Marathon resort questions

[DisneyMomx7]

Last year DH ran the marathon and we stayed at the GF which was great for getting to watch him run through MK, then we hopped on the monorail to see him at the finish line at EPCOT.

Unfortunately finances are a bit tighter this year (now that we're taking two trips a year we use our "deluxe" trip for two weeks in July at YC and GF) so I booked POR with AAA rate for January 4-10. I know they have buses running to get DH to the start okay but I was wondering about spectators? Will there be a bus to get us to the finish line in time for both and 1/2 and full marathons? DH is running the Goofy challenge and expects his 1/2 marathon time to be about 1:30-1:35. Is there a bus that will get us to the finish line that quickly, or can we take a cab? If not we'll just skip the 1/2 (not DH) and go to the finish line for the full marathon. Any advice or tips? DId anyone stay at POR last marathon. Would we be better off with two rooms at POP - easier transportation thatn POR? Maybe we'll be lucky and get a really good AP rate for the marathon but I'm not counting on it.

THanks!

 

[Tiger Lily 03]

I hope you don't mind. I am going to move this thread to the Events side of WISH.

I think there are a lot of people there with many answers. There have been other threads that have asked similar questions and perhaps you might also read those.

I'm thinking what I remember that you are in a good place for the race. I'm not sure about the spectator transportation.

 

[DaddyBeast]

Once you get to the starting line at EPCOT, you can pretty much go wherever you want from there for spectating. The monorails are running to/from MK and if you are willing to get up that early, you could be on Main Street when DH goes by! It is close enough to the front of the race that you should be able to make it back to the finish before he does for the 1/2. For the Marathon, you could plan several places, or just try the MK and Finish line.

(Alternatively, you could be in front of CR and cheer him on coming up the one big hill on the course. This would give you even more time to get back to EPCOT for the finish - and it is less crowded than Main Street.)

As far as resorts go, the actual race start is very close to POR and I know a few people walked to the start from there (bypassing the EPCOT parking area). You can ride the buses even if you are not participating, you just need to get up early. If it's cold like last year, be sure to dress warmly, including gloves. (It's hard to clap with gloves, so I yelled alot.)

Finally, be sure to cheer for the WISHers wearing their bright green WISH attire!