Which hotel for WDW Marathon?

[MomtoGKC]

The last time I did the half marathon we stayed at the Beach Club. I thought I was being so smart since it was close to Epcot. But I hadn't been to WDW in over 10 years and didn't realize you couldn't get tot the start from the hotel! We took the bus (which was fine) but had a terrible time with transportation on the way back from the race.

So - which hotel is most convenient? The monorail doesn't make a difference, does it? I'm still not sure I'm even doing the race, but the planning is more fun than the training so I'm working on that today!

 

[FireDancer]

If you finish after Epcot opens you can walk right through the park back to your hotel. If money wasn't an object I would stay at Boardwalk or YC/BC. Just remember you will need a park ticket and if it is not a park hopper you will have to make Epcot your park for the day.

 

[MomtoGKC]

That was the problem last time. We didn't think to have our tickets with us and we walked ALL the way back to Epcot - they wouldn't let us in! We were so tired and sweaty and begged to have someone escort us to prove we didn't want to ride anything (all sweaty & exhausted - no thanks!) I can't remember exactly but here is how I think our ordeal ended up.

Couldn't find the bus back to the hotel (someone pointed us in the wrong direction)

Decided now we were closer to Epcot so just walk that way. Nope - wouldn't let us in.

I think we ended up on the monorail. Had to take that to Ticket Center.

Ferry to MK.

Bus back to Beach Club.

Ugh - we were dying and there were TONS of other people on the ferry complaining about the transportation issues as well. This was 2006 though so hopefully it will be better organized now. And now we know to bring our tickets with us to the race!

 

[JimB.]

We are staying at the DVC BLT.

A couple of short (theoretically) monorail rides will put us in the Epcot parking lot. No bus, no fuss (although I have never had a transportation issue at the Marathon (DISCLAIMER: I am always sure, however to give myself TONS of lead time)).