Marathon Weekend 2019

[steph0808]

And with my 10k done this weekend, finally registered for the half! (should be in Corral B with my time, might try late September for a Corral A time. Not sure I have it in me, but I can try).

I am still conflicted about not doing the full, but I don't really want to train for it or take out a larger chunk of park time for it. But it's my race.

There's always next year.

 

[Philo2020]

Hello Everyone! I did a quick search but didn't find anything specific to my below question. I am traveling solo and doing the Dopey this year and am trying to figure out food options. I know there are a ton of varied thoughts on this topic but what are the thoughts on the Disney dining plan? I will have 5 full days (4 of those being race days) with likely 3 park days. I feel like I am trying to talk myself into it but not sure it makes financial sense and I don't have any experience with the Disney dining plan. I know each situation is different but any general thoughts for my scenario from those that have tried the dining plan in the past?

Thanks for any help and guidance on this topic!!

 

[rteetz]

Hello Everyone! I did a quick search but didn't find anything specific to my below question. I am traveling solo and doing the Dopey this year and am trying to figure out food options. I know there are a ton of varied thoughts on this topic but what are the thoughts on the Disney dining plan? I will have 5 full days (4 of those being race days) with likely 3 park days. I feel like I am trying to talk myself into it but not sure it makes financial sense and I don't have any experience with the Disney dining plan. I know each situation is different but any general thoughts for my scenario from those that have tried the dining plan in the past?

Thanks for any help and guidance on this topic!!

Personally I wouldn’t do the dining plan. I’ve done it in the past (never solo though) and feel you can get more bang for your buck paying out of pocket. You’re not locked into trying to use all of your credits during a race weekend either.

 

[Disney at Heart]

Hello Everyone! I did a quick search but didn't find anything specific to my below question. I am traveling solo and doing the Dopey this year and am trying to figure out food options. I know there are a ton of varied thoughts on this topic but what are the thoughts on the Disney dining plan? I will have 5 full days (4 of those being race days) with likely 3 park days. I feel like I am trying to talk myself into it but not sure it makes financial sense and I don't have any experience with the Disney dining plan. I know each situation is different but any general thoughts for my scenario from those that have tried the dining plan in the past?

Thanks for any help and guidance on this topic!!

My family got the dining plan once, and it was not good for us. We had to eat way too much to get our money’s worth! LOL We simply could not eat three big meals and a snack every day. (Especially would not be feasible for me on a race weekend.) It may be worth it for you if you are a big eater, or if you can get a smaller plan. Check out what is offered for each plan and at what price, decide if those are the meals you want to eat, and estimate how much it comes out per meal and decide if you can do better with or without the plan.

 

[rteetz]

Flights for marathon weekend are booked!

 

[Livelovedance]

Hello Everyone! I did a quick search but didn't find anything specific to my below question. I am traveling solo and doing the Dopey this year and am trying to figure out food options. I know there are a ton of varied thoughts on this topic but what are the thoughts on the Disney dining plan? I will have 5 full days (4 of those being race days) with likely 3 park days. I feel like I am trying to talk myself into it but not sure it makes financial sense and I don't have any experience with the Disney dining plan. I know each situation is different but any general thoughts for my scenario from those that have tried the dining plan in the past?

Thanks for any help and guidance on this topic!!

We've done the dining plan multiple times for convenience. We liked the idea of paying for everything before we went, and that we didn't have to worry about the prices of our meals. On our most recent trip we went without the dining plan, and honestly, we probably won't use the plan anymore. We decided to "prepay" our meals by purchasing Disney gift cards (using Target redcards to get 5% off), and used those to pay for everything. It was great because we still had the feeling of paying for everything before we went, we still didn't worry about the prices, but at the same time we ate how we wanted to eat, instead of worrying about losing credits! I didn't even miss the resort refillable mug, because we spend so little time at the resort that we hardly ever use it anyway. While the gift cards were intended for food only, we ended up using them for everything (meals, snacks, drinks, souvenirs), and still had money left over at the end of our trip. The best part about that was we didn't have to scramble to buy snacks to use up credits - we're just saving the gift cards towards our next trip!

As a solo traveler on a race weekend, I'd definitely take the previous advice of determining where you want to eat, and the approximate prices. Give yourself some wiggle room for snacks and drinks, and use that to decide what would work best for you. I'm going to guess you'd probably come out ahead without the dining plan, but it depends on how you will use it! Good luck with your decision!

 

[Bree]

Hello Everyone! I did a quick search but didn't find anything specific to my below question. I am traveling solo and doing the Dopey this year and am trying to figure out food options. I know there are a ton of varied thoughts on this topic but what are the thoughts on the Disney dining plan? I will have 5 full days (4 of those being race days) with likely 3 park days. I feel like I am trying to talk myself into it but not sure it makes financial sense and I don't have any experience with the Disney dining plan. I know each situation is different but any general thoughts for my scenario from those that have tried the dining plan in the past?

Thanks for any help and guidance on this topic!!

I wouldn’t bother. The dining plan was designed for Disney to make a profit not for the guest to save money. Yes, I know you can come out ahead if you order the most expensive item off every menu, but seriously...the average guest is not that savvy and have spreadsheets and their exact meals planned out months in advance to make sure they are getting their money’s worth.

 

[ANIM8R]

Hello Everyone! I did a quick search but didn't find anything specific to my below question. I am traveling solo and doing the Dopey this year and am trying to figure out food options. I know there are a ton of varied thoughts on this topic but what are the thoughts on the Disney dining plan? I will have 5 full days (4 of those being race days) with likely 3 park days. I feel like I am trying to talk myself into it but not sure it makes financial sense and I don't have any experience with the Disney dining plan. I know each situation is different but any general thoughts for my scenario from those that have tried the dining plan in the past?

Thanks for any help and guidance on this topic!!

In our situation, it's just my wife and I...and we're AP. We hit WDW about three times a year and have found that the Basic Dining Plan (or whatever the "middle" one is) works for us. There are two big factors in that justification: 1) my wife's fondness for Starbucks and the ability to use that as a snack and 2) the inclusion of an alcoholic drink at table service visits. The bottomless soda cup (resort only) also plays a factor in us getting the dining plan as well.

Again, that's just us. YMMV

 

[Philo2020]

Hello Everyone! I did a quick search but didn't find anything specific to my below question. I am traveling solo and doing the Dopey this year and am trying to figure out food options. I know there are a ton of varied thoughts on this topic but what are the thoughts on the Disney dining plan? I will have 5 full days (4 of those being race days) with likely 3 park days. I feel like I am trying to talk myself into it but not sure it makes financial sense and I don't have any experience with the Disney dining plan. I know each situation is different but any general thoughts for my scenario from those that have tried the dining plan in the past?

Thanks for any help and guidance on this topic!!

Thank you all for your responses to my question about the Disney dining plan. I believe I just wanted to immerse myself in more Disney but based on what I have read and the advice here it is best for me not to get the dining plan, I am not really a big eater and likely will need to be very flexible during the weekend. Thanks again, this board is always a great resource and inspiration!

 

[roxymama]

I am still conflicted about not doing the full, but I don't really want to train for it or take out a larger chunk of park time for it.

Basically me right now...
I know training for a fun-run half is way easier than the full. Mostly because I'm training for a full right now and it's a big commitment.

Hello Everyone! I did a quick search but didn't find anything specific to my below question. I am traveling solo and doing the Dopey this year and am trying to figure out food options. I know there are a ton of varied thoughts on this topic but what are the thoughts on the Disney dining plan? I will have 5 full days (4 of those being race days) with likely 3 park days. I feel like I am trying to talk myself into it but not sure it makes financial sense and I don't have any experience with the Disney dining plan. I know each situation is different but any general thoughts for my scenario from those that have tried the dining plan in the past?

Thanks for any help and guidance on this topic!!

I had thought about doing the quick service plan for my trip, but since it will just be my dad and I and me going off on my own here and there. I'd just rather not be tied down to it. If we decide to book a table service at a place randomly that has an opening, we will. And if I just want to eat snacks all day, I will

 

[steph0808]

Basically me right now...
I know training for a fun-run half is way easier than the full. Mostly because I'm training for a full right now and it's a big commitment.

I did a full in November 2017 and then WDW full in January 2018. Why? Not quite sure! It's definitely a much larger commitment!

I had thought about doing the quick service plan for my trip, but since it will just be my dad and I and me going off on my own here and there. I'd just rather not be tied down to it. If we decide to book a table service at a place randomly that has an opening, we will. And if I just want to eat snacks all day, I will

You sound like me - I'll be traveling with my mom, who is my Disney partner-in-crime. We usually do one big table service/day and just snack in between, so the meal plan never makes financial sense for us.

 

[leholcomb]

So I need some opinions and advice. I have had a weekend in September open up and there are two races I could run for POT (currently do not have one).

The first, a local 10 mile trail run. Due to past injuries, I do not fair well with trails.
The second, a half marathon 2 hours away. This is not a flat course but it is a road race. This would require me to board my pets and book a hotel on Friday night.

I looked at the guesstimated times I would need for each distance to bump me up into the POT corrals. Question, which one would you choose and if I don't meet that time (esp on the trail) is it even worth pursuing a POT? I would feel much better with a corral or two buffer. Thanks all!

 

[lhermiston]

So I need some opinions and advice. I have had a weekend in September open up and there are two races I could run for POT (currently do not have one).

The first, a local 10 mile trail run. Due to past injuries, I do not fair well with trails.
The second, a half marathon 2 hours away. This is not a flat course but it is a road race. This would require me to board my pets and book a hotel on Friday night.

I looked at the guesstimated times I would need for each distance to bump me up into the POT corrals. Question, which one would you choose and if I don't meet that time (esp on the trail) is it even worth pursuing a POT? I would feel much better with a corral or two buffer. Thanks all!

I vote for the half, given your concerns about trail running.

 

[SarahDisney]

So I need some opinions and advice. I have had a weekend in September open up and there are two races I could run for POT (currently do not have one).

The first, a local 10 mile trail run. Due to past injuries, I do not fair well with trails.
The second, a half marathon 2 hours away. This is not a flat course but it is a road race. This would require me to board my pets and book a hotel on Friday night.

I looked at the guesstimated times I would need for each distance to bump me up into the POT corrals. Question, which one would you choose and if I don't meet that time (esp on the trail) is it even worth pursuing a POT? I would feel much better with a corral or two buffer. Thanks all!

How "not flat" are we talking about? If it's super hilly, it might not be get you a great POT. If it's only a few small hills, then it seems like it'd be a better idea than the trail race, even though the logistics are harder.
Honestly, if you're worried about past injuries and trails, I wouldn't run the trail race. You don't want to potentially set yourself up for an injury. While POT and healthy is the best case scenario, showing up with no POT and healthy is certainly better than showing up dealing with the aftermath of an injury.
If you think the half cut get you in under that cutoff, I'd go for that.

 

[roxymama]

How trained are you right now for that HM and how many weeks away is it? Do you have the base to give the POT cutoff a good shot?

If so, my gut says to go for it. But I also don't have to pay for the hotel or drive all that way and am an enabler. Sooooo

PS If you have not been in training mode for something this distance be super careful listening to your body to avoid injury! (Which I guess we should all do irregardless of amount of training)

 

[Sleepless Knight]

Hello Everyone! I did a quick search but didn't find anything specific to my below question. I am traveling solo and doing the Dopey this year and am trying to figure out food options. I know there are a ton of varied thoughts on this topic but what are the thoughts on the Disney dining plan? I will have 5 full days (4 of those being race days) with likely 3 park days. I feel like I am trying to talk myself into it but not sure it makes financial sense and I don't have any experience with the Disney dining plan. I know each situation is different but any general thoughts for my scenario from those that have tried the dining plan in the past?

Thanks for any help and guidance on this topic!!

As others have said, do your research. Determine where you would eat and what you would eat and see if the plan makes sense for you financially. The dining plan can also be a lot of food on just the QS and TS options alone. This makes it very easy to forget about snacks until you suddenly realize you have a lot of them.

You may be able to get better room rates without the dining plan than with it. It's certainly possible to get your money's worth with it. But it's also possible to make it a great deal for Disney and not so much for you.

I've had trips where I saved money on the dining plan and trips where I've saved money by paying out of pocket.

 

[cavepig]

So I need some opinions and advice. I have had a weekend in September open up and there are two races I could run for POT (currently do not have one).

The first, a local 10 mile trail run. Due to past injuries, I do not fair well with trails.
The second, a half marathon 2 hours away. This is not a flat course but it is a road race. This would require me to board my pets and book a hotel on Friday night.

I looked at the guesstimated times I would need for each distance to bump me up into the POT corrals. Question, which one would you choose and if I don't meet that time (esp on the trail) is it even worth pursuing a POT? I would feel much better with a corral or two buffer. Thanks all!

Which one gives you more confidence to nail the time needed for POT? Sounds like the half one based on your history with trails. If the hotel and pet boarding isn't part of any deal breaking on it I would go for the half 2 hours away. Having a POT is great, but if it causes any stress/injuries/uneeded costs/etc. trying to get it then it may not be worth it in my opinion.

 

[mankle30]

Thank you all for your responses to my question about the Disney dining plan. I believe I just wanted to immerse myself in more Disney but based on what I have read and the advice here it is best for me not to get the dining plan, I am not really a big eater and likely will need to be very flexible during the weekend. Thanks again, this board is always a great resource and inspiration!

Thank you all for your responses to my question about the Disney dining plan. I believe I just wanted to immerse myself in more Disney but based on what I have read and the advice here it is best for me not to get the dining plan, I am not really a big eater and likely will need to be very flexible during the weekend. Thanks again, this board is always a great resource and inspiration!

Thank you all for your responses to my question about the Disney dining plan. I believe I just wanted to immerse myself in more Disney but based on what I have read and the advice here it is best for me not to get the dining plan, I am not really a big eater and likely will need to be very flexible during the weekend. Thanks again, this board is always a great resource and inspiration!

Just to add a thought. My wife and I had the dining plan for our honeymoon and felt like we were completely stuffed the whole time. We also felt that our table service dining reservations, while delicious, took away from time we could spend in the parks.

This year, we're paying as we go, and have only four dining reservations (including hoop dee doo) for a whole week. With shorter park hours in the winter, we want to take advantage of the time we have and not feel like we're a) lethargic because of how much for we've had to eat, and b) rushing to the fireworks, shows and attractions because a meal has taken up much more of our park time than we had counted on.

 

[TCB in FLA]

So I need some opinions and advice. I have had a weekend in September open up and there are two races I could run for POT (currently do not have one).

The first, a local 10 mile trail run. Due to past injuries, I do not fair well with trails.
The second, a half marathon 2 hours away. This is not a flat course but it is a road race. This would require me to board my pets and book a hotel on Friday night.

I looked at the guesstimated times I would need for each distance to bump me up into the POT corrals. Question, which one would you choose and if I don't meet that time (esp on the trail) is it even worth pursuing a POT? I would feel much better with a corral or two buffer. Thanks all!

If you don’t train on trails, I certainly wouldn’t pick the 10 miler to try for a POT. If possible, do that half if you think you can make the cutoff time. Having that buffer will be worth the hotel stay and pet boarding.

 

[JulieODC]

Hi all!

Reading all these posts, i trust your dining advice...so here’s a question—-

I’ve been checking for a dining reservation for Saturday night near MK - mainly looking for Ohana. But today a Be Our Guest reservation popped up and I snagged it.

We’ve never eaten there (for any meal) - and I’m kind of in the fence about the pre ride. Worth it???

I am not running the next day so not a pre-race dinner (if that changes answers) - and have 7yo and 3yo DDs.