A Disney-addicted mom runs her first 1/2 marathon - Jan 2011 *update 1/11 Results!*

[dismagiclover]

Bummer that the larger villas at BLT aren't part of the discount deal. I would go for 2 regular rooms at CR before I'd do the 2 studios. I don't think they have connecting studios and those studios are small. (I stayed in one last January). It may not be as convenient, but those villas at OKW are huge! Have you considered staying there and renting a car?

 

[DrMomof3]

Bummer that the larger villas at BLT aren't part of the discount deal. I would go for 2 regular rooms at CR before I'd do the 2 studios. I don't think they have connecting studios and those studios are small. (I stayed in one last January). It may not be as convenient, but those villas at OKW are huge! Have you considered staying there and renting a car?

Totally stinks, right?
What about VWL? It looks like there are one bedrooms and studios available.
The issue with OKW + car rental is that it eats up the room savings a lot. Especially since we'd probably need 2 cars with my parents there. And I want to stay close for the marathon.

Amanda

 

[dismagiclover]

Totally stinks, right?
What about VWL? It looks like there are one bedrooms and studios available.
The issue with OKW + car rental is that it eats up the room savings a lot. Especially since we'd probably need 2 cars with my parents there. And I want to stay close for the marathon.

Amanda

I've only been to WL for dinner, but it looks like a lovely resort. The only park it is convenient for is MK though. You can ride the boat. (Though if this Jan is anything like last January it would be a cold ride.) You'd still have to take the buses everywhere else. Though it is convenient to all the MK resorts for your ADRs. If I were you I'd probably go for 2 rooms at CR. And see if your kids can sleep with your parents the night before the marathon so you don't wake them up.

 

[DrMomof3]

I've only been to WL for dinner, but it looks like a lovely resort. The only park it is convenient for is MK though. You can ride the boat. (Though if this Jan is anything like last January it would be a cold ride.) You'd still have to take the buses everywhere else. Though it is convenient to all the MK resorts for your ADRs. If I were you I'd probably go for 2 rooms at CR. And see if your kids can sleep with your parents the night before the marathon so you don't wake them up.

You make a good point about WL. That's why we've never really considered it before.
Why not Boardwalk? Why not Poly? Just curious!
I just like having the kitchen and washer/dryer. I'm leaning toward Boardwalk right now but that could change quickly!

Amanda

 

[dismagiclover]

You make a good point about WL. That's why we've never really considered it before.
Why not Boardwalk? Why not Poly? Just curious!
I just like having the kitchen and washer/dryer. I'm leaning toward Boardwalk right now but that could change quickly!

Amanda

I'm all for Boardwalk. That is actually where we are staying in January. We'd be neighbors It's just not near as convenient to get to the race in the morning. You have to catch a bus by 4:00 am. If you stay at a monorail resort you can sleep a little bit later and ride the monorail over. Plus not being on the monorail will effect all your ADRs.
Poly I'm sure would be great too. I've never actually stayed there, but I like the location of the CR better. I love being able to walk to parks. (That is why we've stayed at Beach Club and are staying at Boardwalk in January.)

 

[DrMomof3]

I'm all for Boardwalk. That is actually where we are staying in January. We'd be neighbors It's just not near as convenient to get to the race in the morning. You have to catch a bus by 4:00 am. If you stay at a monorail resort you can sleep a little bit later and ride the monorail over. Plus not being on the monorail will effect all your ADRs.
Poly I'm sure would be great too. I've never actually stayed there, but I like the location of the CR better. I love being able to walk to parks. (That is why we've stayed at Beach Club and are staying at Boardwalk in January.)

Thanks!!!!

After some serious internal debate (nobody else seems to care at all ) I moved our hotel to 2 CL rooms at Poly. I really liked the Poly when we stayed there in 2008. I think the theming is a little more over-the-top which will be great right after the holidays in the cold of January! And I've been dying to try CL and I've heard that Poly does CL right.

Amanda

 

[roomthreeseventeen]

Thanks!!!!

After some serious internal debate (nobody else seems to care at all ) I moved our hotel to 2 CL rooms at Poly. I really liked the Poly when we stayed there in 2008. I think the theming is a little more over-the-top which will be great right after the holidays in the cold of January! And I've been dying to try CL and I've heard that Poly does CL right.

Amanda

GF is the best for CL, if you're at all interested.

 

[lexmas]

Poly is amazing! I can't justify spending that much on a hotel, but if I could, I would be at the poly! It's just so beautiful and tropical, I could stay there all day. Every trip I head over there and wander around for a bit. I love it!

 

[dismagiclover]

I think you'll be very happy you are on the monorail on race day! Good choice!

 

[-Hope-]

Oooh, the Poly will be beautiful!

 

[DrMomof3]

GF is the best for CL, if you're at all interested.

For some reason I'm saving GF until my kids are little older.

Poly is amazing! I can't justify spending that much on a hotel, but if I could, I would be at the poly! It's just so beautiful and tropical, I could stay there all day. Every trip I head over there and wander around for a bit. I love it!

I hear you on the cost. Obviously the 40% discount made this possible. I think the topical feel will be great in January!!!

I think you'll be very happy you are on the monorail on race day! Good choice!

That's what I was thinking, too!

Oooh, the Poly will be beautiful!

Thank you!

My running has been non-existent. I'm chalking it up to the trip coming but I need to get my rear in gear...

Amanda

 

[chrisw127]

Subbing. I'm doing the Wine and Dine 1/2 in October and I need some accountability too! I've always been good about exercise but hate to run so I'm hoping this will push me. I always sort of admire women who run--it's sort of an empowering thing. Good luck to you!

 

[DrMomof3]

Subbing. I'm doing the Wine and Dine 1/2 in October and I need some accountability too! I've always been good about exercise but hate to run so I'm hoping this will push me. I always sort of admire women who run--it's sort of an empowering thing. Good luck to you!

Welcome! We're currently on vacation but I'll come find you when I'm back!!!

Amanda

 

[TinkerbellLuvr7]

I've never stayed at CL Poly but it's a great resort! If you listen to the disunplugged podcasts at all, I know they did a review of the Poly CL and they gave it rave reviews from what I remember. It's worth listening if you are staying there, it will get you all hyped up, even more so than you already are!

 

[DrMomof3]

I've never stayed at CL Poly but it's a great resort! If you listen to the disunplugged podcasts at all, I know they did a review of the Poly CL and they gave it rave reviews from what I remember. It's worth listening if you are staying there, it will get you all hyped up, even more so than you already are!

I'll have to find that podcast!!!

So I've been neglecting my training and my planning journal. We just got back from a wonderful week at Disney. I'm trying to focus on my TR before I forget everything we did.

I'm considering switching some of my ADRs (I know. It's surprising that I'd be thinking that, right? ). We're scheduled to have dinner the 1st night at Crystal Palace. We've never eaten there. We have APs but my parents do not. I'm trying to keep them from needing park hoppers since it's a relatively short trip. Maybe I should switch CP to Kona Cafe? And maybe lose Biergarten for 'Ohana? That way we have more flexibility on parks each day (our other dinners are California Grill and Narcoosee's).
Opinions?

Amanda

 

[lexmas]

I think if they won't have park hoppers eating outside the parks is a great idea! Then you aren't tied to that park if you want to switch things up.

 

[-Hope-]

I think eating outside the parks is a great idea with no hoppers. I know you guys like to me more flexible so that will help!

 

[DrMomof3]

I think if they won't have park hoppers eating outside the parks is a great idea! Then you aren't tied to that park if you want to switch things up.

That's what I'm thinking!

I think eating outside the parks is a great idea with no hoppers. I know you guys like to me more flexible so that will help!

Thanks for your thoughts.

I think I'm going to try to change CP to Kona. I'm not sure what to do with Biergarten. That's the night before the race. We ate at 'Ohana a few years ago and didn't really like the food. I know some people love it but we didn't. Should I keep Biergarten? Change to something else? We *could* do Epcot that day or my parents *could* add park hopping. It seems like a waste of $$$ to buy park hoppers for a short trip.
Where else on the monorail is good to eat???

Amanda

 

[DrMomof3]

I re-started my training today.
I went 4.0 miles in 60 minutes. I walked 2 miles at 4.0, ran 1 mile at 4.2, and then walked the last mile at 3.8. Not fabulous but not terrible when I consider that I basically took 3 weeks off!
Next week I need to do my 3 runs again!!!

Amanda

 

[-Hope-]