Dave
Martha and I have stayed at the Swan perhaps 5 times in the past few years. The hotel is run by Starwood , pretty much like a nice Sheraton, not to the standards of a Westin or W. The rooms are nice enough, the location is really good if you're like us and spend more time in the EPCOT/MGM area, and the beds (Westin's trademarked "Heavenly Beds") really are heavenly. At the Swan you'll feel like you are at a nice conference hotel, and the clientele definately runs to adults (I don't know if your kids will be travelling with you). If you do this I would recommend you opt up for the rooms on the wings pointing towards the Dolphin which have a balcony. They are much more pleasant than the rooms in the "triangle" of the Swan. For last October's race for the taste Martha and I stayed at the Swan and with the teacher/faculty discount it is a good room at a very good price indeed.
We haven't been the the Wilderness Lodge for some years, the Lodge is a very lovely resort indeed. The lobby is multi-storied, very cool, you feel like you're in Yosemite or Yellowstone. The rooms are very nice and you know you're at a Disney resort, both from the price you pay and the feel of the place. The negatives of the WL (in my opinion) were very limited dining options and the transport by boat to the Magic Kingdom varies from frustrating to completely unacceptable.
Wow, going back in the time machine, we were at the WL in 1995 when our daughter was 10. It was the first time we had her there and she liked it very much (even if she didn't get the bunk beds she had been promised, grumble^2). We've not stayed there since, as she got older we spent far less time in the Magic Kingom and usually stay in the Epcot Resorts area, where there is far more action for a teen or young 20.
Getting to the start of the races (I cannot remember if you are doing the half or the full, sorry) from the Swan will require a bus. From the half finish you'll also need to take a bus back. From the full you can bus or if someone meets you at the finish with your admission pass, you can walk through EPCOT.
From the WL to the start of the races you'd either take the bus or make the short walk over to the Transport Center and take the monorail to the EPCOT station, which is a short walk from the staging areas from the races. From the finish you'd have to reverse this process.
Good luck with your choice. I can safely say that we have stayed at the Wilderness Lodge, Grand Floridian, Yacht Club, Boardwalk Inn, Boardwalk Villas, and Swan during our trips and I am always comfortable and happy to be at the Swan (+ I appreciate the $ saved).
I'm back home in Colorado this week, and this morning I ran at 5000 feet of altitude. I went slow and easy, and actually did fine, not like other trips home when I've gone out like a rocket and blown up all over the trail. It's always frustrating to remember that I GREW UP HERE and used to run hard and effortlessly at this altitude. This getting old and living in New England isn't good for my self-image.
Cheers to all
Craig
Martha and I have stayed at the Swan perhaps 5 times in the past few years. The hotel is run by Starwood , pretty much like a nice Sheraton, not to the standards of a Westin or W. The rooms are nice enough, the location is really good if you're like us and spend more time in the EPCOT/MGM area, and the beds (Westin's trademarked "Heavenly Beds") really are heavenly. At the Swan you'll feel like you are at a nice conference hotel, and the clientele definately runs to adults (I don't know if your kids will be travelling with you). If you do this I would recommend you opt up for the rooms on the wings pointing towards the Dolphin which have a balcony. They are much more pleasant than the rooms in the "triangle" of the Swan. For last October's race for the taste Martha and I stayed at the Swan and with the teacher/faculty discount it is a good room at a very good price indeed.
We haven't been the the Wilderness Lodge for some years, the Lodge is a very lovely resort indeed. The lobby is multi-storied, very cool, you feel like you're in Yosemite or Yellowstone. The rooms are very nice and you know you're at a Disney resort, both from the price you pay and the feel of the place. The negatives of the WL (in my opinion) were very limited dining options and the transport by boat to the Magic Kingdom varies from frustrating to completely unacceptable.
Wow, going back in the time machine, we were at the WL in 1995 when our daughter was 10. It was the first time we had her there and she liked it very much (even if she didn't get the bunk beds she had been promised, grumble^2). We've not stayed there since, as she got older we spent far less time in the Magic Kingom and usually stay in the Epcot Resorts area, where there is far more action for a teen or young 20.
Getting to the start of the races (I cannot remember if you are doing the half or the full, sorry) from the Swan will require a bus. From the half finish you'll also need to take a bus back. From the full you can bus or if someone meets you at the finish with your admission pass, you can walk through EPCOT.
From the WL to the start of the races you'd either take the bus or make the short walk over to the Transport Center and take the monorail to the EPCOT station, which is a short walk from the staging areas from the races. From the finish you'd have to reverse this process.
Good luck with your choice. I can safely say that we have stayed at the Wilderness Lodge, Grand Floridian, Yacht Club, Boardwalk Inn, Boardwalk Villas, and Swan during our trips and I am always comfortable and happy to be at the Swan (+ I appreciate the $ saved).
I'm back home in Colorado this week, and this morning I ran at 5000 feet of altitude. I went slow and easy, and actually did fine, not like other trips home when I've gone out like a rocket and blown up all over the trail. It's always frustrating to remember that I GREW UP HERE and used to run hard and effortlessly at this altitude. This getting old and living in New England isn't good for my self-image.
Cheers to all
Craig
and 
I did it during adult swim, but now on to the story.....
I looked up and told him I knew. He told me I could not swim during adult swim, only adults can swim now. 
I'll be 32 this year so I really really 
I have to run tomorow! Got to get ready for the real training in just over a month!
and did 3 miles at 8:59/mile pace. 
I did very well the first two miles (the first in particular), but the heat caught up to me in the third mile. I'm happy with it, though
With the DL 1/2 in September, Marine Corps Marathon in October and a 12 day WDW vacation planned for November/December, what on earth am I thinking? Let's not even speak of going back down in January for the marathon!! I guess I'll be living lean for a while but loving every minute of it. 
I still was sweating so bad that a girl in the locker room thought I had been swimming. 
