Transportation to RunDisney Event

[sully76]

I will be staying off Disney property the night before the half marathon. Do they check any credentials when you get on the buses at a Disney Resort or can someone go to a Disney resort and just get on the bus for the race? Do they check on the way out of the race or can you just hop the bus back to a resort?

 

[Herding_Cats]

I will be staying off Disney property the night before the half marathon. Do they check any credentials when you get on the buses at a Disney Resort or can someone go to a Disney resort and just get on the bus for the race? Do they check on the way out of the race or can you just hop the bus back to a resort?

No one checks anything for getting onto the busses at the resorts, or when you get on a bus after the race.

However

All of the resorts have a manned security gate to get in, and generally you need to have a dining reservation to get into a resort. The only one you *might* be able to get into is Saratoga by walking from one of the hotels near Disney Springs, and even then, you’re looking at a 20+min walk since the race bus only runs from the main building, which is at the other end of the resort. And that’s if you can access the sidewalk in pre-daylight hours (and the wisdom in that since it’s next to a body of water.)

Your best bet is likely going to be using a rideshare.

 

[GollyGadget]

I will be staying off Disney property the night before the half marathon. Do they check any credentials when you get on the buses at a Disney Resort or can someone go to a Disney resort and just get on the bus for the race? Do they check on the way out of the race or can you just hop the bus back to a resort?

How do you plan to get to the Disney resort? I would assume either driving or ride share and in that case you’re better off just going directly to Epcot.

 

[mmm_texas]

I will be staying off Disney property the night before the half marathon. Do they check any credentials when you get on the buses at a Disney Resort or can someone go to a Disney resort and just get on the bus for the race? Do they check on the way out of the race or can you just hop the bus back to a resort?

I have done this for a couple of events. It worked great for me, and I liked it. No worries about the rideshare driver getting lost/stuck/confused by road closures, and I enjoy the bus atmosphere. Once I went to the Swan and once to the Riviera, it depended on where I was staying offsite.

 

[Spinster Travel]

The only way you might be able to make this work is if you take a rideshare into the resort. They will not let your car into the gates that early in the morning without a reservation.

 

[mmm_texas]

All of the resorts have a manned security gate to get in, and generally you need to have a dining reservation to get into a resort.

FYI, there are resorts with runDisney buses without manned security. Swan for example.

 

[Mr_Incr3dible]

The trick is the bus to the race. If you have someone drop you at the right overpass, you can drop onto the top of the bus and take it to race start, climb down and be good to go.
Post-race, nobody checks anything.
Yeah, a little difficult to execute, but it works in the movies.....

 

[marty3d]

FYI, there are resorts with runDisney buses without manned security. Swan for example.

Don't tell people that - I don't need more crowding on that bus!

 

[Boiler37]

Jumping on this since it's recent but the skyliner isn't running pre-race correct since the time in the AM? It's basically transport via bus or car only?

 

[GollyGadget]

Jumping on this since it's recent but the skyliner isn't running pre-race correct since the time in the AM? It's basically transport via bus or car only?

Bus, car, or monorail.

The skyliner is on the wrong side of Epcot for pre race transportation anyway

 

[Boiler37]

Bus, car, or monorail.

The skyliner is on the wrong side of Epcot for pre race transportation anyway

Thanks! That's what I figured but being a first timer I was wondering if they blocked off a walkway or something for people with bibs.

 

[The Expert]

...and the monorail only runs for the longer distance races (10 Miler, HM and marathon).

Also, they don't check credentials for the buses because they allow/encourage spectators to use them too. The only areas pre- and post- race that are restricted to runners only are the corrals, the finish line chute and gear pick-up.

 

[Herding_Cats]

FYI, there are resorts with runDisney buses without manned security. Swan for example.

Right. But I’m making an assumption that they’re trying to get to the start line for free, and the swan isn’t particularly walkable from offsite locations, is it? And if you’re going to rideshare to the Swan, why wouldn’t you just rideshare to Epcot?

 

[Naomeri]

The trick is the bus to the race. If you have someone drop you at the right overpass, you can drop onto the top of the bus and take it to race start, climb down and be good to go.
Post-race, nobody checks anything.
Yeah, a little difficult to execute, but it works in the movies.....

Haven't you performed enough stunts for one year?

 

[Mr_Incr3dible]

Haven't you performed enough stunts for one year?

Well played.
Golf clap.

 

[mmm_texas]

Right. But I’m making an assumption that they’re trying to get to the start line for free, and the swan isn’t particularly walkable from offsite locations, is it? And if you’re going to rideshare to the Swan, why wouldn’t you just rideshare to Epcot?

I've done this myself a few times (every race during two different event weekends). For me it was about minimizing the potential for issues, plus getting the camaraderie going a bit sooner with the atmosphere on the bus. For me it went well, I wouldn't hesitate to recommend it for anyone that thinks it might appeal to them.