Which Resort: Marathon edition

[Pirate's Princess]

On the advice of Honeibee, I'm asking this question here as well (Sorry in advance for being a repeat offender)

I'm in the process of booking my hotel for the marathon this year. This will my and DF first marathon and we can't decide where to stay. We were originally planning on going deluxe at the Contemporary but then we became engaged and moved up the wedding to Oct. 2010 (and we're getting married at Disney) so we'll be going at least 2 more times, so we didn't see the point of splurging for the marathon. We've previously stayed at the Caribbean and the Pop, and we really don't want to stay at a value.

I've been trying to research which resort is the most convenient while not breaking the bank. Some have suggested booking deluxe for the night before and of the marathon, and then stay elsewhere for the rest of the trip. But I'm still not sure of which one(s) to book. We've also considered borrowing DVC points and booking through that but I don't think they have the hotels where we'd prefer to stay. Any suggestions on any of these ideas or new ones? Thanks!!

 

[aniello35]

Last time we ran it we stayed at Coronado. My friend, who runs it ever year stays at CBR. It starts at Epcot so if you want to stay at BW, YC or BC for a day you are in walking distance of the start.

 

[Crocker98]

Even though BW is close to the start, from my understanding, you can't cut through Epcot in the morning. I believe you have to take a bus, and you would need a park pass to cut through Epcot on the way home after the race.

 

[Tiger Lily 03]

Welcome to WISH! I am transferring this post to the events side of the WISH forum. I am hopeful that you will get a lot of useful information there since many involved in the events have travel info regarding them.

 

[Honeibee]

Hi Samantha, glad you found us here.

By "repeat offenders" I meant you'll find a lot of people here who have the done WDW marathons many, many times, so you'll get lots of answers.

A bit of advice, don't wait too long to book!

 

[Pirate's Princess]

Whoops, sorry Honeibee. Misinterpretation. I'm worried about booking because I know the rate discounts don't usually come out until Late Oct./Early Nov. I'm worried about picking a place and not having the discount apply there. What to do...

 

[jmasgat]

Samantha My humble opinion, in no particular order....

--Stay in just one resort. Who wants to deal with the hassle of moving from place to place.
---Others may disagree, but I don't really think it matters where you stay from a logistics standpoint. You can't really walk TO the marathon (see other threads about that!) and your options for walking back involve the Epcot area hotels which are all deluxe. (One thought--do you have any Starwood points. The Swan or Dolphin are Starwood properties.) There are marathon buses to all resorts, so you'll be covered.
--You mentioned DVC. At this point BWV and BCV are booked. I am staying at OKW on points which I "bought" online through the discboards DVC Rent/Trade forum and transferred to my sister's account . It cost me $500 for the 50 points to get 4nights (Thurs-Sun) so thats $125/nt and no tax--that's like staying at a value or moderate.
--Book a moderate now and when the other rates come out, you can adjust. EXample--last year I booked PO-FQ at $185 and then when AAA came out called and got that at $149. Then when the AP discount came out could have gotten $119 (by then I decided to stay at WL)
--I have stayed at POR and thought that was nice (both Magnolia and Alligator Bayou--I think I preferred Bayou). Will definitely try PO-FQ in the future. Never done CB or Coronado.

Sorry for such a long post!

Maura

 

[wfloyd]

They have busses going to all the resorts, except maybe not for the monorail ones (we haven't stayed in those before the race but the monorail is running so you can get to Epcot that way). We have stayed in Pop, All Stars, Saratoga Springs and Old Key West before the marathon. There was no difference except in how far you might have to walk to get to the bus. I would pick a resort that looks interesting for you and not worry about the transportation aspect of it.

Disney really doesn't want you walking to the start since it is early and there are no sidewalks to get there. The risk of being hit by a car is too high for my taste.

If you stay in the Epcot resort section, you could walk back to your resort after the race but you would need a park ticket to do so. That means either carrying it for the whole race or putting it in the bag to pick up at the end.

Bill

 

[ultramickeymouse]

IMHO: Not having to walk back after both races of the Goofy is worth staying at BW(or Epcot resorts). One less time to stand in line and wait for bus. We have done this for last 4 Goofy's and 5th in Jan.

As you walk back you can enjoy stretching your legs out and possibly enjoy an adult beverage on your way to your room

 

[momof2minnies]

Robert
Are the busses at ALL the resorts except monorail ones?

Linda

 

[Pirate's Princess]

Samantha My humble opinion, in no particular order....

--Stay in just one resort. Who wants to deal with the hassle of moving from place to place.
---Others may disagree, but I don't really think it matters where you stay from a logistics standpoint. You can't really walk TO the marathon (see other threads about that!) and your options for walking back involve the Epcot area hotels which are all deluxe. (One thought--do you have any Starwood points. The Swan or Dolphin are Starwood properties.) There are marathon buses to all resorts, so you'll be covered.
--You mentioned DVC. At this point BWV and BCV are booked. I am staying at OKW on points which I "bought" online through the discboards DVC Rent/Trade forum and transferred to my sister's account . It cost me $500 for the 50 points to get 4nights (Thurs-Sun) so thats $125/nt and no tax--that's like staying at a value or moderate.
--Book a moderate now and when the other rates come out, you can adjust. EXample--last year I booked PO-FQ at $185 and then when AAA came out called and got that at $149. Then when the AP discount came out could have gotten $119 (by then I decided to stay at WL)
--I have stayed at POR and thought that was nice (both Magnolia and Alligator Bayou--I think I preferred Bayou). Will definitely try PO-FQ in the future. Never done CB or Coronado.

Sorry for such a long post!

Maura

Thanks for the info Maura! I agree probably staying at one resort would make more sense. But which place to book...

They have busses going to all the resorts, except maybe not for the monorail ones (we haven't stayed in those before the race but the monorail is running so you can get to Epcot that way). We have stayed in Pop, All Stars, Saratoga Springs and Old Key West before the marathon. There was no difference except in how far you might have to walk to get to the bus. I would pick a resort that looks interesting for you and not worry about the transportation aspect of it.

Disney really doesn't want you walking to the start since it is early and there are no sidewalks to get there. The risk of being hit by a car is too high for my taste.

If you stay in the Epcot resort section, you could walk back to your resort after the race but you would need a park ticket to do so. That means either carrying it for the whole race or putting it in the bag to pick up at the end.

Bill

Thanks Bill! I didn't think you could walk there in the morning. I was just thinking Buses vs. Monorail. Which is more convenient?

IMHO: Not having to walk back after both races of the Goofy is worth staying at BW(or Epcot resorts). One less time to stand in line and wait for bus. We have done this for last 4 Goofy's and 5th in Jan.

As you walk back you can enjoy stretching your legs out and possibly enjoy an adult beverage on your way to your room

I've heard that and that definitely makes those resorts appealing. But aren't all the Epcot buses on one loop? Does that make getting around the parks take longer? I still want to have a fun eventful trip...

PS Hi Robert! I miss Kilt Nation and Skirt Nation at DR.com. I took the summer off from the site but I plan to buy my membership come september. I'm sure everyone there would have a decent opinion on this subject as well!

 

[Dolce27]

I've heard that and that definitely makes those resorts appealing. But aren't all the Epcot buses on one loop? Does that make getting around the parks take longer? I still want to have a fun eventful trip...

Is this question in regards to the rest of your Disney vacation and not marathon related? I stayed at the Boardwalk this past December. I walked to EPCOT and DHS for those parks. The section from DHS to the Boardwalk area is part of the marathon trail that you will be running on Jan 10. You can always take the ferry to DHS, but I preferred the walk.

The Boardwalk shares a bus with the Swan and Dolphin for the MK and AK. The Yacht and Beach Club share a bus. I never had problems with bus transportation when I was there.

 

[jessily]

If you can find a good rate at the Swan or Dolphin I think that's a great option. The only downfall is that (I believe this is still true), you can't use Magical Express. We stayed at Dolphin last year and getting from the airport to the Dolphin was $20-50 depending on the number of people and method of travel. We were able to get a rate of around $190 per night (we didn't book this until December though). It's not cheap, but compared to the deluxe resorts I thought it was a good deal. The resort had a deluxe feel to it and we were able to walk to Epcot and DHS (including walking back to the resort after the half). That alone made it worth the money to us. They do share bus service with Boardwalk and Beach/Yacht Club, so it did feel like it took a little while to get places on the bus, but we really didn't have any issues with it. I didn't think it took longer than when I've stayed at values/moderates in the past. Taking the boat/walking to Epcot/DHS was great.

I'm having the same problem you are... not really wanting to commit to a resort until some deals come out.

 

[Pirate's Princess]

Is this question in regards to the rest of your Disney vacation and not marathon related? I stayed at the Boardwalk this past December. I walked to EPCOT and DHS for those parks. The section from DHS to the Boardwalk area is part of the marathon trail that you will be running on Jan 10. You can always take the ferry to DHS, but I preferred the walk.

The Boardwalk shares a bus with the Swan and Dolphin for the MK and AK. The Yacht and Beach Club share a bus. I never had problems with bus transportation when I was there.

Thanks! I am leaning towards Boardwalk or something around that loop. DF is running as well, and he'll probably beat me by 2 hours, so being within walking distance, he could go back to the hotel, shower, rest, eat, etc...and then walk back when I'm heading towards the finish to meet me.

If you can find a good rate at the Swan or Dolphin I think that's a great option. The only downfall is that (I believe this is still true), you can't use Magical Express. We stayed at Dolphin last year and getting from the airport to the Dolphin was $20-50 depending on the number of people and method of travel. We were able to get a rate of around $190 per night (we didn't book this until December though). It's not cheap, but compared to the deluxe resorts I thought it was a good deal. The resort had a deluxe feel to it and we were able to walk to Epcot and DHS (including walking back to the resort after the half). That alone made it worth the money to us. They do share bus service with Boardwalk and Beach/Yacht Club, so it did feel like it took a little while to get places on the bus, but we really didn't have any issues with it. I didn't think it took longer than when I've stayed at values/moderates in the past. Taking the boat/walking to Epcot/DHS was great.

I'm having the same problem you are... not really wanting to commit to a resort until some deals come out.

I like the idea of the swan/dolphin but we're not renting a car and I'm not sure we really want to deal with the hassle of taxis...

 

[wtpclc]

Robert
Are the busses at ALL the resorts except monorail ones?

Linda

Yes, buses at all non-monrail resorts.

Pirates Princesss - Swan and DOlphin use Disney buses, including marathon buses. No need to rent a car.

 

[Pirate's Princess]

Yes, buses at all non-monrail resorts.

Pirates Princesss - Swan and DOlphin use Disney buses, including marathon buses. No need to rent a car.

I meant to and from the airport. The Swan and Dolphin don't use Magical Express as I understand.

 

[dkostel]

Last year I stayed at the Contemporary and loved just taking the monorail. Much shorter actual walking distance than any of the Epcot area resorts (just up & down a couple of monorail ramps). One tip is that I didn't book until late (or I switched late) and couldn't find availability through Disney or AAA. I checked Expedia & Orbitz on a whim and Orbitz had availability and at a low rate. Make sure you check both of those before you book.

 

[jessily]

Thanks! I am leaning towards Boardwalk or something around that loop. DF is running as well, and he'll probably beat me by 2 hours, so being within walking distance, he could go back to the hotel, shower, rest, eat, etc...and then walk back when I'm heading towards the finish to meet me.



I like the idea of the swan/dolphin but we're not renting a car and I'm not sure we really want to deal with the hassle of taxis...

I'm have a similar issue time-wise as you. I'm traveling with a friend who will finish the marathon around 2 hrs before me. We wanted to stay off property and rent a car, but I know he's not going to want to either wait for me at the finish, or come back and pick me up (nor would I expect him too)... so we'll probably be staying on property. I guess I could just grab a taxi from the finish though.

 

[laughinplace199]

Last year was my first marathon, so DH & I splurged and stayed at the Contemporary. I loved taking the monorail to and from the race.

We just recently decided to do the marathon again in 2010. We're using our DVC points to book the room this time. I really wanted to stay at BLT, BWV, or BCV, but nothing was available. We booked a studio at OKW. I love OKW for it's quiet, relaxing feel, so it worked out ok.

 

[Ronda93]

I've seen a few threads urging early booking for marathon weekend. I've stayed at all sorts of WDW resorts. This will be my first marathon weekend. Anyone have experience with POP that weekend?

Thanks,
Ronda