Orlando trip with no Disney?

[RENThead09]

Just sitting on the couch watching Harry Potter and relaxing after running the Las Vegas Half Marathon this morning. I did too much thinking, and now I am stuck with a dilemma.

I signed up for the WDW marathon after I had ran the Disneyland Half Marathon on Labor Day. Must have still been on the "Disney High" combined with the runners high.

After putting together all the budget numbers, the trip got a little high for a "last minute trip" that I had not planned or budgeted for. My thinking was I had never been to WDW before, so I wanted to spend some time there to check it out and planned for a week, staying at Pop Century. I cancelled that reservation after looking at the final costs.

I had kinda resigned to not going, but looking at Priceline tonight...I can get airfare and hotel for just the weekend (friday to monday) for a very good price. ($350) It would be a little more when I add the shuttle from the airport and the taxi to the race on Sunday morning. I can use the free hotel shuttle on Saturday to head over to packet pickup. I would be staying at the Howard Johnson Maingate East.

That just leaves me with one question...Could you take a trip and actually run through the parks before they were open without spending any time in the parks after opening. Part of me says it would be cool just to see the parks as a taste of what is to come when I go to Gay Days in June. Part of me says it will be disappointing because I will not be able to explore.

Just wondering if anyone else has been near the park, but did not actually go and if it tainted your trip at all. Or anyone that just wants to add their 2 cents to help me make a decision.

Thanks all!

-PAT

 

[Mathfailure]

My disclaimer right off the top is I am NOT a runner; however, I am sure the excitement of the marathon would hold you for a quick trip, and going back will feel a bit familiar.

But, I personally would wait until June and have the fun of exploring. My thinking is save the money for June and enjoy that much more.

My pratical side

 

[geaux_half]

I think you can treat the trip as a race weekend trip and return home even more excited to explore the parks when you return in a few months. Disney isn't a cheap marathon and you've already paid the fee so I would definetely run the race. Plus, you aren't going to want to be walking around alot before the marathon and probably won't feel like walking around alot after finishing.

With the race expo at WWOS, Downtown Disney, and the Boardwalk all having no entrance fees, that should help you get a taste of Disney as well without paying park fees.

 

[RENThead09]

Thanks Math...I hate being practical. Maybe that is why I am struggling with the decision.

Pat...That makes sense. Never thought about DTD and Boardwalk. Thanks!


Does anyone know if there is any place that you can see the fireworks from outside the parks?

 

[OrlandoMike]

Does anyone know if there is any place that you can see the fireworks from outside the parks?

EPCOT fireworks can be viewed from the International Gateway (the back gate) Years ago they used to let you in the park for free 5 minutes before they started, not sure if they still do that.

MK fireworks can be viewed from the beach at the Poly, or the observation deck on the 4th floor of the Contemporary.

 

[RENThead09]

Problem solved. It is actually cheaper to go one day earlier...so I am spend a day in the parks.

just gotta figure out which one. I am thinking MK for a first visit.

Thanks for the help..as always!

 

[RENThead09]

I just added Pop Century for the night before the run! Woo Hoo. That should give me at least an extra hour of sleep and a whole lot less stress the day of the marathon.

I even called to see what time check out was and mentioned that I might not be done running by then. She said that late check out for that reason should not be a problem!

So at least I get one night in a Disney hotel. thinking I may need to add Sunday night, but we'll have to play with the budget to get that to work. Trying to keep the trip as inexpensive as possible.

 

[SandrA9810]

I'd go to Epcot on your one day. I would wait till Gay Days to experience the MK. And you can always watch Wishes from the contemp.

So what exactly is your schedule now?? Are you running the half or full marathon?

 

[RENThead09]

I am going to enjoy all of the joy and excitement of the full marathon. Previously my mindset was "I have to do the full because the half was filled...now I am thinking, I get to do the full and see all of the parks, and many more characters, and have the first step of my coast to coast medal that I will proudly rock here in disneyland next Labor Day weekend".

Not worrying about time or anything. Just planning on finishing. And taking LOTS of pictures since I did not take any with the characters during the Disneyland Half on Labor Day.

I can not believe the price I got. I have talked to a couple people that have stayed at the HoJo, and it is basic, but nice. I stay at the Super8 here at Disneyland, so I am hoping to see the same. Would on site have been nice? Absolutely. But I would not be making the trip if I was set on staying on site.

Here is my schedule:

Wed 1/6
6am leave Vegas
5pm arrive MCO, Shuttle to HoJo Maingate

Thur 1/7
PARK DAY 1 (Magic Kingdom?)

Fri 1/8
PARK DAY 2 (Epcot and Illuminations?)
??packet pick up in the morning-Or Sat Morning??

Sat 1/9
POSSIBLE PARK DAY?? (Animal Kingdom or DHS?)
**May check into Pop Century for the night. they have rooms available and will allow me late checkout so I can go back after the marathon if needed. Would be nice to be on site the night before, just due to the traffic horror stories I have heard.

Sun 1/10
Marathon
Wishes or Illumination desert thing??

Mon 1/11
PARK DAY 3 (if I can walk...HAHAHAHAHA)
Magic Kingdom? Only day I could see the Electromagic Parade

Tues 1/12
2pm Head to MCO
5pm Flight departs
10pm back in Vegas

Any suggestions that anyone has would be great. I am totally flying blind on this. Do I worry about not getting to DTD at all. I am a Cirque fan, but it does not look like La Nouba will fit into my plans.

THANKS!

 

[SandrA9810]

Wed 1/6
6am leave Vegas
5pm arrive MCO, Shuttle to HoJo Maingate

Thur 1/7
PARK DAY 1 - Epcot

Fri 1/8
PARK DAY 2 - get your packet.. might as well get it done and over with. You're going to there a bunch of other people. If it's at the Wide World Complex and your hotel shuttle doesn't go there, go to Hollywood Studios, and there's a Disney bus that will take you over to WW. Then you can spend the rest of your day at Studios. Try to catch Fantasmic, not as great as DisneyLand, but still good.


Sat 1/9
POSSIBLE PARK DAY??
**Would be nice to be on site the night before, just due to the traffic horror stories I have heard. - Horror for you? Try getting work when all the roads are closed off... and it's the day you're running late. It happens every marathon day. If your up for a bit of training to get used to the weather, head over to Ft Wilderness, from the outpost to the Settlement is 1 mile, and then to Wilderness Lodge is another mile. So if you do a round trip it's about 4 miles. Plus you have to worry about checking into POP. and getting your stuff to the room.

Sun 1/10
Marathon
Wishes or Illumination desert thing?? - I'd take it very easy. Depending on what kind of weather you train in, it's been 30 degrees on race day, and it's been as warm as 70's. So it might take a toll on your body. I've seen people do the Goofy Challenge enjoying their day in the park afterwards. And then I've seen people the following day say how they couldn't move for the rest of the day. If you do a reservation thing like that, and you're not up to it that night, you'll be out the cost. Go to the Boardwalk and watch Illuminations from the bridge, there's a really good bakery there for something yummy. Do they allow you to stay in the park once you're done with the race?

Mon 1/11
PARK DAY 3 (if I can walk...HAHAHAHAHA)
Magic Kingdom? Only day I could see the Electromagic Parade - It's SpectroMagic... sorry. But if you're up to, this is the better park for the day. The rides are closer together, and you've got the train to get you around the park too. Animal Kingdom and Epcot have huge walking areas between attractions, and studios is so poorly set up you do a lot of walking just getting some where, even though it's the smallest.

Tues 1/12
2pm Head to MCO
5pm Flight departs
10pm back in Vegas

 

[SandrA9810]

Have you looked into the 4/3 deal... stay for four get 3 nights free. You're already staying 6...

what's the price difference between HoJo and Pop right now?

 

[RENThead09]

First...thanks for all the suggestions. It is weird trying to plan a trip like this. And then add in the marathon aspect, and it is all messed up. I can plan a marching band trip for 200 kids at the drop of a hat, but try to get me to Florida for a weekend!

i did look at the 4/3 deal. The biggest thing that pushed me to go is the fact that I could get the hotel and airfare for $350. I would have loved to stay on site, but will just have to wait until June and my Gay Days trip to do so.

And I forgot all about Fantasmic. I am scared that I am spoiled rotten after seeing Murphy here at DL ( I am actually here typing from my hotel room). I'll add it to my list.

 

[SandrA9810]

I actually knew some one that stayed there, we picked her up from the airport, and hung out at the room for a bit. It's nice and comfortable, nothing top of the line.


If you can afford it. You'll be better off buying the tickets for your trip in june now. You're only planning on a few days in the park now, so go for the 10 day park hopper pass with no expiration. If you do any deals that require you buy at least a 1 day ticket, you can hang on to it and use it any time later on, including adding more days to it on a following trip. I know it adds to your budget now, but it'll save you tons come june. And sign up for mousesaver's newsletter, and through that email, use the link to undercovertourist.com to get the cheapest tickets possible. It's highly recommended on the budget board.


And planning a trip for 200 kids, you're using some one else's money... which makes you not feel so bad when you add up the total cost.

 

[Hydani]

Oh gosh, I'm really glad that you chose to actually go to some parks Disney is amazing, you'll love it. I really hope you have a good time. I'm hoping to do the Marathon one year and I'm sending you some good luck