Hi all, I've done hours worth of researching today but still have some confusion/questions that I'm hoping the more experienced people here can help me out with. I know I want to sign up for the full marathon (first one!) and it's been really fun to start planning and read all the info online. My basic info is this- solo racer, solo hotel-stayer (if I can rope some running friends/spectators into joining me I will, but I'm not counting on it and have to book not knowing). My biggest focus is the race- I've seen the Magic Kingdom relatively recently; if I wanted to see a park(s) it would be Animal Kingdom or Epcot (or HP which I know is unrelated). I've also stayed at a Disney hotel and looooved it, but I've had that experience and budget is my bigger concern.
My biggest question initially was about hotels, and my research has led me to these conclusions:
- staying at a Disney hotel is best, and it's best because of the transportation options
- no single Disney hotel offers a huge advantage over another in terms of being a solo marathon racer
- the non-Disney Hilton/Astoria hotels offer discounted race packages that include transportation
- my hotel stay would only be two nights (Sat and Sun- I would like to arrive Thurs or Fri but would go extra budget friendly then)
So my plan was to just to register for the race, maybe or maybe not get a park ticket for 1-2 days, and find the cheapest Disney hotel, but it appears that those dates haven't been released yet? Then I questioned whether I should just book one of the off-site hotels if transportation isn't an issue and they are cheaper (and potentially nicer than Pop?)
Today though I found out about the registration delay, and it will be trickier for me to sign up. I'll be out of the country starting June 1 with somewhat limited internet access and was hoping to have everything booked before I left. I also found out about the travel agents who can reserve bibs for you with packages. So that seemed like the obvious answer, but then I'm locking not just myself into the price of a Disney hotel and park ticket, but anyone who I could get to come along and share with me as well.
Ultimately I'm looking for a balance on the most fun, easy experience for the best value (aren't we all?!). I'm a planner and like to obsess over every detail! As a side note, I'm also curious if anyone knows of virtual or real groups to follow/join before or at the event- as a solo racer it would be fun to meet people doing this race too.
Thanks!
My biggest question initially was about hotels, and my research has led me to these conclusions:
- staying at a Disney hotel is best, and it's best because of the transportation options
- no single Disney hotel offers a huge advantage over another in terms of being a solo marathon racer
- the non-Disney Hilton/Astoria hotels offer discounted race packages that include transportation
- my hotel stay would only be two nights (Sat and Sun- I would like to arrive Thurs or Fri but would go extra budget friendly then)
So my plan was to just to register for the race, maybe or maybe not get a park ticket for 1-2 days, and find the cheapest Disney hotel, but it appears that those dates haven't been released yet? Then I questioned whether I should just book one of the off-site hotels if transportation isn't an issue and they are cheaper (and potentially nicer than Pop?)
Today though I found out about the registration delay, and it will be trickier for me to sign up. I'll be out of the country starting June 1 with somewhat limited internet access and was hoping to have everything booked before I left. I also found out about the travel agents who can reserve bibs for you with packages. So that seemed like the obvious answer, but then I'm locking not just myself into the price of a Disney hotel and park ticket, but anyone who I could get to come along and share with me as well.
Ultimately I'm looking for a balance on the most fun, easy experience for the best value (aren't we all?!). I'm a planner and like to obsess over every detail! As a side note, I'm also curious if anyone knows of virtual or real groups to follow/join before or at the event- as a solo racer it would be fun to meet people doing this race too.
Thanks!