Is DVC busythe week before...

[JakelBread]

The marathon?
We want make ressies for the fist week of January Sun- Thurs, and want to wait until the seven month window for BWV, should we make ressies for our home resort now and then call at the seven month mark for BWV or will this time ( week preceeding the marathon ) be full. Is the marathon a big deal for DVC resorts?

 

[pearljim]

We go in January every year but have seen it become increasingly difficult to get exactly what we want in dates and accommodations and therefore have been very flexible. This is likely due to the increasing number of DVCers as well as the lower points required for January. This past January, we left the day before the marathon and during that week it seemed like attendance picked up each day leading up to the event. If it were me, I'd probably book at my home resort and then try and switch later. Hope this helps!

 

[Pa@okw95]

I already have my reservaations for that week at OKW. If I were you I would go for your home resort like the previous poster suggested. We all should remember to buy where you want to stay. Like has already been said there are more and more DVC members. If you are at OKW that week and see someone up near the docks just sitting there in the sun, that will probably be me. Getting out of the cold is going to be great.

 

[Dopey Sharon]

When is the marathon? I was just thinking about this earlier this morning, about going in January instead of October, next year. What is the weather like, though?

 

[Pa@okw95]

The weather can be cold in January, some time it only gets into the 50's, but with any luck you should see some days well into the 60's. It does not rain that much. If you like going to the pool then I would say forget January. They had some freak weather down there a couple of years ago when it got real warm in Jan, but that does not hppen every year. The nights are cold with great swings in day time and night time temps. October on the other hand has great weather for taking dip in the pools.

 

[thechangingtable]

i booked that week at BCV (home), a studio last week no problems. I did not even know it was marathon week. My kids are still out of school until the 10th, so that is why we are going that week.

Jan can get cool, this past feb-mar I had to wear gloves and a jacket! you just never know!!

see you there! christine

 

[lesroi]

We have been to the marathon for the past two years and stayed the week before. It is really not bad at all. You do start noticing the crowds increase as the marathon day approaches. Last year we went to Vero first and then arrived at Disney the Wednesday before the marathon. I believe the temperature was in the 30's (that's right, 30's) and breezy at the marathon start. I know this because my hubby and sister ran and I volunteered. I WAS COLD!!! (Luckily the week before at Vero had record highs)


This coming year I will be doing my first run so we are going from the Saturday before the marathon to the following Friday. (I didn't want to get there too far in advance as that would just give me more time to worry instead of enjoying the happiest place on earth! <vbg>)
I would be interested to hear from anyone who has gone at this time how the crowds are. I am thinking it might be busy. Of course, "busy" is relative. I am sure it is nothing like the middle of summertime.

Hope to see some of you there!!!

Tracy and Scott

 

[sunan]

Tracy and Scott,

We've been there for five marathons and run four of them. The weather is hard to predict. One year the boardwalk was slippery with frost in the mornings and the plants all around the grounds were covered at night... it actually got into the 20's. We had to bundle up in trash bags the morning of the race! During two trips, it was warm enough to enjoy SAB nearly every day. The other two times landed somewhere in between.

Though a lot of people converge for the race, the parks are not terribly crowded. Remember, runners are not going to push it too hard before the marathon by doing that commando thing, and afterward, there's a whole lot of hobbling going on. They also tend to leave fairly soon, partly because the Leukemia Team-In-Training runners are not allowed to stay beyond a limited number of days. And we've never had any problem getting into our desired restaurants, etc. just by calling from our room after we've arrived.

We're going from the Wednesday before to the Friday after... 2BR at BWV. (Don't want to miss the Saturday Fun Run around EPCOT!) Where are you folks staying?

JakelBread,

I just switched last week from a 1BR to a 2BR, and at first they could only guarantee up to the 8th (the day before the race). Fortunately, it worked out. But that was BoardWalk view during Marathon Weekend, so availability was limited. I suspect that preferred view would have been no problem at all, particularly the days before. Still, it's always good to book at your home resort, just to be on the safe side.

 

[lesroi]

sunan,

We are staying at BWV also, in a standard 2 bedroom. There are only the two of us on the ressie right now, but as our past has predicted, we always get a few folks wanting to come down with us.

Last year we were in the GV. It was awesome as my in-laws stood on the balcony and cheered the hubby on. After he and my sister were done with the race we all stood out there and cheered and rang our bells until the last of the runners went by. It was very cool!

We picked a standard view as this time we (read *I*) would like a wee bit less noise Saturday night as I already know I will have trouble sleeping.

Maybe I can rent one of those scooters for myself after the race as I will be queen hobbler! Hubby can ride lapsies!

We may do the fun run as well. We have done it the past 2 years and it was really great. The T-shirt is usually cute too! We are going to arrive bright and VERY early Saturday morning anyway as we are flying the red-eye.

Good luck to you all!

Tracy and Scott

 

[Simba's Mom]

In answer to a previous poster's question, I believe the marathon is January 9 next year. Right now we have ressies at BCV for a 1 BR the week before, but hoping to be able to switch to BWV boardwalk view at 7 months. Very interested in what you'all think my chances will be. Special trip for just Mom and DS-he's never stayed at BWV and REALLY wants a room on the boardwalk. Hoping we can get it!