Need help regarding being a marathon watcher!

[KarenNYC]

My DH is running his first Disney marathon (while it is not his first marathon it certainly will be the most fun for us) and I want to find out the best place to cheer him on.

I am staying at the Port Orleans Riverside and need to know if the road are open for me to drive to another resort of park to watch him. Any other experienced marathon families out there that can help a newbie out? I will have my two year old son with me as well and we were thinking about getting to the Grand Floridian to meet up with other friends to watch from there and then try to get to the finish line.

Do you think this is doable? would I be able to get to main street at MK as well or no? Also, any suggestion on where to eat the night before (not interested in the pasta dinner at the all star). We are long time Disney goers so I don't need someplace super special....

HELP!

Karen

 

[Laugh O. Grams]

We were there for the Marathon last year. My brother in Law ran the marathon, and there was a bus that took my wife's sister (and all family who wanted to) to different spots in the park where the runners could be seen. She got on and off the buses and saw him in 3 spots before watching him cross the finish line. The rest of the family met up with her there to cheer him on. The whole event is really well planned!

 

[KarenNYC]

where did they catch the bus? was it a special marathon bus or just the regukar old disney shuttles (y'know the ones that take FOREVER.......)

 

[Laugh O. Grams]

The buses were the really nice ones they use for the Disney Cruiselines and were for marathon spectators only. I believe they were picking up spectators at each Disney resort. You should probably call Port Orleans directly to find out the particulars.

 

[10nis]

Hi! I am running the full marathon for the first time this year! We have lots of family attending and I have done loads of research on where they might be able to cheer us on!!!
In the booklet your DH rec'd with his waiver in the mail, there is a section dedicated to spectators, page 21. There are approx. 7-8 spots where Disney has designated areas for spectating/cheering.
This is the plan I have devised.....It is a very hectic one so I don't know if it is feasible to do it while toting around a baby!!
we are staying at BWI. They are not going for the start or mile 4 at EPCOT. It is going to be crazy and too early

monorail to MK to cheer us on at main street at mile 10. (the park is not open to guests, just main street is open for spectators)
monorail to Floridian Way - get off at Grand Floridian or Poly, miles 12-13.
monorail back to car - drive to Animal Kingdom, mile 17.
drive back to BWI, park.
Mile 24+ - Boardwalk area, take short cut thru EPCOT while we "run around the world!" and catch us at Mile 25+ - Spaceship Earth
(we run SLOW and will be even slower by mile 25 -- I think they will have time to get over there!)

We are skipping having them meet us at the actual finish, I just think it is going to be a zoo and we don't plan on hanging around there for long. They all have passes for the parks -- you do need passes for all the parks except MK that morning if you plan on going into the actual parks to cheer.

The one thing I am uncertain about it is getting them to the monorail that morning. I am going to ask when we go to the EXPO. I personally think driving to GF is a great idea but it looks like we run on those roads and I am afraid they might be closed down completely. Maybe driving to TTC might be a better plan and catching the Monorail from there.

Hope this helps -- I want my family to have as much fun as we do

 

[WDWguru]

We called and booked the Segway tour for Sunday morning at 8:30. It was the only time open for our quick trip. It didn't occur to me until later that this was the marathon morning and that a lot of it happens around Epcot.

I'm assuming Disney does indeed know what they're doing and we won't interfere with the runners (or vice versa), but does anyone know for sure what the marathon schedule is? We're staying at AKL this trip and will be driving. Will we be able to get to Epcot's parking lot and front entrance? Would it be better to park at Boardwalk and enter via the showcase?

 

[KarenNYC]

thanks for the details - I think I am going to try to get to MK as I have heard that Main Street is THE place to be and then head to GF with my two year old and watch from there and then hit Epcot - I think aiming for AK is just too ambitious. I am used to watching him run the NYC marathon and navagating thru the streets of the NY but dealing with Disney transport can be frustrating at the best of times so Iam a bit worried.

Thanks for the tips about buses for specators that will be VERY helpful - I will call Disney now but I think I need to speak to the sports group as the regular operators are clueless.....

Karen

 

[10nis]

WDWguru..

Half and full marathon starts at 6am at EPCOT, runs around that area for 4 miles then heads off to MK. The full finishes at EPCOT....speedy runners begin finishing around 820a.

The marathon course runs from MGM, around they Yacht and Beach club side and then thru the showcase entrance to EPCOT. Then we go around the world showcase and finish in the Imagine Parking lot of EPCOT.

I know they do alter traffic the morning of the marathon but you will certainly be able to get to EPCOT, just might take a bit longer than usual. (I just read that EPCOT main entrance will be closed from 545a-715a) Parking at BWI might be a better option, but I wonder about that entrance with the runners going over that bridge and entering in that area as well. With all that said, if it were me, I would take my chances with the BWI parking.

Here is the website, they have the course map on there if you want to check it out. Hope this helps...
www.disneyworldmarathon.com

 

[k_hase]

My parents and husband watched me last year. They did come to the start line but agreed it was a waste of their time as it was dark and they couldn't see anything. They also were on Main Street. We had selected a location where I knew to look for them. Its best if you choose a spot with something you will see as you run down Main St (like I particular sign or store). My mother also carries a big sign with her. She makes one out of posterboard, tapes a yard stick to the back of it and writes "Go Kim" on the front. Not complicated but I can usually find her. For the trip, she made a smaller one that fit in her suitcase bottom and cut the yard stick so it fit too.

After Main Street they went to the finish line. Although they saw me cross the finish, it was mostly because I was wearing my blaze orange hat that you can't miss! Make sure you have a very specific meeting place at the finish, even if its not the family reunion area.

They all agreed it was pretty easy to get around, but it did take longer than expected. They drove to Epcot in the morning before the start and then used the monorail to go to MK and back.

 

[Aisleleven]

Don't waste your time going to the start line...super early and there are 24,000 people there, the odds of seeing your marathoner are slim and none...

However, I recommend getting up early and getting over to Main Street...My friends went via cab and didn't waste time with the bus...If memory serves, they were dropped off at the Contemporary and took the monorail over to the MK...

After the runners past, they headed over to the AK...It was GREAT to see my friends there because there were very few spectators and I was really struggling along at that point, I think it was 18-19 miles...somewhere in there...then they hopped in another cab and went back to the Boardwalk and I saw them again there...(They had time to eat lunch between the AK and the BW)...From there, they made there way over to the finish in the Epcot Parking Lot. (They saw me cross the finish!) and then we met up at the Reunion area...if you have passes, you can use the International Gateway and walk through Epcot to get to the Finish. Otherwise...I recommend a cab...

It will depend on how fast your husband will be running each mile...does he carry a cell phone? That made it easy for my friends to find me and have an idea of how long it would take me to get from point to point...

They did have a small brochure for the marathon...with the map of the course and the approximate times the runners would be coming through...

Again, my friends took cabs from place to place because they didn't want to get stuck on a bus or dropped in the wrong spot...and they told me they gave the cab driver a HUGE tip because he honked his horn to cheer on the runners...I think they said the fare was like $6.00 or $8.00 to get from the BC to the CR and they gave him a $20.00 tip or something like that...LOL...by the way...my friends are CRAZY!!! But I was so glad they came to cheer me on!!!

Oh...and my friends made big signs too...so I was sure to spot them!

This year they are actually running the race with me!!

 

[GOOFYFREEK]

What my DW did was straight to Main St. which for me is was the favorite part of the race. From there she goes over to AK. Trust me if they can make it over have them do it, cause you will need it by this time. I belive its around mile 17. From there she is over front of Epcot and mile 25 you know its about over. You see that big golf ball and know hey right over there and im done.

All these locations are based on a 7:30 min/ Mile

Have them make signs and have them line up on the same side of the road every time. It will be easier for you to spot them.

Good luck to all Marathoners this will be the first one I miss since its start.

 

[KarenNYC]

So you suggest going to AK rather than the GF? Also, where would one find a cab? did your friends call in advance? i will have my two year old son with me so I want to give myself some leeway and I am also meeting a friend there who has two kids....

 

[GOOFYFREEK]

Karen,

Usually they have buses but if not remember from TTC you can get a bus or monorail anywhere. I think she did have to catch the Disney bus to AK one year. And I know she has taken the bus to the All Star resorts and then caught another bus to epcot and she said she was able to get there allot fast that way.

If you ask me AK is way more important than GF. Cause you have just left the MK and your still feeling pretty good. But that road over to AK is long and feels like your never going to get there. And by the time you get there you need some cheering up cause this is about mile 17. And for me mile 17-20 is the hardest in a marathon.

 

[Aisleleven]

Karen,

Usually they have buses but if not remember from TTC you can get a bus or monorail anywhere. I think she did have to catch the Disney bus to AK one year. And I know she has taken the bus to the All Star resorts and then caught another bus to epcot and she said she was able to get there allot fast that way.

If you ask me AK is way more important than GF. Cause you have just left the MK and your still feeling pretty good. But that road over to AK is long and feels like your never going to get there. And by the time you get there you need some cheering up cause this is about mile 17. And for me mile 17-20 is the hardest in a marathon.

Yes...I agree...the road from MK to AK seemed like forever!!!

You can pick up cabs at any resort or even at the TTC...They did not call in advance...

 

[KarenNYC]

hmmmmm... I'll have to ask about those taxis - however if a taxi can ues the roads I am guessing my car could use them as well.... maybe driving myself would be easier and more economical.

 

[Calcio]

You can drive on the roads AFTER the start KarenNYC, at least certain roads.

My wife picked me up at the end of the 1/2 last year, and this year our dd is doing the same. From POR stay on the access road and drive to the light at the road that runs from DTD to the Carribbean Beach, etc. Turn right there.

Drive along, between EPCOT and CB, between MGM and the Swan, and turn to the right and merge into the main road that goes to the Magic Kingdom. You'll need to get across 2 lanes to the left, otherwise you'll get sucked into the EPCOT entrance.

Now you're on the main road to the MK. You will see the runners on the left side running toward the MK. The right side, which you'll be driving on has no runners, they are all on the other side, going up to the MK. Go through the parking booths, drive as far as you can and park. Pick up you son and head for the ticket and transport center. You'll need to cross the runners to get to T&T, so be ready to scoot while carrying him.

Take the monorail over to the MK. Spectators can get into the park, and are allowed on the left side of main street, up to the end of Main. The runners are on the right side. As a runner, hitting the flagpole and turning right to the castle was pretty darn cool. If you know your husband's expected time at mile 10 (just before the runners enter the MK), you can be there to see him go by.

After you can catch the monorail back to the T&T and see him go past the Poly about mile 13. After that I have no idea, as I have these instructions memorized, so I can pound them into my 19 year old daughter, who will (well at least she had better) pick up her mom and dad at the finish to the 1/2.

Good luck. Man this is getting me in the mood. I need to go run a few easy miles.

 

[Aisleleven]

hmmmmm... I'll have to ask about those taxis - however if a taxi can ues the roads I am guessing my car could use them as well.... maybe driving myself would be easier and more economical.

Your own car would work too...that would be good actually because you'll be able to get your husband from the finish line back to the hotel easily...relatively speaking...

 

[Aisleleven]

You can drive on the roads AFTER the start KarenNYC, at least certain roads.

My wife picked me up at the end of the 1/2 last year, and this year our dd is doing the same. From POR stay on the access road and drive to the light at the road that runs from DTD to the Carribbean Beach, etc. Turn right there.

Drive along, between EPCOT and CB, between MGM and the Swan, and turn to the right and merge into the main road that goes to the Magic Kingdom. You'll need to get across 2 lanes to the left, otherwise you'll get sucked into the EPCOT entrance.

Now you're on the main road to the MK. You will see the runners on the left side running toward the MK. The right side, which you'll be driving on has no runners, they are all on the other side, going up to the MK. Go through the parking booths, drive as far as you can and park. Pick up you son and head for the ticket and transport center. You'll need to cross the runners to get to T&T, so be ready to scoot while carrying him.

Take the monorail over to the MK. Spectators can get into the park, and are allowed on the left side of main street, up to the end of Main. The runners are on the right side. As a runner, hitting the flagpole and turning right to the castle was pretty darn cool. If you know your husband's expected time at mile 10 (just before the runners enter the MK), you can be there to see him go by.

After you can catch the monorail back to the T&T and see him go past the Poly about mile 13. After that I have no idea, as I have these instructions memorized, so I can pound them into my 19 year old daughter, who will (well at least she had better) pick up her mom and dad at the finish to the 1/2.

Good luck. Man this is getting me in the mood. I need to go run a few easy miles.

Good plan...see you on the course!!!!

 

[KarenNYC]

hmmmm..... I never actually thought about picking him up afterwards - good idea! I was thinking I could drive to the transport center and take the monorail to MK and then try to get to GF and then AK and then Epcot. I feel like I need to hit GF as that is where our friends are staying but I guess I could just leave the car at Transport center and take the monorail..... any thoughts?

 

[GOOFYFREEK]

I dont know what times your husband is running but your going to be hard pressed to get from Main St to GF. Cause its only 1.5 miles from there over to GF. I am trying to remember which way the Monorail runs. If it goes from MK towards GF you might be ok but if it doesn't I dont see you making both locations.