Marathon weekend lodging

[dreams91]

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.

I hadn't thought of this....what about when leaving the race? Did you take the bus back?

 

[BigEeyore]

I am really tempted by this idea of walking over from OKW...what area of the resort should be requested to make the trek as easy as possible?
I did the Princess in February, and that walk from the epcot parking lot to the corrals with "the herd" was insane! We came to a complete stop several times. I would love to avoid that at my next Disney race.

 

[lukemorenus]

I hadn't thought of this....what about when leaving the race? Did you take the bus back?

Yup - we took the bus back from the post-race area.

 

[lukemorenus]

I hadn't thought of this....what about when leaving the race? Did you take the bus back?

Yes - we took the bus back from the post-race area.

 

[lukemorenus]

I hadn't thought of this....what about when leaving the race? Did you take the bus back?

Yup - we took the race bus back to OKW

 

[lukemorenus]

...what area of the resort should be requested to make the trek as easy as possible? ....

...near the main building, if possible - this makes for a shorter walk to the corrals....

 

[stitchfan18]

I hadn't thought of this....what about when leaving the race? Did you take the bus back?

The bus ride is the only way to get back since it will be a busier time of day by the time you finish. The ride to OKW is super short, less than 5 minutes once the bus leaves.

 

[dragitoff]

I'm registering for the full tomorrow (and that will be my first Disney race). Do they offer room discounts, and even park ticket discounts, for marathon participants? Are there hotels that are considered "host" hotels for the weekend?

 

[MightyDuck001]

I'm registering for the full tomorrow (and that will be my first Disney race). Do they offer room discounts, and even park ticket discounts, for marathon participants? Are there hotels that are considered "host" hotels for the weekend?

I haven't priced out the marathon weekend rates yet, but I would say the "discount" they offer for the runners isn't really a discount, at least it wasn't for the Wine & Dine (in fact, it was a few dollars more than the regular rate...). Instead, if you want to book it now and have a AAA membership ask for that discount (10%-15% off). Starting around Sept. they'll do room only discounts that will probably be more than the AAA and you can call and change your reservation to use that.

For the marathon weekend, all the hotels are host resorts...

 

[dragitoff]

I just registered for the full and called Disney to see what the price would be on 3 nights at the Poly. For a Lagoon view room, it was $675 per night! Even without a pin code, I've stayed in a Magic Kingdom view room at the Contemporary for much less. I guess I'll keep looking around for a better option.

 

[wvjules]

I'm thinking about staying at the new Art of Animation resort.

 

[wvjules]

I'm thinking of staying at the new Art of Animation resort.

 

[dragitoff]

How are the Swan and Dolphin for marathoners? Do the bus service run to those resorts too or can you just walk to the start from there?

 

[jmasgat]

You can't walk to the start from the Boardwalk area resorts because Epcot isn't open to pass through. You can walk back if you have your ticket to get into Epcot.

Swan & Dolphin share a bus with YC/BC/BW. As with all buses, promptness of service depends--sometimes good,sometimes not. Although if you do catch the bus on the way back, you can always get off at the first stop (BW) and walk from there.

Maura

 

[Bound and Rebound]

We want to stay at CR for the weekend. I was just on the phone with resort booking CM and he said that I would be locked in to the rate as of now because the rates for 2013 haven't been released yet. Is this true? I thought that once the rates came out my ressie would be changed to that rate and I get credit for the first night that I paid when booking? Or would I have to call and cancel and rebook? This is our first time staying onsite so I'm new to this. Thanks!

 

[MightyDuck001]

We want to stay at CR for the weekend. I was just on the phone with resort booking CM and he said that I would be locked in to the rate as of now because the rates for 2013 haven't been released yet. Is this true? I thought that once the rates came out my ressie would be changed to that rate and I get credit for the first night that I paid when booking? Or would I have to call and cancel and rebook? This is our first time staying onsite so I'm new to this. Thanks!

It was always my understanding that you pay the highest current year rate, then when the actual rates come out the amount is adjusted so your deposit would (ideally) cover more of your balance. If the rates change, you don't have to cancel and rebook, you can call and check the rates and the agents will adjust it accordingly, especially if they do a promotion with a discount.

 

[MickeyT]

We want to stay at CR for the weekend. I was just on the phone with resort booking CM and he said that I would be locked in to the rate as of now because the rates for 2013 haven't been released yet. Is this true? I thought that once the rates came out my ressie would be changed to that rate and I get credit for the first night that I paid when booking? Or would I have to call and cancel and rebook? This is our first time staying onsite so I'm new to this. Thanks!

If you booked room only you have put down a one nights deposit. When the 2013 rates come out this amount will be applied to the balance due that you pay at check in. I think this is what the CM meant by locked in. You have guaranteed yourself a reservation for the room type and resort you have chosen.
If a discount for the time period comes out you can call back and if they have availability for the room type and resort you have reserved they can apply the discount to your reservation. You do not have to cancel and rebook. For reference the discounts for this time period has historically been Aug-Dec timeframe depending on the year.

Hope this helps.

 

[MickeyT]

It was always my understanding that you pay the highest current year rate, then when the actual rates come out the amount is adjusted so your deposit would (ideally) cover more of your balance. If the rates change, you don't have to cancel and rebook, you can call and check the rates and the agents will adjust it accordingly, especially if they do a promotion with a discount.

 

[Bound and Rebound]

Thanks!! I ended up calling back and talking to a different CM and she went ahead and booked me. Said that the rates just came out for that weekend. It was $532 a night, which seems about on par with past Marathon weekends. I'm going to keep checking though, in case she didn't know what she was talking about and that was actually the highest rate from 2012.

Everything I've seen about Jan rates is that they come out late summer. Both CMs said that there is some marathon rate package that can be booked with the Disney Sports reservation people, but they closed at 1800 eastern time, so I didn't try them. I wonder if that would make a difference in price, the info I saw when registering for the race is you get a free gift if you book 4 nights.

 

[jmasgat]

I don't think the marathon rates are a bargain. Best bet is to book a room, then jump on any room only discount that comes out. Of course, the exact room type/resort may not be available at a discount. Last year I booked PO-FQ, then when the room only rates came out, I switched to PO-R to get a better rate. The room only rates for general public came out in October.

Maura