I saw those lines out under the tent and assumed that was for general public (i.e. non-runners) to enter the merchandise area!! Rookie mistake, obviously.
Originally I got in the Dopey line, but a friendly runner pointed me in the right direction for my 5 and 10K bibs. After that, a very grouchy CM pointed me down the stairs and around the back of the building to enter for pre-paid merchandise. After I stood in that line almost 30 minutes, we took pictures over by the route maps hanging on the wall and quietly stepped around the rope into the merch area. There was not a chance I was going back outside to wait in a separate line (plus, nobody with any authority seemed to be upset about it.)
I was SHOCKED at the number of people camping out on the floor around the merchandise area with heaps and piles of shirts, jackets, glasses, you name it!! I had obviously read here on the DIS about people who go in and swoop up all the stuff to sell online. It was sickening how they were running and grabbing piles of things. I couldn't believe it!! I felt really bad for people that couldn't find the jackets, etc. to commemorate their races, when there were clearly people hoarding them on the floor.
I am glad to hear that what we experienced isn't the "norm" for a runDisney expo. I was able to find the "I did it!" shirt I was looking for from the 10K, an ornament, and also purchased a runDisney Mickey longsleeve shirt, but again waited in a lenghty line to pay!
After all that, we didn't make it into the other exhibitors building either. What. a. Day!