Spectator Viewing tips? (when to arrive)

[Moonie]

Hey guys! I have a couple of friends who will be driving in from Gainesville on the day of the marathon in order to cheer me on (they're good friends

I've heard horror stories about the traffic conditions on the day of the race, which is why I finally elected to stay on property. But since my friends can only come for the day, they will have to cope with traffic. I'd like to know...do you all have any advice or guidance for what my friends should do?

Is the traffic bad for the entire day of the race, or is it only backed up until the race actually starts? If they drive in a little later...say 7-8ish, will they have very much trouble getting in and parked for spectator stuff, or do they need to plan to get there earlier?

Thanks so much for any advice!

 

[skfulkers]

Moon--I was just looking at the course map and trying to remember everything I could about traffic patterns on that morning. Ideally, they would be there before 5:00am so they could park in Epcot's parking lot and take the monorail to the MK, TTC, etc for viewing and then return to Epcot via the monorail for the finish. But....if they are getting there between 7-8am, I think they will still be ok if they avoid certain stretches of road.

Tell them to avoid World Drive like a plague. By 8am, they will have shut down the right 2 lanes of World Drive between Osceola Pkwy and Buena Vist Dr since this serves as Mile 22 of the full marathon course. The result of this is that the traffic on World Drive heading to MK and Epcot for the morning is backed up like mad prior to the Osceola Pkwy exit. I distinctly remember running on that stretch of World Drive the past two years and having cars honk, but not all were honking out of encouragement. Some were mad because they had been sitting in traffic for a looong time.

Having said that, I would tell them to come in the back way to Epcot or one of the Epcot resorts. If they take I-4 to the Epcot Center Drive exit, they can take either the Beuna Vista Dr exit and park at one of the Epcot resorts or continue on Epcot Center Dr to the main Epcot parking lot. I don't know how backed up this back entrance is, but I KNOW it will be a lot less crowded than the main entrance off World Drive. If it were me, I would get off at the Buena Vista Dr exit and valet park at the Boardwalk or Beach Club.

If they don't have an admission ticket to the parks, keep in mind that if they park at the Epcot resorts and watch you at mile 24-25 (Boardwalk, Yacht/Beach Club), they won't be able to walk through Epcot to see you at the finish line. If they do not have admission and want to see you at the finish, I think they'll have to follow Epcot Center Drive to the entrance of Epcot.

Hope this helps. I'm not sure if it will be a fool-proof plan, but if I had visitors coming it at that time, this is exactly what I would recommend them to do.

Steve

 

[Moonie]

Hey Steve, thanks for all the tips! I'll definitely be sure to FYI my friends on the insider info, and cross my fingers they don't get tied up in traffic!

 

[Dennyha]

Like Steve said, the monorail is the best form of transportation the morning of the race. Last year, my wife got on the Monorail shortly before 6, transferred to the MK monorail, which would circle the lake picking spectators up, but would not discharge anyone until the MK opened their doors for spectators to enter Main Street. Once on Main Street, DW said that coffee, juice, donuts, and muffins were available at Casey's Corner. The bake shop will not be open as spectators will not be allowed on that side of the street. AFter the runners have passed through the MK, the spectators will be ushered out of the park, all prior to the official opening time.

Good Luck.

 

[10nis]

I agree w/ everything that Steve said....if they are getting there early, the monorail is by far the best mode of transportation on marathon morning for spectators. Some spectators have figured out the madness and can get around the property smoothly but -- unless you are very familiar with the traffic control that morning I would not even attempt it.

Parking at an EPCOT resort is by far the best choice, in my opinion. Probably The Boardwalk...I enjoy hanging out in front of Yacht/Beach Club but alot of people cheer all along the walking route from MGM to the Epcot resorts--Mile 24. If they have the park passes they can hang out in front of Beach club and then take the "short cut" through EPCOT (hanging a left in the world showcase entrance and walk through England and Canada) and then they can see you close to the end of the race--by the arches or the front entrance to EPCOT.

those are my two cents....good luck! It will be wonderful when you see them!

 

[cewait]

By far it is much better to get into Epcot parking before 5 am.

If that is not an issue, they may consider exiting Epcot Drive and parking at DTD. The Boardwalk area of Lake Buena Vista sometimes backs up due to the rubber necking of the marathon on the opposite side of the road. It is usually not a problem but something to consider.

If you are running in the back half of the race and your friends are coming on property around 7-8 am, I would suggest the following. Since it is an hour before park opening I would still exit World Drive. Traffic is not all that bad at that time. Your friends should get in the far left lane to avoid the lane closure (It is actually only one lane taken from through traffic). They can follow World up to MK parking and then they can get into MK or TTC to cheer you on. At a 12 minute pace you will pass TTC around 8 am, Main Street 8:15 and Poly 8:45. A 14 minute pace 8:15, 8:35 and 9:10 respectively. From there a bus from TTC to AK or monorail to Epcot.

 

[Moonie]

Thanks for all the tips, guys! Unfortunately, I'm pretty sure that my friends won't be able to make it before the 5-6am block since they have to drive 2 hours or more that morning just to get to Disney. Also, they will not have park passes, so will only be able to view from the areas that don't require a ticket.

The main places I'm hoping to see them/them to see me are Main St & at the finish - and I'll probably be going somewhere between a 9-11 min/pace, so expect to hit Main St around 8ish...

I'll definitely let them know about parking at a resort or DTD though, along with all of you guys' other tips. Thanks!!

 

[ntsammy5]

Bump