Official 2015 Disney Marathon Thread

[Ariel484]

Awesome! Another question...I've seen some posts referring to a discount for Disney Visa card members...do you get that automatically, or do you need to call someone? I'm also hoping to cover some portion of my hotel with the rewards points, so anyone know how to do that?

In the past, I think the Disney Visa discount code has been the first 4 digits of your card number. I tried this yesterday and it didn't work...I'm not sure if my event was shut out, if they aren't doing the discount at all anymore, or if the discount isn't in effect until general registration opens on 4/22. Or maybe they changed the code? So you don't get it automatically, you need to put the code in.

As for covering your hotel, when you redeem your rewards points you get something a lot like a giftcard. I would think you could take that with you to WDW and then use it at check-in? Normally we use our rewards to cover our food but I think this time we'll use them toward my husband's park ticket, so I'm planning on just buying that using the rewards card at the ticket window.

 

[CaptHomer]

I drove from the Boardwalk last year and it was faster than taking the bus. I hit the lottery on Saturday and parked about 10 spots from the entrance. Thursday and Friday I had to park about as far as you could get away from the front gate.

John, are you registered yet? Time to start planning for DATW.

 

[PrincessV]

In for another WDW Half! I ran it and PHM this year and MUCH preferred the WDW Half, so I'm excited to give it another run. And because I'm a glutton for punishment, I added the 10K, too. But... NO 5K! You are all my witnesses. 3 days of racing over PHM weekend was entirely too many early mornings for me - never again!

It would be nice if the discount was proportional to the entry fee or counted per event in the multi-day challenges.

ITA - $10 off Dopey is almost cruel.

How bad is it to drive to Epcot?

I drove from CBR to EP for the 5K and 10K this Princess weekend... it took exactly 10 minutes from my resort room door to my parking spot at EP. WAY faster and more efficient than the buses! The only downside to driving was the long walk back to my car after the races; the buses were right there at the finish, but my car was a couple large lots away. Which is why I bused to the half - I knew I didn't have that walk in me after 3 days of racing. But I'll likely drive for the 2015 WDW Half.

I left CBR at 4:15am for the 5K, and 3:45am for the 10K. I'd have left at 3am had I driven to the half.

 

[FFigawi]

John, are you registered yet? Time to start planning for DATW.

All signed up for four days of insanity. We've got some fun planned for each race in addition to DATW on Monday.

 

[pixarmom]

In for another WDW Half! I ran it and PHM this year and MUCH preferred the WDW Half, so I'm excited to give it another run. And because I'm a glutton for punishment, I added the 10K, too. But... NO 5K! You are all my witnesses. 3 days of racing over PHM weekend was entirely too many early mornings for me - never again!

Hi V! I so loved the PHM and would love to hear more about why you prefer the WDW half. I'm doing the full marathon, but am interested in comparisons between the weekends generally. We've been at WDW for the marathon weekend in the past, but not to run, so this will be new to me! I think you may have discussed this on another thread in the past - so sorry if this is a repeat.

I considered the Goofy and thought about GSC in the future. It's not the running I fear - I think that would be OK - it's the early mornings!

 

[PrincessV]

Hi V! I so loved the PHM and would love to hear more about why you prefer the WDW half. I'm doing the full marathon, but am interested in comparisons between the weekends generally. We've been at WDW for the marathon weekend in the past, but not to run, so this will be new to me! I think you may have discussed this on another thread in the past - so sorry if this is a repeat.

I find it really hard to explain the why, TBH - there isn't any specific thing or things I can readily identify. It's more the feel of the whole event... I don't love the princess theme, so that colors things quite a bit to start. And I've never much enjoyed female-centric activities, so that's another notch against PHM. It's a very me-specific reaction, which is why I still think it's a great race weekend for others!

I prefer the overall vibe of Marathon weekend - it feels a lot more about the running and athleticism in general than about being princessy, if that makes any sense. I had a really great time at PHM/GSC this year, and I'm very glad I did it, but I'm happy to let that one go in the future.

I considered the Goofy and thought about GSC in the future. It's not the running I fear - I think that would be OK - it's the early mornings!

Two early mornings was okay; 3 pushed me right over the edge, lol!

 

[annmarieda]

I find it really hard to explain the why, TBH - there isn't any specific thing or things I can readily identify. It's more the feel of the whole event... I don't love the princess theme, so that colors things quite a bit to start. And I've never much enjoyed female-centric activities, so that's another notch against PHM. It's a very me-specific reaction, which is why I still think it's a great race weekend for others!

I prefer the overall vibe of Marathon weekend - it feels a lot more about the running and athleticism in general than about being princessy, if that makes any sense. I had a really great time at PHM/GSC this year, and I'm very glad I did it, but I'm happy to let that one go in the future.

I think understand what you are saying. For me... I do like the phm. It is fun to be girly and I do look forward to that aspect. Yet... it really is about being a princess... and with so many princesses I just didn't find it to have as much camaraderie as the marathon weekend. It was like "yay we are all princesses... but don't step on my toes" While the marathon weekend had everyone all weekend congratulating and encouraging. I didn't once feel like I should be ashamed of how I ran the half. (or that I "just" ran the half) With the phm, I did feel like I didn't have the right to want the things for myself that I did. The marathon weekend did feel much more to me about the running and the athleticism in general too.

They both are great races though... and course for course aren't the donald and phm the same? I can see reasons for doing each of them... and for 2015 I might just do that...

 

[roomthreeseventeen]

PHM is one and done for a lot of people. It tends to attract newer runners who don't really know race etiquette, and the whole thing is a bit of a cluster every year.

 

[bumbershoot]

Well, like I said... I am glad you are getting the do over!!!

So no dvc stay in January? Have you ever booked the campsite? I really have always always ALWAYS wanted to stay in one of the cabins.

Right?!!! OMG, we live all of like 40 minutes from each other! We really should start a WWA run disney group!!! I know there are several of us here on this tread!!!

I'm using a bunch of 2015 DVC points for wine and dine. Leaving us almost nothing for jan. Since there was no interest in wdw on the parts of DS and DH until 2016 (wdw has seriously been overshadowed by cruising, especially for DH), this wasn't a problem. But I think staying at universal for this jan weekend would be a bit silly lol.

Honestly we will probably stay at pop because through my haze-of-plague I liked the place (didn't I say no more winter trips? Ugh) but the campsites are even cheaper.

 

[PrincessV]

... I just didn't find it to have as much camaraderie as the marathon weekend. It was like "yay we are all princesses... but don't step on my toes" While the marathon weekend had everyone all weekend congratulating and encouraging. I didn't once feel like I should be ashamed of how I ran the half. (or that I "just" ran the half) With the phm, I did feel like I didn't have the right to want the things for myself that I did.

YES! You said that so well - that's exactly how it felt to me, but I really figured it was mostly me. It's rather reassuring to hear someone else describe it exactly as I felt it, lol!

They both are great races though... and course for course aren't the donald and phm the same? I can see reasons for doing each of them... and for 2015 I might just do that...

Yep, same course... and doing both in the same year was pretty neat - I recommend it!

 

[Ariel484]

I find it really hard to explain the why, TBH - there isn't any specific thing or things I can readily identify. It's more the feel of the whole event... I don't love the princess theme, so that colors things quite a bit to start. And I've never much enjoyed female-centric activities, so that's another notch against PHM. It's a very me-specific reaction, which is why I still think it's a great race weekend for others!

I prefer the overall vibe of Marathon weekend - it feels a lot more about the running and athleticism in general than about being princessy, if that makes any sense. I had a really great time at PHM/GSC this year, and I'm very glad I did it, but I'm happy to let that one go in the future.

I so agree with this - I almost could have written this word for word when it comes to my feelings on PHM vs. WDW weekend. I did the Princess Half in 2011, so it was still very new and a lot smaller (and I think different than it is now)...but I haven't really felt a strong pull to do it again.

I think understand what you are saying. For me... I do like the phm. It is fun to be girly and I do look forward to that aspect. Yet... it really is about being a princess... and with so many princesses I just didn't find it to have as much camaraderie as the marathon weekend. It was like "yay we are all princesses... but don't step on my toes" While the marathon weekend had everyone all weekend congratulating and encouraging. I didn't once feel like I should be ashamed of how I ran the half. (or that I "just" ran the half) With the phm, I did feel like I didn't have the right to want the things for myself that I did. The marathon weekend did feel much more to me about the running and the athleticism in general too.

They both are great races though... and course for course aren't the donald and phm the same? I can see reasons for doing each of them... and for 2015 I might just do that...

Yep, agree with this too. I really wish the courses were different. Even the 5K courses for both weekends are the same.

YES! You said that so well - that's exactly how it felt to me, but I really figured it was mostly me. It's rather reassuring to hear someone else describe it exactly as I felt it, lol!

It's not just you!

 

[annmarieda]

PHM is one and done for a lot of people. It tends to attract newer runners who don't really know race etiquette, and the whole thing is a bit of a cluster every year.

I think you are right... it does attract newer runners. It was my first half I did. But even it being my first I knew etiquette... and more than anything I know that what I do can affect others and so am mindful of that. I know I felt like a lot of princesses don't see it the same way as me... it is more of a "how can I affect you" mentality.

I'm using a bunch of 2015 DVC points for wine and dine. Leaving us almost nothing for jan. Since there was no interest in wdw on the parts of DS and DH until 2016 (wdw has seriously been overshadowed by cruising, especially for DH), this wasn't a problem. But I think staying at universal for this jan weekend would be a bit silly lol.

Honestly we will probably stay at pop because through my haze-of-plague I liked the place (didn't I say no more winter trips? Ugh) but the campsites are even cheaper.

I think pop is a great alternative! I love Pop. I also love POFQ! I so want to stay there again... I even considered it if I were going to go just by myself for the phm. Then I looked at ratees

YES! You said that so well - that's exactly how it felt to me, but I really figured it was mostly me. It's rather reassuring to hear someone else describe it exactly as I felt it, lol!

It is reassuring to know I am not alone! That is why when you posted what you did I jumped on it. Don't get me wrong... I love the aspect of the princess theme. I just wish that women could play a little nicer with one another.

Yep, same course... and doing both in the same year was pretty neat - I recommend it!

I very well may do that this year. Got registered for the donald.. I now have a few months (well, maybe a tad less) to decide.

It's not just you!

See so we are not alone! Good to know this!

 

[ZellyB]

This may have already been answered, but the thread is just getting too long to search properly.

How bad is it to drive to Epcot?

I live locally, and I really don't want to spend the extra $$ on a hotel stay. Is it completely intolerable to drive yourself?

We stayed offsite this year as opposed to staying at Shades of Green the year before. I didn't feel like the drive was a problem at all, but we got there very early. We left our condo around 2:45 (we were staying at Windsor Hills) and were pulling into the Epcot parking lot shortly after 3. Traffic was nearly non-existent. If you wait later though, I can't attest to traffic. The nice thing about driving is that we just sat in the car for awhile and relaxed and stayed warm before heading in and then straight to the corrals. I prefered it to the bus ride from SoG, honestly.

 

[Ariel484]

PHM is one and done for a lot of people. It tends to attract newer runners who don't really know race etiquette, and the whole thing is a bit of a cluster every year.

I think you are right... it does attract newer runners. It was my first half I did. But even it being my first I knew etiquette... and more than anything I know that what I do can affect others and so am mindful of that. I know I felt like a lot of princesses don't see it the same way as me... it is more of a "how can I affect you" mentality.

This is definitely true. I saw it at the WDW Half in 2013 too, unfortunately. I'm not sure what can be done about it though, I mean, Disney publishes guidelines right in the program. Unfortunately a good chunk of people either don't read them or don't care. Booooooo

 

[sumlee]

Congrats to everyone who registered today! I can't wait to join you next week!!!

 

[steves1019]

Best guess is that everything will sell out before the first price increase in late June. Thoughts, anyone else?

With how popular Disney races are getting my guess is less than 24 hours. I'm already in for Dopey and DW is in for Donald, I still need to get DW and DD11 and DS8 in for 5k. I'll be on at noon Tuesday to do that.

 

[belle2211]

Even EARLIER? I live 8 miles from Epcot. I was hoping I could sleep until 3.
Maybe I'll just take this opportunity to stay at the Beach Club or something.

I live 4 miles from Epcot and usually leave around 3:30

 

[mkpat]

I went to early register this morning for the half marathon and it says that it is full. How can that be when the "official" registration day is on the 22nd??

 

[faneuil]

I went to early register this morning for the half marathon and it says that it is full. How can that be when the "official" registration day is on the 22nd??

If I understand early registration correctly, they only open so many slots for each race.

So all the early registration slots may be gone.


You can't walk through Epcot to get to the corrals in the morning, right? I mean, if you stay at Boardwalk, you can't walk to the International Gateway, walk through Epcot, and get to the start line, correct?

 

[FFigawi]

I went to early register this morning for the half marathon and it says that it is full. How can that be when the "official" registration day is on the 22nd??

There are only a limited number of early registration slots available. Once that limit is hit, everyone, including AP holders and DVC members, has to sign up once regular registration opens.