Staying Off Property For WDW Marathon

[misterlabel]

Ran first WDW Marathon last year and stayed on-property, but were not pleased with the bus system the morning of the race. Can you stay off-property and drive to the race? Is the traffic and parking a problem? What time do we need to be in the area to get through the traffic, park and get to the tent area?

 

[DOOM1001]

I stayed at the All Stars as I had heard that the traffic can be awful,I however probably took one of the first buses from the All Stars to the marathon and the traffic I saw was not that bad,but like I said this was still pretty early and I wouldn't be surprised if there were some traffic backups if you show up later by car.I'm staying onsite again for 2014 and I wouldn't say you shouldn't stay offsite but you should definitely try to get there early as traffic will likely get bad later on.

 

[cewait]

Traffic is usually not bad IF you do not try to wait to the very last instant to arrive.

I would suggest that busing in general is an excellent way to come and go to the marathon. I will acknowledge that annually, at least one resort will have an issue with the buses. This can usually be alleviated by catching a bus in the middle of the time period. Historically, buses run between 3 and 4 AM for runners; I suggest grabbing the 0330 bus to avoid the last minute peak.

I would also suggest that if you want to stay on property you could drive to the race as well. Again, I would leave the resort so that you aim to be in the parking lot by 330, if possible. I have driven to the races a few times. I find that more often I have issues leaving the race if I drive rather than arriving at the race. If you do drive, just understand that Epcot Dr is not open in the morning.

 

[jmasgat]

Coach What issues do you have after the race if you drive? I'm interested because my current plan is to stay off-site for Princess and drive to the race (which I have never done before)

Maura

 

[cewait]

At least twice it was impossible to exit. As best I can tell, entering buses are given priority (as they should) over autos leaving. Autos park in lots A or B on the map and the point of interference is at X.

http://www.mapmyrun.com/routes/fullscreen/277509427/

I think it a case where parking lot CM are not out there quick enough to keep traffic flowing well. It is the exception more than the rule and for me, on half marathon morning rather than the full.

 

[PrincessV]

At least twice it was impossible to exit. As best I can tell, entering buses are given priority (as they should) over autos leaving. Autos park in lots A or B on the map and the point of interference is at X.

http://www.mapmyrun.com/routes/fullscreen/277509427/

I think it a case where parking lot CM are not out there quick enough to keep traffic flowing well. It is the exception more than the rule and for me, on half marathon morning rather than the full.

I'm following this, too, as I'll likely be off-site for both the WDW Half and GSC. Do you think the inability to leave by car after the race mostly impacts faster runners? I'm not fast and know I'll want to linger a bit, stretch, have a bite to eat, etc. before attempting to leave, so maybe getting out won't be so bad by then?

 

[cewait]

I'm following this, too, as I'll likely be off-site for both the WDW Half and GSC. Do you think the inability to leave by car after the race mostly impacts faster runners? I'm not fast and know I'll want to linger a bit, stretch, have a bite to eat, etc. before attempting to leave, so maybe getting out won't be so bad by then?

I was in the 2-2:15 range. Not fast by any sense of the word, but about 10-15 minutes after the huge rush of runners start to hit the line....

So you could be onto something. Things operate well at the intersection until the volume picks up, catching the lot folks a little off guard.

 

[gsu1988]

Just ading my 2 cents to this conversation. The first time I did the marathon I stayed on site and rode the bus over. The second time I was onsite but drove over. The next 3 times I stayed off site and drove over. I have never had an issue enering or leaving. Like Coach mentioned, they key to entering without a hitch is to get there early.

I prefer driving because I can stay in the car if it is cold or the weather is bad or I can catch a few extra winks before heading to the starting line. It also means that I can leave when I am ready instead of waiting for a bus to fill up to head back to the resort. For me it is just a convenience thing. Having a car also allows you to take extra stuff you might not be abble to take if using the bus. Again, just my thoughts.

 

[cewait]

Just ading my 2 cents to this conversation. The first time I did the marathon I stayed on site and rode the bus over. The second time I was onsite but drove over. The next 3 times I stayed off site and drove over. I have never had an issue enering or leaving. Like Coach mentioned, they key to entering without a hitch is to get there early.

I prefer driving because I can stay in the car if it is cold or the weather is bad or I can catch a few extra winks before heading to the starting line. It also means that I can leave when I am ready instead of waiting for a bus to fill up to head back to the resort. For me it is just a convenience thing. Having a car also allows you to take extra stuff you might not be abble to take if using the bus. Again, just my thoughts.

It feels wierd, but we are staying onsite for all large races even though I could drive from the house with little thought. May revise plans on the ToT or W&D

 

[PrincessV]

I prefer driving because I can stay in the car if it is cold or the weather is bad or I can catch a few extra winks before heading to the starting line. It also means that I can leave when I am ready instead of waiting for a bus to fill up to head back to the resort. For me it is just a convenience thing. Having a car also allows you to take extra stuff you might not be abble to take if using the bus. Again, just my thoughts.

EXACTLY why I'm planning to drive! I'll have my own little Race Retreat/Bag Check in my car, complete with food, blankets, AC, pillows, whatever I need!

 

[goofeygirl]

Reading these I can certainly see the advantage of driving. Esp since you are spending a considerable amount of time just sitting and waiting...and waiting and waiting.

However I stay on property and use their bus system. I stay at the Dolphin and this year in '13 they were spot on with their schedule...the Dolphin hotel got wise and posted a giant poster board where the concierge is that listed the bus schedule for the race.

The year prior though, in '12 was a different story. It was my first time running anything at all so I was totally green. I went to the concierge and front desk about what time and where the buses where and NO ONE knew! Not one staff member I asked knew the bus schedule or where it would pickup...I don't even think they knew that it was marathon weekend! I found my way to the Mears desk (which operated the buses for Disney) and she gave me a schedule and then told me that the f/d and concierge have a schedule already...and the Mears desk agent was perplexed at how NO ONE knew the schedule.

I ended up writing a letter to the management about it...stating how utterly silly it was for NO ONE to know anything about the buses for a marathon weekend when that was the reason the majority of the guests were there for.

So the following year (this year) they wised up.

At anyrate, as coach mentioned, there is always some hotel some year that confuses the whole bus schedule thing.


On that note...I might send them an email again this year in the later part of the fall to remind them to do that...to put that posterboard up by the desk that lists the bus schedule and pickup for both the expo and race...and it overall saves the staff a lot of time repeating the same answer...