Marathon Weekend 2024

[RunWI1265]

Wait a second... isn't there an internal bus system inside of SSR, and if there is, shouldn't it be operating to get the runners to the front of the resort? I swore OKW had theirs running.

I’m not sure if it was running. I walked to the race bus. I did see a Disney bus labeled Treehouses but that’s it.

 

[utahgirl]

Looking through the merch that is available, what are the chances that a dooney marathon bag will drop? I love my dooneys from the tinker bell runs.

 

[Herding_Cats]

Looking through the merch that is available, what are the chances that a dooney marathon bag will drop? I love my dooneys from the tinker bell runs.

I know that for W&D and MW there was a black dooney mini backpack with the blue rundisney logo on it. Not sure if it was available for princess/SS (I wasn't there) but no race-specific Dooneys post-covid yet.

 

[DopeyRunner486]

I know that for W&D and MW there was a black dooney mini backpack with the blue rundisney logo on it. Not sure if it was available for princess/SS (I wasn't there) but no race-specific Dooneys post-covid yet.

That same bag was available for all four weekends.

 

[WDRunner37]

Now that reg is over, it is time for resort selection....is there any resort that you can walk to epcot
for the start of the Dopey races?? thanks

 

[Naomeri]

Now that reg is over, it is time for resort selection....is there any resort that you can walk to epcot
for the start of the Dopey races?? thanks

No, walking to the start is not possible or allowed

 

[Zutroy]

No, walking to the start is not possible or allowed

That‘s not technically true. If enough buses get lost, like during the 2020 marathon, then people will jump off and run to the start line. Otherwise, the International Gateway is closed and the only way in is through security at the main gate.

 

[nekonekoneko]

That‘s not technically true. If enough buses get lost, like during the 2020 marathon, then people will jump off and run to the start line. Otherwise, the International Gateway is closed and the only way in is through security at the main gate.

Well, yeah, walking from transportation is fine, but starting from the lobby of any hotel, no. Your bus just happened to drop you off at a very weird spot

 

[lukemorenus]

No, walking to the start is not possible or allowed

Sad but true... way back in the day, walking from OKW was awesome

 

[Herding_Cats]

If you were going to stay off-site (with a rental car) to save money for one night (NYE), does anyone have a suggestion? Because I've done some looking, and so many places either have a resort fee or a parking fee (or both!) and it really looks like it might just be about the same to just stay at an All-Star (which is currently $259 with no discount.)

 

[nancipants]

If you were going to stay off-site (with a rental car) to save money for one night (NYE), does anyone have a suggestion? Because I've done some looking, and so many places either have a resort fee or a parking fee (or both!) and it really looks like it might just be about the same to just stay at an All-Star (which is currently $259 with no discount.)

Have you checked any of the Flamingo Crossings hotels? I think most of them charge for parking though. :/

 

[Herding_Cats]

Have you checked any of the Flamingo Crossings hotels? I think most of them charge for parking though. :/

I did, and most of them are around $250. I also started cross-checking rental car rates (because I like to book a not-terrible rate early, and then check back to cancel/re-book starting in November) and if we *don't* rent a car on NYE, our rental would currently be about $250 less. So now I'm looking at hotels with free airport shuttles. And maybe the La Quinta North fits that bill ($140/nt plus the savings on the rental car) and it's walkable to several restaurants.

I've also started my spreadsheet itinerary for January. My SIL swears I was meant to be a travel agent/planner.

 

[GreatLakes]

If you were going to stay off-site (with a rental car) to save money for one night (NYE), does anyone have a suggestion? Because I've done some looking, and so many places either have a resort fee or a parking fee (or both!) and it really looks like it might just be about the same to just stay at an All-Star (which is currently $259 with no discount.)

I stay at Marriott and have just accepted I'll be paying for parking most of the time. The only close option I know of is this Fairfield Inn.

 

[Let's Get Kronk]

SAFD: I registered for Dopey through GKTW a few weeks ago, and because I have an amazing network of family and friends (who I bugged relentlessly) I finished raising the $2000 last week. In fact, a member of this thread contributed the final amount to put me over the threshold after I gave some advice for registering with a charity (thank you again @Grabnar!). So, registration day was thankfully pretty chill. I offered to help a friend try to register for the half because she's a teacher and was worried about not being able to get in with her classes, so I joined the queue around 9:55 only on my phone. I somehow lucked out and it went to 20 minutes immediately after registration opened. I emailed the link to her, but I did not find out until later that morning that she got in on her own device and did not use my link. If I had known, I would posted the link here! Such a waste.

 

[jmasgat]

If you were going to stay off-site (with a rental car) to save money for one night (NYE), does anyone have a suggestion? Because I've done some looking, and so many places either have a resort fee or a parking fee (or both!) and it really looks like it might just be about the same to just stay at an All-Star (which is currently $259 with no discount.)

Have you looked at a site like Mousesavers? They have links with preferred offsite hotels and often have rate deals and waived/discounted resort/parking fees.

Also, if you have any hotel loyalty points (or credit card points), rooms booked on points generally don't have resort fees charged. Finally, check your credit card for any offers for hotels. You can sometimes find discounts or "Spend x, save y" offers.

 

[carolinamom]

I get FOMO being an IM spectator and I don’t bike or swim those athletes are incredible. My husband has done two and at the time we thought it was so expensive but now I have him beat with all my rD events.


I always travel solo MW! I miss my husband and kids but it’s also nice to be on my own schedule. You’ll meet lots of people! As the weekend gets closer we could always see if anyone wants to meet up for things like meals on top of pre-race meet ups and HH.

I'm so glad this is the case as a Solo Disney traveler In January anyway!) and first time Disney runner I'll be checking in for any future meet ups!

 

[jpeterson]

I did, and most of them are around $250. I also started cross-checking rental car rates (because I like to book a not-terrible rate early, and then check back to cancel/re-book starting in November) and if we *don't* rent a car on NYE, our rental would currently be about $250 less. So now I'm looking at hotels with free airport shuttles. And maybe the La Quinta North fits that bill ($140/nt plus the savings on the rental car) and it's walkable to several restaurants.

I've also started my spreadsheet itinerary for January. My SIL swears I was meant to be a travel agent/planner.

Have you considered contacting an actual travel agent? They could do all the research for you and save you some time and headache? The vast majority work at no cost to you.

 

[Herding_Cats]

Have you considered contacting an actual travel agent? They could do all the research for you and save you some time and headache? The vast majority work at no cost to you.

I’ve used a travel agent in the past and realized that I’m way too much of a control freak about my trips. I hated that I could not make any changes on my own and had to contact the TA for everything.

I also know that sometimes there are places or services that kind of fly under the radar but their name gets passed around on the disboards.

 

[nekonekoneko]

Have you considered contacting an actual travel agent? They could do all the research for you and save you some time and headache? The vast majority work at no cost to you.

I had some junk happen with my Disney Cruise that was after MW 2022. I had booked through a TA, and so, everything had to go through him to fix it; I couldn't do it on my own. Yeah, I got the stateroom credit going through DU, and my TA spent a TON of time getting things fixed, because it had to be fixed that night that DCL screwed things up. But, after that, I'm never using a TA again. I want to fight my own battles.

 

[DopeyRunner486]

I’ve used a travel agent in the past and realized that I’m way too much of a control freak about my trips. I hated that I could not make any changes on my own and had to contact the TA for everything.

I also know that sometimes there are places or services that kind of fly under the radar but their name gets passed around on the disboards.

You can still do dining and add ons all on your own but yes if you would want to change room type or resort that would need to be done through the agent.