Marathon weekend resort

[mcrabeck]

We are doing our first 1/2 marathon in Jan. Supposing you could get any of the DVC resorts at 7 month mark, which would you recommend?

 

[bobbiwoz]

Last year we had BLT (at 7 months) for Marathon weekend, and it was perfect for us. We had people doing the 5K on Friday and DDiL was supposed to do the 1/2 on Saturday, but she became injured. What we did enjoy was watching the runners in the marathon go past BLT on Sunday. It was a very very cold damp weekend, however, and we couldn't stay and watch for long. I don't know how the runners ever managed it...brrrrrr.

Bobbi

 

[KateB]

DH and I are doing our first 1/2 marathon next year too! We are staying at BLT. That is our home resort so we booked back in February. We were considering changing at the 7th month mark however, after talking to other DVCers who did the marathon last year we are sticking to BLT. Many people mentioned that having the monorail allowed them to sleep a little later (the last bus is at 4:30 I think) and were quickly back to their room while others had to wait for the buses. I guess last year this was a big issue. So the convenience of the monorail is keeping us at our home resort.

Hope that helps a little.

 

[Deb & Bill]

You can take the monorail from CR/BLT to Epcot for the start. Or you can walk from OKW to the start. You have to take the bus or drive from each of the other resorts.

 

[mrsR123]

If you can get BLT and have access to the monorail, that would be terrific. Many people stay at OKW and walk to the start. I figure if I'm walking 13 miles, I don't need any extra beyond touring!

I have had no problem with the buses they use for the marathon, though, and I've stayed at CSR, OKW and even the dreaded ASMo when it was just me, on race weekend over the years.

 

[Deb & Bill]

The only problem with the buses is that they are not Disney buses and the drivers have gotten lost going to Epcot. So if you see them going the wrong way, you need to speak up quickly.

 

[gatordoc]

The only problem with the buses is that they are not Disney buses and the drivers have gotten lost going to Epcot. So if you see them going the wrong way, you need to speak up quickly.

Yup, had that happen to me one year!

Stayed at BLT last year, and while it was definitely convenient before the race, after the race I really wished I was taking one of the buses because the walk to those from the finish line was a LOT shorter than the walk to the monorail. Plus then had to go up and down the ramp at the TTC. So keep that in mind - after 26.2 miles, even a little bit of extra walking can be a chore...

 

[mrsR123]

Yup, had that happen to me one year!

Stayed at BLT last year, and while it was definitely convenient before the race, after the race I really wished I was taking one of the buses because the walk to those from the finish line was a LOT shorter than the walk to the monorail. Plus then had to go up and down the ramp at the TTC. So keep that in mind - after 26.2 miles, even a little bit of extra walking can be a chore...

Was the walk worse than trying to get up those awful bus stairs? I was not a fan after the full!

 

[gatordoc]

Was the walk worse than trying to get up those awful bus stairs? I was not a fan after the full!

Yeah, you've got a point there. Guess I'd still go with the bus - managed to pull myself up using mostly my arms the year before.

 

[liznboys]

... Stayed at BLT last year, and while it was definitely convenient before the race, after the race I really wished I was taking one of the buses because the walk to those from the finish line was a LOT shorter than the walk to the monorail. Plus then had to go up and down the ramp at the TTC. So keep that in mind - after 26.2 miles, even a little bit of extra walking can be a chore...

I did the half this year and stayed at BLT with my friend. I agree with the above.

For getting to the start in the morning it was great. We boarded at 4:15am and that was just right for getting to the start area, standing in line at the porta potties and then going to the corrals.

That walk back to the Monorail after was long and awful though. Of course a lot of that had to do with how freezing cold I was... But the buses seemed so wonderfully close. We had to wait in a line to board the Monorail too. I'll never forget how miserable I was during that time!

I'm doing the half again next year and this time I'll be staying at POP with another friend. It'll be a lot different than BLT! Yin and yang! lol It'll be interesting to see how things go using the buses.