WISH team WDW Marathon weekend meets

[chimera]

Everyone ready to start brainstorming?

After last year's experience, I think we're looking more at the food court idea than a restaurant that requires ressies, but let's see everyone's ideas. I kinda like POR/POFQ...I think a lot of people doing the full will be staying there, I like both food courts, and both resorts have playgrounds and neat pool areas for the kids. They also have pontoon boat and surrey bike rentals that might be kinda cool for a pre-dinner event. I didn't get to go last year, but a breakfast meeting for the morning after the full would also be cool to do again!

What do you want to do? Please throw out any ideas you have!

 

[jodistar]

The Pre-Event Dinner sounds great! I wouldn't be able to the morning after unfortunately . Anywhere, all of you would like to go is fine with me

 

[ScoJo15]

Since the Half is on Saturday morning and the full is Sunday morning...think we could meet Thursday night somewhere?

 

[chimera]

Since the Half is on Saturday morning and the full is Sunday morning...think we could meet Thursday night somewhere?

We could, but then I wouldn't be able to come
And we might miss a lot of people doing the full if we have it on Thurs...many of them don't come in until Friday since they have an extra day.

It is kinda tough coordinating everyone's schedules since we're talking about 2 different race days. What we did last year was met early for dinner on Friday...around 4:30, so that it would be easier for so many of us to be seated and those of us doing the half could still get to bed at a decent hour.

 

[jodistar]

How about if we all meet on the Friday before everything? Or maybe Sunday night after all is finished? I have no idea what it is like on Marathon weekend but maybe we could all take in Fantastmic or one of the fireworks shows as a team (just a thought).

 

[WDWFAN9]

I like the food court idea, it will be easier to "mingle" than in a table service restaurant, plus if anyone wants to linger they won't have to feel bad about tying up a table for their server. Early Friday evening worked well for me last year when I did the half. I had to eat somewhere anyway and after Trail's End I still had plenty of time to get back to my resort and get to bed relatively early.

I would also be interested in a meet in one of the parks, but we have to remember that not everyone will want to "spend" a park admission for a meet. What is involved in an Illuminations Dessert gathering? Last year when two of my kids were planning weddings I occasionally lurked on the weddings board and the dessert gatherings were very popular. I don't remember all the details, but it might be something to look into.

The Monday morning breakfast on the Boardwalk last year was convenient too. After eating and visiting with everyone I just walked into the backend of Epcot. Very nice.

Let's keep the ideas going...that is half the fun of a WDW vacation for me...oh, the possibilities are endless!

 

[AmyBeth68]

I was thinking about doing the food court meet as well AND also think an Illuminations Dessert Gathering could be an additional option!

 

[ScoJo15]

It is kinda tough coordinating everyone's schedules since we're talking about 2 different race days. What we did last year was met early for dinner on Friday...around 4:30, so that it would be easier for so many of us to be seated and those of us doing the half could still get to bed at a decent hour.

I like this idea a lot!

 

[solotraveler]

Sounds like we have some great ideas on here so far!

I like the Friday evening dinner idea very much. I think I would pull for doing it at Riverside as opposed to the French Quarter simply because the Riverside food court is so much larger and therefore it should be easier to get tables together.

Breakfast at the Boardwalk Monday morning sounds like a great idea too.

Kevin (Solotraveler)

 

[Honeibee]

I like this idea a lot!

I like the early Friday dinner thing too. I think we are leaving Monday morning, but we don't have flights yet.

But I also like the Friday night thing because I am counting on your guys for MORAL SUPPORT! I'll be a nervous wreck, I can tell you right now and I sure could use seeing you all the night before.

So, I too vote for an early Friday evening thing. At the food court would be good. And at POR would be really good, since that's where we are staying. Hee hee.

Judy

 

[keenercam]

Having seen the POFQ food court last weekend, I thought it would be a great choice. But I didn't know Riverside was even larger. That sounds like an awesome option. And based on last year's experience, I really think early dinner Friday is a great choice for people who are coming in just for the weekend. Around 4:30 still lets everyone who is doing the 1/2 get back to their resorts early to deal with night before chores.

I definitely intend on us being up early Saturday since Howard is doing the 1/2 and I am going to cheer on WISHers (later on, we will have to coordinate where the Full people will support the 1/2ers on Saturday -- I will NEVER forget what it was like to get that support on the course! )

A post-full meet on Monday morning sounds wonderful, too. Boardwalk Bakery was great last year, since there was no pressure to get food and many of us could walk or boat over there.

I am not sure about an Illuminations Dessert event Saturday night since the 1/2 marathon people might be tired and the full marathon people need to get to bed early. Since there will be post-race stuff on Sunday night at Pleasure Island, it might be fun to coordinate something for Raglan Road and then either Adventurers Club or Comedy Warehouse.

Isn't this fun? Planning is such a huge part of what makes this an awesome experience!

 

[monte]

What about Jellyrolls? I've heard that's a fun place to hang out. I think that Friday is the best day to meet. Whatever is decided, I'm sure it will be a blast to meet everyone face to face

 

[wtpclc]

Friday Dinner - Probably will miss that again, as it looks like my best air rates will be late Firday again

Monday Breakfast - I'm in!!! BW was nice last year and will be even better this year, as I'll be staying at BCV!

Sunday night - I'd love to meet at the post-race party in PI, but that's hard as last year we wanted to die Sunday night. If it had been warmer, though it may have helped.

Illuminations Dessert - I'd be up for that as DH loves Illuminations. Pretty much any night from Sunday to the followig Thursday.

Edited because my boat is full for the Illuminations Cruise.

 

[msblrobs]

Either POR or POFQ food court sounds like a grand plan. We'll most likely fly in early Friday and hope to stay at POFQ. The early time works well for dinner on Friday and most likely will cut down on congestion during meal time.
As for a post-marathon meet, I will have my kids, so I can't commit at this time. Park-hopping may win out...

 

[plutosmyfav]

I like Friday early dinner at POR/POFQ and a Monday morning brunch. A Sunday evening meeting spot would be fun, too. I didn't do PI last year, is it too crowded to get together? We did MK which was fun. If we go this year, DS won't be with us (that's both very sad and very exciting). So I might want to do PI this time.

 

[AmyBeth68]

Ohhhhh....Jelly Rolls is a great idea!!!! But PI sounds fun too....now that's assuming I can move after the Full Marathon LOL! Early dinner on Friday is a possiblity for me...and the b'fast on Monday is a definite.

 

[Valentine]

Ohhhhh....Jelly Rolls is a great idea!!!! But PI sounds fun too....now that's assuming I can move after the Full Marathon LOL! Early dinner on Friday is a possiblity for me...and the b'fast on Monday is a definite.

Well.. I am officially SIGNED UP.. and all of the ideas above sound Great! So.. I am up for whatever! I quoted you Amybeth because you and I have the EXACT same trip dates for Both August and January!! LOL!! AND I will be staying at the BCV also in August! Pre-Marathon meet?

Kathy

 

[AmyBeth68]

Sorry to hijack this thread but....

I quoted you Amybeth because you and I have the EXACT same trip dates for Both August and January!! LOL!! AND I will be staying at the BCV also in August! Pre-Marathon meet?

Kathy.....Definitely! We should plan to meet up in August, especially since we're staying at the same resort!!! How cool!!! I'm going to be starting my marathon training program in August so I'll be doing some runs while there...albeit they won't be too long. If you are interested we could get together in August and maybe even do a training run!!! BTW....VERY cool that we have the same dates!! LOL!

 

[TXBelle]

The Friday night dinner is a WISH tradition, and I highly recommend it to everyone. I think Port Orleans food court is a great idea! I also enjoyed the Boardwalk Bakery meet on Monday morning. I vote for doing that again. Anyone have a countdown clock? How close are we getting to marathon weekend?

 

[WDWFAN9]

The Friday night dinner is a WISH tradition, and I highly recommend it to everyone. I think Port Orleans food court is a great idea! I also enjoyed the Boardwalk Bakery meet on Monday morning. I vote for doing that again. Anyone have a countdown clock? How close are we getting to marathon weekend?

I don't know how to get a countdown ticker, but it is 232 days until the half, and 233 to the full!!