Linda Mac's Orlando Adventures

Part 2 of my Half Marathon Blog begins with Deb Wills and I leaving the Magic Kingdom and heading over to EPCOT via the monorail. If you wish to read the first part of my blog click here, Linda Mac's Orlando Adventures - Disney's Half Marathon - Part 1.

While enjoying our relaxing monorail ride to the Transportation and Ticket Center, we could see the runners passing by Shades of Green Resort with the Magnolia and Palms Golf Courses in the background.

As we walked over to the Epcot monorail area, we ran into some friends including Kenny Cottrell, periodic contributor to AllEars®, who was kind enough to let Deb and I ride in the front cabin of the monorail. Deb and I joked how the bubble shaped window reminded us of our Grand Canyon Helicopter trip while on our Adventure By Disney last summer.

From the monorail we had some great views of the runners!

As you can see the runners are making their way back to EPCOT via the park's exit ramp.

As the runners were closing in on the Finish Line many Disney Characters were out to cheer them on.

The Grand Stands and Finish Line were located in the EPCOT parking lot near the kennel.

Runners crossing the Finish Line.

Several Disney characters, including my favorite Stitch, were out to welcome the runners as they crossed the the Finish Line; 13 miles after they began running.

It was a party atmosphere with all the characters and DJs playing music and rallying the crowds. I looked at my watch and realized it was only 10 am.

This is a photo of the giant overhead screen so spectators could see the runners crossing the finish line.

Lou and Deana Mongello just after they finished the race. Don't they both look great? MON-Gello.....

Deana and Lou congratulate Mike Scopa just after he crossed the finish line.

Could they be planning for next year's marathon?

It is not too often I have to set my alarm for 4:15 am. The only time I get up that early is for an Adventure involving travel. Well, Saturday morning turned out to be an adventure in its own way. I was out the door by 5:15 am as planned. Not being a morning person, the first hour of my day was a big adventure. First stop was Deb Wills' resort to pick her up and head over to the Transportation and Ticket Center. Actually, I stopped for coffee at the local Hess Station before heading over to Walt Disney World.

The first sign of the marathon that I noticed was SR 536, which connects to Epcot Center Drive, was completely closed to inbound traffic right after the first exit on Disney property. Lucky for me that was my exit but I was starting to have second thoughts about my plans to drive to the Magic Kingdom parking lot instead of Epcot. It all worked out and we were at the TTC when the first runners came though. I should tell you that this was the first time Deb or I have been to the WDW Half Marathon so we were learning as we went along. For example, when we first arrived at the TTC it turned out we were on the wrong side of the road --- we wondered why we found such a great location that wasn't crowded. Anyway, had we not figured it out before the first runners came through we would have been unable to reach the monorail for Magic Kingdom. Since our 2nd viewing spot at the TTC was not very good, Deb and I decided to head over to Magic Kingdom, a great place to cheer on the runners.

There were a only few people on our monorail but the crowds were heavy once we arrived on Main Street. This whole adventure began to feel somewhat surreal to me for two reasons. The first was being on Main Street in the Magic Kingdom at 6:45 am. It was still dark but instead of being night, the sun would be coming up soon. I guess what I mean is watching Cinderella's Castle and Main Street go from night to day instead of the other way around was surreal. And the second thing that made the experience surreal was that it was FREE to enter the park. Yes, I said free to go into the Magic Kingdom. I stuck my ticket into the machine out of habit even as I was looking at the cast members waiving me in. My brain was still back in bed, I guess.

The sight of the castle and the sounds of the cheering crowds left me speechless. I wandered up Main Street and found that we were only allowed as far as the hub. Then it hit me, no one was staying in the park for free today. I didn't stay until the last runner came through but I am guessing it was timed so Disney could clear the park before it officially opened to the public.

At first, I was couldn't find a good spot to take pictures so I went to the Emporium and found I was the only person in the entire store. As time passed, the crowds started to thin out by moving over Epcot for the finish of the race. That allowed us the opportunity to get right by the rope and see the runners easily.

On a personal note to Michelle from MouseFanTravel.com, I did know it was you!!!

I hope everybody enjoys the photos and I will be posting more photos from the Finish Line in the next day or so.

NOTE: The Half Marathon route began at Epcot, went up World Drive, through the Transportation and Ticket Center, passed the Contemporary Resort, entering Magic Kingdom next to Tony's Town Square, up Main Street, into Tomorrowland, then Fantasyland and through Cinderella's Castle, into Frontierland, out by the Grand Floridian, back down World Drive, into Epcot's Future World and then to the Finish Line in the parking lot. Wow, I am tired just thinking it.