The weather is starting to warm up for much of the country, allowing people to emerge from their wintry cocoons for some fresh air and outdoor exercise. If you haven’t done so already, both the full and half-marathons at Walt Disney World next January are still open for enrollment. Don’t delay; the events begin to fill up once we head into the summer months.
Are you an early bird who likes to plan your hotel reservations really early? We are not quite eight months to the WDW marathons, but for many that means it isn’t too late for making plans. But which hotel to pick? Could the task of choosing a hotel differ for a marathon trip compared to a “normal” trip? You betcha!
In today’s installment of the Disney Marathon Guide, let’s take a look at the pros and cons of your individual on-property hotel options, and see how they compare. When you have a chance, take a look at “Travel Planning,” my Marathon Guide article from October (link) for general tips on choosing a place to stay. That article should serve as a complement to this one.
Deluxe Resorts
The Deluxe Resort category is the most expensive, but these hotels provide an all-inclusive feel of a ritzy place, with amenities like full-service restaurants (some with themes or entertainment), valet parking, on-site childcare, and more. Many of them also include fitness centers or spas.
The top of the list for the Deluxe Resort category belong to the Contemporary, Grand Floridian, and Polynesian Resorts for what I consider is the single biggest perk for marathoners: Direct access to the WDW Monorail system. While the bus system is very convenient on race mornings, they are not nearly as pleasant on the ride back (especially if the day is hot, and you are a slow participant who winds up at the finish line when the sun beating down on you).
I’ll note the pros in blue, and the cons in red. This list is not comprehensive, but is meant to highlight the most noteworthy and primary considerations to aid you in determining your best choice.
Contemporary (link)
Very convenient location – one stop away from the Magic Kingdom on the monorail.
On both the full and half marathon courses – allowing your friends and family easy access to the route to cheer you on
Home of California Grill, – a very nice full-service restaurant offering healthy cuisine.
Rooms in the garden wings require a bit of a walk – although they are still still fairly close compared to the walking required for other, more spread out hotels on property.
Ambiance is a bit lacking – in this hotel if you are looking for something a bit more mentally relaxing after the marathon
Cost – A good niche hotel but with others of comparable price with better amenities for marathoners
Grand Floridian (link)
Very convenient location – on the monorail (although you need to transfer to get on the Epcot monorail at the Ticket and Transportation Center)
Incomparable pool area – provides excellent after-marathon lounging
Pool area relatively quiet – for adults
On both the full and half marathon courses – allowing your friends and family easy access to the route to cheer you on (near the wedding pavilion area). This particular area always has cast members wearing bride and groom Mickey ears, as well as some characters (such as Mary Poppins), providing some extra entertainment
Home of Victoria and Alberts – a formal 5-star fine-dining establishment for people who really want to dress up for a fancy occasion, perhaps to celebrate the completion of a Goofy Challenge (full and half both!).
A spa like no other – on WDW Property, full of luxurious pampered goodness that will make you feel like royalty. Allows you to get a soothing massage after the marathon. Expensive, though. Expect to pay twice what you normally pay for a massage.
The most expensive – in general, and may be priced well out of many people’s budgets
Polynesian (link)
Very convenient location – on the monorail. If you walk to the TTC, you have a direct line on the Epcot monorail to the start of the marathon.
Tropical theme – is particularly soothing and relaxing after the marathon, almost like getting away to another vacation (there are hammocks!)
Tonga Toast – Nowhere else at WDW can you get a filling carbo-licious breakfast of French toast made with banana-stuffed sourdough bread that’s rolled in cinnamon sugar? For those running the half-marathon, you will even have time to get back to the resort for this calorie-heavy breakfast after the race.
Cost – As a Deluxe Resort hotel, the Polynesian is still a considerable dent in your wallet.
Spread out – The resort is spread out over multiple large buildings, called “longhouses,” and you could be in for a bit of a walk if you get housed in some of them. As an example, the Tahiti and Rapa Nui longhouses are closest to the TTC, while longhouses like the Tuvalu are farther to the main Polynesian Resort monorail stop than the Tahiti is to TTC.
Proximity to the course – If you plan to bring your own cheerleading squad, they will need to make arrangements and figure out how to get to the spectator locations, since the course is not really that close to the courses.
Animal Kingdom Lodge (link)
Sunrise Safari Breakfast Adventure – if you stay as a Concierge guest, you can visit the animals early in the morning and enjoy breakfast at the Tusker House for a measly extra $55 per person. What a lazy—yet still exhilarating—way to spend one of the mornings you’re not running the marathon?
Boma – for me and my husband, dinner at Boma after the half-marathon has turned into a wonderful tradition. Dishes of both the exotic and comfort variety provide a banquet to feast on.
Zahanati Fitness Center – a comprehensive gym filled with Cybex resistance equipment and cardio machines, the center also includes a spa, where you can enjoy a massage. So you might not feel the desire for a five-mile run on the treadmill, but a pampered massage is definitely a benefit here.
Uzima Springs Pool – a zero-entry pool that lets you slowly ease yourself into the water instead of climbing down a ladder, this may be a perfect way to spend your afternoon after the marathon.
Proximity – this lodge is situated “next door” to Disney’s Animal Kingdom Park. Unfortunately, “next door” is not really within walking distance. If you want to do anything and you don’t have a car, you are stuck with resort’s bus service. And although the
Proximity to the course – if you plan to bring your own cheerleading squad, they will need to make arrangements and figure out how to get to the spectator locations, since the course is not really that close to the courses. Note that the half-marathon doesn’t even get remotely close to either the lodge or Animal Kingdom park.
Cost – being able to see giraffes and gazelles out of your hotel window comes with a price tag to match the experience. If you don’t aren’t huge on zoos or the animal theme, there are other Deluxe resorts that provide other (and perhaps better) benefits.
BoardWalk Inn (link)
Location, location, location – If you are running the full marathon, the Boardwalk is one of the closest to Epcot. If you are still on your feet after the marathon, you can hobble your way right back to your room without waiting for a bus.
Dining and entertainment – the Boardwalk area provides a very nice array of entertainment, like Jellyrolls, as well as food from such restaurants as the Flying Fish, that goes well beyond the ordinary “hotel restaurant” format. The boardwalk provides a nice area to stroll in to stretch your legs
Jogging area – a lake sits in the middle, surrounded by Boardwalk Inn, as well as the Yacht and Beach Club resorts. This area makes a terrific jogging trail, and you can easily add more distance by running to the Swan and Dolphin hotels.
Morning blues – as close as the Boardwalk Inn is to Epcot, the International Gateway connecting gate that opens to the edge of World Showcase is not open before the marathon. You still have to catch the marathon shuttle bus in the morning.
Wilderness Lodge (link)
Whispering Canyon Cafe – the entertainment from the servers at this hotel is something to look forward to. If you stay at the lodge, make sure to load up on food at this place. Oh, and don’t ask for ketchup.
Inconvenience – unfortunately, one of the main selling points for this beautiful Yosemite-themed resort—its secludedness—makes it very inconvenient for marathoners. You can catch the boat to the Magic Kingdom or take a shuttle bus, but neither are particularly appealing.
Yacht Club (link) and Beach Club Villas (link)
Terrific location – on the other side of Crescent Lake from the Boardwalk Inn, Epcot is just a handful of minutes away, making these hotels (and DVC resorts) a good choice.
Jogging area – enjoy running a lap (or two or three) around Crescent Lake
Morning blues – as close as the Boardwalk Inn is to Epcot, the International Gateway connecting gate that opens to the edge of World Showcase is not open before the marathon. You still have to catch the marathon shuttle bus in the morning.
Walt Disney World Swan (link) and Dolphin (link)
Location – although not quite as close to the Epcot gate as Boardwalk and the Yacht and Beach Club resorts, both the Swan and Dolphin are considered “Epcot resorts” and are within walking distance to the park. Note, however, that these two hotels are farther away, so your walk is a longer stroll
Non-Disney hotels – if you are a frequent traveler with a Sheraton loyalty card, you can use your points for free stays or upgrades. If you are a concierge guest, their lounge provides an exceptional continental breakfast. Note that for some, the hotels being non-Disney owned is a disadvantage. Disney however, does offer free bus shuttle service for marathoners
Moderate Resorts
Moderate Resorts may not provide as many amenities as their Deluxe counterparts, but most still offer full-service restaurants and (limited) room service. In addition, all these resorts have swimming pools, food courts, as well as bus or boat transportation to the parks. I am combining the listing for all four of these Moderate Resort hotels because the pros and cons are almost identical.
Caribbean Beach (link), Coronado Springs (link), Port Orleans French Quarter (link), and Port Orleans Riverside (link)
Dining convenience – too tired to leave your hotel to go to a restaurant for dinner? All provide sit-down restaurants, food courts as well as some room service.
Jogging trails – all four resorts are laid out in relaxed sprawls, snaking around rivers or lakes. You can have an easy stroll or jog around your resort and not even leave the property.
Pools and whirlpool spas – all of these hotels have pools, and many have multiple pools (such as at Coronado Springs) so you can find a quieter pool near your room to relax after the marathon.
Sprawl – what seems romantic and quaint—to have many few-storied buildings situated over a large area of property, clustered in little sections, can be an almost painful inconvenience if you are housed in one of the farther-away buildings. A walk to the food court may take 10 to 15 minutes, making a 30-minute round trip not worth the hassle for those trying to save their energy or those too tired from running 26 miles.
Isolation – all four resorts are designed as little islands; none are particularly close to any of the parks, and they are not really within easy walking distance. If you have friends and family who wish to cheer you on, they must either ride the morning bus with you are 0-dark-hundred, have their own rental car, or wait for a regular shuttle bus later in the morning.
Value Resorts
Value Resorts were Disney’s solution to try to prevent its park visitors from staying off-property. For roughly the cost of an off-property hotel stay, guests can stay at themed budget “motels” on-property with considerably more amenities than your cheaper motels, including things like food courts, pizza delivery, swimming pools, bus transportation, as well as participation in Disney’s free Magical Express bus shuttle service to and from Orlando International Airport. If this trip to WDW is specifically for the marathon and you aren’t here to bust your budget, the Value Resorts are the way to go.
All-Star Movies (link), Music (link), Sports (link), and Pop Century (link)
Food court – if you just want to grab some quick food on the go the food courts provide a convenience you cannot get at the full-service restaurants.
Inconvenience – unlike the monorail and boat-accessible resorts, marathon finishers must wait for shuttle buses to take them back to these resorts. At least in the past, the buses to the Value Resort buses did not seem to run as frequently as the ones to the other resort, or or there were far more runners staying at these resorts, making the waits much longer for these buses. At least the Pop Century buses only went to Pop Century.
Too many marathoners – because the Value Resorts provide such good deals, and because so many of the large fundraising teams stay at these resorts, you might feel like the place is overrun with marathoners. For some, this is exciting, but others may find that everyone does similar things at the same time, making for a very crowded experience.
Disney Vacation Club Resorts
Disney Vacation Club Resorts are available only to DVC members, and while their amenities include those you might expect for a regular hotel, many also include kitchen facilities and very flexible room set-ups, making them attractive for families. In general, the pros and cons for DVC resorts are similar to those listed for the comparable Deluxe or Moderate resort. They include the BoardWalk Villas (link), Old Key West (link), the newest Saratoga Springs Resort and Spa (link), and the Villas at Wilderness Lodge (link).
Special Lodging
In addition to these resorts, those who prefer to “rough it” can stay at Ft. Wilderness Campsites, Cabins and Homes (link), especially if you have your own RV. Note, however, that the cost for these campsites is considerably higher than your ordinary RV park, and you might actually have a better deal if you stay at one of the Value Resorts. At least you will have a really nice hot shower after the marathon.
Finally, there is the Shades of Green (link), a resort run by Morale, Welfare and Recreation (MWR) for members of the U.S. Armed Forces and the Department of Defense. The Shades of Green recently underwent a substantial renovation, and it is now as nice as the nicest Moderate Value resort on property. Those who choose to stay here will notice a lot of other marathon participants among the guests, since physical fitness and running are such strong elements of military service. The primarily disadvantage with the Shades of Green is in transportation.
Lani’s Picks
With such a dizzying array of choices, how can anyone possibly choose just one hotel? You might not need to. Why not stay at a monorail hotel for the two nights of the marathon (the night before, and the night after you finish), and then check into another resort? If you are considering doing something other than Disney, you don’t even have to stay on property after those two nights.
Based on comments I’ve heard over the past years from people who have stayed on-property for the marathon, as well as on my own opinions, here are my picks for the best marathon hotels on property:
Deluxe: Polynesian – To me, the Poly has the best blend of all three monorail resorts. Not quite as ritzy as the Grand Floridian but not nearly as stark as the Contemporary, the Polynesian is a wonderful resort because of its proximity to TTC (for both getting to the marathon start as well as when you’re done), and because the tropical theme does seem to take the pains of the marathon right out of your body. Consider bringing a large hat, a tall cool one, toss off your flip flops and swing on the hammock after slogging those 26.2 miles, and you’ll know what I mean. Warning: As much as you can, let them know you are a marathon participant, and that you want to have a room in the Tahiti or Rapa Nui longhouse so that you can be close to the Ticket and Transportation Center for your monorail ride.
Moderate: Port Orleans French Quarter – Although this resort experiences the same “I think it’s too far for me to walk to refill my refillable mug” feel as the other three Moderate resorts, this resort has a landscape that incorporates a lot of shade. The river is a great place for a stroll, and you won’t feel like the Florida sun is beating down on you quite so harshly as with the Coronado Springs or Caribbean Beach.
Value: Pop Century – Although priced similarly to the All-Stars, I think the Pop Century is the best Value resort, regardless of the purpose of your trip. However, since it’s also close to the Disney Wide World of Sports, it makes getting to the Milk House to pick up your running number just a little easier.
In the end, it boils down to personal preference, but for marathoners, location and convenience should be your two biggest considerations. In fact, if your budget allows, consider bumping up your stay for the two nights (for the half-marathon, checking in Friday night and checking out Sunday; for the full, Saturday to Monday) and splurge a little. Even if it means downgrading to a Value Resort or even an off-property location for the rest of your stay, spending a few extra dollars will allow you to focus your energies on the run itself.
