Ultimate Guide to runDisney: Transportation

You've managed to get yourself to Walt Disney World, now how you just need to get yourself to the starting line. If you're staying on-site in the Disney bubble, transportation is super easy and convenient. If you're local or staying off-site, then you just need to plan ahead a bit more.

For on-site guests, you will want to stick with the busses to get from resort to start line.

The runDisney busses run like clockwork so you won't be waiting around at your resort in the early mornings. Note these buses are not official resort busses, but rather larger charter busses contracted for runDisney weekends. That means they can fill to greater capacity and there is almost always another bus waiting in the wings, but there have also been stories of busses getting slightly lost when trying to navigate new traffic patterns. But overall they are extremely dependable. Your resort will have a transportation guide posted near the bus stops so you can figure out your timing. Getting on one of the earlier busses is always ideal, as it will usually take at least 15-20 minutes to get from your resort to Epcot plus another 15 minutes to walk to the starting area. You don't want to use your shakeout run just getting to the Corrals on time.

Also note the Disney resorts included in runDisney transportation DO NOT include the Disney Springs partner hotels (Old Key West and Saratoga Springs are part of DVC so they're good). My first WDW Marathon I stayed in the Wyndham Garden hotel near Disney Springs and realized pretty late I would have to figure out my own way to the starting line.

If you're off-site you will need to drive to Epcot or take rideshare.

Driving and parking at Epcot isn't too bad, but you will definitely need to pay attention to road closures and detours. Give yourself plenty of extra time to get yourself parked, and then be ready to take a longer trek just to get to the starting area. If you're planning on using rideshare make sure to schedule it in advance and, again, give plenty of time in case your driver drops out and you need to figure out a new method.

Monorail service is available for the WDW Marathon, WDW Half Marathon, and Princess Half Marathon.

If you're staying in a Magic Kingdom resort you can utilize the monorail to get to Epcot for only these select races. The monorail is not available for any other race in the runDisney series. This is especially handy for spectators so they can get from the start line to Magic Kingdom to cheer on runners and then head right back to the finish line.

Spectators should plan on getting up just as early as runners.

Once the races start it is extremely difficult to get to the start/finish line area for spectators. If you happen to be at a resort near the course (think Boardwalk resorts for 10k and above), then you could always pop down and check out the race from up close. But the runDisney busses are designed to get runners to the start and from the finish, not so much to get spectators to the finish lines for various races. For the longer races (half marathons or marathon) the roads and normal resort busses may be able to get to Epcot to see the racers finish, but you're playing a dangerous game of timing. If you have someone who wants to cheer you on at the finish, they need to be prepared to go with you in the morning to cheer you on at the start as well. Otherwise you are hoping for good timing with Disney World transportation to catch a runner just at the right moment.

The Skyliner is a no-go for runners getting to the starting line

The Skyliner won't get you to the front of Epcot and it generally does not start running until about 7:30am. My family loves the Skyliner to get around the parks, but it won't help specifically for races. It is possible for family members staying at Pop Century, Art of Animation, Caribbean Beach, or Riviera to Skyline over to Hollywood Studios or the International Gateway at Epcot to briefly catch runners for the marathon, as the last few miles go right past both locations. But if you plan on staying at a Skyliner resort to help with race day transportation, think again. Thankfully, as mentioned above, the busses are overall very reliable in getting you to the starting line.

Next Section: Pre-race