Which DVC resorts are in highest demand for the January Marathon?

[WelcomeHome]

We're going to DIS the first week in January 2016 and were trying to figure out some logistics. Can anyone here answer these questions:

1) Which DVC resorts book up quickest (I'm assuming it's the resort closest to the starting point but I'm not sure where that is)?

2) While I know the BIG marathon is always on Sunday, what day(s) do the resorts fill up with runners & spectators?

3) I know that the big Sunday marathon begins at some barbaric time like 5:30 am, but what time does the marathon end and where is the finish line? (If we leave on Sunday I don't want to get stuck in traffic on the way to the airport.)

Thanks in advance for your assistance!

Best wishes,
Dave

 

[twinsouvenirs]

Not QUITE sure, but I can tell you we were unable to snag a 2 BR at BLT for marathon weekend this year at the 7 mo mark, despite reserving the previous Sunday (1/3 on). We WERE able to get OKW for those missing nights.

The 5k starts at 6:15... the Marathon started somewhere around 4 am I think! We heard fireworks from OKW. You may want to stay a little further from the start if you are planning on sleeping. I'd also book your home resort at 11 mo if you want to ensure you have a roof over your head---then you can switch at 7 if you can find somewhere nice. Probably depends on your unit size too.

 

[princesslayla]

We were just there for the marathon. There are definitely alternate routes out of WDW if you need to get out....think vista road to lake buena vista drive...no Marathon detours on those roads

 

[drusba]

1. For room availability at 7 months out, see my recent post, no. 2, here http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=3369495.

2. Usually over by 2. Of course the top runners will have finished hours before then. The pace you need to maintain is 16 minutes per mile or you will be removed and taken to the end.

3. Starts and ends at the Epcot lot. Be aware that does not mean BCV and BWV are close choices. Epcot is not open at 4 in the morning when you need to show up for the race which begins at 5:30, and thus you cannot walk through Epcot to the start from BWV and BCV but instead must take a bus. Most convenient resort is actually BLT since they do run the monorail

 

[WelcomeHome]

Thanks so much Drusba - you're the best!

 

[rpcvpanama]

We were just there this past Marathon weekend. All the Monorail resorts and the Epcot resorts book up the fastest. When I booked BLT at 11mos. the value rooms were already booked and I was online first thing in the morning when my window opened. I would periodically check after the 7mos. window to see what was available at other resorts and it was slim pickings. I would suggest booking your home resort and then waitlisting other options.

With Dopey being a new normal for Marathon weekend expect the resorts to start filling up the Wednesday before marathon Sunday and remain busy until the following Monday.

As for the logistics of getting around, the roads on Sat/Sun can be difficult to navigate but just leave extra time and you will be fine. Runners actually have to be at the Epcot parking lot by around 4am on Sat/Sun so the roads start getting busy around that time.

 

[twinsouvenirs]

Can't rely on the monorail at BLT btw... we took the monorail to the TTC and then the Epcot monorail was out of commission, they had busses. It was no problem, but it's just something to keep in mind.