Need help regarding being a marathon watcher!

[GOOFYFREEK]

I just got looking at the course map on Disney site and they still have River Country and Discovery Island still on it. Just a little odd I thought.

http://adisneyworld.disney.go.com/media/dwws_v0200/en_US/marathon/events/pdf/MarathonMap05.pdf

 

[10nis]

My info says Main Street spectator cheering is at mile 10, Floridian Way (GF - Poly) is at 12.7-13 miles. That gives my family 28-30 min to get over there since I am a slow poke I think they can make it!!!

 

[KarenNYC]

I knew thta it would be tight to do both but I need to meet someone at GF - I may ask her to cheer both men on and then meet me elsewhere. Does anyone know if I can watch him along the boardwalk? DH seems to think that I can but I don't see it mentioned in any of the literature. He'd prefer me to go there as opposed to AK (he thinks there would be something for my son to do there - with all the stores and eateries). Also, any suggestions of good places to dine the night before other than at All star?

 

[GOOFYFREEK]

Yes you can cheer anywhere along the board walk it is a open area you are basically following the sidewalk around the lake to the World Showcase entrance.

We ate at spoodles the night before. Good pasta

 

[Aisleleven]

I knew thta it would be tight to do both but I need to meet someone at GF - I may ask her to cheer both men on and then meet me elsewhere. Does anyone know if I can watch him along the boardwalk? DH seems to think that I can but I don't see it mentioned in any of the literature. He'd prefer me to go there as opposed to AK (he thinks there would be something for my son to do there - with all the stores and eateries). Also, any suggestions of good places to dine the night before other than at All star?

They have changed the course this year...the course goes down the Yacht/Beach Club side...NOT the Boardwalk side...

You can DEFINATELY watch the runners there though...I had friends cheer me on from the BW last year...if you don't go to AK then you will probably have plenty of time to hang around the BW then walk over to the Yacht and Beach Club area...

JMO, but if you cheer on your husband on Main Street, and your friend cheers them on at GF, then have her meet you at the BW...could this work? I really think you are cutting it close trying to get from Main Street to GF...with traffic, the monorail may go the other direction, etc...

 

[Kristi1357]

I would also suggest parking at Epcot before heading wherever to see your runners run. I have done this the past 3 years and it works great! Chad doesn't have to ride crammed in a bus, all sweaty & gross. We can go right to our room in our own car - faster too.

I do like the idea of watching from AK. I think I might try that this year. I usually just watch from Main St. then head to Epcot and wait. I could watch at MK then bus or cab to AK, then do the same over to Epcot. And traveling will be easier this year since DS is staying home with his Grammy. Last year was tough lugging a 6 mos. old around the route!

DH hasn't been very good at training this year and is very down on himself about running this Sunday. He said he doesn't even want me to watch, that's how down about it he is right now. I suggested he just run the half instead - but he thinks that is failing also. So, maybe if I watch at AK too this year that will help him out more. That is definately one of the hardest parts of the race. Thanks for the great idea!

 

[KarenNYC]

If I park at Epcot then how the heck will I get to AK? I think the bus will take FOREVER...... The map shows that they run the boardwalk - you are saing they run inside of the hotel grounds there and NOT on the boardwalk asDH was led to believe?

also, is Spoodles on or off property?

 

[GOOFYFREEK]

They run on the Hotel property. Basically on the sidewalk that leads from MGM to the Boardwalk Hotel then over to Epcot. This is all open area and you can watch any where along there.

Spoodles is located on the Boardwalk

 

[10nis]

Spoodles in on the boardwalk. Probably need a PS for Friday night, lots of marathoners will plan on eating there.

Below is from an email I rec'd from the Marathon in regards to staying at The Yacht Club. I am unsure where the best location will be to watch along Swan/Dolphin-Yacht/Beach area. My family will be along there somewhere--probably by the bridge to EPCOT, then hurry thru the Int Gateway entrance to EPCOT and catch us as we go by Earth in EPCOT.


Benefit to Marathon Weekend Participants: The WALT DISNEY WORLD® Marathon race course passes in front of Disney's Yacht Club Resort. Families and spectators will be able to cheer on Marathon Weekend Participants by walking outside to one of the club's private beaches. The resort is also located within walking distance of the International Gateway entrance to Epcot®. Spectators with a theme park ticket will be able to walk to Epcot® to cheer on the Marathoners as they finish their race. Disney's Yacht Club is the perfect location for Marathon Weekend Participants who are bringing their loved ones to cheer them on!


Like I said earlier, my plans are to have my family park at TTC, monorail to MK--try and catch us on Floridian Way by Poly, then get the car and drive to AK. Drive back and park at BWI and go to BW and EPCOT from there. The post from Calcio was very helpful describing how to park at TTC and catch the monorail.

Good Luck! I have been stressed about getting my family to good cheering spots for a while! They are not knowledged on Disney and it can be difficult to get around even if you know where you are going! The cab idea is a good one for that reason but $$$$.

 

[Aisleleven]

Like I said earlier, my plans are to have my family park at TTC, monorail to MK--try and catch us on Floridian Way by Poly, then get the car and drive to AK. Drive back and park at BWI and go to BW and EPCOT from there. The post from Calcio was very helpful describing how to park at TTC and catch the monorail.

Good Luck! I have been stressed about getting my family to good cheering spots for a while! They are not knowledged on Disney and it can be difficult to get around even if you know where you are going! The cab idea is a good one for that reason but $$$$.

Don't worry if you don't see your family/friends while out on the course...think of it as a BONUS!!! Just know that they are there, somewhere, cheering you on (as well as the other runners) and want you to do great!!!

Try not to worry so much that it takes your focus away from running your race and having a great time!!! We have worked hard training for this...The fact that they are there for you and supporting you all along the way should be good motivation!!!

I was LUCKY that I saw my friends in 4 places last year but knowing that they came ALL the way to Disney to cheer me on carried me through...and so did all of the other spectators...Wear a name tag...people (complete strangers) WILL cheer you on by name...and it really makes a big difference!!

See you on the course...Good luck!!

 

[KarenNYC]

I hear ya that seeing family is a "bonus" but my DH looks for us and uf we aren't there it would kill him. Also, my son will be MAJORLY on the look out for Daddy so we gotta be there.....

 

[Aisleleven]

I hear ya that seeing family is a "bonus" but my DH looks for us and uf we aren't there it would kill him. Also, my son will be MAJORLY on the look out for Daddy so we gotta be there.....

Oh yeah...absolutely!!!

I was talking about the "runner's perspective"...

Be sure to pick up one of the marathon guide maps and know approximately how fast your husband will do a mile and you should have no problem finding him at LEAST once on the course...and it should be pretty easy to watch him cross the finish line and then find him in the reunion tent after the race.

If you have a car then by all means, use it...and give yourself plenty of time to get from one side of the property to the other...you should have plenty of time to watch him on Main Street, then again at AK or WWoS and then again at the Yacht/Beach Club then make it over to the finish line..that's what my friends did last year...

Good luck!