Marathon Weekend 2020

[IamTrike]

That was a big reason why I booked it now, to at least lock the rates in. Then, if they do have any lower rates, I can always rebook. I'm also not sure if the rates at Pop and AoA are going to increase when the gondolas open.

Yeah that's my thinking too. Right now I'm stuck because of DVC math. My use year is Feb, and right now I have a room booked and a waitlist in April. If the waitlist comes through I free up 15 points with the 11 points I currently have remaining I'd just need to buy 13 one time use points to cover the 3 nights in a studio at Saratoga. I pinged acclaim because it's possible that a room at one of the all stars or pop wouldn't be much more expensive than the 1 time use points.

 

[michigandergirl]

All this talk about booking, how long can I realistically wait? I’m going to do an all star resort. I’m not sure how fast they’ll fill up.

I'm wondering the same thing. I don't think I'll be able to make a final decision until summer.

 

[lhermiston]

My ex wife hated the people mover and carousel of progress. I should have taken that as a sign.

I dismissed the PeopleMover my first few trips and didn’t ride it until my 2017 trip with my wife and then-2-year-old. But then cruising over Tomorrowland around sunset...I got it. It’s such a relaxing way to take in the beauty of the park.

 

[bananabean]

My ex wife hated the people mover and carousel of progress. I should have taken that as a sign.

Carousel of Progress is the greatest place in the park to take naps. Never trust anyone who doesn’t like naps.

 

[SheHulk]

Yep. It’s already impacting. TAs aren’t getting group rates right away. There is a bit of wait and see going on. Major impacts across the company really.

I'm going to be staying onsite during Star Wars weekend and also for a week in June. I'm waiting to see if there are any bounce backs for January at either of those times. Although I had booked a bounce back offer for June the last time I was on site and it turned out my AP discount for June was better than the bounce back offer, so I canceled and rebooked with an AP discount. All of that to say maybe waiting for a bounce back is not the way to go.

Of course the June situation could be a function of Disney's desperation to get people in over the summer though. I actually got sent a survey asking how much I liked the AP discount after I booked with the AP discount and how much that affected the timing of my vacation.

 

[disneydaydreamer33]

I called it the Mouse Challenge although someone else I can't remember called it that first. But Sweetheart Challenge is great too! It was a fantastic combo of races.

Ah that's right- not sure where I heard Sweetheart Challenge then I think I'd really enjoy that day in between to sleep in before the marathon.

 

[disneygpa]

.


Do any non-DVC people have their hotel booked for Marathon weekend? My normal travel agent isn’t booking anything special for MW this year and I won’t know if I’ll have DVC points avail in April. I just checked Wine and Dine weekend and there is not much DVC availability so I’m nervous about MW.

We booked a VRBO Jan 4-18. Cost wise for two weeks it just made sense (cents).

I'm still a little nervous about driving to the races every morning. But, after reading others trip reports it seems like its doable if you plan ahead!

 

[Kerry1957]

I can't seem to book (Pop) for the weekend through the website. December 31 is the latest I can start my stay. Am I doing something wrong, or are folks using a TA?

 

[jennamfeo]

Well that was fun. Can't wait to see how this plays out. I only picked FoP because I never did the Journey into Imagination and I already know I will pick Pirates over FoP.

 

[PrincessV]

My only concern is Galaxy's Edge driving room prices up the longer I wait.

Yeah, probably a valid concern for anything onsite. The place I rent a timeshare from still has marathon weekend at a lower price point, though.

 

[jennamfeo]

Seriously (not really), I’d like to know how alcohol affects people if taken:

1. The eve of a race
2. During a race
3. Right after a race

In other words, when running Dopey, when should my last drink be and when do I resume? I am slightly affraid of the dehydration/alcohol combo but I don’t see it being a problem on the 5k or 10k and I once had a beer after a Half (I was not driving and I had not pushed that one). I wouldn’t want to offend #OfficialPreRaceShotDistributor or any other DISer by not participating!

I feel like it's a personal preference and how you know your body reacts to alcohol. The pre-races shots were taken with almost an hour before the start time for the race so by then it was probably not even gonna affect us. But I know how well I run with booze and food in my system. I have done a 5k with a really good buzz once and didn't even vomit. Haha. You cannot offend me by not drinking. To each their own! I want everyone to run the race they want and vacation how they want! (Except @rteetz, he has to do shots.)

 

[rteetz]

(Except @rteetz, he has to do shots.)

I am okay with that.

 

[IamTrike]

We booked a VRBO Jan 4-18. Cost wise for two weeks it just made sense (cents).

I'm still a little nervous about driving to the races every morning. But, after reading others trip reports it seems like its doable if you plan ahead!

A buddy stayed offsite for MW 2018. His drive to the start for the marathon was as fast or faster than a lot of the bus rides. I think he got there about 4am.

We were at the contempt that trip and driving from there was easier than taking the monorail.

 

[LdyStormy76]

I can't seem to book (Pop) for the weekend through the website. December 31 is the latest I can start my stay. Am I doing something wrong, or are folks using a TA?

It is a Disney website thing. You can call Disney to book or use a TA but can not book on line until late spring for arrivals in January.

 

[Neon Cactus]

I can't seem to book (Pop) for the weekend through the website. December 31 is the latest I can start my stay. Am I doing something wrong, or are folks using a TA?

I called Disney and booked it.

 

[rteetz]

It is a Disney website thing. You can call Disney to book or use a TA but can not book on line until late spring for arrivals in January.

It’s a package thing. You can book a room only stay like 495 days out but cannot book online or as a package until Disney releases them in late May/June. Some TAs can book you race weekend packages but I believe those ended March 3rd.

 

[Professor_Cookie]

Found this gem on Ultrarunningmemes for you splash mountain fans.

 

[sandam1]

I'm still a little nervous about driving to the races every morning.

Don't be nervous! We drove from Universal for the 5K and half this year and it was very simple. I enjoyed having a comfortable place to stay warm (particularly for the 5K) while waiting for start time.

 

[Disney at Heart]

We will be at Wilderness Lodge for SW, Beach Club for W&D, and Pop for MW. We called WDW for January reservations and can always apply discounts later when they come out.
Do you think we are runDisney addicts? Are you? Good, then there are a few of us!

 

[IamTrike]

I dismissed the PeopleMover my first few trips and didn’t ride it until my 2017 trip with my wife and then-2-year-old. But then cruising over Tomorrowland around sunset...I got it. It’s such a relaxing way to take in the beauty of the park.

When we took our first trip with our kids, it was a "we can only ever afford 1 day at Disney for our lives, so this trip will be our 1 and done trip". We arrived way before the park opened, we were in the first 10 cars in the TTC parking lot. We went from rope drop to park close with an 18 month old and a 5 year old. My highlight from that trip is just being completely exhausted and vegging out with them on the peoplemover. The kids are now almost 17 and 13 and the Peoplemover is still one of their favorite rides.