DVC Resort for Marathon

[TEK224]

I'm still trying to decide where to stay for the marathon and would like some advice, please.

I will be doing the Goofy Challenge. I currently have ressies at the Poly. I recently bought into DVC and was hoping to get a room at the BWV for marathon weekend. I called, but there is nothing available. They have rooms at OKW, VWL and SSR. How is the transportation on race morning from these resorts? Would I be okay if I switched from the Poly to one of these?
I originally picked the Poly because it's on the monorail and thought that would be easy to get to the start area. (Plus I love the Poly). But, now that I have DVC, I could save on the room fee to stay at one of the above resorts.

I just don't want to be stressed out about getting to the start. I'll be nervous enough worrying about making the cut-off times so I don't get swept.
This will be my first time doing a 1/2 and full (I have done a ten-miler before, but it's been awhile).
Any advice??

Terri

 

[10nis]

I believe the transportation from all of the resorts using buses is the same on marathon morning. You have to be on the bus SOOOO early, you should not be concerned about being late If I remember correctly, the buses run from 3am to 4am and they want you there by 430a when they open the gates to get to the starting area. The races start at 6am-makes for a delightful jog thru EPCOT w/ the buildings lit up. That was a highlight of the race for me.

I didn't think I would run it again but we are going again this year! Also, I thought if I ever participated in it again I would have us stay at a monorail resort but we aren't--back at BWI after much contemplation. We could actually drive to the start but that might be risky so I think we will just deal w/ the 3am wake up call and ride the bus. I did enjoy walking thru EPCOT when we finished to get back to the resort.

Good luck on your Goofy medal

 

[xterratri]

We are staying at SSR for the proximaty(sp?) to the Spa for post-race massages and also to the post-race party at DTD. I putzed around about deciding to go Goofy so will only be doing the full but my sister and mom are both doing the half. Good luck with your decision.

 

[TEK224]

xterratri,

Any idea how the bus transportation is after the races? Do they have dedicated buses to take runners back to the resort? Any idea on whether there is a long wait to get back to resort?

That's kinda why I booked the Poly - so I could just hop on the monorail and get back quick. But I also thought about SSR for the SPA massages.
Of course if I save the money from the Poly and stay at SSR, I could pay for some awesome massage treatments!

Have you done any tri's? (I'm assuming yes, based on your sn)

Terri

 

[maryliz]

The transportation that weekend to the Race packet pickup, to the event the morning (OK, middle of the night) of, and post race was awesome! Disney has it incredibly organized. We stayed at VWL for this years 1/2, and loved having the microwave in my room so I could have my oatmeal for breakfast at 2;30AM. Any on-site resort will be fine.

Congrats on going for Goofy!!!! That's an incredible achievement just to have the courage to sign up for both races! Best of luck!

MaryLiz

 

[TEK224]

I've booked a 1 BR at SSR for marathon week (I'll be close to the SPA)

Having the kitchen and laundry will be nice, also. I figured I could cook my pasta in the room and do my own carbo-load. The oatmeal in the middle of the night/morning will be good, too.

My friends and family think I'm nuts for doing this, but I want that Goofy medal. One friend even offered to buy me a goofy medal. I said it's not the same thing!

Of course it would help if I had done a 1/2 marathon before, let alone a full.
Oh well. It's go big or go home! I'm gonna try to take my time on the 1/2 so as not to be too sore for the full.

Terri