Best DVC Marathon Location

[raykit98]

For the past 2 years I have stayed at the treehouse villas during marathon weekend. My family really enjoys to space and being able to take the boat to downtown Disney. I was just checking out the point calculator and noticed that I could stay at Bay Lake Towers for around the number of points. It would be nice to be able to jump on the monorail at 3 o'clock in the morning. it is also nice having a personal van meets your at your front door at the treehouse villas. Taking another look at the point charts I noticed additional resorts that may provide close proximity to the starting line. Boardwalk Villa and Beach Club Villa are also conveniently located to the starting line. A two-bedroom at any of these resorts sleeps 9 like the treehouse Villa. The space in the treehouse villas and the peace and quiet due to its location makes it hard to beat. Our love to hear other people's opinions on the best location to stay.

 

[cj9200]

This year my DD ran the Half. We had a split stay at CB and BCV. If I had to do it again, I would stay at BLT. Although crowded and not all services are running, it looked easier to go from a monorail resort to EPCOT. The bus we took from CB was on time and a quick trip but others that I know had trouble.

The staging area is in the parking lot so even if you were at BCV or BWV you would have to take a bus. After the race, you could always enter EPCOT (with a ticket) and walk to both BW & BC. Either way, you are going to have a decent hike from the drop off/ point to the staging/finish line.

She is probably going to run the full this year. I plan on reserving at BWV soon and at 7 months try to get into BLT.

 

[laughinplace199]

I think the only other 2 BRs that sleep 9 are OKW, BLT & AKV. BCV & BWV would sleep 8 in a 2 BR.

We stayed at BLT once for the marathon and getting to Epcot was a breeze in the wee hours of the morning. However, getting on the monorail back to the resort took a while. There was no wait from Epcot to TTC, but we waited a long time to get the monorail from TTC to BLT.

This year, we planned to run again so we booked BWV. Due to an injury, I ended up not running. I think I would have had to take a bus to the starting line, but walking "home" through Epcot after the race would have been great (and that's why we booked BWV).

 

[raykit98]

Thanks for the replies, we also had a split stay my points are in Saratoga Springs and that allowed me to book the treehouse at 11 months out. I had planned on keeping the treehouse villas until the 7th month and then trying to get BLT, but I forgot to make the change. We started at the treehouse villas on Thursday and checked out Monday. All 3 of my children had races also, my oldest 2 and I ran the 5K and my youngest ran the fun run and my wife and I ran the marathon. On Monday we checked into AKL.

 

[moredisneyplease]

i've stayed at BWV and BC each time I've gone for the full marathon. but it makes sense to stay at BLT if doing the half. Have fun!

 

[cncDisney4]

Does anyone have an idea what the dates will be for the Marathon in 2013?

 

[dbs1228]

Does anyone have an idea what the dates will be for the Marathon in 2013?

I had heard the of Jan 11, 12 & 13th. It is usually the weekend after NYE but 2013 they moved it a week later.

 

[DizGirl20]

Can someone explain to me: where does the FULL start/end and where does the HALF start/end? Thanks, I am hoping to run the Half in 2013!

 

[Simba's Mom]

I had heard the of Jan 11, 12 & 13th. It is usually the weekend after NYE but 2013 they moved it a week later.

Yes, those are the dates I remember seeing. I'm very interested in recommended resorts, because DH is planning his first next January (Right now he's hoping to do the full Goofy Challenge, but we'll see over the next several months). He did the F&W half last year, and BCV was a perfect location. But for Marathon weekend we can't decide between OKW and BCV.
Any opinions?

 

[Breyean]

Can someone explain to me: where does the FULL start/end and where does the HALF start/end? Thanks, I am hoping to run the Half in 2013!

Both start and end in the same place, EPCOT, just on different days.

 

[raykit98]

Yes the dates listed above are correct here is the Disney link. http://www.active.com/framed/event_detail.cfm?EVENT_ID=1976907&CHECKSSO=0

 

[emlutz23]

Both races essentially start across the road from OKW (staging area in EPCOT parking lot). You can walk to the corrals from OKW (you'll avoid the staging area/bag drop). This year the bus picked us up at OKW and then went to SSR...I wish we'd walked and saved time! It is a quick bus ride back after the race, though. OKW was the first stop.

BLT is a great choice since you can monorail it. Then it's a short walk to the monorail from the staging area after the race. Or you can take a bus and avoid that walk up to the monorail station!!!

 

[matilda]

I have stayed at BLT the past two years for marathon weekend and we are switching to AK next year. Reason being is that as previously stated the morning portion of getting from BLT to Epcot is very easy but getting back is HORRIBLE. Both years they have had to shut down monorail and you can not catch a bus from EPCOT to a monorail resort. You have to go to TCC center then bus to BLT or ferry to MK then walk to BLT. After this happening yet again after this years half on Sunday after completing the full (my first Goofy!) my husband and I walked from finish line to bus area at EPCOT and caught bus to HS then walked to bus area for BLT there. Much quicker this way then going to TCC. I would rather have less walking AFTER the race when I am sore and have blisters so we are doing AK-CL and excited about getting on one bus only there and back. It is alot of waiting and standing getting back after races to BLT. Goodluck and see you there!!

 

[SmartGuyCEO]

I ran the 1/2 marathon this year and had no issues with the monorail. As I was walking up the ramp at EPCOT the monorail pulled in after the race. OKW you can walk to the start line, but have to take a bus back. The reason I pick BLT is because of the traffic before the race. In 2011 I stayed at OKW and took the bus, we filled the bus up and skipped the SSR pick up. It took over 40 minutes to get from OKW to EPCOT and we were on the bus at 3:15am.

 

[SmartGuyCEO]

I ran the 1/2 marathon this year and had no issues with the monorail. As I was walking up the ramp at EPCOT the monorail pulled in after the race. OKW you can walk to the start line, but have to take a bus back. The reason I pick BLT is because of the traffic before the race. In 2011 I stayed at OKW and took the bus, we filled the bus up and skipped the SSR pick up. It took over 40 minutes to get from OKW to EPCOT and we were on the bus at 3:15am.