SSR Trip Report and WDW 1/2 Marathon - MORE PICS added: 1/2 Marathon report w/ pics

[nhdisnut]

We just returned a few days ago from a wonderful 4-night stay at SSR! We stayed in a studio in Congress Park (Room 2412) overlooking the grounds near the CP bus stop. Check-in was as smooth and efficient as we have ever had. Our room was ready at 2:30pm when we checked in, as well. The room was clean and well-maintained. Every time we go to SSR we continue to be impressed with the decor in the rooms - very understated and classy.

Cast members at SSR are, quite simply, incredible! I'm starting to feel like other DVC members who have been members for a while - I'm starting to get to know cast members after repeat visits. Marge at the Artist's Palette (a Patriots fan ) is fantastic! We also had great experiences at the front desk and with staff at the Turf Club.

Speaking of AP and the TC, our meals there were fabulous....a very late lunch/early dinner at the Turf Club was great (we both had the Penne pasta w/ chicken - carbs for the race!), and the service excellent. The Artist's Palette was as good as always - not too busy (we had two breakfasts and two lunches there), and since we are familiar with the ordering/payment system we weren't phased a bit by it. We continue to believe that the AP is the best DVC counter service restaurant by a long shot.

Bus service was also a breeze. We waited no longer than 10 minutes for any bus leaving SSR, and only had one long wait after Fantasmic! at the studios when leaving the parks (and the wait was long, in part, because of a couple of wheelchairs that needed loading - nothing to do with Disney Transportation). In fact, after our very full bus pulled away (leaving many still in line) another bus pulled in immediately.

The purpose for our trip was our first WDW 1/2 Marathon - which I'm happy to report that DW and I finished! It was an incredible experience and I'll post more details in a later post......hopefully with pics....

 

[ChelleinNC]

Thanks for the report, I love hearing good things about my "other home"

Congrats on the 1/2 marathon

 

[bobbiwoz]

Congratulations...and I'm glad to hear how much you loved your visit!

Bobbi

 

[tomandrobin]

Thanks for taking the time a posting your report! We too love SSR and everything it has to offer. And we agree that the AP is the best counter service at the DVC resorts.

When Kidani Village opens, thier counter service might give AP a run for thier money.

Looking forward to hearing about the marathon and your pics.

 

[nhdisnut]

Continued.....

The WDW 1/2 Marathon was our first attempt at any kind of running race of any length. Since we are turning 40 during 2008, we thought we'd set a goal and challenge ourselves to complete it. I must say, though, that we got the idea originally from listening to the wdwradio podcast with Lou Mongello. He had Mike Scopa on as a guest talking about running the 1/2 Marathon and, to make a long story short, we looked at each other and said "Why not?"

So, with a 2:30am wake up call, our adventure began. We caught a bus near High Rock Springs at 3:15am and were in the staging area by 3:30 or so. 16,500 racers gathered during the next hour or so, checking bags of clothes, having a last minute snack, chatting and stretching.

This is 2:47am!

Live entertainment to wake us up:

Our wave (Wave C) did not start until 6:25am. The course itself went from the Epcot parking lot, around the Speedway, and past the TTC and the Contemporary before entering the Magic Kingdom.

Approaching the Contemporary:

Backstage - behind Main St. and Tomorrowland:

Entering Main St.!

Great support in Fantasyland!

Ariel and Eric cheer us on!

After running through Main St., Tomorrowland, Fantasyland, Liberty Square, and Frontierland, we headed backstage and ran back to Epcot (past the Grand Floridian).

I'm happy to report that both DW and I finished in under the cutoff time, and proudly have our Donald medals to prove it!

Overall the experience was a wonderful one and we would do it again today (now that we can walk without pain )!

I'll be adding a few more pics soon.....

 

[byoung]

Nice report, thanks.

 

[corinnak]

Glad you had a nice time at SSR! I love the photo of the alarm clock. Man, that's early. Congratulations on finishing the half! Your pictures from it are great!

 

[Lexxiefern]

Congratulations on finishing the half!! Will you do it again? I have found it very addicting...

 

[nhdisnut]

Congratulations on finishing the half!! Will you do it again? I have found it very addicting...

We have already talked about it! Work schedules may not allow it to be an annual event....but we will do it again!

 

[Disney_Mama]

CONGRATULATIONS

 

[3DisneyKids]

CONGRATS on completing! From your pics, it looks like lots of folks walk the half marathon? Is this correct?

 

[mickeywho?]

Just curious...what timing do you need to qualify for a medal. I'm a walker and wonder if I did the 1/2 could I qualify?

 

[nhdisnut]

CONGRATS on completing! From your pics, it looks like lots of folks walk the half marathon? Is this correct?

There were a lot more walkers than I expected. DW ran for about 6 miles and then walked the rest. I especially noticed walkers once the race had gone through the MK.

 

[nhdisnut]

Just curious...what timing do you need to qualify for a medal. I'm a walker and wonder if I did the 1/2 could I qualify?

You have to finish in 3 1/2 hours (a 16 minute/mile pace). As I noted above, DW was able to do a combo run/walk.....she finished with 6 minutes to spare! (and is proud to have her Donald medal to show for it!)

 

[nhdisnut]

Well, after a long delay, here are some more 1/2 Marathon pics:

Approaching Future World - backstage behind Nemo and Friends:

Approaching Spaceship Earth:

Great CM support!

1/4 mile or so until the finish!:

The finish!

So now, two weeks later, we are seriously considering trying to run in some regional 1/2 Marathons over the next year or so....The WDW Half is probably an every other year or so event for us. Certainly worthwhile and a huge amount of fun!

Of course now we are counting down to our April trip to WLV and AKV! Can't wait to get back to the magic!

 

[Princess_Melanie]

Thank you ever so much for posting up pictures!! I ran the London Marathon April 07 and have spent a long time recovering from near fracture shin splints. I didn't want to pull out as I'd raised almost £4000 for charity....next on my list is the WDW marathon in 2010. I wanted to apply for 2009 but I really really need to train slowly and build up strength to avoid the same type of injury.

The idea of running at WDW makes me sooooooo excited and reading peoples running reports from the half marathon a few weeks ago makes me want to get back out there and run!! We'll use some DVC points for a 'short' stay in January 2010 - I'm so glad we joined!!

Well done on finishing the race and good luck with the next few!!

 

[LIFERBABE]

Awesome report and congratulations!!!!

I might be able to walk run it if I start training now for next year!

But that clock is a little scary, I'd have to train really hard just on getting up that early!

 

[nhdisnut]

But that clock is a little scary, I'd have to train really hard just on getting up that early!

Actually we bounced right out of bed! Must have been the excitement of the day!

(And that early start caught up with me - exactly one week later, at home, I slept until 11:30am!)

 

[WolfpackFan]

Thanks for posting the pictures. Our DD ran in the half and we went down and watched her run. It was really an incredible event. So much so, that I've been seriously thinking about running it next year myself. It will take alot of training. I try to exercise some everyday (mostly walking), but I figure if I start now, it's a goal to work for. I wonder how late you can register for the race? I told my DD, I sure would like to get one of those medals she got.

 

[rsinj]

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