We took some notes and compiled some helpful tips for spectators and racers alike. Generally we focus on the non-racer but since I participated in this event there's a smattering of both kinds of tips.
Planning Ahead:
- Book your hotel rooms the day you/your racer registers for the race. Rooms fill up quickly for marathon weekend. You can change the reservation without penalty until 5 days before your check in if you find a better deal. Take advantage of this. Better to have something booked than be scrambling.
- All Disney hotels will provide busses to the Expo, to the start race morning and back from the finish to your hotel. But, Polyneisan, Grand Floridian and Contemporary are all on the race route if that's a consideration for spectators. Port Orleans French Quarter abuts the start line corrals, though we're sure Disney discourages people from walking over. (you didn't hear it from us). More on busses later.
- Park tickets aren't cheap. Really think about how many days you'll want to be walking around parks vs the need to keep your feet up. Having said that, adding days is simple once on property and once over 3-day pass it's inexpensive to add days. (e.g., we added a 6th day to our park hoppers for about $5 a piece)
- Disney dining plan is a fine option if you'd like to have everything in one package. We got a bit confused by it (our first time using) and, frankly, had to go off the plan a few times for appetizers we wanted and our drinks. I'm not sure how much it saved us. Like the park tickets, it's a numbers game.
- Good idea to book dining reservations ahead of time for sit-down meals. If you don't, expect a long wait or being told they're not taking walk ups. Better to have them and not use them than searching around for a table.
- If you book via Disney Travel, you have to CALL them to OK your booking and to have the ballance charged to a card about 30 days before arrival. They do NOT automatically bill the ballance to the card you used for your deposit. They will NOT call to remind you until after the 30 day mark and at this point they are entitled to cancel your reservation if they can't reach you. Pay attention.
- Orlando International Airport is about a 35-min drive from the Disney property. Magical Express is a good option for people staying at Disney hotels. Recommend it for inbound trip, especially if you'll be arriving early in the day before your room is ready. Book a month out and you'll receive yellow bag tags. Once you have these, ME will pick up your luggage and bring it directly to your room while you can go and enjoy your first day at WDW. However you're on their schedule. This means on your return trip, you will be scheduled for a bus to the airport 3 hours before your flight. ME is good because on some airlines you can check in and check bags at your hotel and receive your boarding passes and then just cruise to the airport without a care, bypassing check in counters entirely. But, if you want to spend more time on property before your flight, a cab is an OK option and costs around $50. The front desk at your hotel can connect you to the cab company to arrange a pickup.
- WEATHER: Could be anything. January weather is highly varriable. In 2010 they had snow marathon morning. in 2011 we had great running weather. Was cool but not freezing at start. Spectators not moving around may find it chilly. Most days were jeans and t-shirts durring the day with a jacket at night but we had one day wearing shorts! Makes packing a pain but plan for anything. If you do forget something, there is a Nike outlet just off property at the Orlando Premium Outlets on Vineland Ave (between I-4 and International Drive). This area also has a ton of chain restaurants and shops.
- Get to the Expo as early as you can both in terms of days and hours. If you're in on Thursday, go Thursday morning. Expo opens at 9...try and be there as close to 9 as you can. We were there early and got through the pickup process fairly quickly. Those who arrived after noon waited in long lines, especially on Friday when people were picking up for both 13.1 and 26.2.
- Race brings in a ton more people than would be there otherwise in January. January is also summer vacation for South America/Southern Hemisphere folks so don't be surprised by giant tour groups. If you can live without a bag at parks, it'll save you having to wait in long bag-check lines.
- Busses. So. Frustrating. A five minute trip to start line at Epcot took an hour and 1:15. Give yourself ample time to get there if you need to check clothing, use the portaloos, have a warm up. Pee before you get on the bus.
- You didn't hear it from us, but you can walk to the start corrals from Port Orleans French Quarter. The corrals are a good 20 minute walk from the Epcot parking lot in any event. Whichever way you walk, be cautious and visible.
- Spectators tips:
- It will be dark until 7 a.m. If you line up along the startline road and want your racer to see you either pick a pre-determined point for them to see you or consider wearing glow necklaces or bring flashlights or somesuch. There are 27,000 runners and you can be hard to pick out.
- Epcot busses and Monorails will be very crowded. Give yourself ample time to get where you're going.
- Bring clothing layers. And snacks. And your cell phone.
- Good observation points:
- Ticket and Transportation Center
- Parking lot of the Contemporary
- Main Street USA (not sure who they let in here or when. Park ticket may be required) check out the Spectator Resources on the Marathon site.
- Road along the Grand Floridian and Polynesian
- Epcot parking lot, close to bus depot
- Set up a pre-determined meeting point following race. Finish line is chaos.
- After race, there's a booth that will engrave your medals with your chip time!
