Marathon weekend lodging

Sorry if this has been asked already here or in another thread...

but I was hoping to stay at the Poly for this year's Marathon weekend, but I need to price things out. Does anyone have prices already? The website still doesn't have dates available to price through there.

TIA!

I booked at CR. I had to call and she gave me $502 for Thursday night and $532 for the weekend nights. Try calling. :)

Definitely call Central Reservations (407WDISNEY) and get into your resort - especially if you have a preference. The sports reservations may have a few offerings but you will generally find deeper discounting through CR. Keep an eye online for discounts (i.e. mousesavers, etc) for discounts opening up in January. THese usually come out in August through October. Once you find a better deal, simply call CR and they can hook you up with a better price.
 
I booked at CR. I had to call and she gave me $502 for Thursday night and $532 for the weekend nights. Try calling. :)

I booked the Poly about a month ago and was given AAA rates of $423 for Thursday night and $454 for weekend nights. Last year, there was either a 35% or 40% off special running in the fall which I hope will be available again. We paid around $250 for our room this year which was a good price (IMHO)
 
Definitely call Central Reservations (407WDISNEY) and get into your resort - especially if you have a preference. The sports reservations may have a few offerings but you will generally find deeper discounting through CR. Keep an eye online for discounts (i.e. mousesavers, etc) for discounts opening up in January. THese usually come out in August through October. Once you find a better deal, simply call CR and they can hook you up with a better price.

I have a question regarding the booking process. I booked my room with the sports reservations but if I happen to find a better discount down the road will it be an issue to trasfer it to the other discount? Is it easier to transfer the bookings when you originally book through CR? I don't want to run into trouble when the time comes. I would just rebook with CR now if it will make it easier down the road.
 
I have a question regarding the booking process. I booked my room with the sports reservations but if I happen to find a better discount down the road will it be an issue to trasfer it to the other discount? Is it easier to transfer the bookings when you originally book through CR? I don't want to run into trouble when the time comes. I would just rebook with CR now if it will make it easier down the road.

If CR has the room you want available, book it through them and my reasons are as follows...
1. Sports reservations have to be canceled 45 days ahead of time otherwise they start to charge you cancellation fees. CR doesn't charge on room only reservations til 24 hours before.
2. They don't pull from the same pool of rooms, so CR might sell out of standard BC rooms but sports will still have them so lay claim to what you want early through CR.
3. They won't touch each others' reservations. To change it, you'll have to cancel one and make a new reservation so your room is not going with you if CR doesn't have any availability.
4. Sports won't give you any discount beyond what they quoted you when you booked. CR will update with new discounts as often as you think to call them and there's still availability for the discount so it's a LOT easier.
The different deposit policies if you're juggling when to spend what:
1. Sports requires a $200 deposit about a week or so after you make the reservation and then payment in full 45 days in advance.
2. CR--If you book a room only, you pay the first night and the balance is due on check in. If you opt for dining plan, you can always ADD it at a later date with no penalty, but you cannot remove it 45 days prior to arrival without penalty.
Hope that helps!
 

If CR has the room you want available, book it through them and my reasons are as follows...
1. Sports reservations have to be canceled 45 days ahead of time otherwise they start to charge you cancellation fees. CR doesn't charge on room only reservations til 24 hours before.
2. They don't pull from the same pool of rooms, so CR might sell out of standard BC rooms but sports will still have them so lay claim to what you want early through CR.
3. They won't touch each others' reservations. To change it, you'll have to cancel one and make a new reservation so your room is not going with you if CR doesn't have any availability.
4. Sports won't give you any discount beyond what they quoted you when you booked. CR will update with new discounts as often as you think to call them and there's still availability for the discount so it's a LOT easier.

Hope that helps!

+1

I will add that the deposit requirements are slightly different, also. I used the Sports Reservations a couple times in for the first couple marathons but changed to CRO after I learned the above. My light came on after 911 when CRO was offering extremely deep discounts and Sports remained at their originally quoted rates.
 
I wonder if it would hurt to book both ways and when the time comes I can make a decision as to which one is the better deal. I know I would have to decide before the 45 day mark for sure.
I'm really hoping the free dining starts the same day it did in 2012 which was marathon Sunday..then I will have to rearrange my reservation again and split it up so I can take advantage of the free dining.
 
I wonder if it would hurt to book both ways and when the time comes I can make a decision as to which one is the better deal. I know I would have to decide before the 45 day mark for sure.
I'm really hoping the free dining starts the same day it did in 2012 which was marathon Sunday..then I will have to rearrange my reservation again and split it up so I can take advantage of the free dining.

If one wanted to hold two sets of reservations then go for it. Though historically, the Sports Reservations will not discount any deeper than you see today. CRO is booking rack rates until the 2013 rates are announced. Once the winter discounts come out then like you say, its a quick phone call and you have the new rates with little chance of loosing your reservation.
 
I got a great rate at POFQ through Sports recently for ToT weekend. The price is 30% off rack and I was able to add a 1-day discounted park ticket ($58). As mentioned before, I can't modify this reservation to change the rate or add free dining but I'm not expecting a better room-only rate to come out anyway.

This is not typical of the rates that I've seen with them for other races so I'm not certain if this indicates a change in the way they are pricing rooms or if it is specific only to ToT.

The only thing that would keep me from booking 2 reservations is the amount of money that would be tied up with both deposits. If that isn't a big deal for you then I say do it. Just remain mindful of the cancellation policies for both reservations since they are different.
 
Any particular area to request for OKW?

There are only two areas, near the Hospitality House and the remainder of property. The HH area is closer to everything, but tends to have the resort noise. Also, the HH area will hear the starts for the half and full. The HH sea for me tends to take away from the quiet and laid back feeling of the resort.

Really for marathon weekend, I would seek a bottom floor room, regardless of location.

Now for Marathon weekend, if you are thinking of walking to the start, then you really need a crew to carry a post race bag for you. You will not be able to safely walk back to the resort.



Hope this helps.
 
Thanks! We plan on just walking over for both events. Not sure we will need anyone to carry anything for us.
 
Thanks! We plan on just walking over for both events. Not sure we will need anyone to carry anything for us.

Unless it's in the 20s or 30s for race start...then you will want extra clothes. My great plans to walk over from OKW in 2010 were completely thwarted by the weather.

And, I'm signed up again for 2013...so good chance it will be freezing cold again...it has been more often than not when I've been there for marathon weekend. :rolleyes:
 
We just booked OKW today - DH will be running both days for Goofy - so will be glad to meet up with those walking over.
How does OKW work for spectators? Will I be able to get to the finish lines easily from OKW? Do special buses run early for spectators?
 
I'm staying at OKW too. Rented a DVC studio. DD17 will ride the bus over to the finish line to see me finish (or she will go through EPCOT and we will make it our park that day, returning after I've semi-recovered.) I'll have her bring my post-race bag with her.

My race day plan: Get up at the crack of darkness, finish the marathon, hop in the pool for a bit, take a nap (hopefully I won't stiffen up too much), then head back to EPCOT for the evening. :)
 
That's great there are more of us staying at OKW and walking to the start(s)! When we get closer we'll have to plan our exact meeting time and place. :)

I'm not worried about not being able to check a bag. I've never checked one before (including freezing 2010). I wear or carry everything with me and it's just fine. After the race I hop right on a bus and go back to my resort.
 
Coming from POFQ!! :wave2: I'll have to meet up with you along Bonnet Creek somewhere. With this size of a group, I can't imagine any marathon police turning us around! :laughing: Sounds like a plan!
 
I have walked over a couple times since 99. Just make sure to walk from the cast member entrance and have your bib ready to get past security.

Spectators will need to grab a marathon bus or hail a cab if they aim to be in the TTC/Poly or Main Street area before the race gets there. This is especially true noes than both races will clear MK before mile 6. Note if spectators are hailing a cab, I would suggest hailing from Hospitality House. That way they may be able to split a fare. The cab will need to head up Bonnet Creek to the TTC. That path will remain open for the entire period of the race.
 
Coming from POFQ!! :wave2: I'll have to meet up with you along Bonnet Creek somewhere. With this size of a group, I can't imagine any marathon police turning us around! :laughing: Sounds like a plan!

Rather than walking up Bonnet Creek, take the maintenance road. I have run it several times and it keeps you off the busier road.

http://new.mapmyrun.com/routes/fullscreen/101750547/

Scope it out in the daylight the day before the race...
 
I saw that road before when I was scoping this out but wasn't sure if I could use it. Good to know its ok, thanks!
 















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