Marathon Weekend 2019

[rteetz]

Re: solo marathon trips, I haven't done one of my own yet, but I'm guessing my next race weekend trip after 2019 will be solo. It'll be different, for sure, but I'm kind of looking forward to being able to do what I want, when I want. I solo the parks at night all the time anyway, so I don't think a solo trip will be a huge leap.

I’m excited for my first solo race trip in November.

I mean, do you REALLY want to sign up for only one race, risk that race being cancelled for weather and then not run that weekend at all? Statistically, your best bet is Dopey...

Well I definitely wouldn’t just do one race. It’s goofy for sure possibly more.

 

[SarahDisney]

Re: solo marathon trips, I haven't done one of my own yet, but I'm guessing my next race weekend trip after 2019 will be solo. It'll be different, for sure, but I'm kind of looking forward to being able to do what I want, when I want. I solo the parks at night all the time anyway, so I don't think a solo trip will be a huge leap.

I've never done any Disney solo and until about 2-3 years ago I had pretty much never done anything solo. But I've done most of my local races solo, so hopefully that means I'm getting better at the solo thing. I'm definitely looking forward to being able to do my own thing. (Although my sister and I do tend to agree on most race things, so I'm guessing a solo trip will be not-that-different than my non-solo trips)

 

[camaker]

I've never done any Disney solo and until about 2-3 years ago I had pretty much never done anything solo. But I've done most of my local races solo, so hopefully that means I'm getting better at the solo thing. I'm definitely looking forward to being able to do my own thing. (Although my sister and I do tend to agree on most race things, so I'm guessing a solo trip will be not-that-different than my non-solo trips)

I’ll give you my standard solo spiel. I’ve done race weekends both solo and with my wife. I find solo to be preferable, especially when you’ll be doing multiple races in a weekend. There’s a lot of pressure to not spoil everybody else’s trip when you go as a family or group. It makes it hard to eat, exit the parks, and get to bed as early as you need to for the races. Not to mention the pressure to get up and get through your pre-race routine at 2:30 (or so) in the morning without waking or disturbing the others in your room.

Solo it’s just you. Need a simple pasta dinner early the night before the marathon, no problem. Need a morning nap after the races? Nobody is chomping at the bit to get to the parks, especially because they know the evening is going to be cut short due to the race the next morning. Solo eliminates a lot of the stressors and allows you to better adhere to your own needs, plans and routines pre and post race. That can be especially important if you’re running a new race distance.

Not to mention you’ve got a built in posse of bodyguards from this site to make sure you don’t get abducted.

 

[Dis_Yoda]

I like my solo trips. Disney is one of those places where I feel safe no matter what. I can do what I want and not worry about others.

I do like my trips with others too.

 

[Keels]

My race trips (even WDW ones) are mostly friends trips for me now. My BFF and I usually do them together, or I have friends come in to visit to spectate.

And, of course, I try to spend as much time as possible with all the people from here!

Star Wars is going to be my first truly "solo" trip - because I'm not sure if Mr. Keels is even going to be in Florida for the month I'm there, and he definitely doesn't do RunDisney events anymore ... and he only does the parks in small doses when he's even around.

I like being in a big group of happy people having fun. It makes ME happy. But I can also deal with time alone, too. So I see both sides of the solo vs. group/family discussion.

 

[FFigawi]

Might as well keep piling those up right?

Or keep drinking cheap “beer”

 

[Princess KP]

OMG. 3 weeks until registration opens. How do I start a GoFundMe??

Already?? I just paid for W&D last week and just paid for a few local races this week

Tonight, friends from the gym asked if I wanted to join the beginners outdoor cycle group and I said nah, cause I'd have to buy a bike, shoes, etc... I'll stick to running cause it's cheaper....NOPE! Lol

 

[jennamfeo]

I think my only problem with going solo is that my husband won’t be there when I finish my first marathon. I’m gonna be a crying mess and I’m sure none of y’all will want to deal with that. Lol.

 

[Keels]

I think my only problem with going solo is that my husband won’t be there when I finish my first marathon. I’m gonna be a crying mess and I’m sure none of y’all will want to deal with that. Lol.

I gotcha!

 

[Dis_Yoda]

I think my only problem with going solo is that my husband won’t be there when I finish my first marathon. I’m gonna be a crying mess and I’m sure none of y’all will want to deal with that. Lol.

Pshh. No judgments on crying here. Some people cry finishing the marathon. You won't be the only one!

 

[SarahDisney]

I think my only problem with going solo is that my husband won’t be there when I finish my first marathon. I’m gonna be a crying mess and I’m sure none of y’all will want to deal with that. Lol.

Pro Tip: Screaming "I'm not gonna cry" as you're running to the finish line doesn't stop you from crying.

And I'll be a crying mess right there with you!

 

[jmasgat]

Someone give me some advice. I am doing Dopey, traveling solo, want to stay on property, preferably at a cheaper resort, and only want like 2 days of park time. Should I just do it all on my own or with a travel agent?

I have always run Disney solo and always handled my own reservations. It has worked out well for me. I stay on property and rent a car. I have typically found that I can get everything I need at a good price without the need for a TA , and a comfortable handling all the details. And if you book your reservations with a credit card that has trip interruption/cancellation coverage, then you can mitigate the cost of any issues (or just buy travel insurance). Race reservation cost is one thing that isn't covered, though, and I don't recall if Disney or Active offer insurance.

I will say, however, that this year seemed particularly tight for room availability, and honestly, the discounts weren't that great (though TA aren't going to have any "magical" discounts of their own---I was quoted the same as Disney quoted when I checked). Don't know if that was just with the New Year's holiday being so close. If you really want to minimize cost and stay at a particular value or moderate, you might try a TA to see if they have rooms at the resort you are interested in at a good price. Just make sure you do your homework about estimated rack rates/discounted rates for that time period, and also understand a TA's payment/cancellation policy compared to Room Only at Disney.

I will also add that I know of at least one disboards member who is a TA, so if you want a reference, let me know.

 

[Bree]

I think my only problem with going solo is that my husband won’t be there when I finish my first marathon. I’m gonna be a crying mess and I’m sure none of y’all will want to deal with that. Lol.

Pro Tip: Screaming "I'm not gonna cry" as you're running to the finish line doesn't stop you from crying.

And I'll be a crying mess right there with you!

I’ll bring extra tissues for everyone. I think a lot of us are going to need them.

 

[PCFriar80]

I’ll bring extra tissues for everyone. I think a lot of us are going to need them.

I thought that's what the long sleeved race shirts were for?

 

[IamTrike]

Someone give me some advice. I am doing Dopey, traveling solo, want to stay on property, preferably at a cheaper resort, and only want like 2 days of park time. Should I just do it all on my own or with a travel agent?

If I were you I would at least book the room part through a travel agent. Even though I've got DVC and AP's I still usually use a TA for Marathon weekend. I do that because her agency pre buys a blocks of rooms and so it's usually the least expensive way to get a room. I can also usually reserve through rooms through her before they open for regular booking. I don't use a TA to purchase my bib though. It may be that purchasing the all in package is cheaper, but I can say from experience that at least on the room side booking with the right TA definitely has cost advantages.

I've done the DLR half solo. It was fun. My big issue was that it was only my second time at Disneyland so I wanted to do all the things. Without other people to think about I basically spent all day running from attraction to attraction, put off eating till it was way late and generally walked way more than I should have on a race weekend.

 

[AFwifelife]

I think my only problem with going solo is that my husband won’t be there when I finish my first marathon. I’m gonna be a crying mess and I’m sure none of y’all will want to deal with that. Lol.

I cry for a majority of races. I’m not usually a cryer but finish lines always get me.

 

[apdebord]

After Princess on the bus I told my husband that the next time I cross a rD finish line it will be for my first full and I started crying. So it’s already started for me!

 

[run.minnie.miles]

But just think how potentially great that Goofy bling will be!!

@ZellyB Think of all of the sleep you'll get and how great you'll feel with just 1 race.

Isn't that what student loans are for?

Bleh. My economist heart can't support this. (My Disney heart is a little closer though...)

I think my only problem with going solo is that my husband won’t be there when I finish my first marathon. I’m gonna be a crying mess and I’m sure none of y’all will want to deal with that. Lol.

The whole "I'm not crying, you are" doesn't apply here... If I have any moisture left in my body, I will also be crying.

 

[SarahDisney]

Someone should probably be waiting at the finish line with tissues...

 

[run.minnie.miles]

I mean, do you REALLY want to sign up for only one race, risk that race being cancelled for weather and then not run that weekend at all? Statistically, your best bet is Dopey...

Ahh!! This is my worst fear.