OFFICIAL 2014 WDW Marathon Countdown: WE DID IT! Congrats everyone!

[Nole95]

I know there is a thread for this for the Princess Half but don't see one for Marathon weekend.

I'm curious to know where everyone is staying for the weekend and why?



I'm having such a hard time deciding. Value/Mod to save money? Monorail resort for easy access for me and DH to see me run? Other deluxe to celebrate doing my first marathon?

Staying at Port Orleans Riverside. We will not have a car, so being able to take the boat to Downtown Disney opens up a lot of options for dining.

 

[minniebeth]

I'm not sure if this was mentioned or not yet, but people were mentioning dining for pre and post races. Dining reservations for California Grill just opened back up today if anyone is interested. They seem to still have some decent openings Marathon week/weekend.

 

[cewait]

I know there is a thread for this for the Princess Half but don't see one for Marathon weekend.

I'm curious to know where everyone is staying for the weekend and why?



I'm having such a hard time deciding. Value/Mod to save money? Monorail resort for easy access for me and DH to see me run? Other deluxe to celebrate doing my first marathon?

For me&NOT OKW!

For those who have been around for a while, a nice thank you is in order (just kidding ). I am not a big 'bad mojo' believer, but the three times I have stayed at OKW for marathon weekend coincided with the three hottest Disney marathons; 2005, 2007 and 2013.

We moved to Boardwalk when the 7 month window opened and then moved again when the GF Villas opened for reservations. Looking forward to monorail service to the half and full. Not sure about the 10k morning, I assume it will not be running that early since the 10k is relatively small. If not, then bus service for me.

For those who hate cold mornings, be forewarned.... The only time I have stayed for marathon weekend in a monorail resort, we celebrated Disney on Ice in 2010. Sorry if a pattern starts in 2014.

 

[Nole95]

I would much rather run in cold weather than warm. Earlier this year, I trained a few days when temps were below freezing, so I can handle that. What I would not be able to handle is ice on the running service. That would make things interesting real quick.

 

[zeltoo]

I'm not sure if this was mentioned or not yet, but people were mentioning dining for pre and post races. Dining reservations for California Grill just opened back up today if anyone is interested. They seem to still have some decent openings Marathon week/weekend.

TY TY TY TY!!!! I had totally forgotten! It was a wonderful reward for our group of runners last year.

 

[cewait]

I would much rather run in cold weather than warm. Earlier this year, I trained a few days when temps were below freezing, so I can handle that. What I would not be able to handle is ice on the running service. That would make things interesting real quick.

Not to start the warm v hot debate in August (normally reserved for debating in late-December), I agree that I would much rather run in cool to cold.

Though I did learn a few things that year.

I figured Orlando was not very well equipped for the cold; but MCO went on a general delay and cancelled/delayed flights in because wings would ice post fueling. Disney was nice enough to allow those with delayed flights the ability to do packet pick up on race morning.

Sleet hurts the cheeks – nothing more here than to say, “it hurts”

PowerAde makes a lousy de-icer, but may be better than nothing. The aid stations froze over on marathon morning. The cups of water had a really nice layer of ice on the top as the water was beginning to freeze. The wet spots from the early runners froze over and voluntweers did what they could to help.

Mile 22-23 heads north again, keep my gloves until I really know that I am no longer facing a wind. I tossed my Tyvek pre-start, my flannel bottoms at the gun, the sweatshirt at the 4 mile point (then the loop back to the start), the long sleeved throw down shirt at mile 10 (then the entrance to MK) and my gloves at mile 17, then exit from AK. Should have kept them through the entire race.

I would love to have starts during the weekend near the 40-50F range. It will be unlikely that all four will be in this range; but here is to hoping.

 

[stephielela]

I would LOVE a cooler race temp! The heat has never been my friend and I am having a hard time with it now. I can't wait till it cools off a bit so I can see if there is the improvement in my training time (and eagerness to train lol)!

 

[mousekeKATE]

I know there is a thread for this for the Princess Half but don't see one for Marathon weekend.

I'm curious to know where everyone is staying for the weekend and why?


I'm having such a hard time deciding. Value/Mod to save money? Monorail resort for easy access for me and DH to see me run? Other deluxe to celebrate doing my first marathon?

Beach Club. Our family and friends will be able to sleep in then walk out front to cheer us on for the end of the marathon. Plus we just love staying at the EPCOT resorts!

 

[MightyDuck001]

I know there is a thread for this for the Princess Half but don't see one for Marathon weekend.

I'm curious to know where everyone is staying for the weekend and why?

I'm having such a hard time deciding. Value/Mod to save money? Monorail resort for easy access for me and DH to see me run? Other deluxe to celebrate doing my first marathon?

Last year, to save money I stayed at Port Orleans Riverside. It worked out really well, we were in the Tiana rooms so just a short walk across the river to the food court/lobby/bus and there was a quiet, empty pool right around the corner from our building. If we'd been further out in the hinterland... eh I probably wouldn't have been so happy Sunday afternoon.

This year we're doing the Polynesian. I'm doing dopey so I can get good use out of the monorail (does anyone know if it'll be open for the 10k? I remember it was closed for the 5k last year...) and we haven't stayed there is so long, plus my sister doesn't have to take the bus around WDW--she can sleep in, just come out when we pass the Polynesian then do her own thing.

I realized on my run today I was doing a Dumbo/kinda Dopey (13.1 on Saturday, 5k Sunday and 8 miles today). I really have no idea how I'm getting my butt through a marathon.

 

[roomthreeseventeen]

I'm staying at AKL. I got a very good deal with my annual pass (basically half off, or the same as a value resort). I'm doing Dopey, and I didn't want to bother with the monorail or walking back and forth to an EPCOT resort, and the AKL buses are very fast and direct. Also, free breakfast.

 

[swimfly]

Beach Club. Our family and friends will be able to sleep in then walk out front to cheer us on for the end of the marathon. Plus we just love staying at the EPCOT resorts!

Our exact reasoning as well. Want my hubs to be able to sleep in with our daughter and just walk out to cheer on mommy.

 

[swimfly]

I'm staying at AKL. I got a very good deal with my annual pass (basically half off, or the same as a value resort). I'm doing Dopey, and I didn't want to bother with the monorail or walking back and forth to an EPCOT resort, and the AKL buses are very fast and direct. Also, free breakfast.

How were you able to already get a quote for an annual passholder rate? I can't find anything listed past 12/22?

 

[roomthreeseventeen]

How were you able to already get a quote for an annual passholder rate? I can't find anything listed past 12/22?

I used a travel agent.

 

[limabeanmom2003]

W are staying at Beach Club. Last time we ran, my in laws got stuck in the terrible traffic and didn't get our kids to the finish line in time to see us finish. It was very disappointed for the kids and us. So this year they can just come outside the hotel and walk a short distance to be able to see us on the course. Hoping for cool weather for the race and warm weather for after the race so we can spend time at Stormalong Bay

 

[PlutoBaby]

I know there is a thread for this for the Princess Half but don't see one for Marathon weekend.

I'm curious to know where everyone is staying for the weekend and why?



I'm having such a hard time deciding. Value/Mod to save money? Monorail resort for easy access for me and DH to see me run? Other deluxe to celebrate doing my first marathon?

Thanks to a hookup at the hotel, we're staying at the Royal Plaza at Downtown. They have a private taxi service that will take us to the start and since we're saving so much on the room, the fare is well worth it!

 

[stephielela]

We are staying at Port Orleans French Quarter. We decided we wanted to try someplace new and then after we booked I read about how we can walk to the start from PO so we are even happier with our choice!

 

[ZellyB]

For me&NOT OKW!

For those who have been around for a while, a nice thank you is in order (just kidding ). I am not a big 'bad mojo' believer, but the three times I have stayed at OKW for marathon weekend coincided with the three hottest Disney marathons; 2005, 2007 and 2013.

We moved to Boardwalk when the 7 month window opened and then moved again when the GF Villas opened for reservations. Looking forward to monorail service to the half and full. Not sure about the 10k morning, I assume it will not be running that early since the 10k is relatively small. If not, then bus service for me.

For those who hate cold mornings, be forewarned.... The only time I have stayed for marathon weekend in a monorail resort, we celebrated Disney on Ice in 2010. Sorry if a pattern starts in 2014.

Thank you for not staying at OKW! While I don't want a Disney on Ice repeat, I surely don't want another hot one either. Here's hoping for some perfect running weather.

 

[roomthreeseventeen]

Goofy registration is at 99%.

 

[kmchisholm]

I'm staying at AKL. I got a very good deal with my annual pass (basically half off, or the same as a value resort). I'm doing Dopey, and I didn't want to bother with the monorail or walking back and forth to an EPCOT resort, and the AKL buses are very fast and direct. Also, free breakfast.

Us too - "rented points" AKA paid my parents to use DVC points to get a great price on a room for 3 nights.

 

[stephielela]

We are staying at Port Orleans French Quarter. We decided we wanted to try someplace new and then after we booked I read about how we can walk to the start from PO so we are even happier with our choice!

Just kidding, we are staying at Port Orleans Riverside! I forgot we made that change when the military rates came out! Close enough though I suppose!