It's nothing "official" yet, but in the description it says that it starts "in the shadows" of the hotel, so I'm guessing probably back behind Fantasmic! area? And it says that it goes through WWoS, LMA, the streets, by the hat, and ends at Sunset.
That should also give an idea of where to meet after? :sohappy:
I highly doubt that the start will be in that backstage area. There is no easy way for runners not staying at a host resort to get there, nor for any spectators to cheer. I'd be inclined to say it will start in the parking lot.
Joel and Dreamfinder,
I know Shades is not a participating resort, but I have a deal and have stayed at Shades several times the past several years. I know my way around the resortland but I have never ventured to Wide World of Sports. I almost did a few weeks ago to see a preseason baseball game. I also did see the entrance to the complex once via a Mears van on a previous trip.
Just as a heads up, WWoS transportation for the race expos is different than how people get there during a non event day. Not a huge deal, but it is different.
I pretty much know the WDW transportation system and where to get to around the WDW resort and I am sure I can get to the expo to pick up the race packet and to get to the start line. As for the after party, pretty sure there has to be some Disney buses running around the resort (a handful) to and from certain destinations and the host hotels. But I'm sure that the after party will be like a night spending at Pleasure Island at the Adventurers Club and Mannequins and taking one of the last buses back to the TTC and/or Polynesian at 3am.
All Disney roads lead to somewhere. Worse come to worse, I can always call Mears or count on the bellhop at Shades to pick me up. Shade hoppers have done it before when there was a lull in the overnight check-in / check-out hours.
There are no host resorts in that area, so no shuttle buses in that neck of woods.
Disney Value Resorts
Disney's All-Star Movies Resort
Disney's All-Star Music Resort
Disney's All-Star Sports Resort
Disney Moderate Resorts
Disney's Caribbean Beach Resort
Disney's Port Orleans Resort - French Quarter
Disney's Port Orleans Resort - Riverside
Disney Deluxe Resorts
Disney's Beach Club Resort
Disney's BoardWalk Resort
Disney's Yacht Club Resort
You notice that all the clusters are near each other to cut down on the bus routes. Speaking as someone who particpated in the cluster that was post race transportation from the first ToT 13k, they quickly kiboshed transit to non host resorts. Ever since that event, it has been buses to host resorts only. So I don't think you will even be able to get to the TTC/Poly from there. There is a very very very slight chance that if you are one of the last people out they may take pity on you and do a bus run to all resorts, but I doubt it.
Also, most of the shuttle buses are not the normal WDW transportation buses. Typically they hire coach buses from MEARS and other providers to do the shuttles.
Your best bet will be a cab unless the bell hops are indeed able to come get you.
It's not something to stress over, especially since you seem to have no problem calling MEARS for a cab.