Marathon Weekend 2024

[pluto377]

SAFD: I don't have a go to. I've stayed at AoA, Pop, ASMo, BCV, CCV, and AKL. I like DVC for the kitchenette and the hot tubs, though on site food options are not the greatest for me. I'm not an owner though so sometimes it's hard to get a rental.

As mentioned above, I like the atmosphere at the values for race weekends. There are always a ton of runners. The deluxe resorts don't have that same feel. I also much prefer the food courts at the values as there are more options that I'll eat than at deluxes.

For 2024 I'll probably be at a value, but for 2025 I really want to do POFQ. Personally I'm not interested in off site. I go alone so I really like being in the Disney bubble and being surrounded by runners.

 

[azrivest]

SAFD: I concur for POFQ. I loved staying there this PW: I didn't have a mile to walk back to my room after the races. There were a lot of runner-specific resort offerings, like the foam rollers and tennis balls at the pool. And you know, beignets, duh.

We won't go back for MW just because I like trying out different resorts.

 

[MissLiss279]

I also much prefer the food courts at the values as there are more options that I'll eat than at deluxes.

I agree with this! I bought into DVC a few years ago, and the food courts and lots of quick service food options is what I miss the most about staying at All Star Sports or other value resorts (and maybe some moderates).

Now I usually just get a grocery order for breakfast stuff and then hope that if I get tired and hang out in the room for the afternoon/evening that I can find something light to eat.

SAFD: My home resort is SSR, and I really like it for race weekends. It just is very relaxing, and sometimes I just sit and read on the balcony in the afternoon. DS does provide additional food options, but sometimes I don’t feel like putting the extra steps on my feet - I may even drive over there to reduce some walking!

 

[SheHulk]

SAFD: I've stayed at a bunch of on-site places: Saratoga Springs and Wilderness Lodge when I was first doing rD, because these were my first marathons and wanted a resort to relax at. But I wound up not really relaxing anyway, my travel party wanted to be at the parks. Also stress over waiting for buses was high. I never had an issue, but just sitting there waiting for the bus to arrive was stressful. Then tried Contemporary for monorail convenience (which was great marathon morning). Beach Club was great for the pools for recovery, etc. but no amenities were open morning of race. Since then I have stayed at Pop almost exclusively, except for the Dolphin once.
Pop checks all my boxes: Buses lined up waiting for us in the morning, no guesswork when a bus will show up to take you. The food court was open pre-race last time, so I could get my coffee without waking up DH making it in the room. Skyliner is fun for getting around, after the races. Love Pop.

 

[steph0808]

I don't have a go-to resort for Marathon Weekend either. My goal is to stay at all the resorts eventually (though I think I might lump all three All-Stars into one), so I've never stayed at the same resort twice for MW.

I've done: BLT, Poly, VGF, POR, AKL Jambo, and AS Sports. I like the convenience of the monorail for the mornings, but AKL was super easy with the buses, too.

For 2025, I'm hoping to do Beach Club.

 

[GreatLakes]

SAFD: Our go to WDW hotels has become the Swan/Dolphin/Swan Reserve and going forward that will be the case for race weekends as well. Since my post last week we have already decided to just stay at the Swan instead of rent the Poly points.

Piggybacking off SAFD, but does anyone ever stay at a non-Disney property for MW? Is it logistically doable for races?

I stayed offsite for MW2022 and it was no problem. I did leave a little earlier than I would for the bus and I paid close attention to closed roads but I wouldn't have issue staying off property again if that was what was going to work best for me.

 

[AJruns]

SAFD: I’m team Pop, for all of the reasons in the original question/post! Also I’ve had great race bus experiences there. I’ve stayed at a couple other places and enjoyed them, and (budget allowing) would love to try all the on property hotels, but for MW I will stick to Pop. It really completes the experience for me.

 

[GollyGadget]

SAFD: Since my dogs are spoiled and travel with us, we have started staying at off-site vacation rentals. This worked out really well for us last year and we're staying in the same area next year. It's only a 15 minute drive, I have access to do laundry, it's a much better setup for working remotely for a few mornings, the dogs aren't alarmed every time a neighbor opens/closes a door, and there's a hot tub.

I had no problems driving to the races although I did hit more traffic than expected for the 10K. Because the course ran through the toll plaza they were restricting lanes which wasn't the case for the 5K the day before.

As mentioned, the biggest downside is the no early entry but my partner probably views that as a perk since it means I'm not waking him up early

 

[dis_or_dat]

I’ve also stayed at the Hilton LBV, Hyatt Grand Cypress and HGV Tuscany Village pre Covid and used Uber to get to the start with no issues.

Phew I plan on Ubering

 

[RunWI1265]

SAFD: I've stayed at Gran Destino in the tower the past two MW. Proximity to all the parks, especially Epcot, is perfect. Knock on wood, it's always been pretty great minus some loud, drunk convention neighbors the first year. I got a kick out of it though on the morning of the half when I was walking through the lobby to the busses and they were stumbling from the lobby chairs to the elevators. Fingers crossed I'll be there again this coming MW. If it ain't broke, don't fix it.

 

[Herding_Cats]

W&D registration excitement is getting to me (and I'm not even registering!) rD announced the "themes" on the Thursday before club rD registration, and if that follows for MW, we're looking at the 30th for an announcement. That's 9 days people. NINE DAYS! Is it time to speculate wildly (2022 was the "earidescent" theme, 2023 was 80s "90s") or have we already done that enough.

 

[DopeyRunner486]

W&D registration excitement is getting to me (and I'm not even registering!) rD announced the "themes" on the Thursday before club rD registration, and if that follows for MW, we're looking at the 30th for an announcement. That's 9 days people. NINE DAYS! Is it time to speculate wildly (2022 was the "earidescent" theme, 2023 was 80s "90s") or have we already done that enough.

I never put much into "themes" for Marathon Weekend because they are always essentially the same.

 

[WillRunForPizza]

W&D registration excitement is getting to me (and I'm not even registering!) rD announced the "themes" on the Thursday before club rD registration, and if that follows for MW, we're looking at the 30th for an announcement. That's 9 days people. NINE DAYS! Is it time to speculate wildly (2022 was the "earidescent" theme, 2023 was 80s "90s") or have we already done that enough.

Exciting! Somebody at some point suggested 100th anniversary theming, which would be cool. But mostly I just want something a little less..frenetic...than this year's theme

 

[GreatLakes]

I preferred it when there was no real theme to marathon weekend. I even liked that the medals didn't change year to year. I plan to run the half no matter what. If we are speculating on themes I'm going to guess a throwback to representing each of the MW characters the way they very first appeared on film. So Steamboat Willie version of Mickey and Minnie, Orphan's Benefit version of Goofy (unless you include his Dippy Dawg days), and so on.

 

[pluto377]

W&D registration excitement is getting to me (and I'm not even registering!) rD announced the "themes" on the Thursday before club rD registration, and if that follows for MW, we're looking at the 30th for an announcement. That's 9 days people. NINE DAYS! Is it time to speculate wildly (2022 was the "earidescent" theme, 2023 was 80s "90s") or have we already done that enough.

I'm loving all the purple and silver stuff for the 100th, so I hope that's tied in somehow. I like how it's always the Fab 5, but I'd love to see them change up the distances for each character. Though I guess there'd be a riot if Mickey wasn't the marathon. Maybe they can change the shorter distances. Since I'm doing the half (and maybe 10K) I'd love someone besides Donald for that one. Maybe pair up Minnie and Daisy? Or do a Mickey and Pluto combo? Minnie and Figaro?

 

[Grabnar]

They're definitely going to tie into the 100 somehow.

I'm going to guess a throwback to representing each of the MW characters the way they very first appeared on film. So Steamboat Willie version of Mickey and Minnie, Orphan's Benefit version of Goofy (unless you include his Dippy Dawg days), and so on.

This is definitely my guess too. I imagine it'll be easy to tie into the decades collection art they've been doing.

 

[GuinnessRunner]

SAFD: No go to resort as it really depends on if it's a solo trip or with the family. Over the years for MW we've stayed at Wilderness, Boardwalk, AoA, PO Riverside and Beach Club that I can recall. If it's a solo trip, I love Boardwalk/Beach Club, with the atmosphere around the lake and the ability to walk to two parks.

If budget wasn't an issue, along with need to rent points 11 months out before knowing if registartion is going to sell out, I would stick with that as my base. But this year, assuming I get into MW, I am planning to stay at Pop. Skyliner gives me the same easy access to Epcot and HS that Boardwalk does, has the added benefit of the food court and, most importantly, the cost is much lower.

 

[Herding_Cats]

Man. Getting alerts from google fights that prices dropped about $40/person for January is reeeeeeally making me want to book flights. They usually don't get much cheaper than they are right now.

But idk if that's a good idea with how weird W&D registration just was.

 

[Grabnar]

Man. Getting alerts from google fights that prices dropped about $40/person for January is reeeeeeally making me want to book flights. They usually don't get much cheaper than they are right now.

But idk if that's a good idea with how weird W&D registration just was.

I went ahead and booked this week because I’ll use the flight credits regardless

 

[nekonekoneko]

Oh geez! I'm still waiting for Southwest to open up their fares!