Best resort to stay for the marathon

[mackeyapp]

Hi Can someone please advise us as to which resorts are the best for getting to and from the marathon. DH is running the 1/2 and the DS are in the kids run. Thanks

 

[ducklite]

The half ends in Epcot in 2007. If I'm not mistaken the kids runs are near the BW.

It's a lot easier to to get the start of the kids run before and during the race than it is to get to the start of the half, unles you are staying at a monorail resort. We tried two years in a row staying at a non-monorail resort for the marathon, and never again. You can't cut through Epcot to get to the start, and traffic is terrible! Four years ago we stayed at teh GF, which was good to see DH at just about the half. Last year we were at the CR on the 14th floor, and I was able to watch the runners go by all morning, which was neat. I took the monorail to the GF to see DH just before the half. Next year we are back at the GF, in the main building. We'll probably choose either the CR or the Polynesian in 2007, just for a change of pace.

That said, you are very late in the game, and might find many resorts already sold out for that time frame. I wouldn't wait much longer.

Anne

 

[Deb & Bill]

The Family Fun Run 5K and Kids Runs will start in the Epcot parking lot. The monorail resorts make it easy to get to and from the marathon.

We've stayed at VWL and OKW. We'll be at OKW again this January. Do not try to drive to the start of the race, take the bus if that's what you have offered.

 

[maryliz]

We stayed at VWL and the bus service for both the kids races and the 1/2 Marathon were awesome! Had no problems whatsoever. I definitely would not drive. You won't have a problem getting to where you need to be regardless of what resort you end up staying at. However, you do need to get those reservations made as Anne has said ... many resorts will already be fully booked.


MaryLiz

 

[mackeyapp]

Hi and thanks to all for the helpful answers. I have one more-what does OKW and VWL stand for. We are new to this game and have much to learn.
Thanks J

 

[PCFriar80]

We stayed at VWL and the bus service for both the kids races and the 1/2 Marathon were awesome! Had no problems whatsoever. I definitely would not drive. You won't have a problem getting to where you need to be regardless of what resort you end up staying at. However, you do need to get those reservations made as Anne has said ... many resorts will already be fully booked.


MaryLiz

Hi MaryLiz-
DW and I are running our first 1/2 this year and staying at CBR. I know the busses start running at 3:00, but I was wondering if you knew when the latest or last busses ran from the resorts? And how tough is the wait before the race?
Thx!

 

[Tinks]

We stayed at the Boardwalk Inn for last year's race. It was great, and I highly recommend it! We took the bus service to and from the race. I was unsure I would be happy doing that but it worked out fine.

If I had my kids with me I would choose to stay at the Contemporary or the Beach Club. I think the kids would enjoy those resorts more.

Have fun! I kinda miss not doing the race this year! It was a great experience

 

[Deb & Bill]

OKW - Old Key West
VWL - Villas at Wilderness Lodge

Both are Disney Vacation Club resorts. Disney's version of a timeshare. We're owners and members.

Hi MaryLiz-
DW and I are running our first 1/2 this year and staying at CBR. I know the busses start running at 3:00, but I was wondering if you knew when the latest or last busses ran from the resorts? And how tough is the wait before the race?

You have to get on the bus by 3:30 or you could miss the start. The race starts at 6AM and you have to walk from where the bus lets you off. The traffic around Epcot is horrendous at 4:30AM.

If it is cold, you may need to have some disposable clothing or a mylar wrap to toss off. If it is not, just dress lightly. In 2004 it was very cold, about 40 degrees. In 2005 it was about 80 degrees at 6AM. It was very hot.

 

[PCFriar80]

Thanks Deb!

 

[10nis]

HI!! We stayed at BWI last year and are staying back at BWI again this year for the 2006 marathon . I thought we would stay on the monorail if & when we went back to Disney for the marathon, but I couldn't bring myself to stay anywhere but an EPCOT resort. I believe you have to catch the monorail by 4am if you stay in a monorail resort, same time as the buses (3am-4am) to be at the start.

We did walk back thru EPCOT after the race instead of catching a bus back to the resort. (You do have to have a park ticket of some sort to get into EPCOT after the race.)I enjoyed this walk--got rid of some lactic acid and also got to cheer on the runners still on the course.

ONE LAST THOUGHT....If we had any family/friends joining us this year to cheer I would have booked a monorail resort. It is very, very difficult to get around the morning of the races and that is by far the easiest transportation method for spectators. Last year my family got STUCK and didn't make it to any of our designated points--until mile 24 It was very disappointing for all of us. This year we won't have a crowd with us so that wasn't built into my decision process.

about the start...I think we caught the bus around 330a, we were at the first staging area around 4am. (Last year it was warm so we were good in that regard but I would be prepared for COLD weather w/ blankets and layers that I can easily dispose of at the start. Disney picks up all clothes left behind and donates them) Anyway, there is LOTS going on at the staging area to keep your mind occupied and we brought our light breakfasts and ate. They start the round up to walk down to the corrals about 445a? you walk maybe 1/2 mile to the starting corrals where you wait out the last hour to the start. There are lots of port o potties all along the walk but people also use the "trees" to avoid the lines. Once in the corrals there is music and motivation all around so it is "hype" up time! Anyway, the time didn't seem to drag for me like I thought it would. I still don't relish the thought of getting up at 3am but we signed up to run again in 2006--can't wait!
hope this helps...I would get on your resort reservations, lots weren't avail when I booked mine. Good Luck.

 

[bwv4me]

FYI...IMHO the Family Fun Race was an absolute zoo last year. I thought it was poorly organized. I couldn't even see my child in the race or cross the finish line. There were so many people there, and viewing was from only one side. You need to get there VERY early to find a viewing place - difficult to do if you are getting your child into the proper corral. You will need to bring plenty of reinforcements. Ran the marathon last year - it was so friggin' hot. Did the 1/2 two years prior and it was freezing. You never know what you are gonna get. I would say the best hotels are the ones on the monorail - least amount of walking. Second would be BW and YBC - you have to walk all the way through the park again, though. No small feat after running all that way. I was practically crippled at the end last year - the heat really kicked my ***. I was able to roll onto a bus. Let me tell you, stairs never seemed higher than those bus stairs that day!

 

[agotta]

For you marathon experts, do the run busses later? Dh is running the half and I am running the 5k. I want to be at the finish line to see Dh cross, but don't want to take the 3:30 a.m. bus. Thanks!

 

[PCFriar80]

This is a good....maybe great thread, because now I'm getting psyched to run the 1/2......registered 5 months ago, booked CBR, airfare is all set. Now if I can run 13 miles before coffee that will be a victory!! Bring it on!!

 

[NCRedding]

According to my marathon guidebook from 2005's race, the buses run from 3-4 am for participants; there are later buses for observers.

 

[ducklite]

If it is cold, you may need to have some disposable clothing or a mylar wrap to toss off. If it is not, just dress lightly. In 2004 it was very cold, about 40 degrees. In 2005 it was about 80 degrees at 6AM. It was very hot.

You're not kidding! My DH had a terrible race time this year due to the heat--he did 4:08, and usually can finish about 3:48 or so! He's hoping they'll allow him into corral "A" next year, as he's not doing NYC or Philly before hand for a recent qualifying time.

Anne

 

[Deb & Bill]

For you marathon experts, do the run busses later? Dh is running the half and I am running the 5k. I want to be at the finish line to see Dh cross, but don't want to take the 3:30 a.m. bus. Thanks!

They start running the regular park buses about 1 hour before the park opens. You have to walk to the finish which is in the parking lot.

Two years ago, my son and I got on a 4:45 bus so we could see my husband start the race. We didn't get to see him go, so we hopped on the monorail to go the MK. Well, it didn't stop in MK the first time or two around. So we got back on the Epcot monorail and rode that back and forth a time or two. By that time the sun was starting to peak out a bit, so we headed back to MK and the monorail stopped this time. We watched my husband go through the MK, then headed over to the Pluto Parking Lot at TTC to see him finish. Then we rode the monorail over to MK then got the boat back to WL. It was still pretty cold.

Last year, I got sick, so I was barely able to catch up with my husband at the finish line, but I still missed him. Luckily I had my laptop, so I kept tabs on him and his friend to see where they were by their chip times.

This year, he's doing the Goofy Challenge, so I'll follow him to the 1/2, then head to MK to see him go through there, then back to Epcot for the finish. Then my son and I will do the 5K. The next morning, I'll try to follow him through the parks as he does the full. We'll see. We're hoping for cool temps, and dry weather.