Marathon Weekend 2017!

[sammykster]

I will be going 1/3-1/9! I'm going to be solo until until the 5th or 6th because everyone else is coming for the weekend and I'm doing Dopey so if anyone is looking for a meal buddy let me know We don't have park tickets this time around which I know I'll be bummed about when we get there at least for a little bit but right now is making the planning seem much less stressful!

 

[jhorstma]

Hopefully these will post...

EPCOT on December 30:

Disney 5K finish?

 

[Mimsy Borogove]

Sorry, @Barca33Runner, I didn't mean to contribute to any nervousness. Like others said, if you have a plan in place and realistic expectations of the crowds, you'll be fine. I just don't care to be in the parks when they're that crowded during the holidays (I prefer Epcot when you can swing a dead giraffe - not a cat! - and not hit someone). Some people love the crowds or at least don't mind them as much as I do. And with all your smaller family members, you probably wouldn't be moving around as quickly as solo/duet folks (it's just DH and me, so we're accustomed to getting around quickly) anyway. Lots of great suggestions for down time at the resorts, they really are decked out.

 

[PCFriar80]

when are people planning on being in Disney for the race weekend , the wife and I were thinking to head January 1st or 2nd, we are coming from Canada , would it make sense to head down on December 31? anyone from Canada experience flying on new years eve or day ?

1/4 - 1/12 at the BCVs. Just booked our flight down on SWA for the 4th! Our tradition is to fly in early the day the expo opens, check-in and then catch the bus to the expo. Let the room availability and luggage catch-up while we're frolicking over at WWOS and the expo!

 

[huggybuff]

I'm in for the Half. 1/3 - 1/14 at Caribbean Beach. It'll be another solo jaunt!

 

[Ariel484]

Disney 5K finish?

40-minute wait for SSE on 12/30!

 

[Barca33Runner]

Sorry, @Barca33Runner, I didn't mean to contribute to any nervousness. Like others said, if you have a plan in place and realistic expectations of the crowds, you'll be fine. I just don't care to be in the parks when they're that crowded during the holidays (I prefer Epcot when you can swing a dead giraffe - not a cat! - and not hit someone). Some people love the crowds or at least don't mind them as much as I do. And with all your smaller family members, you probably wouldn't be moving around as quickly as solo/duet folks (it's just DH and me, so we're accustomed to getting around quickly) anyway. Lots of great suggestions for down time at the resorts, they really are decked out.

Not a problem. My sister's family went to MK on a Saturday over Spring Break, so we were definitely already aware of what can happen. I was kind of hoping it wouldn't be that crowded, but it sounds like we are definitely going to have to have a plan and manage our expectations accordingly if we choose to hit the parks early in our trip. This information will help in convincing some of our stragglers that flying by the seat's of our pants probably isn't the best idea.

 

[french lady]

Thank you Beltwaybarry for the info about Southwest flights. I just book from Manchester,N.H. to Orlando and save about $250 compare to booking from Montréal, Qc to Orlando.

 

[Weluvdisny]

I'm trying to decide if I want to jump on the Dopey train. I've done the WDW marathon in 2015, some half marathons and also a couple of sprint triathlons. Someone please give me the pros and cons of doing this before I chicken out!!

 

[Keels]

I'm trying to decide if I want to jump on the Dopey train. I did the WDW marathon in 2015, some half marathons and also a couple of sprint triathlons. Someone please give me the pros and cons of doing this before I chicken out!!

If you're already thinking about it, that just means you want to do it ...

 

[Barca33Runner]

I'm trying to decide if I want to jump on the Dopey train. I did the WDW marathon in 2015, some half marathons and also a couple of sprint triathlons. Someone please give me the pros and cons of doing this before I chicken out!!

Cons

-You have to wake up super early?
-It's not free

Pros

-Pretty much everything else

If you have run a marathon and can get in that shape again, you can figure out how to manage the other three races and finish the whole challenge. And as @Keels said, you want to do it.

 

[Weluvdisny]

If you're already thinking about it, that just means you want to do it ...

I know!!! Why am I so hesitant?! I also did the 10k with my DH and DS in 2015 when I did the marathon so I was halfway there already, right?

 

[Keels]

I will say, I definitely wasn't ready for Dopey when I registered for it - and the whole training pushed me out of my comfort zone. I cried a lot during the process (I'm a crier - and up until recently, I cried before every race because of nerves). I had a meltdown in the kitchen the night before we drove to Florida for race weekend because I was nervous. I cried on Saturday night before the Marathon, and I may have shed tears multiple times during the Marathon. Of all places, I DID NOT cry when I finished the Marathon or when I went through the tent at the end to get my Goofy and Dopey medals. Crazy, right?

But, I can say without doubt or exaggeration -- it was easily a Top 3 Weekend of my life. Dopey helps you find something inside you that you never knew you may have had, it helps you find things OUTSIDE your current life that you never thought you would need. Now? Now, I'm not afraid of anything. I know that my body can handle whatever I throw at it. I KNOW that the only thing holding me back - is me.

I made some friends during the process that I can't imagine my life without - and I know they'll be in my life in some way and shape forever. I strengthened my relationships with others in ways I never thought they could grow. I accomplished what I previously (and by previously, I mean like four months before registration) thought was impossible for me.

And, as Walt Disney once said "It's kind of fun to do the impossible".

I look forward to seeing you as a fellow Dope.

 

[rteetz]

And, as Walt Disney once said "It's kind of fun to do the impossible".

My favorite quote.

 

[Ariel484]

I'm trying to decide if I want to jump on the Dopey train. I've done the WDW marathon in 2015, some half marathons and also a couple of sprint triathlons. Someone please give me the pros and cons of doing this before I chicken out!!

For me, the big cons are cost (race registration as well as making sure you're in WDW by Wednesday for the expo) and - the toughest part for me - the 4 early wake-ups. And limited park time during the weekend itself.

But that was it for me. I trained for it just like I'd train for a marathon...the training is always difficult but not anymore difficult than it was when I trained for the marathon in 2012 and Goofy in 2013. Because I was well-trained, and we got the unexpected cold front, and I took all of the races easy, the running itself was enjoyable when I was there.

Really though, those wake-ups...

 

[Keels]

Really though, those wake-ups...

For real - I thought those would be the death of me because that's usually when I go to bed, but they didn't bother me so much! The ones at Tink Weekend, though? Death to those early mornings ...

 

[whamma]

Just joining the party here and need advice from previous WDW Marathoners. I'm doing the Dopey in 2017 but have to be back at work on Monday 1/9---so I have to fly home on Sunday after the marathon. What's the earliest flight I could plan to take home? This will be my second marathon but I'm a regular half marathoner. My first marathon I completed in just over 5 hours (hilly course). I know a later flight would be better but I'm restricted by what's available Sunday afternoon. Any help would be greatly appreciated!

 

[Keels]

Just joining the party here and need advice from previous WDW Marathoners. I'm doing the Dopey in 2017 but have to be back at work on Monday 1/9---so I have to fly home on Sunday after the marathon. What's the earliest flight I could plan to take home? This will be my second marathon but I'm a regular half marathoner. My first marathon I completed in just over 5 hours (hilly course). I know a later flight would be better but I'm restricted by what's available Sunday afternoon. Any help would be greatly appreciated!

What PoT are you putting in? Are you planning on another 5 hour Marathon? Where are you staying? I'm assuming you'll want to clean up before heading the the airport.

Also, will you have a rental car or are you relying on DME or another service to take you to the airport?

We can probably guesstimate a time for you based on those answers!

 

[whamma]

What PoT are you putting in? Are you planning on another 5 hour Marathon? Where are you staying? I'm assuming you'll want to clean up before heading the the airport.

Also, will you have a rental car or are you relying on DME or another service to take you to the airport?

We can probably guesstimate a time for you based on those answers!

Staying at Bay Lake Tower. I put in a 2:10 half marathon for my PoT. I'm hoping for somewhere between 5-5:30 marathon time. Will probably have a rental car. Might have to fly out of Sanford--which I know is farther. We're regular Disney travelers but this will be my second RunDisney event (2015 Glass Slipper was my first.) Thanks for your help!

 

[Keels]

Staying at Bay Lake Tower. I put in a 2:10 half marathon for my PoT. I'm hoping for somewhere between 5-5:30 marathon time. Will probably have a rental car. Might have to fly out of Sanford--which I know is farther. We're regular Disney travelers but this will be my second RunDisney event (2015 Glass Slipper was my first.) Thanks for your help!

OK. This is just complete number crunching and speculation based on this year's corral and the McMillan calculator, which is roughly what RD uses to corral.

A 2:10 half puts you at a 4:33 full according to McMillan, which based on this year's corrals would have you starting in G for the half/full.

Based on the 5-minute between corral release time, you're looking at a start time of 6 a.m. Let's assume it's 7 minutes between corrals, just as a cushion and estimate that you'll start at 6:12 a.m. With your max marathon time, that puts you at the finish line around 11:42 a.m. You still have to get back to the Contemporary (that's 30 minutes whether you drive or monorail), and that probably puts you past check-out for a shower. Plus, I'm assuming you'll want to eat at some point post-race.

The drive from the Contemporary to Sanford will EASILY take you an hour, in perfect conditions. With I-4 construction and traffic (if you take that way), I think you should expect at least 90 minutes minimum from the hotel to Sanford.

If everything goes AS PLANNED, you could probably make a 3 p.m. flight. Personally? Knowing Orlando, and Disney, and these races, I wouldn't plan for anything earlier than 5 p.m.