Marathon Weekend 2027

[WDW 4 ME]

SAFD: My bucket list item includes a stay at one of the wilderness lodge cabins on the lake. I also would like to go back in time for the great movie ride and backlot tour at HS. Sigh.

 

[KCO5988]

SAFD: Polynesian Bungalow stay, solo... or maybe DH can join but he has to follow my daily plans

 

[The Expert]

We went a few years ago on December 30th, and while the Christmas decorations were still up and the parks were packed, it still didn't feel like Christmas. I'm a December birthday, and to me, Christmas is over on 12/26.

Hey, that's my birthday! And I totally agree that Christmas is over on 12/26. I don't mind the decor and music lingering at the parks through New Year's Day, but I'm SO over it by the time Marathon Weekend hits.

 

[accm]

I'm way behind on posting. DVC points are still very low over here (even though I just added another 80pts ), so we're doing another split stay - staying in a Boardwalk view studio at BWV until Wednesday, and then moving to a 1 bedroom at BLT. I think I might need to skip some BLT stays after MW to try and get caught up with my points there.


SAFD: I'd love to come during Flower and Garden festival, as well as a bunch of the different backstage tours. Another big bucketlist item is a Adventures by Disney trip.

SAFD: We are heading down to WDW on Saturday (2/14) and are finally doing something I've wanted to do forever, the Wild Africa Trek! Really excited--I love Kilimanjaro Safaris and this will be such a unique way to see it!

I really want to do that one too. Just waiting on my youngest to turn 8. We did Up Close with Rhinos this January and really enjoyed it.

The trip was a bit of a mixed bag. We had very low crowds on our Magic Kingdom day, so we were walking right onto most rides. We did Tiana's four times and Tron for the first time, among others. That night we had tickets to the Christmas Party, but there were torrential downpours. I also didn't realize that while you could enter the park for the party at 4, the event itself (including special menu items) didn't start until 7. We did get to do Jingle Cruise, but mostly got absolutely drenched. We bailed at 8 and missed the parade and fireworks, but also what sounds like an absolutely chaotic exit from MK at the end of the night.

I think you were there on the same party as us! My oldest son and I stayed until closing, but got completely drenched. We're trying again this year for hopefully better weather.

Hey, that's my birthday! And I totally agree that Christmas is over on 12/26. I don't mind the decor and music lingering at the parks through New Year's Day, but I'm SO over it by the time Marathon Weekend hits.

I usually love Christmas, but I was so looking forward to seeing a clean MK on medal Monday, and was really disappointed that the Christmas decorations were still up.

 

[sandam1]

SAFD - Several other people have mentioned this, but I'm going with the Festival of the Arts. It looks like such a cool experience, but I don't think that I'm ever going to be able to either a) stay long enough post Marathon Weekend to experience it or b) justify a second trip in such a short time span. Maybe if I win the lottery...

 

[Mr_Incr3dible]

SAFD: I did the Keys to the Kingdom decades ago with my family (meaning my parents and siblings) and it was way cool.
Bucket list items: staying in a lux resort like GF, which should be checked off later this month (corporate dime, not mine), and W&D and the food festival. We have two more years until DS2 is out of HS, so maybe then the DW and I can head down in the fall for W&D. The Wild Africa Trek sounds fantastic, and would love to do it if DW's new knees will allow in a year or two.
Wayback machine items: the Star Wars themed races, the ToT 13K, and the Expedition Everest obstacle challenge. I missed all of those races and would loved to have done them.
I do miss the Disney art that we used to be able to purchase at WDW and at the Disney store at the mall. The ex and I used to collect sericels on a low key basis, meaning we'd buy one if we saw one we liked. All of those "disappeared" in the divorce. There were a few I'd like to have now, but so be it. I really liked being able to shop and have everything delivered to our room at the resort.
And I miss the old marathon route where we had much more time in the parks, especially HS.
As for WDW at Christmas: I absolutely do not want to be there with all the crowds at the end of December. To me, one of the perks of MW is that I get to see Disney decked out for Christmas without the crush of Christmas week visitors.

 

[jrsharp21]

SAFD: Bucket list items for us would be to stay at the Polynesian bungalows and the treehouse villas at SSR. I have been fortunate enough to have gone to Club 33 at Disneyland twice, but would love to see the Club 33 locations at WDW.

Also, one of these days I am going to get in a round of golf at WDW. I think I will be able to check that off the list this December for my daughter's wedding.

 

[Disney at Heart]

SAFD: Over the years I’ve been to WDW for most holidays, except Thanksgiving (not a big miss) and actual Christmas Day. Although I’ve been before Christmas for the Festival of Holidays and after Christmas through New Year’s Day, I’ve never been to MVMCP or Jollywood Nights. Love the Candlelight Prcessional. When crowds get to be too much around Christmas, resort hopping is great. Decorations are magnificent. The Beach Club Gingerbread/ Chocolate Carousel is a favorite of mine. And New Year’s Eve fireworks are great from CR 4th floor or Polynesian beach.

Stayed after MW one year and did one day of FotArts, but would like to do it again with more time to enjoy it.

We were signed up to do Keys to the Kingdom once, but Covid canceled it, so I’d still like to do that. @marty3d and @GuinnessRunner If you find a group rate on that, I’m in! Also would love Wild Africa Trek.

Loved the last iteration of Cirque du Soliel, but still want to see Drawn to life.

There’s still so much to see and do!

 

[marty3d]

We were signed up to do Keys to the Kingdom once, but Covid canceled it, so I’d still like to do that. @marty3d and @GuinnessRunner If you find a group rate on that, I’m in! Also would love Wild Africa Trek.

I don't think they have group rates - but there is a 15% discount for DVC, AP and Disney Visa. I hadn't planned on doing it this time but I'd be open to it if others wanted to. (Assuming I can convince my DS to join or that he won't be annoyed with me abandoning him at WDW for 5 hours ). If there's interest I can start up another thread as we get closer to the 60 day window.

 

[The Expert]

I don't think they have group rates - but there is a 15% discount for DVC, AP and Disney Visa. I hadn't planned on doing it this time but I'd be open to it if others wanted to. (Assuming I can convince my DS to join or that he won't be annoyed with me abandoning him at WDW for 5 hours ). If there's interest I can start up another thread as we get closer to the 60 day window.

I'd be up for this. It's been several years since I did that tour and I'll have a few days on my own before DH joins.

 

[jenljeffers1989]

Booked our 1 bedroom at OKW!

I've never stayed at OKW but booked a 2 bedroom there for marathon week. How do you like it?

 

[GuinnessRunner]

I don't think they have group rates - but there is a 15% discount for DVC, AP and Disney Visa. I hadn't planned on doing it this time but I'd be open to it if others wanted to. (Assuming I can convince my DS to join or that he won't be annoyed with me abandoning him at WDW for 5 hours ). If there's interest I can start up another thread as we get closer to the 60 day window.

You can certainly include me on the list.

 

[GuinnessRunner]

I've never stayed at OKW but booked a 2 bedroom there for marathon week. How do you like it?

I stayed at OK for this past MW and was happy with the choice. It is on the lowest end of the DVC cost scale and so to me, that makes up for what I saw as the few small negatives. I was in a studio (and will be again for MW 2027) and room size was great. A lot more space than Pop which was about the cost equivalent per night. Was a good balance of quiet, but with enough runners around to have the energy you get for MW especially around the HH area and pool. On the negative side, the rooms are dated at this point and are definately due for a refresh. If you are "Team Bus" to the races, they only leave from the HH which can be a hike depending on where your room is located. It did not appear the internal busses were running that early, but I may have just not have noticed them. I have a car so I either drove to the start or drove to the HH and hopped on the bus so this was not a biggie for me. Only other slight negative I had is that the quick service is outside with limited seating. Not a huge deal to me either but I know some dislike it.

 

[smileyanna]

I don't think they have group rates - but there is a 15% discount for DVC, AP and Disney Visa. I hadn't planned on doing it this time but I'd be open to it if others wanted to. (Assuming I can convince my DS to join or that he won't be annoyed with me abandoning him at WDW for 5 hours ). If there's interest I can start up another thread as we get closer to the 60 day window.

I'm up for this if I do Dopey!

 

[hpygrll]

I've never stayed at OKW but booked a 2 bedroom there for marathon week. How do you like it?

We are very race superstitious and ONLY stay at OKW for races. We've never had a problem there with the race busses so we consider that a WIN! It's our home resort and we just feel the most comfortable there.

 

[pluto377]

I've never stayed at OKW but booked a 2 bedroom there for marathon week. How do you like it?

I stayed there this year and thought it was a really nice resort. The grounds are pretty and the vibe is very relaxed and quiet. I had a car and think I would have been annoyed by how far everything was if I didn't have a car.

 

[jenljeffers1989]

I stayed there this year and thought it was a really nice resort. The grounds are pretty and the vibe is very relaxed and quiet. I had a car and think I would have been annoyed by how far everything was if I didn't have a car.

I'm definitely either driving or renting a car. Can anyone share their race transportation experience from OKW? Would I be better off driving to the races?

 

[jenljeffers1989]

I stayed at OK for this past MW and was happy with the choice. It is on the lowest end of the DVC cost scale and so to me, that makes up for what I saw as the few small negatives. I was in a studio (and will be again for MW 2027) and room size was great. A lot more space than Pop which was about the cost equivalent per night. Was a good balance of quiet, but with enough runners around to have the energy you get for MW especially around the HH area and pool. On the negative side, the rooms are dated at this point and are definately due for a refresh. If you are "Team Bus" to the races, they only leave from the HH which can be a hike depending on where your room is located. It did not appear the internal busses were running that early, but I may have just not have noticed them. I have a car so I either drove to the start or drove to the HH and hopped on the bus so this was not a biggie for me. Only other slight negative I had is that the quick service is outside with limited seating. Not a huge deal to me either but I know some dislike it.

Thanks for the write up! I think I'll wind up driving as well.

 

[Baloo in MI]

I would be interested in Keys to the Kingdom group. And I stayed at OKW this past MW. I really liked the resort, the internal busses were running to the front each morning and our bus stop - Turtle Pond was super convenient to our villa. Very pretty and super relaxing! My only critiques - did not like the quick service option and after races our choice was to get off the runDisney bus and wait for internal busses or walk. It was about a 7-10 minute walk from the front to our villa. This was fine until marathon day - ouch!

 

[Novatrix]

For those asking about OKW, it's hard for me to be impartial as my parents bought DVC back when OKW was THE DVC in 1992.

Advantages: The rooms are largest on property, with 2 real queen beds, if you have a car you can park right outside your building. They have several rundisney buses staged there on race morning, I've had issues with a bus driver there getting lost ONCE, but never lack of buses like the other resorts (plus I've had Poly and Wilderness Lodge bus drivers get lost too, so par for the course.

Disadvantages: All of the studios connect to 1 bedrooms, and the soundproofing is thin if the other family are using the living room section of their 1 bedroom. The quick service is VERY basic. You can mobile order from the table service restaurant there (Olivia's) and it's very good, but much more time consuming to order and more expensive.

Neutral: OKW was built at a time when the expectation was that a) people would take 2 week vacations b) people would have extended families in one room c) people will want to cook in the room d) people will want traditional activities to do with the family at the resort (like basketball, tennis, club house, multiple pools) and e) DVC would be a success if they could even get 10k members. Obviously, a lot has changed in vacation expectations since the resort was built. But it really is a laid back, calm place away from a lot of modern Disney's hustle and bustle if that style is appealing.