I watched this when it came out right after doing my first half and wine and dine to see what the marathon course was and just signed up in April for Dopey.
That’s ALL Kristen-clear! Thank you so much for this - very clear indeed. I’ll look out for you on (what my wife says is, at age 67) my final Dopey Challenge - although she has given me that instruction twice in previous years and I have been saying ‘never again’ to marathons for the last 10 years. It’s an addiction. Good luck to you and y’all in y’all’s runs. Enjoy! Best wishes from Stephen in the UK.
Looking forward to seeing you again at Marathon weekend. Do have a meeting area for the expo, like the grassy knoll across from the merchandise entrance? Are Tara and Theresa joining you? Looking forward to my second Dopey. Safe travels, hope the weather breaks for you.
No formal meet up this time since this will be a very quick trip for me- right at 48 hrs. Theresa is joining me and will be cheering the half on main street and then will join me for marathon cheering! I'll see you for the half and then be cheering for the marathon!
Yes!! For the half: Before the race you'll have one final real bathroom option right after you go through security, on your right hand side. The next would be in the bus bays of Magic Kingdom, then possibly next to guest relations prior to the turnstiles but they may not let your run that far off course to get to them. The next possible one would be the one that's behind Cheshire Cafe near the Tea Cups. Final option in MK would be in Adventureland, to your left. After that, next real options won't be until you reach Epcot once again and go back onstage by The Imagination Pavilion. For the full: Same options as far as prior the race goes- just through security. When you leave Epcot near the Imagination Pavilion (right after mile 2). The next real bathroom won't be until you reach the bus bays of MK (like in the half) after mile 8. Same MK bathrooms with addition of possible a couple more- the ones by Space Mountain and in Storybook Circus. Cheshire cafe near the Tea Cups, Frontier/Adventure Land, and then you're out of options in MK. Next up would be DAK and i'll be honest- I'm not sure where the bathrooms are there- either way- it's most likely over 5 miles before you would reach another stand alone bathroom in DAK. After DAK, there will be one- maybe two- options that I can see in DHS- at the backstage entrance area IF you come in on the right side of TOT and to your left as you run by the entrance of TOT near the entrance of Fantasmic. There will also be bathrooms outside of DHS near the bus bays, just after the Skyliner station. No bathrooms on the boardwalk. Next ones will be in the World Showcase in the UK, American Adventure, Germany, and Norway. There could possibly be the final ones as you leave Epcot, near Spaceship Earth. Hope this helps!! I'm sure there's more but these are the ones that I can think of...and have used. :)
Yes but only in Magic Kingdom and only until 7:30 or so. Any of the other parks will require a ticket and reservation to spectate in if it’s during normal theme park hours.
Thanks for this video! Very helpful. I have a question adding on to one below... My husband and I are running the 5k and we are staying at AKL. My mom (who is a CM and lives in Celebration), will be watching our 6 yr old son the night before and then they want to come to Epcot to spectate. It sounded like you don't recommend people driving to Epcot in the AM to park. Is she better off driving to a resort to get on a race bus to Epcot? Will they let her take a bus with our son if a runner isn't with her? They will get there early but not as early as us.
For the 5K driving will be fine since none of the course is out on the public roads in EPCOT. Driving to spectate for the longer distances which then have road closures to take into account is the potential nightmare. The 5K she'll be fine. As far as letting her in to spectate, she shouldn't have a problem going through security and such there. They know that runners and non runners are there and I've never known them to questions anyone. Hope this helps!
Is it possible to warmup before the race? Should we be warmed up before we enter the corral? I am planning on doing 1-2 mile warmup but I have no clue when I should begin it. Any information will help!
There is usually open space on either side of the stage and near the port-a-potties to do some sprint type warm ups but I’m not sure you can do a mile or 2 in any of the space there. If you’re staying at a Disney resort maybe try the running paths there before you get on the bus? Just know that if that’s the option you choose, you’ll still have 1.5-2+ hours before the race starts. The parking lot is not a safe option at Epcot because half of it is being used for race set up and the other is where people will be parking. I’d hate to have something happen to you there. Sorry I don’t have a better answer!
Stupid question - but are friends/family allowed in the staging area? I am running alone but wasn’t sure if anyone is allowed with me in the stage area or do they get to sleep in?
Not a stupid question! The only place they won’t be allowed is the starting group area! So they can absolutely come to the pre/post race party at the stage! If that’s the only place they want to be (which it’s the only place they can be feasibly for the shorter distances unless they’re at the boardwalk for the 10k), then they can sleep in a smidge and take a later bus. If they are wanting to see you elsewhere on the longer distance races they’ll need to just wake up early and go with you.
@@RunningInMakeup Thanks for this guide! Adding on to this idea, my husband, 6-year-old son and I will be staying at AKL. However, on the night before the 5k, our son will be staying at my mom's apt in Celebration (she's a CM). That way my husband and I can get up early and our son can sleep a tad later at her place. It sounds like you don't recommend driving to Epcot, and taking resort transportation instead. So should my mom drive from her apt to AKL to get a bus from there? Will they let her and my son on a bus without a runner? My son will be on the room reservation but she won't be since she lives in Celebration...
