Marathon weekend lodging

[MightyDuck001]

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.

Once upon a time (circa 2009) marathon weekend rates were actually "off peak" rates and were a lot lower (that was why we went that weekend and how I first noticed all these shiny great medals) but last year I noticed those dates weren't "off peak" anymore and the prices went up. The run Disney rates aren't a good deal, the room only ones that they advertise on TV are much better so you're definitely better off waiting for that.

Does anyone know what the "free gift" is?

 

[cloudnut220]

The only thing I would caution people about with staying at a monorail resort is that the monorail has being having A LOT of issues the past six months. We stayed at BLT for 2012 Marathon weekend, and while it was super nice in the morning and for spectators to walk out front and see us, it was NOT NICE to get stuck on the monorail for an hour on our way back after the race because of service issues. This happened to us after both the half and the full, and I was having some serious GI issues after the full so it really wasn't fun. I know we pay extra to stay at a monorail resort, so it's just something to keep in mind.

 

[sunshine girl]

The only thing I would caution people about with staying at a monorail resort is that the monorail has being having A LOT of issues the past six months. We stayed at BLT for 2012 Marathon weekend, and while it was super nice in the morning and for spectators to walk out front and see us, it was NOT NICE to get stuck on the monorail for an hour on our way back after the race because of service issues. This happened to us after both the half and the full, and I was having some serious GI issues after the full so it really wasn't fun. I know we pay extra to stay at a monorail resort, so it's just something to keep in mind.

I thought about monorial issues and wondered about whether or not anything had ever happened on race day! I have had some bad luck with the monorail in the past. I'm not planning on staying at a monorail resort anyway, but it was a consideration. I'm sure they do everything they can to keep it going on race day but one never knows.

I did stay at AKL for marathon weekend a couple of years ago, and it was wonderful. Smooth, easy bus service (I did not procrastinate, though... got on the bus fairly early). We got randomly upgraded to concierge for that 5-day trip... and now I'm permanently spoiled!

I think I'm going to be at Pop Century this year. I don't know why, but I just love it there! Planning to stroll around Art of Animation and check it out. I need to call and book my trip!

 

[liznboys]

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'm hoping to do this next year, too! I've looked at the satellite image of that area so much that I know it like the back of my hand now. Lol. We're going to be down there this summer so I'm also going to check it out in person. I think I'll be just fine walking to the corrals. I can't believe how close it is! I have a room booked near the Hospitality House for the race mornings (I'm going Goofy) so that will be perfect.

 

[DrMomof3]

I think I've found a roommate for Marathon Weekend and we're strongly considering Poly.
I stayed at Poly in 2011 for the Half Marathon and it was super nice to walk to/from the TTC. In 2012 we stayed at GF for the Full Marathon. I took the monorail in the morning and switched at the TTC. For the trip back I hopped on a bus because I was feeling really crappy at the end of the marathon (a very unique combination of overheating and overhydrating) and couldn't function well enough to walk over to the monorail. It worked really well and I avoided those monorail ramps post-race.

Amanda

 

[jfinke]

Hmm.. I might just have to try and get a room at OKW now that I know I can walk over there. Right now, we have a room at SSR. But, at 7 months out, I was going to try for BWV or OKW.

 

[jmasgat]

Just rented DVC points to get a 1BR at OKW. Looks like there may be a group walking over to the start!

Maura

 

[liznboys]

Hmm.. I might just have to try and get a room at OKW now that I know I can walk over there. Right now, we have a room at SSR. But, at 7 months out, I was going to try for BWV or OKW.

Go for it (OKW)!

Just rented DVC points to get a 1BR at OKW. Looks like there may be a group walking over to the start!

Maura

Yay! If you or anyone wants to meet up and walk together let me know! I'm meeting a friend near the bridge right before the corrals (she is walking from POFQ) but I'd like some company for the stretch coming from OKW to there. We could meet at the Hospitality House and go from there maybe.

 

[tedhowe]

I'm staying in the HH area at OKW.

I'll be looking for anyone who would like to meet up to walk over to the corrals for the Half Marathon on Saturday morning.

Ted

 

[MightyDuck001]

Learned something today about hotels. I originally called the regular reservation line for a standard Beach Club room for November but they said there weren't any. Called the runDisney number, got a standard room.

 

[liznboys]

I'm staying in the HH area at OKW.

I'll be looking for anyone who would like to meet up to walk over to the corrals for the Half Marathon on Saturday morning.

Ted

Count me in Ted!

 

[dragitoff]

I've never rented points for a DVC resort before, even though we've stayed on property so many times. Typically, are the rental points in high demand for marathon weekend or is it pretty easy to get what you need for a reasonable price?

 

[cloudnut220]

I've never rented points for a DVC resort before, even though we've stayed on property so many times. Typically, are the rental points in high demand for marathon weekend or is it pretty easy to get what you need for a reasonable price?

DVC points aren't for a certain week or weekend (unlike most timeshares) so the question is more whether whoever is booking for you can get the resort you want. If you want to stay at a certain place, you should be looking to rent from a DVC owner with points at that resort NOW as the 7mo window will be opening soon and then all DVC members will be able to book at all resorts. I know (from checking myself) that availability at Bay Lake Tower is extremely limited already, but I also know in previous years we were able to get DVC rooms fairly late at SSR (Sept booking) and AKL (October booking).

 

[jmasgat]

Going rate for points is $10-12 from owners, $12-13 from intermediaries. I just got mine for $10 (OKW) I decided to book now so I could get what I want, although admittedly OKW is usually less of a problem to get than BCV.

Maura

 

[jfinke]

Assuming we can get in at OKW, we would be interested in meeting up.

Right now, we are planning on doing Goofy, so we should be good to go both mornings.

 

[KrazyPete]

I'm taking a solo trip just to run the 2013 WDW Marathon in January. I was planning to stay off-site arriving Thursday and checking out Monday or Tuesday. I'd be open to trying to book a stay at OKW or somewhere else on-site if a similar solo traveler was looking for a weekend roomie to split the cost.

 

[Mickey'sfriend]

I've never rented points for a DVC resort before, even though we've stayed on property so many times. Typically, are the rental points in high demand for marathon weekend or is it pretty easy to get what you need for a reasonable price?

We had never tried it either, but I read so many good things about renting points here on the the Dis, I decided to take the plunge. We got a studio at BWV for $200 a night. It was a simple process to make the reservation. Hopeful the remainder of the details will be smooth, too.

 

[cewait]

Definitely no issues getting into OKW. The high demand DVC resorts are BLT, BWV and BCV

 

[mittmee mouse]

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!

 

[Bound and Rebound]

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.