Official 2014 Dopey Challenge Thread!

[roomthreeseventeen]

I already booked my hotel. Some of the hotels fill up faster for the marathon weekend.
I remember my brother trying to book a hotel around November and ended up paying an arm and a leg for one in Disney Villiage.
I don't know what sort of deals they offer in the fall other than a package deal of hotel and parks combined.

They are more likely to have room only than a package deal, up to 30% off.

 

[RussTKD]

All the stuff that goes along with the race is stupid expensive. ChEAR squad, race retreat, breakfast, pasta dinner... Sheesh.

 

[FFigawi]

I also wait until the Fall when the discounts come out. No problems yet getting a room but the weekend is getting more and more crowded.

I always book early and then ask for the new rate when the discounts are announced.

 

[swimfly]

I always book early and then ask for the new rate when the discounts are announced.

Exactly. Book your room now and Disney will apply any discount codes, pins, or special rates offered as they come out. You can even transfer a rundisney ressie to classic

 

[roomthreeseventeen]

Exactly. Book your room now and Disney will apply any discount codes, pins, or special rates offered as they come out. You can even transfer a rundisney ressie to classic

This is not always true, FYI. If you book with rD, you need to cancel and rebook.

 

[WhereInFlorida]

Excellent point, will have to book soon just for peace of mind.

 

[swimfly]

This is not always true, FYI. If you book with rD, you need to cancel and rebook.

Nope. I usually book runDisney and then transfer to classic when the Florida Resident rate or AP rates come out for the marathon weekend. It's never been a problem and Disney CS is excellent! Booking now also allows me to plan my ADRs at 180 days out. The FLRR/AP rates usually don't come out until way after the dining window opens in July.

 

[roomthreeseventeen]

Nope. I usually book runDisney and then transfer to classic when the Florida Resident rate or AP rates come out for the marathon weekend. It's never been a problem and Disney CS is excellent! Booking now also allows me to plan my ADRs at 180 days out. The FLRR/AP rates usually don't come out until way after the dining window opens in July.

Like I said, this is not always the case.

 

[PaGaLaGirl]

Nope. I usually book runDisney and then transfer to classic when the Florida Resident rate or AP rates come out for the marathon weekend. It's never been a problem and Disney CS is excellent! Booking now also allows me to plan my ADRs at 180 days out. The FLRR/AP rates usually don't come out until way after the dining window opens in July.

I was under the impression that there were not usually Florida resident rates for marathon weekend, is that not the case? I thought they only had them during less busy times. I will be staying with my mom who is a FL resident, will those rates come out before I would have to cancel the runDisney room in late November? Thanks for all the tips.

 

[swimfly]

Like I said, this is not always the case.

I'm sorry you had a bad experience. Not sure why this didn't work out for you. Maybe b/c we're Florida residents/AP (not sure where you are from).

I was under the impression that there were not usually Florida resident rates for marathon weekend, is that not the case? I thought they only had them during less busy times. I will be staying with my mom who is a FL resident, will those rates come out before I would have to cancel the runDisney room in late November? Thanks for all the tips.

Even with the marathon, Disney isn't nearly as busy as during the holidays, school breaks, or summer. We're able to secure a FLRR anytime of year. The deal will vary depending on the season. We're using FLRR next month and in July. It's not as good as say the early December FLRR but still a deal. Last year the new FLRR and 3-day pass promotion began the weekend of the marathon. I'm sure we'll see a similar pattern this year. If you're staying in your mom's room, you can book a room only FLRR. However, if you book a package using FLRR all guests in the room have to be FLR. Generally, you're going to see a very similar FLRR/AP/Disney Visa rate released in the late fall. I think for our 4th of July trip there was a $7.50 difference. To be transparent, this is the first year we booked through a TA's group booking and it's the best deal we've secured yet. Not sure how this will pan out and it makes me very nervous. This is our 9th WDW marathon weekend.

 

[boxmaster]

I'm definitely the competitive type. I have to disagree with PRing at Disney but for completely different reasons. It's not a good course for it. If you're really trying to PR, you want something flat and fast. This isn't Disney. I'd also say the last few miles are the worst for attempting a PR with the extremely narrow walkway between HS and the boardwalk, the "bridges," wooden boardwalk, tight turns, and dodging guests jumping across the course at 9am in Epcot. I always consider my Disney runs events not races and try to soak up as much magic as possible.

I beg to differ. I did my first Goofy in 2012. I ignored the characters during the half marathon (save for one shot with Chip & Dale) and HANDILY got a PR at 1:49:29. (My best training runs were always only single-digit minutes under 2 hours.)

For the full marathon, I took almost ALL of the character pictures (I ignored Marie in France ) and *still* came in with a PR of 4:08:22, besting my previous PR by over 15 minutes.

That said, though, if you want to soak up all the Disney magic, especially taking pictures with the characters, don't kill yourself trying to get a PR. (And I have come to the conclusion that my quest for sub-4:00 is *not* something I should get worked up over at Disney. I enjoy the extra stopping too much for it to be realistic at my pace.)

 

[mickeysgal]

All the stuff that goes along with the race is stupid expensive. ChEAR squad, race retreat, breakfast, pasta dinner... Sheesh.

We never do these pricey add-ons. Race fees are bad enough.

 

[so_oregon]

PRing is not a goal at any Disney race for myself and I have no overwhelming feelings regarding medals, character stops or going through the Parks. DW and I enjoy WDW and including a race when we visit is simply a bonus.

My only required stop is McDonald's for my M&M McFlurry. This year's Marathon was my first opportunity for the stop and as long as Disney continues with this course I will continue to stop, even if a 2010 weather condition exists.

McFlurry John

okay, I haven't been to WDW since the year it opened...so tell me about this McD's stop!!

 

[so_oregon]

My wife and I are going to be running Dopey this year, and are trying to figure out what the best resorts to stay at will be. We are looking at the Deluxe level, and figure that being at the EPCOT area would be convenient to enable us to walk to and from the start areas.

Anybody have recommendations between Beach or Yacht Club Resort or Villas, and Boardwalk Inn or Villas?

Is staying in the EPCOT area actually beneficial on race days? Will we be able to walk to the start, or are we unable to get there due to the park being closed that early? Will buses run to the start if we can't walk?

Apologies if wrong thread...

Dan

My daughter and I are at Beach Club, so that will be the equivalent of the "cool kids table" from high school.

I chose based on the fitness center and pool (quiet), plus being able to walk anywhere. This is her birthday, Xmas gifts for about 10 years, so want it to be fairly quiet, easy to find, and still fun.

And Beaches/Cream after the race, it is!!

 

[John VN]

okay, I haven't been to WDW since the year it opened...so tell me about this McD's stop!!

We exit AK onto Osceola Pkwy and shortly before mile 15 is the exit for the AS Resorts. Down the ramp, across the street is McD's. Only a little extra distance and time added to the Marathon.

McFlurry John

BTW, the M&M McFlurry is my favorite.

 

[Sarah_Rose]

We exit AK onto Osceola Pkwy and shortly before mile 15 is the exit for the AS Resorts. Down the ramp, across the street is McD's. Only a little extra distance and time added to the Marathon.

McFlurry John

BTW, the M&M McFlurry is my favorite.

Pffft. Oreo. With caramel sauce added.

 

[swimfly]

I beg to differ. I did my first Goofy in 2012. I ignored the characters during the half marathon (save for one shot with Chip & Dale) and HANDILY got a PR at 1:49:29. (My best training runs were always only single-digit minutes under 2 hours.)

For the full marathon, I took almost ALL of the character pictures (I ignored Marie in France ) and *still* came in with a PR of 4:08:22, besting my previous PR by over 15 minutes.

That said, though, if you want to soak up all the Disney magic, especially taking pictures with the characters, don't kill yourself trying to get a PR. (And I have come to the conclusion that my quest for sub-4:00 is *not* something I should get worked up over at Disney. I enjoy the extra stopping too much for it to be realistic at my pace.)

Oh I certainly wasn't saying you couldn't PR. Only that the course isn't ideal. If I'm going to a PR or attempting to qualify for Boston (one day ::sigh:, I want something flat and likely an out and back. These are marvelous times and something I'm currently training for this year! Darn if I continue to miss the elusive 2 hour 1/2 PR.

My daughter and I are at Beach Club, so that will be the equivalent of the "cool kids table" from high school.

I chose based on the fitness center and pool (quiet), plus being able to walk anywhere. This is her birthday, Xmas gifts for about 10 years, so want it to be fairly quiet, easy to find, and still fun.

And Beaches/Cream after the race, it is!!

Sweet! We'll be at YC.

We exit AK onto Osceola Pkwy and shortly before mile 15 is the exit for the AS Resorts. Down the ramp, across the street is McD's. Only a little extra distance and time added to the Marathon.

McFlurry John

BTW, the M&M McFlurry is my favorite.

I do hope you take pics! I'd love to catch this. My FIL exited the course here one year too (2005) but headed back to his hotel ASM!!!

 

[goofeygirl]

We exit AK onto Osceola Pkwy and shortly before mile 15 is the exit for the AS Resorts. Down the ramp, across the street is McD's. Only a little extra distance and time added to the Marathon.

McFlurry John

BTW, the M&M McFlurry is my favorite.

This is a someday goal for me...to be fast enough to hop on down to McDonalds for a McFlurry. This year it was too hot and the pace was a like a snail I really didn't have the time nor the desire to add the time for that.

If I am fast enough someday, that will be my goal and I think I would have the MM one too.

 

[JoeKir]

That is amazing! I would love to see pics of that lol.


As for hotel reservations, does anyone have any recommendations? We've stayed at Coronado and ASM and leaning towards Value resorts if possible, just not sure which one is most convenient on race day.

Thanks!

 

[goofeygirl]

That is amazing! I would love to see pics of that lol.


As for hotel reservations, does anyone have any recommendations? We've stayed at Coronado and ASM and leaning towards Value resorts if possible, just not sure which one is most convenient on race day.

Thanks!

I don't think there is a hotel that is more convenient. They all offer bus service however I do believe, and I am not 100% sure on this one, that the Dolphin and Swan have more frequent services (they are hotels in Epcot that are run by Sheraton/Westin).

If you are considering Value than I would book them straight away if they still have availablility. I remember seeing that the end of the race that they had quite a few buses lined up to take runners back.