A few Questions...

[TEK224]

Will be going to WDW for marathon weekend. Trying to determine where to stay.
For those that have been to marathon weekend and stay on site, what are some of your preferences and why? I've stayed at OKW, SSR and BCV before. For this year I have ressies at SSR, but am thinking of switching. I like BCV or BWV because family can stay at resort and still get a chance to see me on the course (assuming I make it that far in the marathon). But, now I'm thinking of BLT as an option so they could get to multiple points to see me (passing CR, on the road in front of GF & Poly, then hop monoroail to EPCOT for the finish). How bad is it getting on monorail in the morning or after the race? How easy for spectators to use monorail after race has started? I've never stayed at BLT, so that would be new to me. Any thoughts?

When you go down for the race and plan to go into the parks, do you get an AP or MYW pass? I have an AP that I used in Jan. and again March. I'll get 2 more days out of it in Jan. before it expires. I don't think I'll renew the AP since I'm not sure I'll get back to WDW for the rest of the year after Jan. Plus, I'll get admission for marathon Monday, so won't use a ticket day there. I may just get a 10 day MYW and use what I need and save the rest for the next trip. But I so like having the AP for those times I just wanted to go into Epcot for dinner.

Last question...Will I look "Goofy" if I get in line to get character autographs? Whenever I took my nieces and nephews, I always let them get character autographs. In teh 15 trips to Disney, I've never gotten character autographs for myself. I want my own! Now that I've taken up scrapbooking, I want to design my own autograph book and get the characters to sign it. They won't think I'm weird, will they? After all, we're all kids at heart at Disney!

Sorry to ramble, but get used to it. If I can't work-out, I may be posting a lot more.

Terri

 

[cewait]

Everyone has their preferences on resorts and tix. If you are staying DVC you may not be able to get into the report you are looking for. We are currently at BCV and wait listed at BLT. Unless things have opened, you would be waitlisted at BWV, also. Here are the thoughts of the resorts for my perspective.

CBR – Nice large resort with good marathon bus service. Stay in the area of Jamaica to catch the marathon busses empty as they come into the property off Victory Way.

Pop – In my opinion for one reason only… one bus stop.

Epcot Resorts(BWV, BWI, YC, BC, BCV, Swan Dolphin) – My preferred area for one of the reasons you mentioned. We love the Boardwalk area and the ease of Epcot access. You must take a bus or drive to the start. The International gateway is closed pre-race. You can walk back from the finish with a park pass.

BLT (and other Monorail resorts) – My new favorites. Monorail, monorail, monorail! Last year in the cold we were able to leave Contemporary at 4:30 for a 5:40 start. Literally got off the train, came into the family reunion area met a few long time friends and walked to the start just in time to see the gun go off. Then it was a quick ride home.

Spectators can catch you at the TTC, CR, Main Street (Yes the MK is open and only a short walk from CR), the Poly and The BW. The marathon will have a spectator tool back up on the website in a couple months. It is a great planning tool.

Look Goofy at Disney? Get Real. Though I could not tell if you were planning on signatures during the race…. That would not be a good idea. There are plenty of character photo ops in the race. You may need to stand in line for a couple minutes. You step up to the character, hand the handler your camera and in 10 seconds back on the road.

 

[TEK224]

Sorry Coach. Guess I didn't give enough info.

I will be staying DVC. I know there's no guarantee I'd get a particular resort. And I have no problem staying at SSR. I like my home there. I was jsut thinking of the possibility of staying at one of the other DVC resorts and wondered what others have found as the pros and cons staying at different sites during marathon week.

I would not be getting autographs during the races (although I do stop for the quick photo op as long as I'm ahead of sweeper pace.) My autographs would strictly be for those days before and after the races.

Thanks!
Terri

 

[cewait]

I kind of figured DVC but wanted to give you a flavor of the few other options I have stayed at. I personally prefer the Boardwalk area but really hope the BLT waitlist works out. It is kind of nice to sleep in that extra 30 minutes...... Or in my case in 2010 set in the room staring at the Weather Channel hoping that they will say - "Just Kidding"

I would suggest trying to get into or waitlisted at the resort you were looking for soon.

 

[wdwprncess77]

Terri - I noticed you said you bought your AP this January. You might want to check because I know that for a while they were giving you 15 months on annual passes. I renewed mine last Dec 24 and I got the 15 months. I'm not sure when the promo expired, but perhaps you might be able to get more mileage out of that pass than you initially thought.

I can't really give you thoughts on hotels as I'm so devoted to BCV. It's my home resort and I know so many of the CM's there (even with the constant revolving door) that it really does feel like home for me. I would love to try BLT one of these days. I'm sure you'll love wherever you stay!

 

[JimB.]

Just an FYI, I'm staying on DVC points also. BLT & BCV are full for the weekend. We are staying @ BWV. It was our 3rd choice, & we made them at the 7 month window (actually at the 6 month and 20 day window). Next year it's going to be at the 7 month window on the dot. No delays. That may be why I had to go that far down my list.

No telling what's available now, but good luck!

 

[escape]

Terri - definitely get your pic and autograph with the characters. Several of us did this last year. Be sure to wear your medal. Some of the characters make a big deal of it.

 

[jmasgat]

Terri I stayed at BCV this past year--got in on the wait list--for marathon figuring I would do the whole "walk back from the race" thing and cheer people on. NOPE! I was so sore (and it was so cold), I took the bus back and hobbled immediately to my roon! That said, it is still a great location for park touring. I also love OKW for the space of the 1 or 2BR and the general laid back, resort feel.

As for tickets, no help there. BUt check out how much they want for adding no expiration to 10 day--OUCH!!!! I don't know if it's worth it anymore (I used to do this all the time)

As for pictures with characters--I make it a point after each Disney race to find the character in the park that corresponds to the medal I got. So after the Minnie 15k, I went to AK and got Safari Minnie. After the half, I went to MK and got Frontier Donald, and after the full I went to MK and got the main man himself. And like Susie said, the ALL made a huge deal of it. It was fun and silly. I would definitely do it again.

Maura

 

[cewait]

Just an FYI, I'm staying on DVC points also. BLT & BCV are full for the weekend. We are staying @ BWV. It was our 3rd choice, & we made them at the 7 month window (actually at the 6 month and 20 day window). Next year it's going to be at the 7 month window on the dot. No delays. That may be why I had to go that far down my list.

No telling what's available now, but good luck!

Isn't that funny....

I hit early in the morning of the 7 month window - I really wanted BWV and the 1 br villas were gone...only had bcv. I am wait listed for BLT - really loved the monorail

 

[JimB.]

I hit early in the morning of the 7 month window - I really wanted BWV and the 1 br villas were gone...only had bcv. I am wait listed for BLT - really loved the monorail

I agree, BLT was my 1st choice. Stayed there last year & it was great!

Except for the walk across the skybridge at 4 a.m. in sub-freezing weather.

(place blue shivering smiley here.......)

 

[cewait]

I agree, BLT was my 1st choice. Stayed there last year & it was great!

Except for the walk across the skybridge at 4 a.m. in sub-freezing weather.

(place blue shivering smiley here.......)

BUT There was 1000% better than in the parking lot!

Maybe we should pool funds for a point purchase