Official WDW Marathon Weekend 2013 Thread

[VernRDH]

Ok, the whole family is registered now. DD for 5k, DH for 5k and Half, me for Goofy and FIL for half. My Visa is a little melty from all that charging! But I am earning points for my cruise right after the marathon, so I guess its all good!

 

[J-2]

I'm in for my first full! I did my first half at the Princess this year so I'm excited to go back to experience the full at WDW too!

I'm curious to know what kind of training plans you like? I used Galloway's for the half, but I've heard a lot about Hal Higdon's too. My only concern about doing the Galloway for the full is that it might not be enough mileage during the week. However, I don't want to run consecutive days either like the HH plan has you do.

Would love to hear your thoughts!

 

[stitchfan18]

Called to get package pricing for 2 adults, 2 juniors, 3 day P/H 1/10-1/14, plus registration for 2 adults to the marathon

Value - ASSp - $1,511.86

Mod - POR - $1851.82

Deluxe - WL - $2,502.04

I personally didn't think these were bad considering they included p/h's and race registration but DH is saying no because we'd need to tack on airfare since it's a school week headacheand it's too much for just 4 days.

I'm still going to try and convince him.

There are cheaper ways to get there and enjoy the weekend. I would personally not worry about the park hoppers, that tacks on a couple hundred. Is touring multiple parks in one day worth $200 for your family during the trip? Also, there will most likely be discounted room only rates from Disney that will be much cheaper than the room price rundisney gives. You can also look into renting DVC points for the weekend. We stayed at OKW last year which was a great location! This year we're renting points from a friend and staying at BLT for the monorail convenience.

 

[doddles]

I'm in for Goofy--it will be my 4th half and 1st full. Nothing like going for it, right?

For now, it's back to preparing for the Expedition Everest Challenge with my wife.

 

[WDWFLgal]

Just registered for Goofy #5....so excited!!

 

[KSH]

Thanks Karen!
I see you are from Atlanta, DH was born and raised there and we used to live in Loganville! Small world!

It is a small world! We were neighbors for a while then since I've been here my whole life (except for college in Athens). I am looking forward to getting a break from the hills during the Goofy races! Does your DH still have family here? I've only been to CT once but have several friends from there.

OH GOSH. Trying to convince myself to sign up for the full....!!!

I've done the Disney half 3 times (4 if you count the one princess half I did in 2010). I enjoy the half because I don't have to put my life on hold to train for it. But... I REALLY want to earn the Mickey medal at least once!

I've done 3 full marathons (all Chicago) but it's been 10 years since my last full. I feel like I'm starting from scratch. But this might be the best year, on a personal level, for me to go for it. (Plus the 20th anniversary... aah!)

SO HARD to pull the trigger!!

Aaaargh!!

Do it! You know when the time is right, and it sounds like you've figured out that this is the year!

I'm in for my first full! I did my first half at the Princess this year so I'm excited to go back to experience the full at WDW too!

I'm curious to know what kind of training plans you like? I used Galloway's for the half, but I've heard a lot about Hal Higdon's too. My only concern about doing the Galloway for the full is that it might not be enough mileage during the week. However, I don't want to run consecutive days either like the HH plan has you do.

Would love to hear your thoughts!

I trained with a Galloway group for my first full last year and loved it. Signed up again this year. I appreciate the lower mileage, I think it really helped keep the aches and pains at bay. His advice is right on, including the magic mile calculations to predict race day pace. I was shocked, because our training pace seemed so slow.

There are cheaper ways to get there and enjoy the weekend. I would personally not worry about the park hoppers, that tacks on a couple hundred. Is touring multiple parks in one day worth $200 for your family during the trip? Also, there will most likely be discounted room only rates from Disney that will be much cheaper than the room price rundisney gives. You can also look into renting DVC points for the weekend. We stayed at OKW last year which was a great location! This year we're renting points from a friend and staying at BLT for the monorail convenience.

I am seriously considering renting points. I like the thought of having a kitchenette to prepare my own pre-race food. What is the best way to go about renting?

 

[jmasgat]

ksh You can rent points in a couple of ways. Either rent them directly from an owner or through a broker.

For owners, see the Disboard Rent thread under DVC (thread 29). There is also another site---which the disboard always blocks out when I type it--starts with "m" for that rodent and ends with "owner". Going rate is $10+ per point. You should always get a contract (usually 1/2 down when ressie is made and 1/2 about 30-60 days before arrival).
.
For brokers, there is dvcrequest.com and another one that dvc boards blocks out (a non-sponsoring competitor). Starts with dvc and ends with the word "rental" and is on facebook. They will charge a fee of either $12 or $13. The upside here is that they shoulder the risk of the transaction, and you don't have to hassle with finding an owner that has points to rent in them time frame you want for the location you want. Each has its own terms & conditions.

Maura

 

[Ariel484]

Just registered for my 4th Goofy! I can't wait!!

In for Goofy #4!

Just registered for Goofy #5....so excited!!

I have to say, it's reassuring to see that going Goofy is a good enough experience that people come back to do it multiple times! Can't wait!!

 

[PRmamiDEdos]

There are cheaper ways to get there and enjoy the weekend. I would personally not worry about the park hoppers, that tacks on a couple hundred. Is touring multiple parks in one day worth $200 for your family during the trip? Also, there will most likely be discounted room only rates from Disney that will be much cheaper than the room price rundisney gives. You can also look into renting DVC points for the weekend. We stayed at OKW last year which was a great location! This year we're renting points from a friend and staying at BLT for the monorail convenience.

We have DVC but were trying to keep our points for a trip during our 10th anniversary in 2013. I could borrow points from the next year for our anniversary trip so I think I might suck it up and try and get a Value Studio at AKL for the marathon which is 42 points. If they are offering the YES program, that would save us on tickets. I'm the type that could just hang out around the hotel and DTD, but DH and the kids like the parks so we'd need the tickets. Now if SW would give me a good Ding for airfare, I'd be set.

 

[sunshine269]

I'm considering signing up for the full, it will be my first and I'm a little slightly terrified I'm a slow runner and not sure that I can even do the full. I've done 3 half's at this point and I'm signed up for the Tower of Terror race in Sept. I still have a lot of thinking to do. You have 7 hours to finish, right?? Decisions, decisions

Jennifer

 

[KSH]

ksh You can rent points in a couple of ways. Either rent them directly from an owner or through a broker.

For owners, see the Disboard Rent thread under DVC (thread 29). There is also another site---which the disboard always blocks out when I type it--starts with "m" for that rodent and ends with "owner". Going rate is $10+ per point. You should always get a contract (usually 1/2 down when ressie is made and 1/2 about 30-60 days before arrival).
.
For brokers, there is dvcrequest.com and another one that dvc boards blocks out (a non-sponsoring competitor). Starts with dvc and ends with the word "rental" and is on facebook. They will charge a fee of either $12 or $13. The upside here is that they shoulder the risk of the transaction, and you don't have to hassle with finding an owner that has points to rent in them time frame you want for the location you want. Each has its own terms & conditions.

Maura

Thank you Maura! This is very helpful!

I have to say, it's reassuring to see that going Goofy is a good enough experience that people come back to do it multiple times! Can't wait!!

I thought the same thing when I read those posts! Reassuring indeed. What advice do you repeat customers have for us newbies?

Karen

 

[slp1650]

So I signed up for my first marathon this morning. Guess this means I HAVE to do it now... no more excuses or backing out... I'm excited though considering this is something I never thought I would be able to accomplish nor did most other people I grew up around...

 

[Mickey'sfriend]

I'm considering signing up for the full, it will be my first and I'm a little slightly terrified I'm a slow runner and not sure that I can even do the full. I've done 3 half's at this point and I'm signed up for the Tower of Terror race in Sept. I still have a lot of thinking to do. You have 7 hours to finish, right?? Decisions, decisions

Jennifer

Go for it! The great thing about this board (and Disney runs) is you will find lots of support from repeat marathoners and newbies (like myself). I have only been running for less than a year and after completing the Princess this past February I was counting the days until I could register for the full. Don't get me wrong, I've had my doubts about being able to finish 26.2 miles and I'm sure those doubts will be creeping back in my head (and legs) the closer we get to race day, but stay around here and reap the benefits of those more experienced and the excitement of those completing their first marathon. Disney races are the absolute best!!

 

[stitchfan18]

ksh You can rent points in a couple of ways. Either rent them directly from an owner or through a broker.

For owners, see the Disboard Rent thread under DVC (thread 29). There is also another site---which the disboard always blocks out when I type it--starts with "m" for that rodent and ends with "owner". Going rate is $10+ per point. You should always get a contract (usually 1/2 down when ressie is made and 1/2 about 30-60 days before arrival).
.
For brokers, there is dvcrequest.com and another one that dvc boards blocks out (a non-sponsoring competitor). Starts with dvc and ends with the word "rental" and is on facebook. They will charge a fee of either $12 or $13. The upside here is that they shoulder the risk of the transaction, and you don't have to hassle with finding an owner that has points to rent in them time frame you want for the location you want. Each has its own terms & conditions.

Maura

I've only rented from the 2nd broker you mentioned, dvc rental . c o m, so I'm not sure about others, but they offer a referral bonus if friends or family book their trip through them as well. If you are traveling with a group make sure others mention that you told them about their services. I think you get a $25 disney GC or more depending on the number of points the reservation is. Just a heads up!

We have DVC but were trying to keep our points for a trip during our 10th anniversary in 2013. I could borrow points from the next year for our anniversary trip so I think I might suck it up and try and get a Value Studio at AKL for the marathon which is 42 points. If they are offering the YES program, that would save us on tickets. I'm the type that could just hang out around the hotel and DTD, but DH and the kids like the parks so we'd need the tickets. Now if SW would give me a good Ding for airfare, I'd be set.

I agree the parks are a must for us during our trips. I was just annoyed on our last trip that we paid for park hoppers and hardly used them. We could have saved money just doing one park each day. I was too tired after the races to go to multiple parks, so we really only park hopped a few days.

You could always book DVC then wait to see if a room only deal comes out later in the year. I don't know all the rules around cancelling a DVC reservation and keeping your points, but I'm sure the room only rates will be out with plenty of time to cancel before the penalty period.

 

[BernardandMissBianca]

It is a small world! We were neighbors for a while then since I've been here my whole life (except for college in Athens). I am looking forward to getting a break from the hills during the Goofy races! Does your DH still have family here? I've only been to CT once but have several friends from there.

Sadly we have no one left in Atlanta except for a few friends. But DS15 was born there so he likes to go back to visit. The kids love Helen so we try to go there every few years.
I hear you about the hills, it's hilly here too but that does make for a nice transition to flat runs, they seem so much easier.

I'm considering signing up for the full, it will be my first and I'm a little slightly terrified I'm a slow runner and not sure that I can even do the full. I've done 3 half's at this point and I'm signed up for the Tower of Terror race in Sept. I still have a lot of thinking to do. You have 7 hours to finish, right?? Decisions, decisions

Jennifer

I was thinking the same thing Jennifer, 7 hours seems like for forever to run but I wonder how many people take the whole 7 hours, I know I probably would. I know parks have to be opening by that time so do they start sweeping people faster at that point.

 

[bosuch]

Is it possible to upgrade to the Goofy Challenge once you're already registered for the full? We signed up for the full and are still torn on doing the half as well... Cost is the only factor in the decision, 2 more races, fees, an extra night of lodging etc. will easily add on $600+ ...

Bill

 

[StarGirl11]

Is it possible to upgrade to the Goofy Challenge once you're already registered for the full? We signed up for the full and are still torn on doing the half as well... Cost is the only factor in the decision, 2 more races, fees, an extra night of lodging etc. will easily add on $600+ ...

Bill

You probably can, just need to probably call Run Disney and ask to switch. I've switched races before both Run Disney (went from Goofy to full when training wasn't going as great as planned) and not (San Francisco full to half when my trainer insisted on it) so you should be able to move up to Goofy as long as its not full.

 

[PrincessRhi]

I've only rented from the 2nd broker you mentioned, dvc rental . c o m, so I'm not sure about others, but they offer a referral bonus if friends or family book their trip through them as well. If you are traveling with a group make sure others mention that you told them about their services. I think you get a $25 disney GC or more depending on the number of points the reservation is. Just a heads up!

I agree the parks are a must for us during our trips. I was just annoyed on our last trip that we paid for park hoppers and hardly used them. We could have saved money just doing one park each day. I was too tired after the races to go to multiple parks, so we really only park hopped a few days.

You could always book DVC then wait to see if a room only deal comes out later in the year. I don't know all the rules around cancelling a DVC reservation and keeping your points, but I'm sure the room only rates will be out with plenty of time to cancel before the penalty period.

Thanks for passing that along-- I think we will be renting DVC points instead of asking to use some of DF's family's points, especially where I've talked both of my brothers into sharing a leg of the Goofy with me, and then about a half dozen friends who are running or cheering us on are all trying to stay in the same place so it's one big party. I should get some kickback from all my hard work of organizing people's run-cations

 

[escape]

...I was thinking the same thing Jennifer, 7 hours seems like for forever to run but I wonder how many people take the whole 7 hours, I know I probably would. I know parks have to be opening by that time so do they start sweeping people faster at that point.

There are quite a few people that finish around the 7-hour mark....including me. For the first full, I finished around 6:37. It was hot that year; I had blood blisters on the bottom of my foot. I was miserable at the end. I was glad to have finished that race.

When I did Goofy a couple of years ago, I finished around 6:50. It was cold that year. I could have gone faster the 2nd time but the friend I was walking with had foot issues and couldn't go as fast. Really, I enjoyed going slower and finishing feeling great. If I do the Goofy again, I'd like to do the same speed and hope I feel as great afterwards as I did the first time.

The point is...if you are a back of the packer, you won't be alone. We call it the party zone.

 

[scion5220]

There are quite a few people that finish around the 7-hour mark....including me. For the first full, I finished around 6:37. It was hot that year; I had blood blisters on the bottom of my foot. I was miserable at the end. I was glad to have finished that race.

When I did Goofy a couple of years ago, I finished around 6:50. It was cold that year. I could have gone faster the 2nd time but the friend I was walking with had foot issues and couldn't go as fast. Really, I enjoyed going slower and finishing feeling great. If I do the Goofy again, I'd like to do the same speed and hope I feel as great afterwards as I did the first time.

The point is...if you are a back of the packer, you won't be alone. We call it the party zone.

This is soooo true! I did the relay and Tink this past January and I mostly just walked. I was worried about two races that close together (can't imagine doing it THIS January) so I just planned to walk and take photos and have fun during Tink. It was the BEST! We even joked with the CMs and entertainers that were out there about how those of us at the back of the race were so much more fun than the frontrunners.