Should we go deluxe????

[eeyoresmom]

We are WDW vets(family of 6) and really like POR.This Jan just me and DD age 18) are going back for 4 days to run the marathon Here's my dilema:I can afford a deluxe for this trip because we only need one room,but I'm wondering if we should.Would you look over our schedule and give your opinion? Arriving late Th night(will probably book a value),up early Fr and parks until lunch then over to WwOS for our race packets(this will probably take 3-4 hrs) will probably head back to resort by 7pm as DD has to be up at 3am to run the half marathon on Sat . Sat,DD runs half and we return to resort for shower and out to parks until 7pm because Mom is running the full marathon in am.Sun,Mom runs full and probably won't be done till around noon so no parks today,will probably go to DTD at night. Monday,parks all day,open to close. Tuesday,ME pick up at 11:00am Does it seem like we'll be around enough to enjoy the deluxe? It's January so I'm not counting on pool time.What would you do????? TIA

 

[JerJan]

I would go deluxe, but I would try to rent from a DVC member (DVC rent/trade board) and get at studio at one of the DVC resorts. That is their low season as far as point requirements so you can probably get a better deal than even paying for a moderate....good luck!

 

[llachance]

My husband and I as well as a friend will be arriving at POR Thursday evening to participate in the half and whole marathon. We stayed at CBR last time. I didn't want value and so haven't stayed at this resort before so thought we would give it a shot. Having done many marathons in the past the one thing I like, that won't be available, is room service - but I will have to deal with it

 

[Montana Disney Fan]

It took us 30 minutes from the time we parked at the Wide World of Sports complex to get our packets for the marathon.

We stayed at OKW and used our DVC points when we went down but honestly, you really won't have the time or the energy to enjoy the Deluxe.

Stay at PO. It's a 6 minute drive to the Epcot parking lot where I think the race starts. I know it ends there. Just my two cents -->


FYI: for those planning to be in the area around Marathon, avoid Epcot like the PLAGUE on Saturday and Sunday.

 

[spiceycat]

I would go with value - Pop Century - very close to WWoS.

save the deluxes for when you have the time to enjoy them.

 

[disneyholic family]

We are WDW vets(family of 6) and really like POR.This Jan just me and DD age 18) are going back for 4 days to run the marathon Here's my dilema:I can afford a deluxe for this trip because we only need one room,but I'm wondering if we should.Would you look over our schedule and give your opinion? Arriving late Th night(will probably book a value),up early Fr and parks until lunch then over to WwOS for our race packets(this will probably take 3-4 hrs) will probably head back to resort by 7pm as DD has to be up at 3am to run the half marathon on Sat . Sat,DD runs half and we return to resort for shower and out to parks until 7pm because Mom is running the full marathon in am.Sun,Mom runs full and probably won't be done till around noon so no parks today,will probably go to DTD at night. Monday,parks all day,open to close. Tuesday,ME pick up at 11:00am Does it seem like we'll be around enough to enjoy the deluxe? It's January so I'm not counting on pool time.What would you do????? TIA

it doesn't really sound like you'll have time to enjoy a deluxe....but you could check the rates and see how it compares to the POR....
But i think the POR is great and you know it already, so for something like this it might pay to stay with what you know and like...

my 21 year old daughter and i were at WDW by ourselves in august and then again in september....since it was only the 2 of us, i thought we should go value so as not to spend too much....but when i made the reservation, i got such a great rate for the WL ($124/night AP rate) that we stayed at the WL in august....and then.......for september i went whole hog.....we stayed at the GF, just the 2 of us, and had a grand time....but we spent a lot of time in the hotel, used the spa quite a bit and also used room service a lot....so it was worth it...

 

[Skroops]

Have you thought about the Swan/Dolphin? After the body aches of running, doesn't a "heavenly" bed seem appealing? IMO, I'd want to stay there!
Enjoy!

 

[10nis]

Allears.net has good rate for swan/dolphin for Jan 6, 7 8 - $159. Special for the marathon.

We stayed at BWI last year and are staying there again, just enjoy the location and resort. We did not plan on being at the "resort" as much as we were but beautiful, warm weather had us at the pool several days of our trip last year. It was hot running last year but the weather was just delightful for our stay at WDW.

You can not walk to the start of the race from any of the EPCOT resorts but if you have a park ticket you can walk back thru EPCOT after you finish. (you really can't walk to the start from any of the resorts)

Also, just another word of caution that I wish I would have known last year--if you and your daughter are planning on cheering each other on for the races, plan your cheering spots wisely. My family got stuck in traffic and also stuck on Disney buses and we did not meet up with them until mile 24 of the marathon. (in front of the Yacht Club) Here are just a few pointers--if you want more info let me know.

--it is dark at the start and not a good place to watch
--MK is CRAZY!!! Trying to get there is a nightmare. My guess is the only safe way is the monorail.
--Ticket and Transportation Center was a popular spot for cheering but might be tricky getting to/from. I wonder if so many people were there bcs they didn't get into MK?
--the finish has bleachers for people to sit on--didn't look very exciting to me! One of the highlights for me was running thru the arches at EPCOT w/ cast members waving flags of the different countries as you ran thru. This would be an awesome place to cheer. I think anywhere along the route from MGM to the finish is a pretty good spot to cheer for the full marathon. The half marathon runs thru EPCOT for the last mile so anywhere inside the park would be a great spot. Of course, you would have to use a ticket to get in to the park.
--outside of the Polynesian also seemed like a good spot to cheer. I don't know how easy it would be to get there, take the resort monorail and get off there? Walk from Ticket and Transportation center? Seems like there were people cheering in front of all the monorail resorts.
--I remember people being parked in the middle of World Drive and cheering there as well. don't know if that is "legal."

Last year we went w/ the "disney" suggested spots and we will NEVER do that again! It was very disappointing --another thing I will do differently is I will have a cell phone w/ me this year. Last year I borrowed another runners phone Thankfully, I might add.

Hope this helps--just be prepared, I think being a spectator is actually worse than running.