Two Transportation Questions

[kaj1436]

1. Can you drive your own car to the start of WDW Marathon Weekend events? If so, is traffic really horrible and how early do you need to leave for a 5:30am race start?
2. Will they have transportation busses going to WWoS from all resorts for the kids' races and package pickup?

 

[cewait]

Buses are provided from all resorts to all marathon weekend activities including the race, expo, 5k, and kids races..

Yes, you can drive to the marathon (and half) on race day. Buses run from 3-4 and I would attempt to be in the parking lot no later than 3:30-3:45. Any later and traffic can get backed up. (Besides you have the car to nap in) Note I gave the bus schedule only so that if you see later in the final instructions that the bus schedule moves, you should move your planned arrival accordingly.

Not sure where you are staying, but if it is POR, OKW, SSR, CBR POP; plan on driving along Buena Vista past DHS and then north on World Dr. Then come into the Epcot Parking from the north. Epcot Dr will be closed from the south

 

[jmasgat]

Buses run from all resorts to the expo at ESPN WWoS for race packet pickup. They leave ~every 20 minutes. And since that's where the kids races are, you just use those buses.

Maura

 

[John VN]

As far as parking at EPCOT...no problem at all.

We stay at FW in our motorhome for Marathon Weekend. We leave FW, drive to EPCOT and arrive at the parking lot at 3:00AM for the 5K, 1/2M and the Marathon. Even at this early arrival time we are not the first ones there. The cars start to build in volume around 3:30 and peak between 4:00/4:15. There are still people arriving close to 5:00. I generally leave the motorhome around 5:00/5:10 for my walk to the corrals.

 

[Mickeyfan74]

Getting in early is better. Driving or taking a bus.

2012 WDW Half was my first experience. I chose to get the bus and it was horrible! Due to the enormous number of participants Disney had outside contract bus drivers. 55 of us were stuck on this one bus from POR. Well we were waiting out there by 3:15 and the bus never showed up until 3:40! The driver had absolutely no clue where to go. Finally arrived in EPCOT parking lot at 4:50AM!!! Could have walked there faster.

Give yourself plenty of time for sure. I will be out by 3AM this time

 

[VickiHD]

Buses are provided from all resorts to all marathon weekend activities including the race, expo, 5k, and kids races..

Yes, you can drive to the marathon (and half) on race day. Buses run from 3-4 and I would attempt to be in the parking lot no later than 3:30-3:45. Any later and traffic can get backed up. (Besides you have the car to nap in) Note I gave the bus schedule only so that if you see later in the final instructions that the bus schedule moves, you should move your planned arrival accordingly.

Not sure where you are staying, but if it is POR, OKW, SSR, CBR POP; plan on driving along Buena Vista past DHS and then north on World Dr. Then come into the Epcot Parking from the north. Epcot Dr will be closed from the south

Just wondering would those driving directions also work for the Princess 1/2 Marathon ??

We will be at CBR and havea rental car. We would LOVE to avoid the buses especially since I have purchased the race retreat and would like to take advantage of that vs sitting on a bus missing it.

 

[cewait]

Yes, head left (west) out of CBR. Pass the stoplights for Victory, DHS/Boardwalk, Swan and then turn right onto World... Stay in the right hand lanes and you will go directly into the parking lot. Again, early is better than late.

 

[VickiHD]

Yes, head left (west) out of CBR. Pass the stoplights for Victory, DHS/Boardwalk, Swan and then turn right onto World... Stay in the right hand lanes and you will go directly into the parking lot. Again, early is better than late.

Thanks so much for the info !!!
This is the one issue I get stressed about. We do plan on getting there VERY early and I bet DH and son will take a nap in the car before heading out to watch me run.

 

[cewait]

Thanks so much for the info !!!
This is the one issue I get stressed about. We do plan on getting there VERY early and I bet DH and son will take a nap in the car before heading out to watch me run.

When I drive I DO set an alarm in the car. It is way too easy to dose off

 

[debbieandroo]

Just wondering would those driving directions also work for the Princess 1/2 Marathon ??

We will be at CBR and havea rental car. We would LOVE to avoid the buses especially since I have purchased the race retreat and would like to take advantage of that vs sitting on a bus missing it.

I'm in the same boat. I'll have my car there and want to get there as early as possible to avoid lines and to enjoy the race retreat.

My friend [from CA] wants to sleep as long as she can so wants to get a cab around 4 or 4:30. That's cutting it a little close, in my very limited opinion. How is the cab situation around that time of the morning? We'll be staying at Wyndam Bonnet Creek, so we will be fairly close.

We might end up going separately. She's not interested in the race retreat - more interested in sleeping. I don't know that I'll be able to sleep anyway.

 

[cewait]

I'm in the same boat. I'll have my car there and want to get there as early as possible to avoid lines and to enjoy the race retreat.

My friend [from CA] wants to sleep as long as she can so wants to get a cab around 4 or 4:30. That's cutting it a little close, in my very limited opinion. How is the cab situation around that time of the morning? We'll be staying at Wyndam Bonnet Creek, so we will be fairly close.

We might end up going separately. She's not interested in the race retreat - more interested in sleeping. I don't know that I'll be able to sleep anyway.

Driving will give her a nap spot. I would NOT leave that late. I am sure you would get to the race in fine fashion but in all honesty, it is cutting things fine. The only way I would leave that late from WBC is if I were walking. Now I am not suggesting walking, but I have a buddy who walks from there annually for Goofy. He has had to adjust pathways once or twice due to security but has not been stopped yet. I can ask him for confirmation but I think he crosses the intersection at Buena Vista then walks up Cast Member Lane to Overpass then over to the race.