Which hotel for WDW marathon?

[Lorem Ipsum]

I am doing the 1/2 in 2012. Which is the best hotel considering its location? I am leaning toward an EPCOT resort. Please share your thoughts.

 

[FFigawi]

I am doing the 1/2 in 2012. Which is the best hotel considering its location? I am leaning toward an EPCOT resort. Please share your thoughts.

I'd say the best hotels to stay at are ones on the monorail. That's a much easier way to get to/from the race than the buses. Not that the buses are difficult or anything - they actually run very smoothly - but the lines and crowds are much smaller for the monorail. Then again, they're also more expensive, so you've got to decide how much that extra convenience is worth to you.

We've stayed at AS and CBR in the past two years, and I know a lot of WISHers stay at Pop too.

 

[gotrojansgo]

I stayed at BCV last year and it was great, but I feel like my experience would have been the same as if I had stayed at any resort minus the ones on the monorail. The buses are all going to get you there at the same time (though I heard the lines at SSR would outrageous and some people almost didn't make it to the start for the 1/2), so I'd say stay at whichever one you feel more comfortable at! That's the most important thing before a race.

I am, however, staying at BLT this go around because my mom used the monorail to get around after she took the bus with me to EPCOT for the start and she said it was super easy to use.

 

[AUdisneyDad]

We've stayed at SSR the past two years and have not had any issues. I do know that the friends that make the trip with us had problems getting on the bus because they waited to the last minute to get to the bus stop. However this year we are staying at BLT so we can use the monorail and be closer to the MK

 

[verticalchaos]

I'll just echo what everyone else has said...all resorts provide bus service to the start area. Obviously if you insist on waiting until the last minute, you're going to have a tougher time and face longer lines, so just be prepared. There are times when it pays to be obsessively early - not having to stress about "are they sending another bus???" because I waited until the last minute is one of those times.

PS ~ You're probably not going to be sleeping anyway, so you might as well get out and over there.

 

[stitchfan18]

If you have spectators coming to watch you, that might be a bigger factor determining where you stay. I would stay on the monorail just so your spectators don't have to get up when you do to watch you run...

 

[justcrusin]

I called and got what I felt is a very decent rate at Pop since that is what fits in our budget. I'm planning on getting there early as I hate to rush.

 

[verticalchaos]

If you have spectators coming to watch you, that might be a bigger factor determining where you stay. I would stay on the monorail just so your spectators don't have to get up when you do to watch you run...

Yeah, we are going to look at either the Poly for the monorail reason or the Yacht and Beach Club since the marathon route goes right by there. We just have to see what we find when the CM rates are available since my sister's a CM. We don't usually stay deluxe, but since it'll be my first full marathon AND my dad's 70th birthday celebration, we're splurging. Most likely. LOL.

 

[ludari]

I stayed at POP for the pricess half and the bus service was fine, however the day of the race it took a while to get the large group of people on the numerous buses. Nevertheless things where smooth and we all got to the race in time. This year for the Food & Wine Half I will be staying at OKW.

 

[20thingamabobs]

We stayed at BLT last year and I felt that you just couldn't beat the ease of the monorail. We got right on at both the Contemporary (which was the last stop before TTC) and then again when we switched monorails at the TTC. There was absolutely no waiting despite the large crowds. Plus, when we rode past the bus/car entrance I was so glad not to be stuck in the traffic trying to get in. If you don't stay at a monorail resort, I would plan on leaving on the earlier end of the time frame to avoid as much traffic as possible. I'm planning to stay at the Contemporary or GF this year (just because I've alrady stayed at Poly and not the other two) just so I can take the monorail again and plus it'll be easier for my mom to come watch me too!

 

[Lorem Ipsum]

I stayed at BCV last year and it was great, but I feel like my experience would have been the same as if I had stayed at any resort minus the ones on the monorail. The buses are all going to get you there at the same time (though I heard the lines at SSR would outrageous and some people almost didn't make it to the start for the 1/2), so I'd say stay at whichever one you feel more comfortable at! That's the most important thing before a race.

I am, however, staying at BLT this go around because my mom used the monorail to get around after she took the bus with me to EPCOT for the start and she said it was super easy to use.

Thanks and FIGHT ON!

 

[Lorem Ipsum]

Thanks for the posts. Just what I need to convince DH to treat me to the Poly.

 

[DrMomof3]

I loved staying at the Poly this year. I travelled with my DH, my young children, and my (aging) parents. They could sleep in a bit and just walk out to road and watch me run by. It was very easy for them! I also loved being able to walk over to the TTC and hop on a monorail. No crowds. No lines. No stress (other than the normal pre-race stress - especially considering it was my 1st race ever).
Next year we'll definitely choose a monorail resort again. My DH is running his 1st half and I'll be running the full. I don't know if we'll bring my parents again so we'll take turns supervising the children.

Amanda

 

[roomthreeseventeen]

I loved staying at the Poly this year. I travelled with my DH, my young children, and my (aging) parents. They could sleep in a bit and just walk out to road and watch me run by. It was very easy for them! I also loved being able to walk over to the TTC and hop on a monorail. No crowds. No lines. No stress (other than the normal pre-race stress - especially considering it was my 1st race ever).
Next year we'll definitely choose a monorail resort again. My DH is running his 1st half and I'll be running the full. I don't know if we'll bring my parents again so we'll take turns supervising the children.

Amanda

I think we're going the Poly route in January, unless my DH gets his way and we stay at the GF again, LOL.

 

[FireDancer]

I don't think you can go wrong anywhere. I stayed at POP for two of my three marathon weekends and the W&D last year and this year I stayed at The Swan. It was nice being on the boardwalk but really for January I'd just stay where you want and not worry about the race logistics.

The monorail resorts are probably the most convenient for spectators though.

 

[dreams91]

Okay, so I'm signing up for this race (my first half ever). Will they be giving discounted tickets and room rates? How do I find that info out?

Thanks.

 

[jmasgat]

Cherie Any info on rooms and ticket discounts will be posted on the RunDisney site for the races. I don't recall thee being a ticket discount for marathon weekend, but I didn't do this past year. The hotel rates they show there aren'tdiscounted, really I think. So the best thing to do is take advantage of the General Public, Disney Visa, Annual Pass or other promotional rates they offer. Those won't be out til August. In the meantime, you can book a hotel--they will charge you whatever current prices are, but then when discounted rates come out you can modify the reservation--based on availability. I have done this before and found it was the best deal. (well, besides renting DVC points!)

Maura