Hey there, Sanne! Are you ready to lace up your trainers for a run around the Most Magical Place to Race?
I love heading to
Walt Disney World Resort for
runDisney weekends. Running through the theme parks is so much fun, and the other athletes, volunteers, spectators and Disney characters bring so much energy.
The toughest part of getting to the races is the early morning alarm clock. Just like the complimentary
Disney Transportation that carries you to the theme parks, runDisney has transportation for Guests staying at a
Disney Resorts Collection hotel on race weekends, too.
runDisney will email a link to the weekend's Digital Expo & Event Guide a few weeks before your event. The guide will detail the times for Disney transportation and directions for parking. Typically, the races begin and end at
EPCOT.
The races start early! The buses usually begin running before 3 am and will continue until the last time runners can head to the corrals (around 4 am). There will also be a second round of buses that start around 6 am for spectators who want to see their athlete cross the finish line. Buses run until the event ends, usually about an hour after the race is over. These times are based on my experience, and they change slightly based on the event distance. The Digital Guide will provide specific bus times, information on parking, the race course and more.
I am usually on the bus by 3:15 a.m. to make sure I have time to grab a cup of coffee and a banana, which are available for purchase at the runner's area. The drop-off in the morning has been the standard location for buses at EPCOT, near the entrance gates. The runner's area is a bit of a walk to get to the back parking lot area where the race starts and ends. Luckily for tired legs, the bus pickup to head back to the resorts is right by the runner's area (aka the Finish Line).
The event uses buses different from the Disney-themed buses that take you to the theme parks. And at some resorts, the pickup location may differ from the typical bus area. Don't worry! There will be signs at your resort and you can always ask a Cast Member for the location. These buses run from all Disney Resorts and will take you to the
ESPN Wide World of Sports for bib pickup and runDisney events.
If you have any other questions as you plan your trip to Walt Disney World, please race back by
planDisney. We're here to cheer you on with every stride!
Every Mile is Magic!
Jana