Where to stay for half-marathon?

[keenercam]

We are DVC members and I will call tomorrow to make our reservations for our 1/2 marathon stay. My question is: can we stay anywhere we want and still get to the start line on time? I have read there are shuttle buses that run very early from the resorts to the start line, but wasn't sure we'd be able to take one of those if we are staying at Beach Club Villas or Wilderness Lodge. If the shuttle buses do not run from our resort, how do we get to the start line? I don't want to get caught in the traffic nightmares that I have read about.

[wiskband]

I am pretty sure, there are buses from every single resort. I stayed all the all star movie and there was a bus there beginning at 3 am. If you ask me, i got there too early, ended up sitting around for 2 1/2 hours.
sure youll be fine.

renee


WISH HOTEL DISCOUNTS

Edit: Just wanted to use this title posted by you as an opportunity to the rest of you who may be waiting for a group hotel deal thru WISH ( like last year) that I am currently working on it. AS a matter of fact, I just got off the phone with someone about our group, someone at disney leisure ( sports ). She has sent me the information and to be honest with you, the prices are not that good. SO I am trying to work around that and not use that particualr department. EITHER way, rest assure that for those of you who do not have AP or any other discounts available to you, we can get a group discount, I will get the info to you as soon as I can.

renee

[welovedis]

Cam-
I can tell you I stayed at BWV and used the shuttle bus to get to the start just fine. They started running on schedule at 3am (I believe) and were running continously. However, I remember catching the bus at the conference center at the BW, not the regular bus stop, along with about 20 others that morning. I had no trouble with getting there.

I did have trouble getting back to the resort though as the 1/2 ended at the MK parking lot, then we walked to a bus to take us back to the TTC (we thought) but it was only going to Epcot-ugh! There is no bus from Epcot to the BWI, so we ended up having to walk all the way to the finish of the full and find a bus there for the BW, etc... No one knew how to help us and it was very confusing. In the end it took us about 2 hours to get from the 1/2 finish back to the hotel and after just barely finishing I was whipped. We probably would have been better off just walking thru Epcot to the International Gateway and on to the resort, but I just wasn't sure I could make it at that point! :sad2:

Anyway, we plan on staying there again and feel there shouldn't be an issue with the transportation this time, hopefully! Especially with the event split over the 2 days hopefully things will go more smoothly.

GL with your choice!

[welovedis]

I also wanted to mention something about the room rates that renee mentioned. If you don't have an AP you could still get a pretty good room rate if codes are released for that time period. However, there is no guarantee for that but it has been pretty regular for the last couple of years. I know that value resorts were going for somewhere between $55-60 dollars a night during the marathon weekend this year so if the group rates are not that great it might be a consideration. You can call WDW directly and book your room, then call back when/if a code comes out (usually in October for Jan codes) and as long as they are avaialble they will adjust your pricing.

If you have AAA/CAA you can get 15% off deluxe hotels & home away from home resorts, or 20% off value or moderate resorts or at FW. This could be applied anytime but you have to have a valid AAA/CAA membership.

You could also rent points from a DVC owner, that is what I am doing. We are staying at BWV in a standard studio (queen reg bed + sofa sleeper+ kitchenette) for $90/night (sun-thurs) and $220/night (fri-sat). Over an eight night stay we are paying $940 or $117.50 night to stay at a hotel that costs a bundle if you go thru WDW directly. Check out the rent/trade board here if you have any ???s

ALSO wanted to say that I'm not trying to tell anyone NOT to go thru the group rate but if $$$ is really tight, just trying to mention what else is available.

[littlegreydonkey]

we stayed at AKL and I had no problems getting to the start - got on a bus about 3.30 I think. Partner then drove to Magic Kingdom at about 6.30am and also had no problems. Will probably stay there again this year if I can get a good rate (fingers crossed for codes again).

[keenercam]

Thanks, everyone! Well, now I know I can call tomorrow and book Beach Club Villas (it's our home resort, so we can book 11 months ahead). If, as it gets closer, we decide we'd like to stay somewhere else, we can move the reservation, but at least this way we know we have one of our favorites lined up!

[TammyNC]

I love hearing everyone's opinions. Did anyone stay at any of the monorail resorts? I just wondered how it would be staying at one of those and catching the monorail to and from the start/finish.

If anyone gets wind of special codes, will you share them please. How early do those usually come out.

littlegreydonkey-If it's something you don't want to post on the board, would you mind PM'ing me to let me know what kind of rate you were able to get at AKL. Boy, that would be a great place to stay for a couple of nights.

[welovedis]

Tammy-
I believe the Jan '05 codes came out on Oct 21st (according to the mousesavers website). The year before it was Oct 1st. I did a search of the boards and think the AKL rates were about $151 (maybe savannah view?)with an AP rate and about $188 (not sure of view) (with tax) for a regular code discount. Not sure what type of room but it gives you some idea.

ALSO for those who stayed at a monorail resort on marathon weekend---were you able to use the monorail to get you to the start or just buses as I have heard 2 different things. Just curious!

GL!

[Lisa loves Pooh]

The Budget Board is an excellent place to hunt and peck for codes. There are some very savvy Disers who might have links to web-sites that shows code releases in years past so you have an idea on when to look for them.

I know that when Team in Training finally booked their rooms in October--I had gotten some information regarding some available codes--so that would probably be a good time to start looking for codes.

The best thing is to book what you would like now--and when the codes come out, they can apply that rate to your room if it is still available when you call.

HTH.

[boolou]

Last year (2004) I stayed at AS Sports and there was a HUGE line to get the bus in the morning. Apparently they hadn't properly judged how many runners were there. We didn't leave the hotel until 445 (in line since 345), but they assured us that we would make it. It was the cold year, and it actually turned out better since we did most of our waiting in the heated lobby and bus. We made it with plenty of time to spare. Now getting back to the hotel was a complete fiasco, but I think that changing the finish line to epcot will fix half of the problem. One runner mentioned his strategy - he always stays at Old Key West and walks straight to the corrals. He isn't able to *check* his bag for after the race, but he doesn't have the 0.6 mile walk from the bus drop off and he doesn't leave his place until 445 or so. At 3am that sure sounded like a good idea.

---
jen

[welovedis]

Here's the link to the historical date regarding the resort codes from mousesavers:
http://www.mousesavers.com/faq.html#codetrends

At this point in time you may be able to apply an AAA/CAA discount to a Jan ressie, but I'm not sure about that. You can always apply a code (if is is applicable to your dates and there is availability) to an existing ressie, I've done it many times.

Many people will say that they don't like to have to wait or watch for codes, I say, if you're coming to the DIS anyway what is the big deal. Keep an eye out starting in Oct for Jan codes as I mentioned above.

[HookdonWDW]

Thanks, everyone! Well, now I know I can call tomorrow and book Beach Club Villas (it's our home resort, so we can book 11 months ahead). If, as it gets closer, we decide we'd like to stay somewhere else, we can move the reservation, but at least this way we know we have one of our favorites lined up!

Looks like we'll both be staying at the same resort and calling tomorrow. :) We've already made reservations for Thursday and Friday, and I'll be calling tomorrow for Saturday. We're still trying to decide if we want to switch over to VWL for a couple of days (we own at both resorts). We stayed at OKW this year, and even though we had a delay with the busses, we arrived in plenty of time for the start.

[littlegreydonkey]

Hi there, I can't remember exactly what rate I got for AKL (it was 2004, so booked 2003) but I do know exactly when I booked it and it was September 22nd 2003 (it was the day of the emmys and I was surfing while watching frocks on tele) and that was the last possible day for that deal which was something like 40% off rack rate. There was another offer that came out a month or so later, but it wasn't as good so I'd keep an eye out here and at mousesavers from about August, it only takes a second to check after all.

I'm so frustrated at the moment, I have my international flight held on one set of airpoints, but my partner's set can't request the flight till next week and the seats are filling fast- and as for internal flights, I have to fit round the NHL season (and considering how well that's going this year.....). If anyone has any power over these things, please can you get the LA Kings to play in Tampa about Jan 7th!!!!!

[chimera]

Did everyone bring pre-race breakfast food? Are the hotel restaurants open at that time?

[HookdonWDW]

Did everyone bring pre-race breakfast food? Are the hotel restaurants open at that time?

Althought they hadn't told us ahead of time, Olivia's opened at about 2am for breakfast. I had brought a banana and some cereal bars to eat, and washed it down with Gatorade. I noticed that there were others who were doing the same. HTH

[Lisa loves Pooh]

Did everyone bring pre-race breakfast food? Are the hotel restaurants open at that time?

They were at POFQ, PORS, and CBR.

However--you do not want to eat anything that you didn't practice with at home.

[chimera]

They were at POFQ, PORS, and CBR.

However--you do not want to eat anything that you didn't practice with at home.

Hmmm...I can get beignets here in town... :scratchin

[pixiedust27]

Just MHO -- if you're planning on having a support group/fan club with you I would highly advise that you stay at a monorail/Magic Kingdom resort if you can.
We stayed at BWI this year and had no trouble catching the bus but our family had tons of problems trying to see us in and around Magic Kingdom and TTC (they ended up not seeing us there at all). I think that if you stay at a Magic Kingdom resort then you can take the monorail to the start and then your family can see you in Magic Kingdom and at the half finish.
anyway, it's just my two cents!

[littlegreydonkey]

I agree with pixiedust, I had thought that it might be worth splashing out on the GF just for the night before the race so boyfriend would definitely see me (he missed out when I did the half as he's dippy!!!). This year, he knows that if he does not turn up at at least three different venues (even if he has to levitate there) I will maim him so he's already planning routes!

Also, Mel, Lisa's right, the restaurants are open but you don't want to try anything new race day. I've actually started training on cereal, fruit and protein shakes as I know I can get them easily at any supermarket and can easily eat them in the room.

[geetey]

We stayed at POP Century (used the discount code that was released) and had no problem whatsoever getting to the start line. We were one of the really early ones!

We brought food from home for breakfast which worked fine, but I noticed the night before that the Food Court had a large quantity of oranges/bananas/bagels in preparation for marathon morning. They also had lots of powerade. I mistakenly assumed they would be using the Fruit Punch flavor on the marathon, not the Lemon Lime. (Bleck to Lemon Lime!)

[NCRedding]

Allstars Music had a runners brown bag with water, a bagel, banana, and something else--I saw it but didn't buy it.

[10nis]

I second staying at a monorail resort if you are going deluxe. You don't have to get up so early for the bus (3am) and sit around for 2+ hrs at the start. Family/Friends will be able to get around much easier to cheer/spectate! (My family got stuck on a bus at MK parking lot for 45 minutes)

I have also read many accounts of having difficulty getting bus rides back to the hotels after the half and full marathon. We walked back to BWI after the full marathon, added almost 2 miles onto our already weary bones--but probably good for us in the end :rolleyes: (long walk just around all of the tents in the parking lot--then thru back thru EPCOT-at least we got to cheer on the runners still on the course!)

I did notice that one of the grocery stores (Goody's?) had a booth open at 4am at the meeting spot for the start of the marathon. I believe you could purchase some food items there if you needed to. We took our things with us on the bus that morning and ate them slowly during our 2 hr wait :rotfl2: I must agree with above posters, practice what you eat & drink during training!!

[wtpclc]

Althought they hadn't told us ahead of time, Olivia's opened at about 2am for breakfast. I had brought a banana and some cereal bars to eat, and washed it down with Gatorade. I noticed that there were others who were doing the same. HTH

Did they have a bus from OKW last year? I'm not sure if I'm statying at SSR or BWV yet. It looks like a bus from BWV will be no problem, but I'm a little ocncerned about SSR. If they ran last year at OKW, I should be all set.

LittleGreyDonkey - Your partner plays for the Kings/is with the organization? I'll keep my pixie dust to myself. I used it trying to let my parents catch the WIngs in Tampa this year. They were scheduled to. Well, you know how that's turned out! Good luck! It's frustrating for me as a fan. I can't imagine what it would be like if I had a real connection with the sport. FYI - Fox Sports Detroit was plaing the Best of the Detroit Tigers last night. Now that's getting desparate!!!!

[sap1227]

Did they have a bus from OKW last year? I'm not sure if I'm statying at SSR or BWV yet. It looks like a bus from BWV will be no problem, but I'm a little ocncerned about SSR. If they ran last year at OKW, I should be all set.

LittleGreyDonkey - Your partner plays for the Kings/is with the organization? I'll keep my pixie dust to myself. I used it trying to let my parents catch the WIngs in Tampa this year. They were scheduled to. Well, you know how that's turned out! Good luck! It's frustrating for me as a fan. I can't imagine what it would be like if I had a real connection with the sport. FYI - Fox Sports Detroit was plaing the Best of the Detroit Tigers last night. Now that's getting desparate!!!!

I stayed at SSR this year for the marathon. It was me and 2 other people on the bus. It was no problem at all.
Christy

[wtpclc]

Thanks Christy! Maybe I'll see you on the bus next year!

[keenercam]

Just made a ressies for Beach Club Villas for Thursday night until Monday -- now it is starting to feel real!

[LAWalz23]

I stayed at a monorail hotel and it was very convinient (sp?) to get to the start and then back to the hotel. It was a bit of a walk from the momorail to the staging area and there were really no directions, I just followed the rest of the folks and was fine. We were told no buses from the monorail resorts, just monorail transportation. Will be staying at SSR next year, 1st trip home for parents, 2nd for me.

[littlegreydonkey]

LittleGreyDonkey - Your partner plays for the Kings/is with the organization? I'll keep my pixie dust to myself. I used it trying to let my parents catch the WIngs in Tampa this year. They were scheduled to. Well, you know how that's turned out! Good luck! It's frustrating for me as a fan. I can't imagine what it would be like if I had a real connection with the sport. FYI - Fox Sports Detroit was plaing the Best of the Detroit Tigers last night. Now that's getting desparate!!!![/QUOTE]

Oh how I wish that was the case, I'd love a nice house in Manhattan Beach and to be a hockey wife (bad helmet hair notwishstanding). No he's just a devoted Kings fan who happens to live on the other side of the world from his team so we have to schedule in games when we visit - which means I have to book our flights around games. I'm quite happy the hockey's not on, got very into poker on ESPN!

[chimera]

Will family be able to get into the parks for the finish? I'm thinking that I won't finish until after 9:00am, so they should be able to walk right into EPCOT to see me! Will they have to wait for official park opening or can they come in early through the International Gateway?

[wtpclc]

No he's just a devoted Kings fan who happens to live on the other side of the world from his team so we have to schedule in games when we visit - which means I have to book our flights around games.

Wow. That's a devoted fan!