Official WDW Marathon Weekend 2013 Thread

[PrincessRhi]

Good grief! Last night I had a pre marathon weekend anxiety dream.

I dreamt I was staying at the Contemporary Resort...only it was much larger and confusing, and there was a busy monorail (but didn't look like the real Monorail) going through it. There were people everywhere, most going to their work. I was going all over the place but never found a way out. And I woke up on the morning of the half at 9am and realized I missed the race and now I wouldn't be going Goofy. I was so stressed!!! I kept telling myself it was ok, I was going to do the full and get the anniversary medal still. But I was so disappointed!

Crazy! I had no idea I was subconsciously feeling stress about it, let alone this far out.

I'm so glad I'm not the only one!

The other night's dream was that because I stopped to have my picture taken with characters during the half marathon, I ended up getting swept right at the finish line so they wouldn't give me the medal. I argued that there were still people finishing behind me, but there were apparently different standards for the Goofy runners. The next day I ran the full and finished with blazing speed, but they wouldn't give me the Mickey medal because I didn't get the Donald medal the day before. I did however, get the Goofy medal, but since I only had that one, people were laughing at me for being a 'fake' finisher.

I woke up from that dream wanting to go for a run right away. So hey, maybe it's a good thing?

 

[DrMomof3]

If you were traveling solo for Marathon Weekend, running the Goofy, and money wasn't the biggest factor (I'm not staying CL at GF while traveling solo, for example, but convenience is definitely a bigger factor), where would you stay???



Amanda

 

[MightyDuck001]

Did my last long run before my first 1/2 marathon. The last one went terribly and left me worried about registering for the marathon but these 12.5 miles went great. I added Blue Oyster Cult to my playlist, turns out I was freaking out over nothing. Just needed more cowbell.

 

[FFigawi]

If you were traveling solo for Marathon Weekend, running the Goofy, and money wasn't the biggest factor (I'm not staying CL at GF while traveling solo, for example, but convenience is definitely a bigger factor), where would you stay???

I'd stay at one of the Epcot resorts. They're definitely the most convenient because you don't have to get up as early as you would if you're taking a bus from Animal Kingdom, for example.

 

[DrMomof3]

I'd stay at one of the Epcot resorts. They're definitely the most convenient because you don't have to get up as early as you would if you're taking a bus from Animal Kingdom, for example.

Thanks John. Good to know! We've stayed monorail the last two years but that was partly so my kids could easily watch me run by the resort without getting up early. I have an AP so I can walk through Epcot to get back if I have anything left in the tank...

Amanda

 

[roomthreeseventeen]

I'd stay at one of the Epcot resorts. They're definitely the most convenient because you don't have to get up as early as you would if you're taking a bus from Animal Kingdom, for example.

I took a bus from AKL, and it seemed much better than those people who were waiting for the monorail, from what I could tell.

 

[dreams91]

I took a bus from AKL, and it seemed much better than those people who were waiting for the monorail, from what I could tell.

So glad to hear that! I'm staying AKV this year, was monorail last year.

 

[roomthreeseventeen]

So glad to hear that! I'm staying AKV this year, was monorail last year.

We are staying AKV as well. Could NOT have had a better experience than I did this year.

 

[stitchfan18]

I took a bus from AKL, and it seemed much better than those people who were waiting for the monorail, from what I could tell.

I agree that AKL is a great resort to stay at for races. I didn't stay there for marathon weekend, but for Princess this year I never waited for a bus. The buses came right on schedule, and were always waiting for me after leaving the expo (I only went 3 times...) The line to go back to AKL after the race was super short when all the other lines were miles long. I wish we were staying there for marathon weekend, but I am really interested to try out the monorail resorts next year.

 

[MightyDuck001]

How is the Beach Club/Boardwalk? Can you just walk to/from the start/finish in Epcot for the marathon?

 

[2gr8DisneyKids]

How is the Beach Club/Boardwalk? Can you just walk to/from the start/finish in Epcot for the marathon?

You can not walk to the start as you can not walk through Epcot at that time of morning and depending on when you finish you might not be able to walk home. More of an issue for the 1/2 than the whole.

And the BC bus shares with Swan/Dolphin, BW/and YC.

 

[roomthreeseventeen]

How is the Beach Club/Boardwalk? Can you just walk to/from the start/finish in Epcot for the marathon?

I don’t think you could walk from the start. If you have a park ticket, you could probably walk from the finish, but it would probably be ugly.

 

[Freight Train]

Does anyone have advice on a resort that would be within walking distance to the start line? Maybe Port Orleans? I'll be there with my family, including a young daughter (only I am running), so a nice pool (like that one at Port Orleans with the big slide) would be a bonus.

 

[roomthreeseventeen]

If I’m not mistaken, the only resort you can walk from is Old Key West.

 

[jmasgat]

You could walk from PO as well since they are both off Bonnet Creek Parkway. French Quarter would obviously be closer. You go over Overpass Rd.

It can be done, but you give up using bag check, you are walking along a major road in the dark and you risk them not letting you enter the start area (don't know if it's ever happened that they have turned anyone away)

Maura

 

[jimandami]

We stayed at BWV for Marathon Weekend last year and it was a great location. As said, though, you cannot walk to the start line because the parks are not open. We had no problems with the busses though. We did walk back after the race, which was very nice because I always like to walk around after a long race to stretch my legs. Be aware that you would have to burn a park ticket to get into Epcot, though, so if you don't have Park Hoppers that may change your park plans for that day.

 

[mrs cinderella]

Just thought I'd let you guys know that there is a thread with some good discussion on lodging for marathon weekend. I don't have enough posts to share the link here , but it's in the events/competition section.

There was some talk about places to stay within walking distance, and there was a person who had walked to and from the race on multiple occasions. Hope that helps a little bit! Hope everyone's week is starting off well!

 

[liznboys]

If you were traveling solo for Marathon Weekend, running the Goofy, and money wasn't the biggest factor (I'm not staying CL at GF while traveling solo, for example, but convenience is definitely a bigger factor), where would you stay???



Amanda

I would stay at POFQ, 2nd choice OKW. I am staying at OKW because it is much cheaper for me than POFQ. I will be walking to the start of both races and therefore sleeping longer each morning!

I'd stay at one of the Epcot resorts. They're definitely the most convenient because you don't have to get up as early as you would if you're taking a bus from Animal Kingdom, for example.

Do you feel this way because you can walk back after the races? Because from what I've heard (first-hand) those resorts aren't the best for busing to the start...

I took a bus from AKL, and it seemed much better than those people who were waiting for the monorail, from what I could tell.

I stayed at BLT one marathon weekend, and then the next year stayed at POP. I preferred the POP buses over the Monorail post-race for sure! The buses were closer and faster!

Does anyone have advice on a resort that would be within walking distance to the start line? Maybe Port Orleans? I'll be there with my family, including a young daughter (only I am running), so a nice pool (like that one at Port Orleans with the big slide) would be a bonus.

IF DISNEY ALLOWS IT (because although it's been done for years, you never know when they might put a stop to it) you can walk from POFQ and OKW. I am taking my chances and planning to walk. Here is a Google Map Link where you can see the area. (If you zoom in far enough until it switches to Street View you can actually do a simulated walk and see exactly where you'll have to go.) You would come from either POFQ or OKW and cross over the bridge at the intersection of Bonnet Creek Parkway and Disney Vacation Club Way. The corrals will be on the other side of that bridge on Epcot Center Drive.

 

[liznboys]

... I have those kinds of dreams too! Had one right after I signed up for the Goofy and I was also surprised since it is so far away still. I can only imagine what race week will bring!

It's crazy isn't it?! SO early to be stressing. I don't want to think about race week!

I'm so glad I'm not the only one!

The other night's dream was that because I stopped to have my picture taken with characters during the half marathon, I ended up getting swept right at the finish line so they wouldn't give me the medal. I argued that there were still people finishing behind me, but there were apparently different standards for the Goofy runners. The next day I ran the full and finished with blazing speed, but they wouldn't give me the Mickey medal because I didn't get the Donald medal the day before. I did however, get the Goofy medal, but since I only had that one, people were laughing at me for being a 'fake' finisher.

I woke up from that dream wanting to go for a run right away. So hey, maybe it's a good thing?

Lol! Yeah, the nervousness definitely inspires me to keep up with training!!!

 

[FFigawi]

Do you feel this way because you can walk back after the races? Because from what I've heard (first-hand) those resorts aren't the best for busing to the start...

I like the fact that you can walk back after the race and that they're a bit closer than other resorts so you don't have to get up as early. Personally, I save the money and stay at CBR because it's close and not very crowded getting on the bus, but everyone I know who has stayed at an Epcot resort has found it very convenient.