Marathon Weekend 2022

[MamaBTX]

We're booked at Boulder Ridge 1/4 - 1/11. Don't know if we will keep the room reservation or switch to DVC points...but looking forward to potentially staying some place new!
We've typically stayed at Saratoga Springs (DVC Home Resort) for races.

 

[Sleepless Knight]

SAFD: I love that runDisney itself offers more generous finish times than some other races choose to offer. The Disney experience can also pull people in. I think this provides a greater opportunity for more people to discover the benefits of regular exercise. And distance running can teach you valuable lessons about how to cope with long term trials in life. I think many of us know the feeling of not wanting to get out the door for that 10 mile run or the intense desire to quit 1.5 miles into that 10 mile run only to discover that after a while you feel pretty good and are coping with that long run just fine. I cannot count the number of inspirational experiences I have read here about people who improved their health because they took up running.

Along those lines, I think that feeling is reflected in the communities that love both Disney and running. The fastest and best among us are more than happy and eager to help offer encouragement to the slowest and newest among us. As someone who elected to run his first marathon as part of Dopey, I found so many people willing to offer me specific guidance on how to handle the uniqueness of both the marathon and Dopey.

I also love the unique experiences runDisney offers. Running down Main Street USA with the cheering crowds is amazing. Running through Angels Stadium in Anaheim during some of the (hopefully returning some day) Disneyland Half Marathons was a dream come true from a certain point of view. My childhood dreams of being a Major League Baseball player did not happen, but I got to experience a taste of running in a stadium being cheered on by spectators.

I cannot say enough about this little portion of the runDisney community. I have learned things about myself through running. And this community gave me encouragement and experienced help while people in my day to life either had no experience or chose to belittle my running decisions.

My running journey began from a point of believing that I could never run a half marathon. Even after doing that, I concluded that other running ideas were impossible. Even as recently as 13 months before running my first marathon, I laughed at the notion of me ever running a marathon when non runner friends asked. As my marathon spirit animal Rhino the Hamster from Bolt likes to say "The impossible can be possible. IF. YOU'RE AWESOME!!!" And so many people here are amazing at helping others discover that they too are awesome. And it doesn't matter what your impossible is. I will never forget the lady thrilled to talk with me about running while in line for a photo in the parks after the 2017 Avengers Half Marathon. She had run her first 5K ever 2 days earlier. She was rightly excited about what she had done and thrilled to share her great accomplishment with people who understood.

 

[lahobbs4]

I'm honestly contemplating staying off property for MW, for the first time ever. We fly and without Magical Express we will need to rent a car.

Who can comment on driving your own vehicle to the race start? I kinda think it sounds great to get there when I want, stay warm (or cool) in my car until the last minute, and not stand in the long lines when the race is over. But, that traffic before the marathon last year has scarred me for life. We were on time but I saw so many rushing to the start line at the last minute!

 

[jmasgat]

I'm honestly contemplating staying off property for MW, for the first time ever. We fly and without Magical Express we will need to rent a car.

Who can comment on driving your own vehicle to the race start? I kinda think it sounds great to get there when I want, stay warm (or cool) in my car until the last minute, and not stand in the long lines when the race is over. But, that traffic before the marathon last year has scarred me for life. We were on time but I saw so many rushing to the start line at the last minute!

I've driven from offsite (and onsite) and not had any problems. As long as you familiarize yourself with the road closures, you can get there not stupidly early and still have plenty of time to get in without rushing.

 

[Jml813]

For those of you doing the Dopey, don't forget about the fun 1.4 beer run to get you to the elusive 50 Miles!!!

We did it twice and probably won't do it again. It was brutal to wake up that early and it was freezing! Not only that, you feel like you're cutting the Disney part of the vacation short to not walk too much and to get to bed early.

The first time we drove in, and if you're familiar with the routes it's not bad.

We stayed at the Polynesian the next year just because we wanted the convenience of being right on the monorail line to save a little bit of time in the morning and a few steps after.

Although I will say, the entire event was amazing and the staff was awesome! We enjoyed all of the various activities and you can't beat the scenery!

 

[1GoldenSun]

We stayed at the Polynesian the next year just because we wanted the convenience of being right on the monorail line to save a little bit of time in the morning and a few steps after

Can you take the monorail to the start of the race? Or are you talking about saving steps when you hit the parks?

 

[BigEeyore]

SAFD: like everyone else, I miss everything about rD right now! It is a unique and special running community that rolls out of bed at 3 am to run through WDW, and that comradery with fellow runners is really great - from the airport to the early morning bus ride to seeing each other in the parks after races wearing our medals and shirts, and offering up congrats.
I also love the surprise element of the character stops - when you see a really unusual or rare character out that you would never find in the parks, or one of the "big 5" out in some special outfit. And then checking photo pass the rest of the day to see your race photos trickle in.

 

[Livelovedance]

What are the advantages of CB over Pop for race weekend that would justify an hypothetical 50$ per night difference?

ETA: I really mean, in the context of a runDisney weekend. Level of energy, number of runners, ease of transportation, etc.

I’ve never been to CB either, but I stayed at Pop my first runDisney race, and then DVC at WL my next two races. I love the WL, but I was booked to return to Pop for Princess this week. I know you’re not comparing these two resorts, but here’s what I liked about Pop in the context of a runDisney weekend:

- Pop is located soooo close to ESPN, which made for a very quick trip to the Expo. We took the free runDisney transportation there, so there was still a long line in the runDisney merch building when we got there, but it was much worse when we stayed at WL (especially because we had to stop at the Contemporary first). If you’re interested in being at the expo on day one, that extra time advantage makes a difference.

- It didn’t feel as crazy to wake up so early each morning when there were soooo many runners up and walking to the buses with you! There were so many runners in costume, chatting with fellow runners, sharing laughs and runDisney stories. The level of energy and excitement each morning began each morning as I walked to the bus stop.

- The number of buses lined up at Pop on race mornings is fantastic. The first morning I was able to get on the first bus. The second morning that bus was full, but there were no worries because I got right on the next one. Even if I didn’t, there were still more buses lined up and ready to go.

There are definitely perks to staying at moderate and deluxe resorts, but I wouldn’t hesitate to stay at Pop for a race weekend.

 

[jmasgat]

Can you take the monorail to the start of the race? Or are you talking about saving steps when you hit the parks?

The monorail is available for the half and full, but not the 5k or 10k

 

[PrincessV]

Is that the one around mile 16 or 17?

Mile 22ish of the "old" (pre-2020) Marathon course - when we ran over the old DHS parking lot entrance sign. Several years in a row, a friend and I happened to run into one another, despite having started and run the race separately up to that point, and each time we were both 100% OVER it and declared we'd "never" do Dopey again, only to sign up again the next time lol! We started calling it the Overpass of Regret. rD changed the course in 2020 and we missed the Overpass of Regret, but found one another randomly in the parking lot after finishing and now refer to it as the Parking Lot of Regret.

 

[SheHulk]

Mile 22ish of the "old" (pre-2020) Marathon course - when we ran over the old DHS parking lot entrance sign. Several years in a row, a friend and I happened to run into one another, despite having started and run the race separately up to that point, and each time we were both 100% OVER it and declared we'd "never" do Dopey again, only to sign up again the next time lol! We started calling it the Overpass of Regret. rD changed the course in 2020 and we missed the Overpass of Regret, but found one another randomly in the parking lot after finishing and now refer to it as the Parking Lot of Regret.

oh THAT overpass of regret!

 

[flav]

Mile 22ish of the "old" (pre-2020) Marathon course - when we ran over the old DHS parking lot entrance sign. Several years in a row, a friend and I happened to run into one another, despite having started and run the race separately up to that point, and each time we were both 100% OVER it and declared we'd "never" do Dopey again, only to sign up again the next time lol! We started calling it the Overpass of Regret. rD changed the course in 2020 and we missed the Overpass of Regret, but found one another randomly in the parking lot after finishing and now refer to it as the Parking Lot of Regret.

That one?

 

[Jml813]

Depends on which race! The 5K and 10K that started at Epcot got us fairly close.

They have changed courses but we were close to the marathon finish too.

 

[Goofed98]

I'm honestly contemplating staying off property for MW, for the first time ever. We fly and without Magical Express we will need to rent a car.

Who can comment on driving your own vehicle to the race start? I kinda think it sounds great to get there when I want, stay warm (or cool) in my car until the last minute, and not stand in the long lines when the race is over. But, that traffic before the marathon last year has scarred me for life. We were on time but I saw so many rushing to the start line at the last minute!

I always stay on-site (BWV), and I drive myself to the half and full almost every time.

With the exception of the one year where buses all ran late (2019?), I've never had any trouble. I like the fact that I can leave my room a bit early, get to Epcot and park, and then have some time to relax, get my thoughts together, finish my coffee, make sure I have everything, charge my phone, etc., for a bit before I need to head to the corrals.

And it's awesome post-race. No waiting on buses. No climbing steps in, or worse, OUT of buses.

 

[PrincessV]

That one?
View attachment 557404

A bit before that - coming off Osceola onto the ramp to World Dr:

 

[MNDisBoy]

I'm honestly contemplating staying off property for MW, for the first time ever. We fly and without Magical Express we will need to rent a car.

Who can comment on driving your own vehicle to the race start? I kinda think it sounds great to get there when I want, stay warm (or cool) in my car until the last minute, and not stand in the long lines when the race is over. But, that traffic before the marathon last year has scarred me for life. We were on time but I saw so many rushing to the start line at the last minute!

We've been staying off-site for MW for the past 4-5 years with a rental car, and honestly, if you do it once, you may never go back. We typically arrive at Epcot around 4 AM (2 AM wake-up which isn't any different then if we were at a WDW resort), and most times we've parked fairly close to the race area and we either arrive as the first resort bus load is heading over or just after. One MAJOR benefit to having your own car is that on cold or rainy mornings, you don't have to stand out in the elements for 60+ minutes just waiting to walk over to the start corrals.

 

[Rogue224]

We booked Pop today for 1/4-1/12 thru the TA we use for Disney races! We also booked 11/3-11/9 for W&D (just in case). Now the suspenseful waiting (and training)!

 

[SarahDisney]

SAFD:
I run for experiences, not time or records, and there's no better experience than runDisney. The parks. The characters. The entertainment. The energy. That turn into Magic Kingdom and when you first see the castle. Riding a friggin roller coaster in the middle of a marathon. "Magical" really is the only word to describe it. And then being able to walk around the parks with my medal on and the conversations and interactions that come from that really put the experience over the top.

Question that I don't remember if we've discussed - do we think there will still be 50th anniversary stuff going on during marathon weekend? I'm trying to remember how long they 60th anniversary stuff at DL lasted but I'm blanking. The anniversary is October 1st ... it wouldn't be unreasonable to expect the anniversary stuff to stick around for 3+ months, would it?

 

[GBRforWDW]

SAFD:
I run for experiences, not time or records, and there's no better experience than runDisney. The parks. The characters. The entertainment. The energy. That turn into Magic Kingdom and when you first see the castle. Riding a friggin roller coaster in the middle of a marathon. "Magical" really is the only word to describe it. And then being able to walk around the parks with my medal on and the conversations and interactions that come from that really put the experience over the top.

Question that I don't remember if we've discussed - do we think there will still be 50th anniversary stuff going on during marathon weekend? I'm trying to remember how long they 60th anniversary stuff at DL lasted but I'm blanking. The anniversary is October 1st ... it wouldn't be unreasonable to expect the anniversary stuff to stick around for 3+ months, would it?

I think 50th anniversary celebration will last more than a year. Also, I'm seeing rumors there's going to be a big reveal on good morning america tomorrow morning regarding the 50th plans. Have only seen that on one site so far, so don't know yet how much is accurate.

 

[Sleepless Knight]

I also love the surprise element of the character stops - when you see a really unusual or rare character out that you would never find in the parks, or one of the "big 5" out in some special outfit.

For both the 2019 and 2020 Dopey challenges, I was on the character text notifications thread here on the DIS. That helped me plan what character stop I should prioritize. It helped me get a photo with the "7 chipmunks and Clarice" during the 2019 Half.

rD changed the course in 2020 and we missed the Overpass of Regret, but found one another randomly in the parking lot after finishing and now refer to it as the Parking Lot of Regret.

I remember being deliriously excited during the 2019 Marathon when I could see the spires of then under construction Galaxy's Edge on an overpass. I think it really distracted my brain from telling me to go home and rethink my life at that point.

Question that I don't remember if we've discussed - do we think there will still be 50th anniversary stuff going on during marathon weekend? I'm trying to remember how long they 60th anniversary stuff at DL lasted but I'm blanking. The anniversary is October 1st ... it wouldn't be unreasonable to expect the anniversary stuff to stick around for 3+ months, would it?

If they follow the same course they did for Disneyland, it's very reasonable to expect 50th anniversary stuff going on during marathon weekend 2022.

Disneyland 60th anniversary actual date July 17, 2015. Disneyland 60th anniversary full offerings began in May 2015 and ran through at least August 2016.
Disneyland Half Marathon 2015: Sunday immediately before Labor Day 2015. Though I did not run that race, if memory serves they had a special hard ticket event for runners only that included special seating for the then brand new Paint the Night Parade.

And if they follow the Disneyland anniversary pattern, it's not outside the realm of possibility that marathon weekend 2023 might also have 50th anniversary stuff. The Disneyland 50th anniversary celebration ran from May 2005 through early September 2006. The Disneyland 60th anniversary ran from May 2015 through late summer 2016.

I should note that I could be wildly wrong here because Disney World usually does not put on the major celebration that Disneyland does for anniversaries so they may only go for one year instead of 18 months or so.