Marathon weekend lodging

[croach]

Sure this question gets asked a lot but... which resort is the best for marathon weekend, especially if you have a non runner with you. Kind of have it narrowed to Poly or French Quarter/Riverside. Starts and ends at Epcot right? So would monorail be easier for getting to start/finish. Running Goofy if that matters. Any thoughts are appreciated. Thanks!

 

[Ariel484]

Sure this question gets asked a lot but... which resort is the best for marathon weekend, especially if you have a non runner with you. Kind of have it narrowed to Poly or French Quarter/Riverside. Starts and ends at Epcot right? So would monorail be easier for getting to start/finish. Running Goofy if that matters. Any thoughts are appreciated. Thanks!

I don't necessarily know that any resort is better than another, unless you want that monorail transportation. I stayed at BCV for Marathon Weekend 2012, running the full, and the bus transportation was fine. I have heard that the transportation was a mess for the half...maybe someone else can chime in here. I've never stayed at a monorail resort for a race so I can't comment on how good/bad the monorail transportation is, but I am staying at the Poly for Marathon Weekend 2013!

I did stay at Riverside for the Princess Half in 2011 and I remember the bus ride being really quick. I just think it depends on which resort you like better, especially taking your non-runner friend into consideration...although if they stay at the Poly it will probably be easier for them to spectate during the races.

I don't know if this was helpful at all. But yay for going Goofy in 2013!

 

[croach]

Thanks Ariel484. Definitely helps. Not my first Dsney trip but first Disney race so everything helps. I think the monorail might be helpful too for spectating so I am kind of leaning Poly. Plus I never stayed there so I can cross it off the list. Sounds like you have done lots of Disney races. What are you running in 2013? Thanks again for your input.

 

[escape]

Poly!!!!

I stayed there when I did the Goofy in 2010 and full in 2008. Definitely the way to go for ease of getting around for the non-runner. Also, I got to sleep in just a little bit later - didn't have to catch the monorail until 4:30. Got to the start area in plenty of time.

I've stayed at non-monorail resorts when doing the half only. I didn't have any issues but preferred the Poly for ease of getting around.

 

[croach]

Thanks Susie. Good to hear about Poly. Hope the RNR went well. Had several friends who ran it.

 

[stitchfan18]

I think Poly would be a great place to stay. I would think all the monorail resorts would be equally spectator friendly. We're staying at BLT this year, and I'm excited that I'll be able to walk to MK to spectate for the 1/2 if I don't end up Goofy again. I think being able to avoid the buses is key once roads start closing for the races. I just remember trying to get to MK on the day of the marathon a few years ago before I even was a runner and cared about the weekend, we probably sat in traffic not moving for about 45 minutes

 

[Mary976]

Go for the Poly. We stayed at the Contemporary last year and loved it. The monorail makes it very easy to get to the start and I even slept in a hair later than if I had to take a bus.

Also, DH loved it for spectating. For the half he saw me at the TTC, the Poly, then Epcot. There's a "track your runner" app that tells you how to get around on the monorail if you want to go to different points.

Meanwhile, DD and her cousin slept in and then rolled out of bed in time to see me right by the Contemporary.

Have fun!
Mary

 

[TisBit]

We stayed at Carribean Beach and it was pretty easy with busses because we were relatively close to Epcot. But, with a non runner I would go with Poly if Deluxes are acceptable. My wife missed me at MK because her monorail got stopped for a long time coming from Epcot. Your non runner would have the option of catching you at TTC/MK or even the road that runs past Poly on the way out. It is a whole lot more convenient for the non runner. I would tell them not to go to the start line, you can't get very close and the middle/end is much better set up for spectators/pictures.

 

[2gr8DisneyKids]

Seriously, you can monorail to the start???

I did the Princess half (2010) and stayed at POLY and had to bus... BUT for the OP POLY was great for the non-runners since they just monorailed to the MK and Epcot to watch.

I am traveling solo and was thinking of staying at a value, but if I can get an hour of sleep by staying at POLY I am in!

 

[Ariel484]

Thanks Ariel484. Definitely helps. Not my first Dsney trip but first Disney race so everything helps. I think the monorail might be helpful too for spectating so I am kind of leaning Poly. Plus I never stayed there so I can cross it off the list. Sounds like you have done lots of Disney races. What are you running in 2013? Thanks again for your input.

I'm sure the monorail will help a lot for spectating. I do remember the TTC area being SUPER crowded during the full this past year, so hopefully your friend will be prepared for that.

I've done the Princess Half in 2011 and the full marathon in 2012 - I'm counting the days until registration opens for Marathon Weekend 2013 and I can sign up for the Goofy Challenge! Which race(s) will you be running? You'll LOVE running at Disney. There's nothing quite like it...it's addicting!

 

[escape]

Seriously, you can monorail to the start???

I did the Princess half (2010) and stayed at POLY and had to bus... BUT for the OP POLY was great for the non-runners since they just monorailed to the MK and Epcot to watch.

I am traveling solo and was thinking of staying at a value, but if I can get an hour of sleep by staying at POLY I am in!

Ohhhhh.....yeah! You can sleep a little longer. The monorail runs early on marathon weekend.

The slight advantage of the Poly over the other monorail resorts is that you are within walking distance of the TTC monorail to Epcot (easy 5 min. walk)...especially if you stay at one of the long houses (I think that's what they are called) closest to the TTC. These buildings usually face a courtyard and are the least expensive.

I goofed, earlier, when I said I stayed at the Poly in 2008 and 2010. Actually, I stayed there in 2010 and this year, 2012. For this year, I was placed in a building close to the TTC and my room faced the MK instead of a courtyard. I think you usually have to pay a higher rate for a MK view but I lucked out somehow.

For the spectator, he/she can definitely sleep in and view the runners first at the TTC (around mile 9). It can be a little crowded there but there are ways to get a better view - may have to walk a little further down the road. After the TTC, it may be a good time to go get breakfast at the Poly quick service cafe (depending on how fast the runner is) and then head over to the other side for viewing around mile 13. The spectator can then catch the monorail and head over to Epcot and catch a bus to one of the Epcot Resorts (Beach club?) and view from there or outside of Hollywood studios.

However, the easiest thing to do after the mile 13 view is to head over to the finish line area at Epcot. When to head to Epcot will depend on how fast the runner is. The finish line area can be really crowded. If the spectator doesn't mind using a park ticket, he can go inside Epcot and cheer in there. If going to Hollywood studios or the Beach Club area, I would head over after mile 13 view as it takes a bit longer to get there.

Croach - enjoyed D.C. RnR. It got a little warm at the end but I'm not complaining. We were in D.C.! Loved seeing the cherry blossoms in full bloom!

 

[wellesleyprincess]

I've done all stars and pofq. It depends on what you want. I loved pofq and plan to use it again in 2013. My main thing against riverside is it could be a hike to the bus depending on where you are or the bus would have to make multiple stops

 

[mousiemom]

a friend of mine is running in the goofy one and i need to find out about package deals for runners. i know he wants to stay @ pop but i didn't know what they offered the runners?

 

[lukemorenus]

We stayed at Old Key West in January, and really enjoyed being able to walk to the starting line... a few hours of extra sleep!

You can do the same thing from Port Orleans FQ.

 

[roomthreeseventeen]

I'm an AKL person, exclusively. I think it's by far the nicest resort on property, and you don't share buses/monorails with anyone else.

 

[PrincessRhi]

As a runner this past year, I was off property. We were up early enough and had no traffic to deal with. My only complaint was having to drive back to the hotel AFTER the race. At that point, I had been up over 12 hours, and it would have been really nice to just kick back and let someone else do the driving.

This year, I think our plan is BLT, but it's still too early to know. I'm really gunning for a monorail resort.

 

[chimera]

What Susie said.

I LOVE french quarter/riverside, but if you're doing Goofy, it will be much easier for your race crew to get around if you stay at the Poly. They can easily see you for both races at TTC and GF, then hop on the monorail to meet you at the finish!

 

[tedhowe]

We stayed at Old Key West in January, and really enjoyed being able to walk to the starting line... a few hours of extra sleep!

You can do the same thing from Port Orleans FQ.

Can you give me some more details about walking to the starting line from OKW?

I just signed up for the HM in January and have my reservations at OKW... we always stay there and love it... added bonus if I don't have to deal with buses to get to the start.

I've heard mixed things about being able to walk over to the starting corrals from OKW and would appreciate any experience you can share.

Thanks,

Ted

 

[Qltrgrl2]

I stayed at the Poly for the marathon relay in January. It was a wonderful location and taking the monorail to the start was fantastic. We had two spectators with our group and they also loved the convenient location. I have already booked it for the Goofy 2013 and hope to find a discount code in a few months.

 

[lukemorenus]

Can you give me some more details about walking to the starting line from OKW?

I just signed up for the HM in January and have my reservations at OKW... we always stay there and love it... added bonus if I don't have to deal with buses to get to the start.

I've heard mixed things about being able to walk over to the starting corrals from OKW and would appreciate any experience you can share.

Thanks,

Ted

Sure thing Ted - I stayed at OKW in January and walked to the start line.

The start line and corrals are set up on Epcot Center Drive, adjacent to the bridge in front of the OKW entrance. I had a room near the main building at OKW, so it was about a 10 minute walk from my door to the corral.... With the race starting at 5:30 am, I arrived at the corrals around 5:00 am.... saved a few hours versus taking a bus to the Epoct, waiting around, and then walking the mile or so to the corrals with the herd.

Be advised that there are no sidewalks - you will be walking in the road - but traffic is light that early in the morning... Also - bag check will not be available, since you're skipping the Epcot parking area....

...I hope to do the same thing in January 2013.