Hotel Question for Princess Half

[PrincessRhi]

We stayed off property for the WDW Marathon Weekend and had no problems with driving other than super early starts and having to wait for everyone in the car to get back to the finish line before leaving. I have to admit, I was REALLY jealous of the people that were able to just hop on a bus to get back to the hotel instead of dealing with driving.

It was a last-minute decision to run the Princess, and we're able to find availability in Disney hotels-- can anyone give any pros/cons of staying there at least as far as race transport goes? I love the perks of the Disney transport when we stay for vacations, but wasn't sure if it changed with run-cations.

 

[Qltrgrl2]

We stayed at the CB last year for the princess and the bus transportation to the expo and race was superb. It is far easier letting someone else handle the driving. Have a great time....the princess race has a wonderful atmosphere.
Happy running!
Pam

 

[es45]

Just make sure that you choose a Disney resort that offers race day transportation for the Princess half. All resorts do for the WDW Marathon weekend but only a few do for the other races. Check the transportation page for a list of host resorts.

Disney does a great job with the bus transportation during race weekends.

 

[flatlandcycle]

The following page has a list, I would try AAA discounts, resident, or passholder rates before paying these prices.

Vacation Package Booking
(407) 939-7675

Resort Room-Only Bookings
(407) 939-7429

http://espnwwos.disney.go.com/events/rundisney/princess-half-marathon/index?page=resort-packages

 

[Disfan11]

We stayed at the Caribbean Beach resort for the Princess and had great experiences with the bus transportation.

They had frequent shuttles to the Expo. The only bummer was that you couldn't go directly to a park after the Expo. You had to go back to your hotel. But I guess that's OK if you have bought a lot of fun stuff and don't want to cart it around a park!

For race day, I think we were on the bus by 3:30AM. So just make sure you get to the bus stop early as the busses fill up quick. We got there in plenty of time.
And leaving the race we walked right onto a bus and didn't have to wait too long (OK, maybe we waddled onto the bus.....steps are hard after running 13.1 miles!).

I'd definetly stay at a host hotel. Love Disney transportation and not having to worry about driving!

 

[Bekki24]

We just stayed at the Caribbean Beach for the half marathon. We were on the bus at 3:15 am and hit NO traffic. It was very convenient. After the race-we only had to wait about 10 mins for our bus back. And we were upgraded to a Pirate Room!!
I would def recommend it. I think it is totally worth the extra money. They also had specials at the restaurants for meals and opened early for those that wanted breakfast first thing.

 

[PrincessRhi]

Just make sure that you choose a Disney resort that offers race day transportation for the Princess half. All resorts do for the WDW Marathon weekend but only a few do for the other races. Check the transportation page for a list of host resorts.

Disney does a great job with the bus transportation during race weekends.

Thank you for letting me know about this-- I just assumed they'd all have it after seeing all the buses this past weekend. I wasn't checking whether the hotel offered transport before looking for passholder discounts!

And for everyone else, thanks as well for your recommendations! I think we will look into CB-- an added plus is it's on our "Pokemon" list of places to stay (gotta catch..er...stay at... them all).

A lot of the complaints on the RunDisney facebook page seemed to be about the bus transport from resorts and people missing their starting corrals 'because' of buses. It sounds like it likely was bad planning by the people who thought they could get on a later bus and not that Disney wasn't prepared.

 

[JCH]

Thank you for letting me know about this-- I just assumed they'd all have it after seeing all the buses this past weekend. I wasn't checking whether the hotel offered transport before looking for passholder discounts!

And for everyone else, thanks as well for your recommendations! I think we will look into CB-- an added plus is it's on our "Pokemon" list of places to stay (gotta catch..er...stay at... them all).

A lot of the complaints on the RunDisney facebook page seemed to be about the bus transport from resorts and people missing their starting corrals 'because' of buses. It sounds like it likely was bad planning by the people who thought they could get on a later bus and not that Disney wasn't prepared.

This is definitely the case. If you look, every single one of them starts with "I got to the bus stop at 4..." and then goes on to complain. The buses started a full hour before that.

 

[mickeysgal]

This is definitely the case. If you look, every single one of them starts with "I got to the bus stop at 4..." and then goes on to complain. The buses started a full hour before that.

We were at the bus stop by 3:30 at OKW. Long line of people waiting. Got on a bus after about 15 minutes of waiting and then went into bumper to bumper crawling traffic. We didn't get to Epcot until 4:45. There were a long line of busses in back of us and I have no idea how those people made it to their corrals in time. The road that you walked leading to the corrals was jammed with people - it was quite the bottleneck.

I tried using one of the links upthread that was posted on the host resorts for the Princess. But it's taking me in circles on the run Disney website. Can someone post the host hotels? I can't find it on the website at all.

 

[PrincessRhi]

We were at the bus stop by 3:30 at OKW. Long line of people waiting. Got on a bus after about 15 minutes of waiting and then went into bumper to bumper crawling traffic. We didn't get to Epcot until 4:45. There were a long line of busses in back of us and I have no idea how those people made it to their corrals in time. The road that you walked leading to the corrals was jammed with people - it was quite the bottleneck.

I tried using one of the links upthread that was posted on the host resorts for the Princess. But it's taking me in circles on the run Disney website. Can someone post the host hotels? I can't find it on the website at all.

Was this for the half or the full? I heard that Saturday's bus traffic was worse than Sunday's.

Here's what I copied from the page:
Disney's Princess Half Marathon Weekend

Disney Value Resorts
Packages start as low as $149 per person for a two night stay*
Disney's All-Star Movies Resort
Disney's All-Star Music Resort
Disney's All-Star Sports Resort

Disney Moderate Resorts
Packages start as low as $199 per person for a two night stay*
Disney's Port Orleans Resort - Riverside
Disney's Port Orleans Resort - French Quarter
Disney's Caribbean Beach Resort

Disney Deluxe Villa Resorts
Packages start as low as $367 per person for a two night stay*
Disney's Saratoga Springs Resort

Disney Deluxe Resorts
Packages start as low as $376 per person for a two night stay*
Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge
Disney's Beach Club Resort
Disney's Boardwalk Resort
Disney's Polynesian Resort
Disney's Yacht Club Resort

Call 407-WDW-IRUN to book your stay!

 

[mickeysgal]

Was this for the half or the full? I heard that Saturday's bus traffic was worse than Sunday's.

Here's what I copied from the page:
Disney's Princess Half Marathon Weekend

Disney Value Resorts
Packages start as low as $149 per person for a two night stay*
Disney's All-Star Movies Resort
Disney's All-Star Music Resort
Disney's All-Star Sports Resort

Disney Moderate Resorts
Packages start as low as $199 per person for a two night stay*
Disney's Port Orleans Resort - Riverside
Disney's Port Orleans Resort - French Quarter
Disney's Caribbean Beach Resort

Disney Deluxe Villa Resorts
Packages start as low as $367 per person for a two night stay*
Disney's Saratoga Springs Resort

Disney Deluxe Resorts
Packages start as low as $376 per person for a two night stay*
Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge
Disney's Beach Club Resort
Disney's Boardwalk Resort
Disney's Polynesian Resort
Disney's Yacht Club Resort

Call 407-WDW-IRUN to book your stay!

Thanks!!

I ran the Half on Saturday. No doubt that next time we have to be there on the bus stop earlier than 3:30.

 

[Momtomouselover]

Do you get the bus at the regular resort bus stop at the host hotel? Are the buses marked or is it obvious? My guess is it is obvious since it is 3:30a.m.!

 

[Disfan11]

Do you get the bus at the regular resort bus stop at the host hotel? Are the buses marked or is it obvious? My guess is it is obvious since it is 3:30a.m.!

Yes, you catch the bus at the same bus stop you use to get the bus to the parks.
Just watch out on Friday and Saturday to make sure you get on the Expo busses if you are heading to the Expo (and not a park bus).

 

[Jubilee]

Are there porta potties prior to the race beginning while in the parking lot?

 

[Disfan11]

Are there porta potties prior to the race beginning while in the parking lot?

There are tons of porta potties!
There are many in the area where the music is playing. Lots after you go through and check you bags. Lots while your walking to your corrals.
Double check to see if there are ones on the other side of
the ones you are walking by because the usually don't have any lines!

 

[es45]

Regarding the prices listed on the site: I was able to get a better room rate for POFQ by checking http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/special-offers/ Others have gotten great rates through AAA or travel agents.

The price listed through runDisney is sometimes, but not always, best price.