Marathon Weekend 2025

[superchime]

>>. since this is my first (only) Dopey.
Uh huh. Show of hands, please, on how many said this about the marathon, Goofy, or Dopey?

Haha! I knew this would garner comments! Let's see if I can make it through one Dopey first!

 

[Mr_Incr3dible]

Anything worth doing is worth overdoing - Ferris Bueller

Anything worth doing is better with a spreadsheet - Dilbert. (paraphrased)

>> while also rolling my eyes that we need multiple spreadsheets for a vacation

Reference both of the above quotes...

 

[flav]

Then I want try whispering canyon.... always looked fun and lots of food but not worth the effort to get over here from AKL where we normally stay.

If you are going for an All-You-Care-To-Enjoy Signature Skillets, check the ones for breakfast/lunch vs the ones for dinner. Also, we were two and ordered different skillets so we tried a greater variety.

 

[jmasgat]

SAFD: I don't make any reservations because there is no place I would consider a must do. Also, I really can't justify spending Disney money for so-so food. So my goal will be to try any new and interesting Happy Hours. This past weekend I did Jaleo, which was very enjoyable. Might also pop back in to Stir (Swan Reserve)---they do good cocktails and their flat breads are pretty tasty. And it's just less chaotic than most Disney locations

 

[DisneyMountainWoman]

If you are going for an All-You-Care-To-Enjoy Signature Skillets, check the ones for breakfast/lunch vs the ones for dinner. Also, we were two and ordered different skillets so we tried a greater variety.

Which do u like better?

 

[flav]

We were there for lunch and ordered these two (gluten-free version which requires very little adaptation). We really enjoyed the sausage, bacon and waffles from the first and the cornbread and pulled pork from the second. If I had to choose only one I would take the Heritage, just because I like breakfast food.​

The Heritage​

House-made Buttermilk-Cheddar Biscuits and Sausage Gravy with Scrambled Eggs, Country Potatoes, Hickory-smoked Bacon, Pork Sausage Links, Mickey-shaped Waffles (Price per person)
$26.00

The Carnivore​

House-made Cornbread with Honey Butter, Maple-Chipotle Barbecued Slow-smoked Pork Ribs, Oak-smoked Beef Brisket, Barbecued Pulled Pork, Citrus-Herb Chicken, Country Potatoes, Buttered Corn, Charred Carrots (Price per person)
$26.00

 

[DisneyMountainWoman]

We were there for lunch and ordered these two (gluten-free version which requires very little adaptation). We really enjoyed the sausage, bacon and waffles from the first and the cornbread and pulled pork from the second. If I had to choose only one I would take the Heritage, just because I like breakfast food.​

The Heritage​

House-made Buttermilk-Cheddar Biscuits and Sausage Gravy with Scrambled Eggs, Country Potatoes, Hickory-smoked Bacon, Pork Sausage Links, Mickey-shaped Waffles (Price per person)
$26.00

The Carnivore​

House-made Cornbread with Honey Butter, Maple-Chipotle Barbecued Slow-smoked Pork Ribs, Oak-smoked Beef Brisket, Barbecued Pulled Pork, Citrus-Herb Chicken, Country Potatoes, Buttered Corn, Charred Carrots (Price per person)
$26.00

Yeah thanks! My parents will love to know there is gluten free options too.

 

[Herding_Cats]

Haha! I knew this would garner comments! Let's see if I can make it through one Dopey first!

My training journal was titled, "I'm Never Doing This Again" for a while. And here I am going for Dopey #3.

 

[jenljeffers1989]

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?

The only reservation I'm making is for Boma on Friday evening. I have to eat at Boma every WDW trip. We'll have a car this time so we can go off property to eat meals, and I'm much more of a snacker in the parks than a 3 meals a day gal.

 

[FFigawi]

@FFigawi Takumi Tei has a new menu. Ate there last night after the half, but mostly to celebrate Bert’s milestone birthday. It was nice to have it changed up and still incredible.

Thanks!! It’s on my ADR list. If you’ll be at MW, you’re welcome to join.

 

[runwithperseverence7]

SAFD: Last time I came to WDW we didn’t do any dinner reservations. So for MW, I’m a little lost and probably just going to wing it. I’m such a creature of habit so not having the same meals that I normally eat before my local marathon has me a little stressed. I may look for some late breakfast or lunch options. Not sure about Sunday night. Depends on how I feel.

Anyone have a good pizza place, on and off property? That’s usually my go to back home.

 

[Herding_Cats]

SAFD: Last time I came to WDW we didn’t do any dinner reservations. So for MW, I’m a little lost and probably just going to wing it. I’m such a creature of habit so not having the same meals that I normally eat before my local marathon has me a little stressed. I may look for some late breakfast or lunch options. Not sure about Sunday night. Depends on how I feel.

Anyone have a good pizza place, on and off property? That’s usually my go to back home.

Are you staying on-property? Quite a few of the resort QS have pizzas or flatbread. There’s also “Blaze” pizza in DS (kind of by planet Hollywood/Homecomin/disney ticket center.) Via Napoli in Epcot, and sometimes the pizza window to the left of the VN entrance is open (cheese or pepperoni pizza only there.) Your definition of “good pizza” may be influenced if you live in certain geographical areas.

 

[marty3d]

SAFD: Still trying to work out what my ADRs will look like. But here are a few I'm looking at right now - Trattoria al Forno, Flying Fish, Mama Melrose (likely Friday night dinner) and somewhere Sunday night to celebrate the weekend. its Sunday that is causing the most angst as we traditionally do Le Cellier but we may break with tradition and not do Epcot Sunday.

Mama Melrose will likely be a must do this year, not because it's one of our favourites, but more because there's a chance it may be the last time depending on what construction at the studios looks like. While we don't go there often, we have gone several times over the last 25+ years, so there's definitely a nostalgia factor.

No ADR required but another must do for us is Baseline Tap House.

Favorite entree - that's a hard one. I'll take the easy route and say any pizza at Via Napoli.

 

[runwithperseverence7]

Are you staying on-property? Quite a few of the resort QS have pizzas or flatbread. There’s also “Blaze” pizza in DS (kind of by planet Hollywood/Homecomin/disney ticket center.) Via Napoli in Epcot, and sometimes the pizza window to the left of the VN entrance is open (cheese or pepperoni pizza only there.) Your definition of “good pizza” may be influenced if you live in certain geographical areas.

Thanks! Staying at all star music. I’ll check these places out.
My pre race pizza places are mellow mushroom 2 days before and then bakers crust night before. Bakers crust has oven fire pizza. And I’m a plain cheese girl! I do not like a lot of sauce. Just enough for flavor.

 

[Herding_Cats]

I have a luggage/bell services question.

As of right now, DH and I are planning to do this trip with no rental car (we have come up with a max price we are willing to pay, and I don't really see that price happening for an 8 day rental.) Due to how I booked our rooms, we are currently moving/switching rooms within the same resort on Thursday, and then moving to a different resort on Monday. I have requested to retain the studio from our original stay (into a 2br lockoff) but I know that's not guaranteed since there's no DVC availability at this point.

Assuming we are NOT able to keep our studio, we would need to:
-Check luggage with Bell Services on Thursday morning, after the 5k
-Pick up or have our luggage delivered to our 2br LO on Thursday afternoon
-Check luggage with Bell Services Monday morning, to be transferred to BWV
We are going to be a good 8-10min walk from Bell Services, so it would be great if they were able to pick our luggage up from our room, so we aren't hiking everything to the other end of the resort grounds every time.

-Pick up or have our luggage delivered to our room at BWV on Monday afternoon
-Possibly drop our luggage off at Bell Services Tuesday morning because we don't need to leave for MCO until 2pm

We would have 2 big suitcases, and 2 carry-ons, so I'm trying to figure out tipping for this (getting a sense for the total costs for ride-shares to/from the airport and then all of the luggage holding/transferring.)

 

[Herding_Cats]

Thanks! Staying at all star music. I’ll check these places out.
My pre race pizza places are mellow mushroom 2 days before and then bakers crust night before. Bakers crust has oven fire pizza. And I’m a plain cheese girl! I do not like a lot of sauce. Just enough for flavor.

Blaze might work for you since you build your own (think Subway, but pizza) and it's "blast-fired pizza" with a thinner crust.

 

[pluto377]

SAFD- Not planning on any ADRs for this trip. I'll be solo so I'm hoping to try a few QS places I've never been too (looking at you Columbia Harbor House).

 

[Disneyhanna]

I have a luggage/bell services question.

As of right now, DH and I are planning to do this trip with no rental car (we have come up with a max price we are willing to pay, and I don't really see that price happening for an 8 day rental.) Due to how I booked our rooms, we are currently moving/switching rooms within the same resort on Thursday, and then moving to a different resort on Monday. I have requested to retain the studio from our original stay (into a 2br lockoff) but I know that's not guaranteed since there's no DVC availability at this point.

Assuming we are NOT able to keep our studio, we would need to:
-Check luggage with Bell Services on Thursday morning, after the 5k
-Pick up or have our luggage delivered to our 2br LO on Thursday afternoon
-Check luggage with Bell Services Monday morning, to be transferred to BWV
We are going to be a good 8-10min walk from Bell Services, so it would be great if they were able to pick our luggage up from our room, so we aren't hiking everything to the other end of the resort grounds every time.

-Pick up or have our luggage delivered to our room at BWV on Monday afternoon
-Possibly drop our luggage off at Bell Services Tuesday morning because we don't need to leave for MCO until 2pm

We would have 2 big suitcases, and 2 carry-ons, so I'm trying to figure out tipping for this (getting a sense for the total costs for ride-shares to/from the airport and then all of the luggage holding/transferring.)

I've never had any issues with bell services picking up luggage from the room or delivering it for me, but you have to leave wiggle room where you could end up sitting in your room waiting for a while (you do have to be there). It could easily take 15+ minutes after you call if they are busy (such as around check out time). Tip wise, it's a personal decision, but $1-2 per bag is pretty common. And personally I tip at each interaction since it could be different people/shift every time. Since you have quite a few bags if you have the time, I'd have them pick it up and deliver it, since you'd still be tipping if you picked it up or dropped it off yourself, might as well save yourself some work!

All this luggage movement planning reminds me of my Japan trip where I was in 8 different hotels in two weeks

 

[RuntheMouse]

We are going to be a good 8-10min walk from Bell Services, so it would be great if they were able to pick our luggage up from our room, so we aren't hiking everything to the other end of the resort grounds every time.

We would have 2 big suitcases, and 2 carry-ons, so I'm trying to figure out tipping for this (getting a sense for the total costs for ride-shares to/from the airport and then all of the luggage holding/transferring.)

Just went through this at SSR. Bell services absolutely will come and get your luggage, allow 30 minutes from when you call. After transfer to new resort, just call bell services there and they will bring your luggage to your new room.

I was told by the bellman at SSR that due to its size they transfer bags quickly there and it was guaranteed by 4 but check earlier. Our luggage were ready at RIV at 2:00.

I had 4 carry on bags and I tipped $20 to each because they did the pick up/ delivery. Money well spent!

 

[jrsharp21]

SAFD: Last time I came to WDW we didn’t do any dinner reservations. So for MW, I’m a little lost and probably just going to wing it. I’m such a creature of habit so not having the same meals that I normally eat before my local marathon has me a little stressed. I may look for some late breakfast or lunch options. Not sure about Sunday night. Depends on how I feel.

Anyone have a good pizza place, on and off property? That’s usually my go to back home.

When we were at WDW in May, we had the pizza at Wolfgang Puck's restaurant in Disney Springs. It was really good. We will probably try to go back on MW.