Packages for the 2006 Marathon

[Bea]

I am trying to budget for our Marathon trip in January. I was exploring WDW Marathon webpage and clicked on "packages". There wasn't any information there, just an email address. Will they come out with "packages" that they post, or will I have to do it all via email? I would prefer a "list" that I can look at (I am waayyy too organized )

Will there be a special rate for hotels for participants of the marathon?

Do most people get a package or do most of you just book a hotel room without the package?

I still haven't registered yet, I am waiting til end of July to make the decision, as I am having a baby in July and this is my ultimate goal...to run the 1/2 marathon.

 

[Kristi1357]

Dh said the big packet of info usually comes in October. He wasn't sure if there were any emails or anything prior to that regarding packages. We never book a package, so we might be forgetting something. Someone else will pipe in I'm sure!

Kristi

P.S. I have a grandfather who lives in Mill Village, NS.

 

[chimera]

Hi, Bea...good to see you again! Are you still on track for July 11?

They were supposed to have packages available the week of Feb 14, but I haven't seen them yet. My email from the marathon kids promised packages that week.

We're looking at a WISH team block of rooms also...gonna see if it's a better deal to get a block or just go through the marathon folks.

The rumor is that registration may close soon for the half, but that's not confirmed yet.

 

[Bea]

Hi Chimera,
Yep, still hoping to have the baby July 11, or earlier . I am starting to gain weight and it is very depressing and discouraging though I am still working out at the same pace as I was before, and I have to keep reminding myself of that. I must admit, I am beginning to waiver from my goal (must be the hormones ). I would like to register soon so that I commit and won't back out though we have to worry about stuff like airfare and hotel. I really want to stay on property so am trying to get an idea of costs etc. We are off to WDW in 2 weeks and I am really hoping that gives me the "dose" of encouragement that I need.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

I am trying to budget for our Marathon trip in January. I was exploring WDW Marathon webpage and clicked on "packages". There wasn't any information there, just an email address. Will they come out with "packages" that they post, or will I have to do it all via email? I would prefer a "list" that I can look at (I am waayyy too organized )

Will there be a special rate for hotels for participants of the marathon?

Do most people get a package or do most of you just book a hotel room without the package?

I still haven't registered yet, I am waiting til end of July to make the decision, as I am having a baby in July and this is my ultimate goal...to run the 1/2 marathon.

I don't think there was a special rate just for marathon participants. WISH will try to get a group rate--but it was discovered that codes for AP, Fla Resident were better than the group rate. I get my hotel room through team in training. We stayed at POFQ which was an excellent location.

Unfortunately, I am not certain you will be able to register in July--but if it was meant to be--they will have one spot left just for you .

 

[Bea]

I thought I read that last year the registration closed in August? If I have to register soon, I am ok with that..it will only "cement" my commitment

 

[xterratri]

A thought for keeping the costs down and traveling with a baby would be renting points from a DVC member. It is "Adventure" season- the DVC equivalent to value so the points/night are as low as it gets and points tend to go for about $10/point rental. So four nights in a studio at OKW would be about $560 with two queen beds, a refrig, microwave and more space than in a room at a value resort.
So just do it(sign up for the half)- it will give you a goal AND something to look forward to during the NS winter. Don't worry about weight gain now- you are supposed to gaining. Just think about what you get in return and focus on staying healthy for both of you. Good luck.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

I thought I read that last year the registration closed in August? If I have to register soon, I am ok with that..it will only "cement" my commitment

Well, the rumours are only rumors--one year it closed sooner than August. It fluxuates from year to year. Hard to do it with baby--but if you had a good fitness level or decent physique prior to pregnancy....following your 6 week post partum recovery...your pretty much on target for your first half marathon.

I believe Kimickey did something like this--her baby was about 8 months old or so at marathon time....so her training (from what I understand) was excellent for getting back in shape. Though she still says she has more work--but she looks fantastic!

 

[Tiger Lily 03]

Bea, I'd say that if you are thinking about it to at least commit the registration. If you are too late with that and it closes you will be sad. The worst that will occur is that you will lose your registration $, but it does go to a worthy cause.
Good luck in your decision and with the birth of your young one.

 

[wiskband]

Heres the thing! I was looking into getting prices for us as a group. Apparently, there are two ways of doing this. The first is through group sales. That is the number I started with and they referred me to sales/sports events. Once I finally got in touch with someone there they emailed me info for hotel rates and a 5 dollar discount on the marathon registration ( most of us are already registered ). the rates..............................NOT THAT GOOD! I believe that the rates would be better through simply group sales. BUT, because I said we were gonna be there for the marathon, I had to go through sales/sports. The reason I say the group sales hotel prices would be better is becuase that who we made our reservations through last year ( I believe it was kamgen who took care of it ) and last years prices were really good. However, I found out through talking to people there the person (@disney)who did last years ressies was not really suppose to do them, he was suppose to refer us to sales/sports. Now, becasue they now know my name,number,group, and why we will be there, I can't call "group" and go through them. However, I do believe that someone else may be able to do this. If your interested, all you have to do is call them say we are a large group ( I believe already 50+ people) and say we are an on line group who will be meeting, and just NOT mention we are doing the marathon. Last years prices were just so good and we were able to make our ressie by just using the group number provided to us with no hassles. When you go through sales/sports, they want a definite anwser as to exactly how many are going and one big deposit ( thats right! One down payment for everyone in our group ) and..........all the money due 6 weeks prior to our arrival! That s insane with so many people involved, thats alot of organizing when we are spread out all over the country.
I really did want to organize the hotel for our group but once I got the information, I was not pleased at all with it.

As I mentioned, last year we were all given a number to call with a group number and a choice of a few hotels in each price bracket, they were good prices and it was easy to do, I even changed my ressies a few times through out the year, I gave a one night deposit and the rest of the money was due when I arrived. When you go through sports/sales, the prices were too high and the reservation process was too difficult. Well, live and learn, if some one would like to call and try to go through group reservations with out getting involved with sports/sales the number is 1 407-938-4868. Again, I would not mentioned that we are going to be there for the marathon, they will make you go through sales/sports. Its not really a lie
right if you just dont tell them besides, most of us will have family and friends that arent in the marathon who will be there with us! right? lol!


I will begin a thread and copy this respond so that no misses it. If any of you decide to call please let us know what happened! thanks and sorry, I couldn't help us get the ressie. luck!

renee

 

[Bea]

Thanks for all your work wiskband. You definately went threw alot of trouble for all of us. . I just wanted to post that i recieved an email back from the people at wdw marathon (I used the email address posted under "book a package" on the marathon site). They quoted me $89.00 a night at the All Stars. Not really a bargin if you ask me . Also they said they didn't have any reduced tickets to WDW at this time, but in the future may be offering them to participants. I guess I will just hold out hope for a AAA or a code to get a better deal for a hotel room.

 

[wiskband]

yup........definitely not a deal but not to worry, I believe chimera has somthing in the works......sit tight! we should know somethign soon.

renee