Marathon weekend itinerary

iVillage Member
Registered: 01-13-2005
Marathon weekend itinerary
2
Wed, 10-04-2006 - 11:00pm

My preparation for the 2007 WDW marathon is going great!! I've got the resort & airline booked, several options for ADRs and I even bought the running outfit I plan to wear!! As for the actual training...well that's another story. October is an important training month, so I will have to really stick to my schedule. I hope to run 100 miles total this month (only 91 more to go!)

Here are my plans so far for marathon weekend- Jan. 5 - Jan. 8
Friday - arrive 10:15, ME to POR for check-in - probably lunch in the food court, then off to Wide World of Sports for the race expo and packet pick-up. From there bus to AKL to check out the resort and buy a refillable mug at the Mara food court. I don't plan on re-using it again, but come on, it has my name on it, I have to have one!! Dinner that night has to be at a resort since we won't have a park ticket for that day. I have ADRs at Grand Floridian Cafe and Kona Cafe - after dinner watch the fireworks from the resort, then back to POR.

Saturday - quick run in the morning, just to loosen up the legs. I'm excited to run around POR, I've read that the landscaping is beautiful! Then we'll go to Animal Kingdom for the afternoon, with one mission in mind - ride Everest!! We'll do a few other things here too - probably kilimanjaro safari. Taylor (10) bought a canteen here on our last trip - it was really inexpensive - like $4 - and she lost it right before we went home. I know that she will be so happy if that's the present I bring back for her (and I'll be happy too...since it was only 4 bucks!) Lunch will probably have to be Tusker House, since I don't eat meat Flame Tree Barbecue is not really an option, and why eat pizza when I can have that anytime at home! Again I have 2 choices for dinner - Wolfgang Puck Cafe in DTD or Concourse Steakhouse. This will be the last meal before the marathon, so we want to make sure it's not too rich or ethnic...not an easy thing to do in WDW!

Sunday - Let's see - wake up, eat a banana, run 26 miles....ARGH!! The things I'll do to take a Disney vacation!!! We have to leave POR by 3:30 to get to the starting line. Even though the race doesn't start until 6:00, we'll be in our starting corral by 5:00 a.m. It's a good time to bond with fellow crazies - all of us asking ourselves how we got there!! Last year for the 1/2 marathon it was just over 30 degrees at the start, so we were freezing!!!

We should be back at POR by 12:00 or 1:00....shower, change and head out to Epcot mid-afternoon. We have ADRs at LeCellier for our celebratory dinner, but I'm thinking about Alfredo's instead. I wish I could find pictures of the insides of these restaurants - that might make deciding easier. Illuminations at 9:00 and possibly the post-race party at Pleasure Island, but that doesn't sound too appealing to me....PI has lost it's luster, IMO.

Monday morning - back to CT with my Mickey Medal and sore legs!! It's just nuts how that medal motivates me!

Last year when we stayed at the Swan I didn't make any plans (which is so unlike me) because my sister and I figured we were just two adults and we would wing it - but I felt dis-oriented the whole time. Even now I feel like it's okay if we don't stick to the plan...but at least we've got a plan from which to stray!!

Mara




Edited 10/4/2006 11:36 pm ET by hall6
Avatar for cl_ktbugsmom
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
Sun, 10-08-2006 - 10:18am

All I have to say is - You go girl!


We saw several people running around the complex at POR. It looks like a great place to run from what I saw from the bus (we were at FQ). The landscape is gorgeous and the terrain is varied. Enjoy!


Did you get the Run Disney stuff from Disneyshopping? I think of you everytime I see it.


Pictures of Le Cellier -(slide show) http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/wdw/dining/diningDetail?id=LeCellierSteakhouseDiningPage


Pictures of Alfredo's- (slide show, but only 3 pics)

iVillage Member
Registered: 05-28-2003
Mon, 10-16-2006 - 1:26pm

Hi Mara,

Funny running into you here!! We can probably chat here more than via phone. I will be on here alot more as I think we have ditched the Cali/Hawaii craziness and opted for Florida.

The itinerary looks great and I thought I may add thoughts on the dining options.

Kona and Grand Floridian Cafe are both great. Tough choice but the viewing of the fireworks I think is better at the Poly.

I have no experience with the Contemporary Steakshouse, but loved the upstairs at Wolfgang Puck. They had a different menu upstairs when I went, not sure if that still is the case. The sushi was great.

I have to say that Le Cellier may not be the best choice for you and Paula. It was primarily a steakhouse the last time we went to EPCOT. The food is good but it lacks ambience. Craig and I always loved Alfredo's. Although it doesn't always get the best marks, their fettucine alfredo never disappoints. It's a little tight in there, but I think that's intentional to make you feel like you are in Italy. The desserts are yummy and would be a well deserved treat after you both complete the marathon. If the weather prevails, there is outside seating which is really nice. Viewing illuminations is pretty good in that perimeter of the park.

Tris

P.S. I thought I bought you a Refillable mug from Mara!!! I must have never given it to you if you don't have it. Still in boxed in the basement.