Marathon Weekend 2024

[accm]

SAFD: Since we're DVC members, we book our trips pretty far in advance, which means when we come home from our trip, we already have the next one lined up, and can start thinking about it.

I saw a few people talking about park reservations and AP renewals. What I've seen recommended is to buy tickets to make a park reservation, and then at the 60 day mark, use the value of the ticket towards the AP renewal. The only issue with this is that you'd have to call to renew, instead of being able to do it online.

 

[jpeterson]

SAFD: Since we're DVC members, we book our trips pretty far in advance, which means when we come home from our trip, we already have the next one lined up, and can start thinking about it.

I saw a few people talking about park reservations and AP renewals. What I've seen recommended is to buy tickets to make a park reservation, and then at the 60 day mark, use the value of the ticket towards the AP renewal. The only issue with this is that you'd have to call to renew, instead of being able to do it online.

I've done that for days that were super important to us. We bought tickets and then used them to buy/renew our passes. We end up calling to get the Sorceror pass for DVC anyway. Although I might change that this year since marathon weekend overlaps with the blockout dates.

 

[Baloo in MI]

SAFD: Since we're DVC members, we book our trips pretty far in advance, which means when we come home from our trip, we already have the next one lined up, and can start thinking about it.

I saw a few people talking about park reservations and AP renewals. What I've seen recommended is to buy tickets to make a park reservation, and then at the 60 day mark, use the value of the ticket towards the AP renewal. The only issue with this is that you'd have to call to renew, instead of being able to do it online.

This is as really good suggestion!

 

[BigEeyore]

SAFD: Because of DVC, we have gotten used to planning trips 11 months out so we almost always have another trip booked when another one ends. Also - almost every trip there is something we didn't get to do that we wanted to so we plan to make that a priority on the next one.
Thanks to my run Disney addiction I know I will keep coming back to MW as long as my body and bank account hold up!

 

[Dopey 2020]

SAFD same as many here, as DVC and AP we have many trips planned. Used to come home ten years ago and plan the next one, then start a countdown at the 100 day mark. Now the next one is already on the calendar and there isn’t much in the way of post trip blues. Interesting timing on this question though, as the past couple weeks have been a flurry of DVC scheduling. Dumb luck we are getting DD from college next weekend then hitting BCV with an opportunity to see Guardians of the Galaxy a day before it’s released and hit the after party in EPCOT, then when we drop her off again in August it’s Typhoon Lagoon moonlight magic. Fingers crossed for booking tomorrow.

 

[jrsharp21]

SAFD: Over the past few years, I have pretty much had two guaranteed trips to WDW. One for MW and the other in May for a work conference. So it has been nice with the trips always on the calendar and with an AP, I am able to take fully advantage of going to the parks every day during those trips. This year, my boss made me cancel my work conference as we have a big system implementation going on and we go live the first day of the conference. So now, I need to find a weekend in the fall for my wife and I to make our first trip as empty nesters!

 

[nancipants]

SAFD: I'm also a local. I miss races, though, so I deal with that by signing up for a new one.

 

[RunWI1265]

SAFD: We like to have our next trip booked or a general idea of when we are going back. This year is exciting because we’re doing our first Disney cruise and the kids first DL trip in January. They have no clue so it’ll be fun to surprise them. I’ll get through this summer lull with reminding myself how hot it is in the summer and the one time we went in July we said “never again”

 

[Baloo in MI]

SAFD: We like to have our next trip booked or a general idea of when we are going back. This year is exciting because we’re doing our first Disney cruise and the kids first DL trip in January. They have no clue so it’ll be fun to surprise them. I’ll get through this summer lull with reminding myself how hot it is in the summer and the one time we went in July we said “never again”

We went to DW in August once and I thought I would melt! We swore no more summer trips, going only in winter and spring. But, it had been long enough that I think we forgot what it was like. Well that and some DVC points to burn.

So we are going for a short trip this summer, in July. Outside of a trip to DL last summer this will be our first non-runDisney trip in a really long time. My guess is we will all be hot messes by 9am on day one!

 

[Let's Get Kronk]

SAFD: I'll echo what lots of other people have already said: planning another trip or having one on the books always helps me feel less sad when I get home from a trip. Knowing I have W&D, MW, and the DL half are really getting me through right now. And since I now have an AP, I may try to sneak down in July for a quick weekend birthday trip.

 

[BikeFan]

SAFD: Honestly, we're just not missing Disney as much as we used to. The post-COVID changes did a lot to dampen our enthusiasm for WDW. When we come back from a trip to WDW, I miss being on vacation (who doesn't?!?), but I'm not missing this "new" Disney nearly as much. We just got APs again with the intention of taking several trips over the 12 months beginning in December, but a lot of that is to use up some DVC points. Our last trip was in April of 2022, and that was more to spend time with my brother and his family before they move overseas. Since then, we've done several non-Disney trips and enjoyed those just as much. Maybe some of the old magic will return when we go back in December for a birthday trip for my wife? If not, there's plenty of other places to go and races to run!

 

[Where'sPiglet?]

We went to DW in August once and I thought I would melt! We swore no more summer trips, going only in winter and spring. But, it had been long enough that I think we forgot what it was like. Well that and some DVC points to burn.

So we are going for a short trip this summer, in July. Outside of a trip to DL last summer this will be our first non-runDisney trip in a really long time. My guess is we will all be hot messes by 9am on day one!

July has become my usual time to go. I have had the park map melt onto my arm at 9am.
Date Taken 2018-07-30 09:11:03

 

[GADisneyDad14]

SAFD: We go relatively frequently so there’s usually a next trip somewhere not too far off - the spoils of an AP and Delta’s always ready when you are. While frequent, our trips tend to be shorter so there’s always things we don’t get to, things we want to do /places we want to stay next time, so that keeps the excitement up. I sometimes will spend more time around these boards after a trip since memories/experiences are fresh on the mind. Otherwise, it’s usually right back to work to make sure I can afford next time!

 

[jillinastoria]

Hello, everyone! I wanted to introduce myself, and ask a silly question--what does SAFD stand for? I am so enjoying everyone's answers, but admit I don't know!

But in other news, I am registered for the Half Marathon, which will be my first Run Disney race and my seventh half marathon. I'll be traveling with my husband and 8-year-old son, and I just bought our plane tickets this morning! We live in CT and generally visit the parks once or twice a year. We pretty much always stay on-property, and I'm trying to decide between the Riviera Resort, Yacht Club, or Beach Club. Any advice would be appreciated!

 

[jmasgat]

Hello, everyone! I wanted to introduce myself, and ask a silly question--what does SAFD stand for? I am so enjoying everyone's answers, but admit I don't know!

But in other news, I am registered for the Half Marathon, which will be my first Run Disney race and my seventh half marathon. I'll be traveling with my husband and 8-year-old son, and I just bought our plane tickets this morning! We live in CT and generally visit the parks once or twice a year. We pretty much always stay on-property, and I'm trying to decide between the Riviera Resort, Yacht Club, or Beach Club. Any advice would be appreciated!

Welcome! Ask, and you shall have an answer (to your NOT silly question).....

"For any new folks, SAFD stands for Sundays Are For Disney. This is a weekly question that is asked and everyone is encouraged to share their thoughts as we get to know each other and work toward the next Marathon Weekend."

 

[jillinastoria]

Welcome! Ask, and you shall have an answer (to your NOT silly question).....

"For any new folks, SAFD stands for Sundays Are For Disney. This is a weekly question that is asked and everyone is encouraged to share their thoughts as we get to know each other and work toward the next Marathon Weekend."

Oh I love that so much! Thanks for explaining. Something to look forward to every Sunday, then!

 

[Herding_Cats]

Hello, everyone! I wanted to introduce myself, and ask a silly question--what does SAFD stand for? I am so enjoying everyone's answers, but admit I don't know!

But in other news, I am registered for the Half Marathon, which will be my first Run Disney race and my seventh half marathon. I'll be traveling with my husband and 8-year-old son, and I just bought our plane tickets this morning! We live in CT and generally visit the parks once or twice a year. We pretty much always stay on-property, and I'm trying to decide between the Riviera Resort, Yacht Club, or Beach Club. Any advice would be appreciated!

If you stay at Beach or Yacht Club, your husband/son could easily spectate part of the race without really having to go anywhere, as the course *usually* goes around a portion of the lake there. There isn't really a "bad" place to stay on-property (all of the resorts will have bussing to/from the start line) so look at the rest of your trip and see if one resort location fits better with your plans.

 

[sandam1]

If you stay at Beach or Yacht Club, your husband/son could easily spectate part of the race without really having to go anywhere, as the course *usually* goes around a portion of the lake there.

Actually, the half marathon course doesn't. The half marathon course usually goes from Epcot to the Magic Kingdom (passing the Contemporary, Grand Floridian, Shades of Green and the Poly) and then back to Epcot.

The 10K (sometimes) and the marathon courses go passed the Yacht and Beach Clubs.

 

[jillinastoria]

Actually, the half marathon course doesn't. The half marathon course usually goes from Epcot to the Magic Kingdom (passing the Contemporary, Grand Floridian, Shades of Green and the Poly) and then back to Epcot.

The 10K (sometimes) and the marathon courses go passed the Yacht and Beach Clubs.

Thank you and that's good to know, because the Poly is on our list, too, hmm ...

I was thinking it would be fun to visit Epcot after the race, and sort of slowly make my way back to the IG so I could shower and change at the hotel, and then spend the afternoon/evening in Epcot as well.

 

[sandam1]

I was thinking it would be fun to visit Epcot after the race, and sort of slowly make my way back to the IG so I could shower and change at the hotel, and then spend the afternoon/evening in Epcot as well.

Depending on what time you finish (and what time Epcot opens), that may not be possible. Usually Epcot isn't open during the half unless you are at the VERY end of the finishers.