the full that go. That is an assumption since I never went on Saturday. If you are there early you can get in and out in 30 minutes if you don't spend a lot of time touring the floor or shopping. This doesn't include transportation time. I walk the whole floor and usually get something in the merchandise area and with travel time I am easily there or on the way to or from there for 2 hours.

The Wide World of Sports Grill is the only dining option I can think of inside the complex.

 

[Pumbaa80]

The only place I'm not sure about is Shades of Green but all the "normal" resorts have buses.

when we booked Shades of Green they said they would have transportation, as well.

 

[FireDancer]

when we booked Shades of Green they said they would have transportation, as well.

Cool, thanks for the confirmation. I thought they would but didn't want to assume.

 

[FFigawi]

how much time would you allot for the expo?

It all depends on when you go and how much you like to shop. As Frank said, the earlier you go, the less crowded it will be. Friday afternoon is probably the most crowded because you have people picking up packets for the half, the full, and Goofy. I like to go on Thursday morning or early afternoon. Packet pickup at that time takes about 15-20 minutes. I also like to take advantage of expo prices and selection to stock up on shoes, clothing, and other useful goodies, so I'm there for another 30-45 minutes doing that. All told, I'm there for about an hour.

 

[rubato]

There is no transportation from the parks to the Expo, correct? We will be at MK that morning, so I was going to walk to the Contemporary to get a bus. Would that be the fastest?

Also, instead of going back to MK, I need to go to Epcot. What would be the fastest way to do that?

 

[FireDancer]

There is no transportation from the parks to the Expo, correct? We will be at MK that morning, so I was going to walk to the Contemporary to get a bus. Would that be the fastest?

You are correct. A bus did go from DHS to WWoS but I have heard that is now not the case. And I do think walking to the Contemporary would be the fastest way to get to the expo from MK.

Also, instead of going back to MK, I need to go to Epcot. What would be the fastest way to do that?

As long as you don't mind carrying your goody bag and anything you buy at the expo around the park the way I'd go is grab the first bus that is heading to any of the boardwalk area hotels and then enter Epcot via the International Gateway. There are lockers near the IG so you could always drop your bags off there if you don't want to stop at your resort or carry them around the park.

 

[rubato]

You are correct. A bus did go from DHS to WWoS but I have heard that is now not the case. And I do think walking to the Contemporary would be the fastest way to get to the expo from MK.



As long as you don't mind carrying your goody bag and anything you buy at the expo around the park the way I'd go is grab the first bus that is heading to any of the boardwalk area hotels and then enter Epcot via the International Gateway. There are lockers near the IG so you could always drop your bags off there if you don't want to stop at your resort or carry them around the park.

I hadn't even thought about the fact that I'll have all my stuff. Duh! I guess I'll just have to see how much stuff I buy. Thanks.