Marathon Weekend 2019

[rteetz]

I am considering renting points from someone. BC has no availability for my dates but OKW does. Never stayed there so wondering peoples thoughts on that for a race weekend.

 

[DopeyBadger]

We ended up booking at OKW. We've never stayed anywhere but All Stars (including marathon 2016 weekend) so how does transportation look from OKW? It looks to be pretty spread out if you're not close to a bus stop.

I am considering renting points from someone. BC has no availability for my dates but OKW does. Never stayed there so wondering peoples thoughts on that for a race weekend.

I posted this earlier, but still applicable.

I stayed at OKW this past Dopey. I used the bus transportation and was on pretty much the first bus each time. For some odd reason, they sent us to SS for the HM and M before EPCOT. This resulted us in being the third or fourth bus in line at SS both times even though we had plenty of people from OKW. Both times our driver got frustrated and ended up passing the other buses before waiting to pick up more. Probably added an additional 20-30 min to the overall trip. Caused an issue for those caught up in the traffic behind the accident. @GollyGadget got stuck in that traffic from OKW off a 3:15am bus and cut it closer than hoped for corral placement.

The property is spread out for pre race transportation but they have a bus going around taking people to the front of OKW. We requested a close room and was only a 5 min walk.

Otherwise, I felt like it was a fine hotel choice for marathon weekend.

@MilesMouse - Billy is remembering correctly, I got on the bus at a time I considered to be early enough but didn't even get to my corral until after 5 because of the traffic and I had to hustle and skip the potties. I don't remember what time it was offhand, but it was before the recommended time. Moral of the story, get to the bus early. Lots of people will tell you that isn't necessary but I really would have liked a pre-race pee and I wasn't willing to squat near the woods with all the boys. This also could vary depending on your corral. I was all the way up in B so my corral was starting pretty quick after the initial start. If I had been in one of the later corrals, it wouldn't have been as big of a deal. Granted, I could have self seeded myself further back, but I wanted that early corral that I had earned earlier that fall.

I also had some problems in that we could hear the race start from our room. It wasn't enough to wake me up, but I did wake up one morning and could definitely hear the announcers and fireworks. The good news is that you're running Dopey so you'll be up anyway!

We requested a room as close as we could get to the main bus stop, but didn't have the HH area reserved. It was a bit of a hike but bearable. I will say overall, I wasn't very impressed with the rooms at OKW. Our yet to be refurbished room at Pop earlier in the stay was nicer. On the other hand, having a hot tub on resort was nice.

 

[rteetz]

I posted this earlier, but still applicable.

I stayed at OKW this past Dopey. I used the bus transportation and was on pretty much the first bus each time. For some odd reason, they sent us to SS for the HM and M before EPCOT. This resulted us in being the third or fourth bus in line at SS both times even though we had plenty of people from OKW. Both times our driver got frustrated and ended up passing the other buses before waiting to pick up more. Probably added an additional 20-30 min to the overall trip. Caused an issue for those caught up in the traffic behind the accident. @GollyGadget got stuck in that traffic from OKW off a 3:15am bus and cut it closer than hoped for corral placement.

The property is spread out for pre race transportation but they have a bus going around taking people to the front of OKW. We requested a close room and was only a 5 min walk.

Otherwise, I felt like it was a fine hotel choice for marathon weekend.

Thanks must have missed your post!

 

[DopeyBadger]

Thanks must have missed your post!

No worries, it was all the way back on page 32ish.

 

[jennamfeo]

I just remembered that committing to Marathon Weekend 2019 means committing to Paris 2019 as well. Bye money!

 

[Dis_Yoda]

I just remembered that committing to Marathon Weekend 2019 means committing to Paris 2019 as well. Bye money!

We’re doing Paris in 2019 too! It’s at the end of a 13 day Tauck Tour + 2 Day Winery Visit. This will be my husband’s personal worst!

 

[PrincessMickey]

Has anyone stayed at Coronado Springs for Marathon Weekend? Thoughts?

I stayed there last year. I didn’t think it was too bad, we had one of the renovated rooms near the food court. There were a lot of runners between the charity groups and TA which was nice because we never got woken up when trying to get to bed early. I would definitely request a room near the food court though, it’s a long walk if you’re on the opposite side of the lake.

I think this year I’m going to try renting dvc points. Just have to decide where, currently debating between BC and AK.

 

[lahobbs4]

Anyone have experience at Wilderness Lodge over Marathon Weekend?

 

[SheHulk]

Anyone have experience at Wilderness Lodge over Marathon Weekend?

Yes! I am a nervous wreck and always on the first bus so no problem. DH and kids felt the buses later in the day to try to spectate were less than frequent. I try to stay off my feet before the race and the hotel grounds were very peaceful and relaxing.

 

[Dis5150]

Agh. All of the resort talk is making my head spin! I don’t know where to stay! This trip isn’t going to be a big vacation for us, so now with all of the Pop love, maybe we should stay in our first value? I’m still leaning toward Coronado?

We haven't even 100% committed to going so all this resort talk is stressing me out, lol!

@LikelyLynae (DD28) and I usually stay at Sports but stayed at Saratoga Springs on points this past marathon weekend and we loved it. Of course, I got the exact room I requested (how did that even happen??) so we were directly across from the main building/pool/food court and had the shortest walk to the bus stop than anyone else. We were in the first room in the first building in Springs section. I would love to stay there again (and we probably will if there are still studios available when we can decide and book) but very likely won't be able to get that room/building or section again so we will probably be in for a lot longer walks for things.

We considered POP. Does anyone know about how the water districts are at Disney? The water at the values messes up DD28's skin but the water at SS was fine for her. I was thinking that maybe the two areas are different water districts? I would think POP would be in the same district as SS (aren't they pretty close to each other?) Or maybe we will end up at OKW because that is all that is left by the time we book. Ugh! Sigh, need to stop stressing lol!

 

[TCB in FLA]

Considering SOG this time. I’ve stayed there before, just not for race weekends. It’s not a huge savings since highest booking rate applies. However, since SOG’s parking fee is less than other Disney’s resorts, I could take the cheaper direct flight into Sanford and rent a car (plus ME doesn’t drop off at SOG, so I would have to pay to get to/from an airport anyway). I’ve got a room reserved, just waiting to see what the room-only rates are. Would really prefer POFQ.

 

[ZellyB]

I checked with the TA we used in January and she has availability at BC for some decent (for Disney deluxe) rates. I'll need to see if @Chris-Mo wants to stay there again. I enjoyed staying there in the DVC side, so might be fun to check out the regular result side this time.

 

[Dis_Yoda]

We haven't even 100% committed to going so all this resort talk is stressing me out, lol!

@LikelyLynae (DD28) and I usually stay at Sports but stayed at Saratoga Springs on points this past marathon weekend and we loved it. Of course, I got the exact room I requested (how did that even happen??) so we were directly across from the main building/pool/food court and had the shortest walk to the bus stop than anyone else. We were in the first room in the first building in Springs section. I would love to stay there again (and we probably will if there are still studios available when we can decide and book) but very likely won't be able to get that room/building or section again so we will probably be in for a lot longer walks for things.

We considered POP. Does anyone know about how the water districts are at Disney? The water at the values messes up DD28's skin but the water at SS was fine for her. I was thinking that maybe the two areas are different water districts? I would think POP would be in the same district as SS (aren't they pretty close to each other?) Or maybe we will end up at OKW because that is all that is left by the time we book. Ugh! Sigh, need to stop stressing lol!

Disney has their own water treatment facility. It could just be the age of the equipment at the hotel.

 

[AFwifelife]

Considering SOG this time. I’ve stayed there before, just not for race weekends. It’s not a huge savings since highest booking rate applies. However, since SOG’s parking fee is less than other Disney’s resorts, I could take the cheaper direct flight into Sanford and rent a car (plus ME doesn’t drop off at SOG, so I would have to pay to get to/from an airport anyway). I’ve got a room reserved, just waiting to see what the room-only rates are. Would really prefer POFQ.

If you are going to be around for the whole weekend, I would look at the price differential between holding onto the rental car and paying the $7 parking fee and doing a one way to the SOG counter (for Alamo) then picking it back up at the end of your trip.

 

[Dis5150]

Disney has their own water treatment facility. It could just be the age of the equipment at the hotel.

Ugh. Well, good to know. I guess we should just stick with SS as we know it works for her skin. Thanks!

 

[SarahDisney]

I checked with the TA we used in January and she has availability at BC for some decent (for Disney deluxe) rates. I'll need to see if @Chris-Mo wants to stay there again. I enjoyed staying there in the DVC side, so might be fun to check out the regular result side this time.

Yeeeessssss! Stay at BC!!

 

[rteetz]

I still have no idea where I’m gonna stay. Really want to rent DVC but can’t afford to pay some of the upfront costs right now. I may end up at Pop and that’s okay too.

 

[SarahDisney]

I still have no idea where I’m gonna stay. Really want to rent DVC but can’t afford to pay some of the upfront costs right now. I may end up at Pop and that’s okay too.

You should stay at BC, but if that's too much for right now, Pop is awesome. I love Pop.

 

[rteetz]

You should stay at BC, but if that's too much for right now, Pop is awesome. I love Pop.

I would love love love to stay at BC but that likely means Goofy for sure and maybe no park time or very limited. They don't have availability for DVC for my entire stay I want.

 

[AFwifelife]

I still have no idea where I’m gonna stay. Really want to rent DVC but can’t afford to pay some of the upfront costs right now. I may end up at Pop and that’s okay too.

I think Pop would be great, especially since they (will probably) be all updated. Then you can do all the other fun stuff.