Best resort for Marathon?

[Texa]

Hey everyone. What in your experience is the best resort if you are participating in the marathon. My other consideration will be that DH will have our two kids so I was thinking either monorail or Epcot resort so he will have an easier time dealing with both and getting where they need to go.

Thanks in advance!

 

[wtpclc]

I would think that a monoroail resort would be easiest for cheering and taking the kids along. WHile Epcot seems easy, you would have to bus to cheer, as the International Gateway does not open until 8:30.

Then again, you can cheer from BCV for the full.

 

[aladdinsgirl]

In 2006 my Mom and I ran the half, DH did the full; in 2007 my Dad did the half, I did the full, and DH did the Goofy--so I have been both the runner and the spectator.

From a runner's point of view, any of the resorts are fine. We've done the marathon for the past 2 years and stayed at POFQ and ASM and didn't have problems at either resort using the provided transportation to the start.

From a spectator's point of view: will you have a car on site? If you have a car, then it's easy. What we do is drive to Epcot's parking lot and then monorail to the TTC. Walk in the direction of the dog kennel, to the left of the monorail, this is mile 4ish. After the runner passes, walk across the TTC and to the Polynesian, out the other side of the Poly and down to the road, this is mile 8ish. After the runner passes, then get back on the monorail and take it to Epcot for the finish. After the marathon, drive from Epcot to your resort. If you don't have a car, I would think a monorail resort would be the easiest, especially the Poly as you can just walk to mile 4 and mile 8. Supposedly Disney provides transportation for spectators, but we have never used it and I cannot comment on it. I do know that some of the roads are closed for the marathon and traffic can be a nightmare, use the monorail as much as possible!!

Hope this helps!!

 

[Texa]

We don't plan on having a car, so it sounds like the Poly is a good choice. Thanks for sharing your experience!

 

[wtpclc]

My scream team has never had a problem without a car, but hte youngest is 50+. SO, things are a bit easier for tehm.

 

[Jodi]

My mom & ran the 1/2 in '06 & stayed @ the Poly. It was awesome! We just walked over to the monorail & took that to EPCOT parking lot!
Then our spectators just walked over the road on the side where you run by. It's easier this way, IMO, when you have small kids so you don't have to lug them around too much so early in the a.m. But then again, you're at WDW so there will be a lot of lugging anyway, right?

Good luck, & we'll see ya there!
Jodi

 

[angietuck2]

We did our first 1/2 this year and we stayed at the Contemporary, it was AWESOME!! They just remodeled and the rooms are so much nicer.

It was so convenient to walk to the monorail. And my mom and dad just walked out in front of the hotel with the kids to see us run by, then hopped on the monorail to see us at the finish.

It spoiled me for our first 1/2 now I don't want to stay anywhere else.

Angie

 

[Texa]

Thanks everyone for your replies. I'm really leaning toward staying at the POLY. I've always wanted to stay there and it will be nice to have a real "reason" . The marathon trip is such a short one for us it will be easier to afford a deluxe.

Thanks again!

 

[TracyDebs]

I'm new to the marathon bug! I'm doing the Donald08...so many questions, so little time! I use to run then I had kids. How do I start up and can I really train to finish? My only goal is to finish...I don't care where in the pack I just need to finish. Any advice for a newbee freezing in New Hampshire?

 

[chimera]

I'm new to the marathon bug! I'm doing the Donald08...so many questions, so little time! I use to run then I had kids. How do I start up and can I really train to finish? My only goal is to finish...I don't care where in the pack I just need to finish. Any advice for a newbee freezing in New Hampshire?

Come join us on the weekly walking/running club threads! You can ask all the questions you'd like. I know we have some team members that train in the NH area. Lots of great advice and support! We'd love to have you!

Generally, starting now, you need to 'train to train'. Build up your mileage base slowly until actual training starts in Aug/Sept. Find a training plan you like that will fit into your lifestyle. Many of us use the book, Marathoning for Mortals by John Bingham, but there are others. Check out the stickies at the top of the board for info websites and the marathon FAQ.

You can absolutely do this!

 

[windwalker]

I was thinking about the Port Orleans, but with what everyone is saying about the Poly, that's starting to sound interesting. Is that the one that has boat service to the Magic Kingdom?

Walk strong.

Dave

 

[wdw4us]

I'm new to the marathon bug! I'm doing the Donald08...so many questions, so little time! I use to run then I had kids. How do I start up and can I really train to finish? My only goal is to finish...I don't care where in the pack I just need to finish. Any advice for a newbee freezing in New Hampshire?

Our family is new to this also and we plan on walking/running combo. NH weather does make it difficult to train but we are doing a combo elliptical and treadmill in the training stages. Then when it's ice free we plan on going outside.

Welcome, we are a group of 7 from NH who will do the Donald. Our ages range from 25 to the oldest my husband will be 56 almost 57 when we complete out first 1/2. We are supporting each other in this. We also have our own cheering section coming down to join us.

Where in NH are you, I'm in Manchester. We plan on doing the Cigna 5K in August to see how we do in that. I will be away during the Marathon here in Manchester in November but my kids may try that.

Good luck, work hard, get strong and fit. Register for the Donald the logo in my signature is now a magnetic on the back of my SUV to remind me I'm in training!

denise

 

[Kristi1357]

TracyDebs - NH here also! I have been staying inside on the track at the Y (I do not like the cold). Where are you in NH? I'm in Nashua.

As for the resort issue, I agree with everyone else & I would stay at the Poly or Contemporary if $$$ permits. My second choice, based again on $, would be an Epcot resort.

 

[windwalker]

TracyDebs - NH here also! I have been staying inside on the track at the Y (I do not like the cold). Where are you in NH? I'm in Nashua.

As for the resort issue, I agree with everyone else & I would stay at the Poly or Contemporary if $$$ permits. My second choice, based again on $, would be an Epcot resort.

Yes the darn dollar issue. It's $1000 cheaper for us to stay at he Port Orleans or Coronado Resort than to stay at the Poly or Epcot for 10 days. We are not poverty stricken but a $1000 is something to consider.

Dave

 

[monte]

I'm staying at the Caribbean with TNT then heading over to Pop after the marathon. I did the Donald in 06 and stayed @Pop and found the bus system reliable and easy to deal with, I'm not sure how it will work w/Caribbean.

Speaking of NH, I use to live in Lincoln, NH and I worked at Loon Mountain....anyone travel to the White Mountain area? Beautiful spot.

 

[windwalker]

I'm staying at the Caribbean with TNT then heading over to Pop after the marathon. I did the Donald in 06 and stayed @Pop and found the bus system reliable and easy to deal with, I'm not sure how it will work w/Caribbean.

Speaking of NH, I use to live in Lincoln, NH and I worked at Loon Mountain....anyone travel to the White Mountain area? Beautiful spot.

Hey, haven't seen you on for a while.

The Coranado is an intermediate like the Caribbean, we had great bus service at the Resort. The disadvantage of staying at the intermediate ones instead of the Epcot area is that you have bus service to parks but not other resorts. Where as if you are at Epcot you can go to the other resorts from the Epcot terminal.

Dave

 

[ultramickeymouse]

We always stay at BWV and have our res already for 08(1/9-1/21). We get to cool down with the walk back after the 1/2 & Full

After the full(and 39.3 miles overall) we have to take a break for some liquid carb reload at Rose and Crown

Even at BWV we have to bus to the start of the races Would rather walk.

Walking to 1/2 the parks is the main reason we stay at BWV. Disney trans is great but I hate to have to stand around or be on someone elses schedule while on vacation.

 

[windwalker]

We always stay at BWV and have our res already for 08(1/9-1/21). We get to cool down with the walk back after the 1/2 & Full

After the full(and 39.3 miles overall) we have to take a break for some liquid carb reload at Rose and Crown

Even at BWV we have to bus to the start of the races Would rather walk.

Walking to 1/2 the parks is the main reason we stay at BWV. Disney trans is great but I hate to have to stand around or be on someone elses schedule while on vacation.

We stayed at the Yacht club and the Boardwalk because of that very reason Robert. I still have a hard time spending an extra $1000 for that convience, since we are at that area most of the day anyway.

Can we join you for a beer at the Crown and Rose after the races? That sounds wonderful.

Dave

 

[monte]

Dave - DH and I stayed at the YC in 2002 and loved it....they had just finished their refurbishment, so the rooms were in perfect condition. What an awesome resort!