Marathon weekend lodging

[cewait]

Charles, do you mean I can walk on that Cast Member road that is right in front of Bldg 17 at OKW? Is there security there who will want to check me as I am exiting the resort?

This is the map I've been using:
Intersection of Disney Vacation Club Way and Bonnet Creek Parkway

Yes it is the small road from in front of Bldg 17 to Vacation Club Way. No security at this gate. Only thing blocking you are a couple swing arm gates. One as you exit Miller's Road into the Cast Member Parking Lot and then from the parking lot onto Vacation Way. It is actually across Vacation Way from the Back road just described coming out from POR. It is less than 1/8 mile to from this exit to Bonnet Creek.

Note that those who are walking this for the first time...

Grass is wet so walk single file along the edge at Vacation Club Way - but step off the pavement when a car turns into VCWay. Better a wet shoe than a broken body.

You will be met be security as you cross Bonnet Creek. Please, no spectators beyond this guard and have them attempt to follow his directions. More than likely he will direct spectators to the left (south on the map). From there it is a really cool visual effect as the race starts. It's also educational for young eyes, so I would not bring the kiddos out (the canal separating Bonnet from Epcot Drive is a well used potty area in the last 10 minutes pre-gun).

Have your number very easily retrievable. You will need it as you cross the canal between Bonnet and Epcot.

Finally, even though this is a short cut, get there early. First wave starts at 5:30 (unless revised). Corrals d-g require that you cross in front of A-C. You would hate to be blocked off from getting to a corral if late. Also, sometimes (ok, one year) Barney Fife was attached to this post and some runners had difficulties. Note that one can go around this security point, but it is a last resort. You can hoof it down to Buena Vista and then walk back up. I have a buddy who has walked from Bonnet Springs up Epcot a couple times with little issue.

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!

Not 100% sure it is allowed, but Security watched me head out down the path one morning. So I guess by default it is - at least until told no. It is by far better that heading down the road in traffic.

 

[cewait]

I guess I should say that we are currently in OKW and hoping for a Grand Villa to open later this week. I was not thinking of walking to the start, but may. I am escorting a niece and her rookie through the half and possibly my brother through the full.

 

[RedSonya]

I just booked at OKW. I was debating between Animal Kingdom and OKW. I stayed at OKW in 2007 but took the bus to the start. If I have a group to walk with, I'll try that this year. I did the full in 2007 and then stopped running. I've just started training again, a lot slower than years ago.

 

[liznboys]

I'm not sure I understand this part:

... Corrals d-g require that you cross in front of A-C. ...

If you're standing on the bridge and you're facing Epcot Center Drive, which corral will be directly in front of you? Or is that ahead of the Start Line which means the corrals are all to your left?

Thanks for the great info Charles!

Oh and here's the start map for reference (why do they call it World Drive instead of Epcot Center Drive??):

 

[liznboys]

I just booked at OKW. I was debating between Animal Kingdom and OKW. I stayed at OKW in 2007 but took the bus to the start. If I have a group to walk with, I'll try that this year. I did the full in 2007 and then stopped running. I've just started training again, a lot slower than years ago.

That's great! We've definitely got a group forming, and the more the merrier! Good luck with your training!

 

[jenifred]

Hey guys! DH and I are in for the walk. We just booked at OKW today and I requested one of the buildings close to 17. I'm glad there is a group, I would get compeltely lost.

Thanks for heads up Liz! Coach, as always, your knowledge base knows no bounds.

 

[disney_runner]

Barney Fife! So funny Coach! Thanks for all the details, it really puts my mind at ease for the early morning stroll.

 

[cewait]

I'm not sure I understand this part:



If you're standing on the bridge and you're facing Epcot Center Drive, which corral will be directly in front of you? Or is that ahead of the Start Line which means the corrals are all to your left?

Thanks for the great info Charles!

Oh and here's the start map for reference (why do they call it World Drive instead of Epcot Center Drive??):

From this drawing.....

OKW is to the top of the overpass crossing Epcot Dr (mis named World in the drawing). Building 22 is just on top of the overpass. Epcot is on the bottom from the overpass.

The start line is at the gore zone where Vacation Club Way merges into Epcot Dr. The link below is close for the start location if you zoom in on the start.

http://new.mapmyrun.com/routes/fullscreen/94116399/

Sorry but I did goof on the corral counts I was recalling the earlier days when only 3 were on the fast side.... and that was when the fast side was on the left side (i.e. blue start).

 

[jfinke]

We switched our reservation over to OKW this morning. So, we are up for walking over for both races.

 

[liznboys]

From this drawing.....

OKW is to the top of the overpass crossing Epcot Dr (mis named World in the drawing). Building 22 is just on top of the overpass. Epcot is on the bottom from the overpass.

The start line is at the gore zone where Vacation Club Way merges into Epcot Dr. The link below is close for the start location if you zoom in on the start.

http://new.mapmyrun.com/routes/fullscreen/94116399/

Sorry but I did goof on the corral counts I was recalling the earlier days when only 3 were on the fast side.... and that was when the fast side was on the left side (i.e. blue start).

So we will walk down that merge ramp, turn left and cross the course in front of the start line (and this is the potential Barney Fife spot), turn left and walk down the median to our corrals?

We switched our reservation over to OKW this morning. So, we are up for walking over for both races.

Great!

 

[jeanigor]

Thanks in large part to the info on this thread, I have been able to convince my running partner that renting points at BLT for the weekend would be nearly impossible and that OKW would be a better option. He really liked the 'walking to the start means a little more sleep' part.

OKW is one of my favorite resorts and I like to celebrate a good race with a Key Lime Tart at Olivia's, so it's a win-win-win in my book!

 

[lukemorenus]

We just booked a Studio @ OKW and plan to walk to the start again as well!

 

[croach]

Couple of things.

1- not that it matters but I am the original poster and I did decide to stay at the Poly for now. I noticed some people posting prices they were quoted for Poly and just wanted to let people know that I got better pricing through a travel agent. Three nights at the Poly for $900. Just putting that out there.

2- I may still move to a less expensive resort if my wife doesn't come. Seems OKW is very popular but how easy is the walk from Port Orleans compared to OKW? Also how late do you think I could go before changing to somewhere like OKW or PO? First time for marathon weekend so don't know when things start selling out.

Thanks. Sounds like a good crew staying at OKW!

 

[cewait]

So we will walk down that merge ramp, turn left and cross the course in front of the start line (and this is the potential Barney Fife spot), turn left and walk down the median to our corrals?

http://br.bing.com/maps/?v=2&cp=28....3&lvl=16&dir=0&sty=r&cid=BE2B9C067572B884!113

Point 1 is Barney, Point 2 is the start. I see more folks walking around the front of the A-E corrals than attempting to go around the back. Though as a C runner, I think I would prefer to see folks going around the back since the entry slots on in the C & D range are really tight.

 

[cewait]

Couple of things.

1- not that it matters but I am the original poster and I did decide to stay at the Poly for now. I noticed some people posting prices they were quoted for Poly and just wanted to let people know that I got better pricing through a travel agent. Three nights at the Poly for $900. Just putting that out there.

2- I may still move to a less expensive resort if my wife doesn't come. Seems OKW is very popular but how easy is the walk from Port Orleans compared to OKW? Also how late do you think I could go before changing to somewhere like OKW or PO? First time for marathon weekend so don't know when things start selling out.

Thanks. Sounds like a good crew staying at OKW!

I posted a POR to the Start mapmyrun link just above... I think this is it

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

I would think that the resorts will fill slower than they have in the last 2-4 years since this is the first year in a while where the race is separated by a weekend from New Years. Saying that, if you do not mind lending the mouse a deposit, I would make my second reservation earlier rather than wait and hope it does not fill. You get the deposit back as long as you cancel within the required windows... so do not forget it.

 

[Mom2BCCC]

I currently have a 1BR at OKW for Fri to Mon. I called today to switch over to a studio. There are no studios available for one of the nights (I believe it was Friday). I can't believe OKW is booking up this fast!

Add myself and SIL to the walk to the start list (full). We stayed at SSR for the Princess this year and walked. It was very easy.

 

[thndrmatt]

Cheryl and I will also be at OKW in a studio from Fri-Mon, I'll be walking over to cheer for the half and then run the full .

 

[LuzzBightyear]

Hello

I asked this question in the resort board, but didn't get a response so thought I would try here...
Brother in law and I are heading down for marathon weekend and thinking of staying at POP Century or maybe one of the All Stars. Now a third guy is hinting he would like to go too. Nobody wants to share a bed so does Disney offer cots? I have never stayed at a Value, but heard the rooms are small...so is there even enough room for a cot in them? Would a moderate be better for fitting a third bed in? We plan on just sleeping and showering at the resort, so would rather use our money towards nice restaurants, souvenirs, post race beers, ect than a more expensive room.

 

[es45]

How is SSR return transportation for the full? I liked staying at POP and Sports in the past for races but I hate, hate, that long line for buses after. I noticed a few shorter lines but I can't remember which resorts had them.

Does SSR have a long bus line since it is such a large resort?

 

[cewait]

Hello

I asked this question in the resort board, but didn't get a response so thought I would try here...
Brother in law and I are heading down for marathon weekend and thinking of staying at POP Century or maybe one of the All Stars. Now a third guy is hinting he would like to go too. Nobody wants to share a bed so does Disney offer cots? I have never stayed at a Value, but heard the rooms are small...so is there even enough room for a cot in them? Would a moderate be better for fitting a third bed in? We plan on just sleeping and showering at the resort, so would rather use our money towards nice restaurants, souvenirs, post race beers, ect than a more expensive room.

First, no, they do not offer cots. Second, They are not going to be real happy with the question, so I would not ask the mouse..... I would not expect a regular vlue resort room to have enough real-estate for a cot or mattress. I do know that one can put a twin sized mattress near the door of the CBR rooms. They are a little larger than the other moderate resorts so the other ones may not be as roomy.

Rather than a cot, I would consider a blowup mattress. The is generally packable and will serve your needs.