Runners, please help...which resort for PHM?

[nilseks]

Friends and myself will be doing the Princess Half Marathon weekend next February. Initially I had thought about renting DVC points, but now I'm leaning toward the values because of easier access to food with the food court. I'd love to give AoA a try, and I think second choice would be Pop. A friend who did the PHM last year said the bus service to the races was flawless, and that's a huge consideration for me. Would love to hear input and experiences of those who have participated and stayed at a value. Thank you!

 

[cleophus12]

I agree that the bus service was amazing. Buses began running at 3:30 am and ran very frequently. No problem getting to the events on time. We were at BWV and even though we couldn't walk through Epcot to get to the starting line (which we had hoped we could), it was still really nice to be so close. However, I'm not sure it will matter where you stay since buses will be readily available.

 

[JennyDrake]

As a Disney Runner (3x) I will second your vote for the values resorts. However, _I_ would not stay at AoA, but rather Pop or one of the All Stars.

At the F&W half 2012 friends at the BWI were having to wait for a bus as there were SO MANY runners from the CL resorts--they waited over an hour until they could board due to the number of people ahead of them. I've been at the values every run but one, and I've never had a problem. And a food court with lots of options is very nice.

 

[Adam H]

Let me say we hate the busses. We were at the Poly during marathon weekend last year and had our car.

On Sunday, we were not allowed to drive due to the marathon and Disney handled bussing amazingly well. This was from the TTC

 

[nilseks]

Thanks for the great responses!! JennyDrake, is there a particular reason you wouldn't pick AoA? Hoping to find someone who has stayed at that resort specifically and can comment on the buses. I'm leaning toward AoA for 2 reasons--I haven't stayed there so it would be something new, and also the food court looks like it has some fresher options.

 

[plutolovr]

I stayed at Art of Animation for the last 2 PHMs and the buses were fine. The lines were a bit long but the buses came one after another very quickly. AoA has one of the best food courts and you're also a short walk over to Pop. I particularly don't like getting to the race start too early, I don't like all that hanging around so waiting for a bus didn't really bother me.

 

[HBGdancermom]

I am planning on signing up for the PHM too! My 2 friends and I were looking into BWI or YC. Jenny Drake do you think the bus issue at BWI was specific to the Wine and Dine or is the same for PHH?

 

[cruiserkaren]

I stayed at Sports for this year's PHM weekend and had no issues. The buses were convenient and plentiful. This was my first RunDisney event so I had no idea what to expect. It was flawless!

 

[nilseks]

Great to hear, cruiserkaren! Do you happen to remember how much you paid per night? I want to make our reservation but 2015 rates aren't out yet. I wish I had some general idea of what we will be paying!

 

[Neesy228]

I stayed at Pop for the PHM this past February and it was really fantastic. Pop is one of my favorites resorts, and it didn't disappoint this time. The lines for the buses were long, but efficient. I opted to pay a little more for a preferred room, and IIRC, the nightly rate varied (weekend rate etc) from about $150 to $170 per night. Not exact numbers, but close.

Have a great time! I haven't decided if I'm going to run it next year, but I had a great time in February and it's totally worth it!

 

[JennyDrake]

Thanks for the great responses!! JennyDrake, is there a particular reason you wouldn't pick AoA? Hoping to find someone who has stayed at that resort specifically and can comment on the buses. I'm leaning toward AoA for 2 reasons--I haven't stayed there so it would be something new, and also the food court looks like it has some fresher options.

I'll paste in a review below, but the biggest reason _I_ would not stay at AoA before a run is the in room noise. I'm a very sound sleeper, yet I was awakened ~3-6 times each night by babies crying, kids coughing, people talking, etc. I've been to the values for over 30 visits, yet I've never experienced in room noise like AoA (LM room).

Review:
I was there in October 2012. The theming is INCREDIBLE. You really MUST visit if for no other reason. But my overall review was not positive.

This resort is big and it is a hike to the food court and bus stops. I just completed a half marathon, so I *don't* mind walking, but this was a hike.

There seemed to be more "room noise" at this resort than AS--and I am a heavy sleeper. Very aware of babies crying in rooms and doors opening and closing all around. We were on the second floor. In the future, I will ask for a top floor room.

Bus service was good to/from parks. We did not go to DTD. All the CMs were super nice.

The REAL negative is the food court. It has a terrible layout and it is just BEDLAM. The queuing lines are not nearly as long as they need to be. Service was sluggish and I can't tell you why. It seemed a bit understaffed, but not terribly so. It took 10-15 minutes (one time 20 min) to get through the lines and get food, then stand in line again to pay. By the time you are seated, the food is tepid. Then you have to get silverware, drinks, find a table, etc. The noise level is HORRENDOUS even at non-peak times. And the traffic flow design (WHAT traffic flow design??) is very poor. There is no real flow pattern.

Seating is ample, which is nice. You get real plates and silverware which is good news/bad news. I found that I bristled at having to so bus my own table. You have to try to get the trash and remnants into a trash receptacle with a too small door that is spring loaded to close. Then you sort of recycling and the dishes in one bin and flatware in another. It reminded me WAY too much of bussing tables in a restaurant.

Food quality was OK but not remarkably better than AS, which is what I had hoped for... The food "looks" better than it tastes. Naan bread is VERY good and I really enjoyed the build your own fruit bowls and yogurt/granola bowls for breakfast.

 

[JennyDrake]

I am planning on signing up for the PHM too! My 2 friends and I were looking into BWI or YC. Jenny Drake do you think the bus issue at BWI was specific to the Wine and Dine or is the same for PHH?

Honestly, I do not know.

 

[jimandami]

We stayed at BWV for marathon weekend and had zero trouble with bussing to the start. I think it just really depends on when you get to the bus stop.

 

[amberg@eastlink.ca]

myself and my friend who ran the 10k stayed at pop and had no issues at all! we were on the first race bus that am and also had a building way at the back so we only had to go down and cross the back parking lot to load onto the event buses. going to and from expo we found we never waited more than five to ten mins.

 

[nilseks]

Thanks for the response, JennyDrake. Your thorough answer has helped me decide on Pop. My friends left it in my hands and nobody has had anything bad to say about Pop as far as service for the races.

Now I just need to decide on dates. We want to do 4 nights and we're only going to do the half. But if course we need to get to the expo. Would we be better off doing Thurs-Mon, Fri-Tues? Part of me wants to be there for the excitement beforehand, the other wants to hang out afterward when the pressure is over lol.

 

[Radiorox]

POP! And snag it quick. I already have it locked up for Tower of Terror this year.

I also stayed at ASMu for the Tower of Terror weekend 5k last year and the bus was great! They would literally have them lined up in the parking lot ready to go for the next group of people. The most I waited was at ESPN for about 15 mins for a bus to pick us up and take us back because we had just missed ours. But, it was a nice day and I didn't mind.

At ASMu, My only beef was that our room faced the parking lot and all night you could hear the busses heading into the area to pick up/drop off racers/spectators. We were in the Calypso section on the right side of the resort overlooking Sports.

Defo stay at a host resort. It's great! And you'll have great conversations with other racers.

 

[BadDad]

I stayed at ASMo (toy story) and ASMu (Broadway)
ASMo: Never again
ASMu: Maybe again

As a semi-retired runner (no more 42k's ~ 10K's), the moderates have hot tubs, Values do not.

 

[appleorchard]

I am not a value girl(DVC member but out of points) but I was very happy with Pop for the PHM this year. I also sprung for a preferred room, was very close to the main building and the busses, bus service was great for the races-- I did all three-- they key is getting to the bus stop early enough. The exception was getting back after the Half--that was a NIGHTMARE. The bus line must have been well over an hour long--I went to the retreat and got a massage to kill time since the sun was brutal and the line wasn't covered.

My other concerns before I went were the beds at Pop--and they were fine. I requested top floor and was on the fourth floor so no ground noise. Stairway right near my room and I used it every time--up and down--but once or twice--even right after the half! I'd stay again in a heartbeat for a solo trip--my DD and DGD will be with me next year and we're staying at BWV on points--bigger beds and I can walk back after the half. No waiting for the bus!

 

[cruiserkaren]

Great to hear, cruiserkaren! Do you happen to remember how much you paid per night? I want to make our reservation but 2015 rates aren't out yet. I wish I had some general idea of what we will be paying!

No, I don't remember the price per night. I booked a package with park tickets so all I remember is the total with tickets. I did have a preferred room. Wish I could be of more help!

 

[HBGdancermom]

Honestly, I do not know.

Ok thanks!