Marathon Weekend 2020

[lahobbs4]

Our only must-do's this trip are Yak and Yeti and Boma dinner. We are staying at AKL so we will hit up the Mara often, I love that quick-service!

I really hate most food options at HS but have to go there because of SWGE. Maybe Sci-Fi?
Via Napoli for a late dinner after the full. We are never hungry after that race!
Disney Springs after the half. That one will probably be a last minute decision. I had the pot roast for lunch after the half at Liberty Tree Tavern last year and it was SO good but we are skipping MK this year.

I just don't get as excited about WDW restaurants as I used to. As long as I get my Mickey Rice Crispy Treat and caramel popcorn, I'm good!

 

[Princess KP]

Friday - Carb loading dinner TBD (anyone have a pizza recommendation?)

I like the pizza from Wolfgang Puck Express at DS and no reservations are required!

 

[flav]

SAFD: I have never been so confused about ADR... This for someone who did four trips with Deluxe Dining Plan and two without! The challenge comes from the mix of people coming and their goals/levels of energy:
DM will probably want some down time but likes nice sit down dinners,
DU has never been to Disney and doesn’t like anything too adventurous taste wise,
DH and DD14 are coming down for a few days and want to cover as much ground as possible and would like to skip TS,
DD12 asked for T-Rex and,
I am running Dopey and have to manage that in the schedule, plus my food intake and, I don’t know how hungry I’ll be after the Marathon.

Right now, I am thinking Artist Point for four people Sunday evening after the Marathon, T-Rex on Wednesday after the Expo and BOG for lunch I don’t know when.

I might add one or two of the following to have the option later:
Via Napoli (if not DH) or Mama Melrose (with DH)
Chef de France or Rose and Crown (although their QS might be a better option for this trip)
Coral Reef or new Space restaurant at Epcot

Other places that I’d like to visit but unlikely to succeed on this trip:
Contempo café or GF café
Trader Sam
Sanaa
Skipper Canteen
Jaleo in Disney Springs

Thanks, writing it down brought some clarity...

 

[PrincessV]

SAFD: My ADR window doesn't open until next week and the only one I'm making is a group post-races celebration dinner. I just spent two days eating Disney food and will happily live without that experience again for a long while: I'll have a full kitchen for Marathon week and will be making 90% of my own meals.

 

[Disneyslowrunner]

SAFD: I have never been so confused about ADR... This for someone who did four trips with Deluxe Dining Plan and two without! The challenge comes from the mix of people coming and their goals/levels of energy:
DM will probably want some down time but likes nice sit down dinners,
DU has never been to Disney and doesn’t like anything too adventurous taste wise,
DH and DD14 are coming down for a few days and want to cover as much ground as possible and would like to skip TS,
DD12 asked for T-Rex and,
I am running Dopey and have to manage that in the schedule, plus my food intake and, I don’t know how hungry I’ll be after the Marathon.

Right now, I am thinking Artist Point for four people Sunday evening after the Marathon, T-Rex on Wednesday after the Expo and BOG for lunch I don’t know when.

I might add one or two of the following to have the option later:
Via Napoli (if not DH) or Mama Melrose (with DH)
Chef de France or Rose and Crown (although their QS might be a better option for this trip)
Coral Reef or new Space restaurant at Epcot

Other places that I’d like to visit but unlikely to succeed on this trip:
Contempo café or GF café
Trader Sam
Sanaa
Skipper Canteen
Jaleo in Disney Springs

Thanks, writing it down brought some clarity...

I have gone with a large group and you really have two choices, just accept that at any one point, at least one person will not be happy and manage expectations accordingly. The other, is to have a few key meals together, but allow for time to break off into small group periodically for meals or even for sections of the day and periodically regroup. If you are doing dopey or goofy, I would recommend the later. For me, managing a big group takes all of the fun out of it. I went with a big group a few years ago and sometimes just breaking up into small groups elevated so much of the stress of knowing one person really wanted to do one thing, but others would be miserable. Now we do that all the time or else by the middle of the trip there is probably going to be an emotional blowout at least once.

 

[LdyStormy76]

I am running the half marathon. We are only doing one park which will be Sunday. Originally I thought we would spend the day in Mk. It all the sudden dawned on me that the marathon would still be going on. How bad is it getting from Swan to MK if we use the buses?

Since the marathon clears Magic Kingdom first it should not be too bad. Depending on when the last corral starts runners should be clear of that park by 8:30 and my guess is that traffic from the Epcot area resorts to MK should be minimally impacted, if at all.

 

[GuinnessRunner]

SAFD:

We've got Homecoming, Raglan Road, California Grill and Sanaa on the "list" for January but still need to sit down and figure out preferences for each day. One downside I have found to full family going is getting ADRs for all 6 of us can be a PITA. I know a lot of people just make them for a smaller number and add when they get there, but I've always been too afraid to rely on that, especially with the two younger ones.

 

[SheHulk]

What's the deal with Raglan Road? Is it a dinner show or something? Menu looks good.

 

[steph0808]

Is anyone planning on any tours during Marathon Weekend? We did the segway tour of Fort Wilderness this year during Marathon Weekend and had a great time.

We are thinking about Keys to the Kingdom this time, though it is 5 hours less park time. The Epcot behind the scenes tour (can't remember the name) also seems interesting.

 

[camaker]

What's the deal with Raglan Road? Is it a dinner show or something? Menu looks good.

Sometimes they'll have Irish dancing going on during dinner, but it's not really a "dinner show". It's one of DW and my favorite places, though. The It's Not Bleedin' Chowder is fantastic and we like to finish it off with Ger's Bread Pudding.

 

[kirstie101]

Not planning too many ADRs. First trip to WDW so no clue what I’ll like most. Ohana dinner is my one must do. I’d like to do lunch or dinner at BOG just to experience it. Boma sounds good. I’m think most breakfasts will be food court at Pop. On Friday I’ll be in MK and I’d love some pizza or pasta. Any recommendations?

 

[michigandergirl]

What's the deal with Raglan Road? Is it a dinner show or something? Menu looks good.

We went there this past April and enjoyed it. They have small stages throughout the restaurant where mostly "Riverdance" style dancers perform, but also singers playing different instruments. There was someone performing about every 20 minutes. I had the fish & chips, which was good, but the portion seemed too small. The rest of our party enjoyed their meal.

 

[steph0808]

Not planning too many ADRs. First trip to WDW so no clue what I’ll like most. Ohana dinner is my one must do. I’d like to do lunch or dinner at BOG just to experience it. Boma sounds good. I’m think most breakfasts will be food court at Pop. On Friday I’ll be in MK and I’d love some pizza or pasta. Any recommendations?

I've never eaten there, but I read some reports of people eating at Tony's Town Square Restaurant before races.

I went to the Plaza last year before the half and hated it.

 

[jockey]

The only ADR I am planning for Marathon weekend is Kona CXAfe after the 10k. During Princess we had some really bad food at TS, especially restaurants we loved ..skippers Canteen Ohana Breakfast and Teppan Edo to name a few. our meal at Teppean eco took over 2 hours ..we waited nearly one hour at the table on the Chef. Skippers canteen felt like we had been served a grill cleaner as the sauce with our chicken was awful Decided just to have QS ..takes up less time too!

 

[pinkxray]

I am all over the place with our adrs. I can’t make up my mind.
Our first night is Disney springs and I would love to try Raglan Road or Homecomin. However DD wants to try chicken guy and I think WGP express is great for a pre race meal.
After the half I would love to try trails end brunch but DD wants to eat at the fountain at the Dolphin. I’m thinking since I don’t know how I’ll feel after I might go with her choice.
Dinner is unknown. Hopefully a TS. We aren’t doing a park so somewhere inDS or a resort. Maybe Homecomin that night.
Sunday will most likely be our MK day. Thinking Plaza for breakfast and Tony’s for dinner. Maybe the dessert party. I don’t know. I need to make up my mind soon.
It also doesn’t help that I don’t have our resort picked yet. We have a reservation at Pop but I’m looking to change to somewhere else. Can you tell I have problems making up my mind?

 

[wdvak]

SAFD: not making any ADRs at the moment. I’ve been out with an ankle injury for almost 5 weeks. Next week I’m hoping they can say I can get back to training. If it delays too much longer I’m not sure if I can complete Dopey, well really the marathon. So then is it worth the cost to travel down.

 

[Princess_Nikki]

Awwww bugger! I’m in Pennsylvania for a year but I may have to come down for Marathon Weekend just to see y’all! I’m doing Princess in February because my cousin in Vermont wants to run it for the first time. Not doing any runs for Marathon weekend unless I can find a way!!

 

[Disney at Heart]

Awwww bugger! I’m in Pennsylvania for a year but I may have to come down for Marathon Weekend just to see y’all! I’m doing Princess in February because my cousin in Vermont wants to run it for the first time. Not doing any runs for Marathon weekend unless I can find a way!!

There's an old adage: "Where there's a will, there's a way."

 

[CDKG]

I like the pizza from Wolfgang Puck Express at DS and no reservations are required!

Agreed!!! My two favorite pizzas last January were from Wolfgang Puck Express (I always stay in Congress Park at SSR, so it’s only a 10 min walk) and Via Napoli during DATW. I think I will book a ressie at VN and, if my plans change, I can always cancel and stop by WPE instead.

 

[bevcgg]

Not planning too many ADRs. First trip to WDW so no clue what I’ll like most. Ohana dinner is my one must do. I’d like to do lunch or dinner at BOG just to experience it. Boma sounds good. I’m think most breakfasts will be food court at Pop. On Friday I’ll be in MK and I’d love some pizza or pasta. Any recommendations?

Since you are at POP- take advantage of the Food Court at Art of Animation (across the bridge)- they have a yummy create your own pasta station that is great the night before a race. Go for lunch at BOG- much better deal than dinner. Have fun!