Where are most of the runners staying?

[momof2minnies]

I was wondering where the best location is to stay- Epcot resorts? Thinking about next year.Thanks!
Linda

 

[Duanerice]

Linda,
If I had my choice, I'd stay at one of the MK resorts so I could just hop on the monorail. Actually the Poly would be perfect so I could just walk to the EPCOT monorail instead of taking the monorail to the TTC then switching to the EPCOT line. But, I am staying at POP and will save enough versus staying at the Poly to pay for the entire trip.

enjoy,
Duane

 

[JimB.]

I'm staying at AKL, but if I had thought ahead, I would be at one of the Monorail resorts. The logistics of getting to Epcot is easiest there.

There is no advantage to an Epcot resort, IMHO. You ARE closer, but you are on the wrong side of the Park. They won't let you walk through Epcot to get to the start (even though they SHOULD), so you are still dependent of the bus travel.

 

[scoolover]

Boy, if I could swing a monorail resort, it would be awesome. My scream teamers could wait to wake up for the 9 mile mark. This will be my second year at Pop which is also pretty easy and close to the expo.

 

[10nis]

My preference for EPCOT resorts while staying at Disney keeps us staying at them, even for marathon week-ends. As mentioned, one is still dependent on bus transportation to the start--so, there is NO added benefit to staying at an EPCOT resort.
I am tempted to try a monorail resort next year (2009) and see how that works out. All information still says you must be on monorail by 4am, so it does nothing for the early wake up call--that is just part of the fun If you have family and/or friends coming along with you, staying at a monorail resort would be an awesome choice for them to have easy access for cheering!
There is one small perk to the EPCOT resorts....if you plan to have park passes, after the finish, you can walk back through EPCOT to your resort to relieve some lactic acid build up. Granted, it is a hike--to get to the entry of EPCOT from the finish area and back through the park to the International Gateway Entrance-might not be what you want to do after 13.1 or 26.2 or 39.3 in 2 days!!! Alas, there are buses available to take you back to all the non-monorail resorts after the races!

 

[ultramickeymouse]

We have stayed at BWV for the last 2(and 3rd this year)Goofy's. No advantage to start but really nice to stroll back to the room through EPCOT. Much better than standing in line for a bus. Helps work out the legs and gets you ready for the marathon the next day. After the marathon, the Rose and Crown is a nice stopping point to get some liquid carbs

 

[TEK224]

Since I'm a DVC member, I'm staying ar SSR on my points. I wouldn't mind staying at an EPCOT resort to be able to walk back after the race (and pick up some liquid refreshment )

Terri

 

[cewait]

I have stayed at the CBR, Pop, OKW, AKL and BWV. There are advatnages to all resorts as well as disadvantages.

Obviously the monorail resorts allow for no-race day hassles to the race as well as back again. Though the cost is an issue to many. (come on DVC and finish the contemporary tower)

Most all other resorts are really all about your travel preferences and likes. By far for a moderate resort you will find more CBR stuff in our house than any other on property. We found that Jamaica and Aruba were really the area to stay. It is directly across from Old Port Royale so it's a little quieter. The two "islands" are the first stops for all but one of the park's buses. They are also the first Marathon bus stop.

We never really liked AKL. We were way back in the back and I just felt worn out the whole marathon. It didn't help that I left my checked bag on the vanity and had to make the trip an equivalent of 3 lengths.

Pop was fun but I didn't sleep well at all the two nights pre-race. We had college cheer leaders just above us.....though race day morning was fun as a couple of us woke them a couple times. We moved out that day to another resort, I am not sure of the guy next door. I am sure who ever was in my room paid for my mischieviousness. SERIOUSLY - POP should be tour choice is you are economy resort minded! Only one resort and one bus stop for the Pop! You don't get that with any other resort.

OKW is by far our favorite kick back and do nothing resort. It's key marathon benefit is that you can walk to the start. We have been here a couple marathons and really love it. This is the place we come when we are bringing an entourage jsut due to the point structure.

BWV - Actually I think the morning transporstion to the race is the lousiest for the Epcot resort loop. (I know on another thread I supported the buses and still do). I jsut always feel like this loop is forgotten. I have heard of more near misses with getting to the race from these resorts. I have never missed a race from this resort or the time I walked to the BC to meet a friend, but I just feel like I may. Like Robert touts so quickly, there are plenty of liquid carbs to be had on the trip back to the resort from the race.

Where am I staying this year------BWV. Next, BWV, if I can get a room (it's not my home resort)

 

[CDisney]

I'll be at Pop Century, too. The price just can't be beat.

 

[momof2minnies]

From OKW you can walk to the race start-how come I can't picture that? Where exactly do you go?This is also our favorite resort.
TIA, Linda

 

[KelNottAt]

BWV for us. But, that's because it's where we have our DVC points.

No WDW marathon for us in 2009. But, for 2010, I expect to be on the monorail. We will have sold our DVC by then and I'd love to splurge for the monorail convenience.

 

[windwalker]

Those bell hops at the Deluxe Epcot resorts give us funny looks when they unload the 70 WalMart bags, (our matched luggage) from our car. Besides the bags keep falling off the cart.

The folks at the Swan don't have a sense of humor at all, hee hee, teach them to give me a window that opens.

The moderate resorts are more user friendly to RedNecks. They tend to to shake their heads and pretend we are not there. They don't bat an eye if ya walk out nekid to check the weather before ya dress.

Seriously any resort at Disney is top notch. But Swan and Dolphin are NOT Disney and you can tell a difference.

For example I signed Erica's room key card and she signed mine. We didn't know our names were printed on the other side. The CBR clerk just gave us new ones. The Swan staff would have had us publicly flogged for that.

Party Panda

 

[msblrobs]

We've stayed at AKL, BCV, BWV and the Swan for Marathon Weekend in the past. This year we'll be at the Contemporary for monorail convenience . I like being able to walk back through EPCOT after the race so the EPCOT resorts are great for that. Just don't forget your park ticket or you're outta luck . Anything to avoid having to get on a bus after the race .

 

[ultramickeymouse]

In past races before DVC, we have stay at ASR, CBR, OKW, and VWL. BWV is our favorite. I like being able to walk to 2 parks and than we can walk through EPCOT to ride the monorail to MK. The less I use Disney Transportation the better. I just hate standing around waiting for a bus

 

[Scott H]

WE really like OKW , and are at AKV thistrip. We like them both AKV are KEWL!!! At AKV or AKL your room may be in the hinterlands, I have a bright orange string tied to our door and have strung the line to the front entrance and use a trail of bread crumbs to find our room. Note the birds here tend to eat the bread crumbs.

 

[windwalker]

WE really like OKW , and are at AKV thistrip. We like them both AKV are KEWL!!! At AKV or AKL your room may be in the hinterlands, I have a bright orange string tied to our door and have strung the line to the front entrance and use a trail of bread crumbs to find our room. Note the birds here tend to eat the bread crumbs.

Cool, Dude we have a couple of rabbitt snares out ourselves. The bread crumbs are a teriffic idea, we can catch a bird already stuffed. Gotta save on the food bill don't cha know.

Party Panda

 

[Kimmumum]

Last year we stayed at CBR (no DVC available) and this year we'll be at BWV

 

[Scott H]

Cool, Dude we have a couple of rabbitt snares out ourselves. The bread crumbs are a teriffic idea, we can catch a bird already stuffed. Gotta save on the food bill don't cha know.

Party Panda

Hunter Panda,

We got big critters over here, and a big fire pit can you say BBQ.