Marathon Weekend 2025

[Naomeri]

Ooof. That yellow is ...... yellow.

It’s slightly greener in person, but not much

 

[Herding_Cats]

You guys are now officially tasked with having a bunch o' fun for me this January.

Cue operation: Trashcan Drum Playing for @Mr_Incr3dible!

 

[marty3d]

I still love the Half Marathon one most!

 

[Stitch&Co.]

SAFD: Not doing W&D this year. I had a marathon planned for mid November but the money I was going to spend on two nights in a hotel was more than I would be spending to register for the Springtime Surprise Challenge next April. So I’m skipping that marathon and focusing on MW instead. I’ve still got the PW challenge and then the Gate River Run the following weekend and then SS a month later. I probably won’t do SS again and look to go back to W&D in 2025 since it is my birthday weekend. My biggest problem with W&D is that I don’t typically train very well between W& D and MW so that is a consideration. But I have another chance at the marathon this year to see how it goes. If it goes well enough then I can consider doing in Dopey in 2026. So everything goes well.

Thanks to @The Expert for the medal pics. I wasn’t excited when I first saw the themes but I like the medals and some of the pre-order merchandise.

 

[Zutroy]

It’s slightly greener in person, but not much

Also surprisingly heavy and thick. Good luck to all the people wearing it post-Dopey in the parks all day.

 

[Mr_Incr3dible]

Also surprisingly heavy and thick. Good luck to all the people wearing it post-Dopey in the parks all day.

My personal lesson-learned about medals in the park: take something to cushion moving parks so you aren't clanking worse than a ghost in the HM. I improvised last time with some handy vegetation.
In the future (assuming I remember to do so) I'll probably take some painter's tape and use it so secure/cushion clanky parts.

 

[flav]

My personal lesson-learned about medals in the park: take something to cushion moving parks so you aren't clanking worse than a ghost in the HM. I improvised last time with some handy vegetation.
In the future (assuming I remember to do so) I'll probably take some painter's tape and use it so secure/cushion clanky parts.

I use themed socks or paper towel in a sandwich bag.

 

[Naomeri]

Also surprisingly heavy and thick. Good luck to all the people wearing it post-Dopey in the parks all day.

Yeah. I wear my medals long enough for pictures, and that's it. I'll wear something less physically annoying to show off my accomplishment.

 

[The Expert]

@Herding_Cats I was scouting medal hanging railings during the 5K this morning. I think this bridge in Italy might be cool! Lots of area and elevation to work with for composition.

 

[jrsharp21]

My personal lesson-learned about medals in the park: take something to cushion moving parks so you aren't clanking worse than a ghost in the HM. I improvised last time with some handy vegetation.
In the future (assuming I remember to do so) I'll probably take some painter's tape and use it so secure/cushion clanky parts.

I wrap mine in a towel from hotel and then stick them in my backpack. I will take them out for photos and then wrap them back up. This is also how I travel with them back home.

 

[dobball23]

I wrap mine in a towel from hotel and then stick them in my backpack. I will take them out for photos and then wrap them back up. This is also how I travel with them back home.

Does that mean you're a towel thief?

 

[jrsharp21]

Does that mean you're a towel thief?

It's my Disney souvenir.

 

[Tall Todd]

Alright Marathon Weekenders, we're on the clock! Let's go!!

 

[camaker]

Sorry, guys. I’ve been tied up with W&D so no SAFD for today. If anyone else has a question, feel free to post one. Got some ideas from the HH meet up, though. Normal service will resume next week.

 

[Herding_Cats]

Sorry, guys. I’ve been tied up with W&D so no SAFD for today. If anyone else has a question, feel free to post one. Got some ideas from the HH meet up, though. Normal service will resume next week.

I gotchu!

Good evening RunDisney All-Stars! Welcome to this week's edition of Sundays are for Disney (SAFD). Marathon Weekend is going to be creeping up on us soon! Some of us are obsessive planners, and others are happy to just go with the flow and see where the days take them. That being said, the ADR opening date is going to be upon a lot of us at the end of this week and into the weekend. So with a multi-part question....

Are you plotting and planning your reservations? Where are you most excited to eat on this MW trip? And I'm not talking snacks. Where is your favorite, gotta-have-it entree?

 

[marty3d]

I gotchu!

Good evening RunDisney All-Stars! Welcome to this week's edition of Sundays are for Disney (SAFD). Marathon Weekend is going to be creeping up on us soon! Some of us are obsessive planners, and others are happy to just go with the flow and see where the days take them. That being said, the ADR opening date is going to be upon a lot of us at the end of this week and into the weekend. So with a multi-part question....

Are you plotting and planning your reservations? Where are you most excited to eat on this MW trip? And I'm not talking snacks. Where is your favorite, gotta-have-it entree?

Great question because we are actually just going through this discussion tonight! (My ADR window opens Friday). Will be back later tonight with my answer!

 

[Herding_Cats]

SAFD: Yall, I am in full spreadsheet itinerary mode. I have park days plotted out, grocery deliveries, a few question mark activities that are weather-dependent, and trying to balance my wants and schedule needs *cough marathon bedtime cough* with those I'm traveling with. I am most excited to eat at Raglan Road for the first time! I took advantage of OpenTable to book that tonight instead of competing with the masses on Thursday morning.

My favorite on-property entree at this point is the scallop dinner at Paddlefish. We're eating lunch there this year, so I'll have to find something else on that menu to get excited about.

Sit-downs planned for this trip (since we have significantly fewer park days planned) include Raglan Road, Paddlefish, Turf Club (at SSR) and Sanna (where we will also be grabbing entrees to go for the husbands since SIL will need to go to the expo while they golf, and going out after 8pm for dinner when I have to get up at 3am sounds horrible. And I need the bread service.)

We are also planning a monorail crawl on Tuesday, and I'm wondering if anyone can speak to the wisdom/importance of booking a reservation at California Grill for that.

 

[GADisneyDad14]

We are also planning a monorail crawl on Tuesday, and I'm wondering if anyone can speak to the wisdom/importance of booking a reservation at California Grill for that.

What’s your plan with the monorail crawl and/or goal? Just drink at spots around the monorail, or have a meal somewhere too, hence considering CG?

 

[Herding_Cats]

What’s your plan with the monorail crawl and/or goal? Just drink at spots around the monorail, or have a meal somewhere too, hence considering CG?

I read a few blog posts about it, and one made some good points about some of the places being really hard to get into/crowded (TS Grog Grotto and CG were specifically called out.) I think the idea is some sort of food item and a drink or 2 at each resort. They suggested starting at CR (CG or Steakhouse 71 lounge) or the Poly (Tambu Lounge or Tiki Terrace) and working from there. I admittedly haven't looked at menus for any of those, but I do like the idea of not starting out waiting on some kind of list to get in somewhere.

And then we can get off the monorail at MK or CR and walk to the busses back to SSR.


ETA. HOLLLLEEEEEE. I just looked at the CG menu. Yeah. That's out. I feel like they mis-labeled that one because things this blog says they ordered (in JUNE) are not on the menu.

 

[GADisneyDad14]

I read a few blog posts about it, and one made some good points about some of the places being really hard to get into/crowded (TS Grog Grotto and CG were specifically called out.) I think the idea is some sort of food item and a drink or 2 at each resort. They suggested starting at CR (CG or Steakhouse 71 lounge) or the Poly (Tambu Lounge or Tiki Terrace) and working from there. I admittedly haven't looked at menus for any of those, but I do like the idea of not starting out waiting on some kind of list to get in somewhere.

And then we can get off the monorail at MK or CR and walk to the busses back to SSR.

Ahh, got it. Cali Grill’s bar seating is pretty small. I like going there right at 5 (if not a few minutes before when the second floor check in CMs start checking people in). You can usually always get a spot if there in that time period. After that, it’s going to be hit or miss based on the randomness of guest flow that evening. Some sit at the bar and just grab a drink, some a full meal, some a drink and apps, so turnover varies. But the limited number of seats can work against you. Good thing is there’s a special bar menu for food (not online) and most bartenders will let you cherry pick from the regular CG three course menu - so you’re not locked into that (terrible) requirement like table guests. Love the food and drink here - my favorite spot on property.

For a monorail crawl, Steakhouse 71 bar/lounge is likely going to be the more popular option just given the larger size/likelihood of walk up availability. I enjoy the food here too.

CG wins on setting and views, but Steakhouse likely wins on timing flexibility.

Good thing is it’s super easy to check CG bar availability at the second floor host stand. If it doesn’t look good, then it’s steps and an escalator ride down to Steakhouse, no harm no foul.

If you do have the ability to time your arrival for around 5, starting the evening at CG with a bite, a high quality beverage, and WDW’s best views can certainly be a nice start to an evening.

While at CR, don’t sleep on the Outer Rim Lounge on the fourth floor. Maybe not the best setting with the adjacent crowds and noise from Chef Mickeys and Contempo Cafe, but most bartenders there make a good strong drink and it’s also usually easy to walk up without too much trouble.

Sorry so long, hope it helps!