Princess Half Marathon: Poly CL vs. BWI CL

[pixarmom]

Quick summary: We've stayed at both Poly (x many) and BWI (x2) and we love them both. We did a split stay between the two in January of this year, and we're likely to repeat that pattern.

In February 2014, I'm running the Princess Half, and bringing my three boys along with me. We're running the 5K together on Friday, youngest is running the kids' race on Saturday and I'm running the PHM on Sunday. My husband is joining us for the last night of the trip and to help out on PHM morning.

We'll spend most of our time in and around Epcot, with a few hours at MK on Friday. Right now, we're booked at Poly. I posted earlier that we'd stay at Poly even with construction because the monorail would be convenient on PHM morning for my chEAR squad family and for me. But now that tikiman is reporting that the volcano pool is likely to go down in January, I'm thinking of moving over to BWI CL. At this point, it looks like risk of significant construction at BWI is low, and it does work out nicely with all the Epcot ADRs we plan to make.

Although we've stayed at both resorts and love them both, the logistics of the PHM, 5K and kids' run makes me a little less certain. Any suggestions from those of you who have stayed at either for runDisney events?

 

[kappyfamily]

I'm also running it and have stayed at poly and not BW but the beach club. Honestly I think for the amount of money the poly is charging, with construction and now the pool, no way for me. Since you are spending most of your time at Epcot BW or BC probably makes most sense. I stayed at CR during princess 2012 and will again this next year, so convenient!! And I love it there.....

 

[pixarmom]

Thanks so much for the response - still a little concerned about race transportation staying off the monorail, but I think BWI will work for us! Enjoy your return to CR - we really enjoyed our stay there last October!

 

[Wood Nymph]

Thanks so much for the response - still a little concerned about race transportation staying off the monorail, but I think BWI will work for us! Enjoy your return to CR - we really enjoyed our stay there last October!

I believe there are buses that pick up the runners at their resorts at some really early hour, like 3:30am. It is well before the monorails start running. And if the finish line is in the Epcot parking lot, you'll be able to walk back to your room if you stay at an Epcot resort.

 

[pixarmom]

I believe there are buses that pick up the runners at their resorts at some really early hour, like 3:30am. It is well before the monorails start running. And if the finish line is in the Epcot parking lot, you'll be able to walk back to your room if you stay at an Epcot resort.

Yes! The final race instructions for the PHM last year indicated that bus transportation is available before the race, but also that the monorail runs super early before the race for runners just on the morning of the 1/2 marathon.

I've read reports from runners who really appreciated the monorail to the start on race morning, so that's one of the reasons we initially chose Poly. My slight concern regarding BWI relates to a few reports of transportation difficulties the morning of the race from Epcot resorts - even though transportation was provided, some report glitches.

Hoping to read more positive reports regarding race transportation from Epcot resorts!

 

[Wood Nymph]

Yes! The final race instructions for the PHM last year indicated that bus transportation is available before the race, but also that the monorail runs super early before the race for runners just on the morning of the 1/2 marathon.

I've read reports from runners who really appreciated the monorail to the start on race morning, so that's one of the reasons we initially chose Poly. My slight concern regarding BWI relates to a few reports of transportation difficulties the morning of the race from Epcot resorts - even though transportation was provided, some report glitches.

Hoping to read more positive reports regarding race transportation from Epcot resorts!

That is new since the time I ran a 1/2 marathon at WDW. We stayed at the Poly and had to take the bus. It's nice they have the monorail running now.

I would still stay at the BWI since I love the Epcot resorts.

 

[pixarmom]

Thanks so much for the encouragement! My race morning concerns really sound like a first-time PHM runner, right? I think BWI is going to be a great fit for this trip.

 

[GadgetTheInventor]

No experience with runDisney events, but my family has been doing marathon weekend events for the better part of a decade now with up to ten family members participating in the various events during the race weekend.

We almost always get a hotel within walking distance to the start/end of the race if we don't already have free lodging nearby when the older folks come along. It just makes things go soooo much smoother. Not everyone sleeps at the hotel (home can be an hour away at times), but it is a great base when needing to arrive early, take showers after, and for people to relax before or after heading out to cheer the racers on.

Some runners are fine leaving five hours early for their race, but others really like the convenience of proximity and ease of travel. It just depends on what kind of runner you are and how well your family deals with the travel logistics of cheering you on.

My family always stays at the POP or AS, but I am planning on splurging when I do the ToT10m and staying a couple of nights at one of the EPCOT resorts to make it easier for myself and my cheer team to access the race. I doubt I would ever stay at a more expensive resort otherwise other than if I were able to have my honeymoon at WDW.