Three questions on 2014 marathon weekend from first-timer

[kanjigirl]

I just signed up this weekend... we'd love to make a vacation around the run - having never run a marathon before, will I feel like doing a lot of walking within a day or two of the race? We were planning on spending most of Monday at a waterpark. Or both waterparks... Then a few days for fun at the theme parks.

And does family have to have a park ticket to spectate? Can they only watch in the Magic Kingdom and Epcot (that's what it sounds like at rundisney.com but I'm not sure)?

Finally, do Dining Plan discounts ever arise during the weeks around the marathon weekend, or should I just forget about that possibility? Typically we come when we can get a free dining plan, but this is a special occasion so that's not imperative.

 

[Bephus]

I just signed up this weekend... we'd love to make a vacation around the run - having never run a marathon before, will I feel like doing a lot of walking within a day or two of the race? We were planning on spending most of Monday at a waterpark. Or both waterparks... Then a few days for fun at the theme parks.

And does family have to have a park ticket to spectate? Can they only watch in the Magic Kingdom and Epcot (that's what it sounds like at rundisney.com but I'm not sure)?

Finally, do Dining Plan discounts ever arise during the weeks around the marathon weekend, or should I just forget about that possibility? Typically we come when we can get a free dining plan, but this is a special occasion so that's not imperative.

Since it will be your first marathon you will most likely be very sore the next day but the best thing for your recovery is to move so touring (slowly!) is actually a great plan).
Your family will not need a ticket to spectate in MK but will need a ticket for AK(if you are slower and the park is open), DHS, and Epcot. There are tons of locations outside of the parks that are great locations to view also.
Historically there has not been free dining the weekend of the marathon. Sometimes they have a stay, play and eat deal. They always have % off deals.

Sent from my iPhone using DISBoards

 

[DOOM1001]

I can see spending all day Monday at a waterpark,but only in the lazy river or wavepool as you couldn't get me to climb those stairs to get on the slides even if I wanted to.You felt pain just stepping up to a sidewalk on a curb,it took me until Wednesday to feel somewhat back to normal.Also remember this is January and although this year the temperatures were in the 80's,a couple of years before the highs were in the 40's with lows around 20 something with snow in the morning,not exactly waterpark weather,plus this time of year Disney only has one of the two parks open if the weather is not too cold so you won't be able to do both.I did go to a park on Monday but we took it easy,in the morning we went to the Disney pawn shop in Winter Garden and then to DHS where we saw several Idol shows since you can sit for a while.As far as family viewing the runners,they let people into Main Street USA in the MK free since it's before the park opens,I assume they then probably clear it out after the last runners.I also saw spectators outside the AK and DHS entrances,also around WWoS especially in the baseball stadium and then obviously outside Epcot at the finish line so you probably don't need a park ticket to see the runners,but in reality there were spectators everywhere, inside the parks,outside the parks,by the TTC,and a bunch of other areas all around the resort.I joke with my mom who got up with me at 2am to go to the starting line and follow me around going from Epcot to the MK then to AK and back to Epcot,that even though I ran the marathon I only took a 3 hour nap after getting back to the room while she slept from like 4pm until 8am on Monday,I asked her was it you or me who ran the marathon?

 

[steph0808]

I found that walking was the best cure for marathon soreness. I did my first full marathon at Disney in January and spent every day at the park from Sunday after the race through Thursday. And this was having the flu and taking 2 hours longer to do the marathon than I had planned. Sunday afternoon/night we did the Magic Kingdom - I was sore (bending down to get into the Small World boat was a killer!). Monday we did DHS - my quads hurt, nothing else. Tuesday we did Epcot - my hamstrings hurt, nothing else. Wednesday we did more Magic Kingdom - I wasn't sore at all.

 

[ZellyB]

This past year was my first marathon and we did parks both before and after the run. We are Galloway run/walk folks, so I think that helps us with leg fatigue. Anyway, we did AK on Saturday before the race and just took the walking really easy. After the run on Sunday, we went back to our room and got cleaned up and headed right back out to Epcot. I was afraid if I sat down or laid down I'd be toast! We did MK on Monday and DHS on Tuesday. We were sore for sure, but it was completely manageable and I think all the walking really helped us work out the soreness. And, walking around the parks with our medal was so fun. What other race/time do you actually get the chance to wear your medal for any extended period of time?

Good luck and enjoy the marathon. We had a great time and it was an awesome event for a first timer!

 

[belle2211]

,in the morning we went to the Disney pawn shop in Winter Garden

I work in Winter Garden...what is this pawn shop???

 

[drummerwife]

I work in Winter Garden...what is this pawn shop???

Theme Park Connections.

 

[DOOM1001]

Yep,Theme Park Connection,turn at Beulah rd from Colonial Dr.

 

[princessbride6205]

2013 was my first full marathon. We arrived on Friday, spent Saturday at the kids races in the morning, then Epcot in the afternoon, then early to bed! After the race, we relaxed at the resort, then had a celebration dinner at California Grill. Monday we spent all day at the Magic Kingdom - legs were sore but not unbearable - it's good to keep moving! The rest of the week we toured the parks as normal.

 

[joan4mickey]

And does family have to have a park ticket to spectate? Can they only watch in the Magic Kingdom and Epcot (that's what it sounds like at rundisney.com but I'm not sure)?

.

They can watch inside the MK...on Main street until a certain time. I don't know when they kick everyone out.
NO, you can not watch inside Epcot unless you use a ticket to get in. You can watch outside of Epcot in two locations. The first is where the disney buses drop off for park and the other is the finish line.

 

[belle2211]

Theme Park Connections.

Yep,Theme Park Connection,turn at Beulah rd from Colonial Dr.

I can't believe I didn't know about this! Thank you!

 

[kanjigirl]

Since it will be your first marathon you will most likely be very sore the next day but the best thing for your recovery is to move so touring (slowly!) is actually a great plan).
Your family will not need a ticket to spectate in MK but will need a ticket for AK(if you are slower and the park is open), DHS, and Epcot. There are tons of locations outside of the parks that are great locations to view also.
Historically there has not been free dining the weekend of the marathon. Sometimes they have a stay, play and eat deal. They always have % off deals.

Sent from my iPhone using DISBoards

Thanks for the info - much appreciated!

 

[kanjigirl]

I can see spending all day Monday at a waterpark,but only in the lazy river or wavepool as you couldn't get me to climb those stairs to get on the slides even if I wanted to.You felt pain just stepping up to a sidewalk on a curb,it took me until Wednesday to feel somewhat back to normal.Also remember this is January and although this year the temperatures were in the 80's,a couple of years before the highs were in the 40's with lows around 20 something with snow in the morning,not exactly waterpark weather,plus this time of year Disney only has one of the two parks open if the weather is not too cold so you won't be able to do both

We're from Colorado - we went in December a few years ago and did waterparks every day. We'll brave the cold down to a certain point

 

[kanjigirl]

I found that walking was the best cure for marathon soreness. I did my first full marathon at Disney in January and spent every day at the park from Sunday after the race through Thursday. And this was having the flu and taking 2 hours longer to do the marathon than I had planned. Sunday afternoon/night we did the Magic Kingdom - I was sore (bending down to get into the Small World boat was a killer!). Monday we did DHS - my quads hurt, nothing else. Tuesday we did Epcot - my hamstrings hurt, nothing else. Wednesday we did more Magic Kingdom - I wasn't sore at all.

Thanks - sounds like you did something similar to what we plan (although not the flu part)...

 

[kanjigirl]

This past year was my first marathon and we did parks both before and after the run. We are Galloway run/walk folks, so I think that helps us with leg fatigue. Anyway, we did AK on Saturday before the race and just took the walking really easy. After the run on Sunday, we went back to our room and got cleaned up and headed right back out to Epcot. I was afraid if I sat down or laid down I'd be toast! We did MK on Monday and DHS on Tuesday. We were sore for sure, but it was completely manageable and I think all the walking really helped us work out the soreness. And, walking around the parks with our medal was so fun. What other race/time do you actually get the chance to wear your medal for any extended period of time?

Good luck and enjoy the marathon. We had a great time and it was an awesome event for a first timer!

Thanks! I always feel worse after a long run if I don't walk around later that day (or the day after). Sounds like a plan then.