hotels in walking distance to marathon start?

[tigergirl]

I have never run the marathon at Disney (or any marathon for that matter), but am considering it for this January. So, I have just a couple of travel logistics questions for you all.

Are any of the Disney hotels in walking distance to the marathon start? It looks as though maybe Port Orleans and CBR, and perhaps Pop Century. We wanted to stay cheap, and are looking at Pop, but would be willing to pay a bit more to sleep in an extra hour rather than taking the bus.

Can anyone confirm whether you actually can do this - meaning walk to the start - or are there barriers surrounding the start site? My husband ran the marathon a number of years ago, but took a bus.

Also, do any of the mods and values have a pasta bar set up at their food courts that are specific for the marathon weekend?

Thanks for your help.

 

[K80K]

There are hotels within a reasonable walking distance to the start of the race, but I wouldn't recommend walking for safety reasons. If you end up walking the streets to the start you are out there at a time where people are either rushing to the race or rushing to work and no one drives worse than a Cast Member with an open road (I am allowed to say that because my Mom is a Cast Member ). I would just plan to take the bus with everyone else and meet up with some of the WISH folks while you wait to walk to the corrals.

 

[ultramickeymouse]

I know people who have done it from PO and SSR. PO is more dangerous. SSR is a safer place to stay and walk.

But be careful if you do!

 

[WDWFAN9]

Hi!

If you plan to walk remember it will be dark, so please be careful. I've taken the bus from Pop for several years and it works great. I never sleep well the night before anyway, and I like getting there early to soak in the atmosphere and meet up with WISHers. I think all of the food courts serve some type of pasta, but POR has a very nice pasta bar with lots of choices you can customize. It's not specific for the marathon weekend, just part of their regular offerings. We met there last year for our Princess WISH meet and I thought it was pretty good.

 

[FireDancer]

I always stay at POP for marathon weekend and recommend doing that instead of walking. This is your first race so I would save the miles on your legs just in case. I also have a feeling the adrenaline will get you up way early anyway. Getting up for a Disney race is never a problem...now falling asleep the night before, that is another story.

 

[Duanerice]

Welcome tigergirl,
Disney makes for a Grrrrreat (Tony the Tiger imitation) first marathon!

Stay at Pop with all the cool kids! The extra hour of sleep is not that important. Do you really think you'll want to sleep the morning of your first marathon? You'll want to come over early and hang with us anyway.

Heck you've trained how many months, ran how many miles and you want to sleep in the morning of the big event? Get up at 3 AM with the rest of us and make your way over to the start to hang. That's part of the fun. Some of us do this 3 days in a row and survive Of course for the 5 K we get to sleep in until 5:00 a.m.

Pasta can be had almost anywhere Friday and Sat night.

enjoy,
Duane

 

[Tiger Lily 03]

No matter how many events, I've never actually slept well the night before. That hour you will save as the hours get closer won't matter for your sleep. If you feel the need for more comfort until it's close to race time and want to walk that distance prior, as already mentioned, I would recommend that you proceed with caution. There are folks who do this, they feel equally passionate about leaving later. I'm just not one of them. You'll find me sitting next to Pat early enjoying the pre-gatherings.

All WDW on property resorts have busses going to the event so you can stay most anywhere if you use the bus. Otherwise, I believe the PO or SSR is suggestion is what I've heard many use.

Pasta fare is served most of the fast food services and those recommended would be as good as any choice.

Glad that you will be joining us! A WDW event for your first half is the best!

 

[Hockeychic]

Yaaaa all the cool kids are staying at POP!!!!

 

[jkh1978]

Speaking of sleep, I hear that Friday nights sleep is more important than Saturdays... I think there's a large number of people too excited Saturday to sleep.

 

[emlutz23]

Old Key West and Port Orleans (French Quarter) are the closest. But you are walking on the roads. There are no sidewalks.