Best DVC to stay at for Marathon Weekend?

[kappyfamily]

thanks Coach!

 

[dreams91]

Mandy,

Are you going to run? I'm planning on running the half and may stay at BW.

 

[El&Asmom]

I was able to book a studio at BWV two days after my 7m window. (Completely forgot to call right at 7m). I'm so excited to be able to stroll back to the resort after the race, and also to be in the EPCOT resort area since it will just be dh and I. We will be there for our 14y anniversary on the 10th as well, so it should be a great trip. Now all I have to do is train for a full... Nervous already but excited. Got 11m in today and felt great. Just hope it's a mild December when I have to run 20 milers.

 

[TEK224]

last week was my 7month window and I could not get BLT, BCV or BWV for my marathon stay. The weekend nights were not available.

I ended up booking OKW for the week. I like OKW. SSR is my home, but stayed there this past January and wanted to do something different.

 

[cewait]

last week was my 7month window and I could not get BLT, BCV or BWV for my marathon stay. The weekend nights were not available.

I ended up booking OKW for the week. I like OKW. SSR is my home, but stayed there this past January and wanted to do something different.

I have done OKW for a couple marathon weekends. If you have not, ask for a ground level villa as your #1 room request.

 

[hauntedcity]

I'm currently booked for AKL, but I will have a car with me. Is it better to use the busses or drive over? Is it easy to drive, park, and get to the starting area?

Doug

 

[cewait]

I'm currently booked for AKL, but I will have a car with me. Is it better to use the busses or drive over? Is it easy to drive, park, and get to the starting area?

Doug

It's a toss up but putting my PSA hat on you should really consider the bus. If everyone drove then parking would be a mess.

Taking the PSA cap off... You will not save any time driving. You will want to get to the parking lot between 3 & 4 just like one would on the buses. That assures that you do not get caught up in the last minute traffic crush. So which option is better? Neither, they both have positives and negatives.

Bus:
(+)
No rental needed
No worries about getting to race - if a snafu occurs you will still be assured of getting to the race as long as you are getting in line by 4 AM.
No worries about getting back to resort
(-)
Lack of control and waiting for bus.
Peak periods may require standing on line
Arriving at your resort and realizing that you have three steep steps to negotiate - ouch.

Drive
(+)
Shelter - some year's the weather is bad.
More control of getting to and from race and expo.

(-)
Remembering where you parked
Parking lot back ups - especially post race -2010 half marathon was horrendous
not knowing how to get to race on race morning when roads are detoured.


So, to get past the last negative of driving, one would leave AKL and drive to World Drive on Osceola. You would not want to go the Buena Vista route as they are required to left turn at World against a constant flow of traffic coming from the opposite side. Not a real issue if you drive in a city but can freak out small town folks. Once on World, stay second lane from right and follow north. Right lane will exit on Buena Vista so avoid that exit. Once past Buena Vista, merge right and that lane will exit onto Epcot (as does the second to right) and into the parking lot. Be prepared to follow the leader in the parking lot and understand that several impatient folks will cut line as you move. Literally, it is better to be really early or really late into the lot so that you do not have to funnel up the center exit lane post race.