Marathon Weekend 2019

[lhermiston]

I’m trying to get through my last few days of work before a week-long vacation and time is moving at a glacial pace. The struggle is real, gang.

 

[jennamfeo]

I’m trying to get through my last few days of work before a week-long vacation and time is moving at a glacial pace. The struggle is real, gang.

That is also the worst... Hang in there!

 

[Bree]

I'm all registered for Dopey, but I'm indecisive for the Princess Half. I just wanna know the exact date for registration so I know how much longer I can go back and forth with running it or not.

 

[Sleepless Knight]

Overrated WDW: Hmm, that's a tough one. I'll go with Pirates and Fantasmic, but you must understand that I say this only because I love the far superior versions of these attractions in Disneyland.

There are a lot of attractions I enjoy such as Mine Train and even Frozen Ever After, but I also believe they're not worth insanely long waits. Since I stay at WDW for a week, my multiple days in the parks makes this a non issue for me.

After upgrading to an AP during my Dark Side trip, I'm now committed to one more WDW visit before next February. My first choice is for Marathon weekend. My little sister is threatening to run Dopey, and I'm considering either Goofy or Dopey.

This will be my first full, but since I've always vowed that if I ever run a full, I will run my first at Disney World and since I know there is no Star Wars race in January at Disneyland next year, this makes it a good year.

My debate comes down to Goofy or Dopey. I understand that training is the key to this, but I'm not worried about that. I know I can get the training in because my last few training seasons for Star Wars have been near perfect. Will I regret not doing Dopey if I sign up for Goofy?

For those who stayed at Pop during a race weekend, how quiet was it? I loved how quiet French Quarter and Riverside were for the past two Dark Side weekends. I have a great rate at Pop, but am still leaning towards French Quarter because of how quiet it is and proximity to Epcot.

 

[jmasgat]

For those who stayed at Pop during a race weekend, how quiet was it? I loved how quiet French Quarter and Riverside were for the past two Dark Side weekends. I have a great rate at Pop, but am still leaning towards French Quarter because of how quiet it is and proximity to Epcot.

As a notoriously poor sleeper with fairly acute hearing that picks ups every little noise, I found Pop to be fine this past MW. I like to ask for a top floor room, farthest building (I don't mind the walks). Some people have commented that the reno'd rooms with laminate floors are noisy (and dirty), but I didn't really find this to be the case. As a reference, I was in 9350--which would not have been my first choice (too close to the elevator and all that "ding" noise, not top floor)

 

[Livelovedance]

For those who stayed at Pop during a race weekend, how quiet was it? I loved how quiet French Quarter and Riverside were for the past two Dark Side weekends. I have a great rate at Pop, but am still leaning towards French Quarter because of how quiet it is and proximity to Epcot.

Our first night at Pop during Princess was noisy. It sounded like a stampede of people, but I can't remember if it was coming from above us or just outside our door. I was a little worried about the rest of our stay, but we didn't have any other noise problems any other night we were there. On the second night, on our way to our room we noticed people posted in chairs around the corners of each walkway. This was our first stay in a value, so this may be a daily thing, but it was slightly reassuring to know there were people posted outside overnight.

 

[Barca33Runner]

Will I regret not doing Dopey if I sign up for Goofy?

This is a complicated question. Certainly if you finish Goofy you will feel as though you could have added a 5k and 10k to the front end. I’m not sure if that will lead to regret or not. That’s really a personal issue. No one here will think less of you; but if it will bother you that you didn’t do it then it might be best to just sign up for Dopey.

 

[camaker]

My debate comes down to Goofy or Dopey. I understand that training is the key to this, but I'm not worried about that. I know I can get the training in because my last few training seasons for Star Wars have been near perfect. Will I regret not doing Dopey if I sign up for Goofy?

I don’t think training is really much of an issue between Goofy and Dopey. If you can do one you can do the other. A lot of people train for Dopey using a marathon training plan. I think the bigger questions are whether you want to get up 4 mornings in a row for Dopey and what is your susceptibility to FOMO? My first Marathon Weekend I ran the 10k, 1/2 and full as individual races. I wasn’t prepared for the focus on Dopey and felt like I was missing out big time by not doing Dopey or being registered for Goofy as an official challenge. I was back the next year for my Dopey because I felt like there was unfinished business.

 

[Dis_Yoda]

My husband has no regrets of doing Goofy over Dopey. Less Vacation Time and Less Early Mornings!

 

[Sleepless Knight]

As a notoriously poor sleeper with fairly acute hearing that picks ups every little noise, I found Pop to be fine this past MW. I like to ask for a top floor room, farthest building (I don't mind the walks). Some people have commented that the reno'd rooms with laminate floors are noisy (and dirty), but I didn't really find this to be the case. As a reference, I was in 9350--which would not have been my first choice (too close to the elevator and all that "ding" noise, not top floor)

I appreciate this. I was thinking of a first floor room for marathon weekend, but now I think I want a top floor room. Less chance of noise that way?

Our first night at Pop during Princess was noisy. It sounded like a stampede of people, but I can't remember if it was coming from above us or just outside our door. I was a little worried about the rest of our stay, but we didn't have any other noise problems any other night we were there. On the second night, on our way to our room we noticed people posted in chairs around the corners of each walkway. This was our first stay in a value, so this may be a daily thing, but it was slightly reassuring to know there were people posted outside overnight.

When I stayed at All Star Sports for 2012 Wine & Dine, I found it to be a noisy resort. But that's to be expected. I've loved the quiet of French Quarter and Riverside and these reviews are confirming my lean. I can save money other ways, right?

This is a complicated question. Certainly if you finish Goofy you will feel as though you could have added a 5k and 10k to the front end. I’m not sure if that will lead to regret or not. That’s really a personal issue. No one here will think less of you; but if it will bother you that you didn’t do it then it might be best to just sign up for Dopey.

One of the things I love about these boards is that no one here thinks less of any runner, regardless of their distance of choice.

I don’t think training is really much of an issue between Goofy and Dopey. If you can do one you can do the other. A lot of people train for Dopey using a marathon training plan. I think the bigger questions are whether you want to get up 4 mornings in a row for Dopey and what is your susceptibility to FOMO? My first Marathon Weekend I ran the 10k, 1/2 and full as individual races. I wasn’t prepared for the focus on Dopey and felt like I was missing out big time by not doing Dopey or being registered for Goofy as an official challenge. I was back the next year for my Dopey because I felt like there was unfinished business.

This may be my only full marathon so there is an element of making sure that I get the experience I want. I don't think I'll feel unfinished business unless I get swept from a race and thus am unable to complete the challenge.

My husband has no regrets of doing Goofy over Dopey. Less Vacation Time and Less Early Mornings!

I think that's why Goofy holds the appeal to me. My last 3 Walt Disney World visits have been tied to races. Obviously, marathon weekend would be no different, but there's a part of me that doesn't want this visit since it will be somewhat condensed to be completely defined by the consistent early bedtimes and early wakeup calls that Dopey would entail. Psychologically, it will just feel different if I run Goofy. Then again if my sister comes too, she wants to run Dopey so that may well mean I run Dopey if only because if I'm going to wake up early every morning, I may as well run on those mornings.

 

[Keels]

Will I regret not doing Dopey if I sign up for Goofy?

I've done three-ish Dopeys (2016, 2017, 2018) and I thought I'd start having some real FOMO by now about settling on Goofy ... or even maybe adding the 10K. But ... nope. My heart just isn't in another Dopey right now. Heck - even today I thought about bailing on the half and just doing the full because I HATE that half course, but I've never only done one RunDisney race in all of the weekends I've done ... so, Goofy it is. I thought it might be because of the early wake ups, but I'm still planning to (and am super excited about) spectating the 10K instead. So it's not that. I think I'm just kind of over it and want to spend time with my friends instead of being miserable because I have the sleep schedule of a vampire and I refuse to go to bed at a decent hour like a petulant toddler ... which means I'm REAL fun to be around come Sunday night.

Plus, I don't feel like training for Dopey again. One longish run over Christmas week versus a sim weekend sounds pretty dang awesome right now.

If merch is your thing, it really becomes five days of getting somewhere early and waiting around (unless you buy Race Retreat, and then it just becomes five really expensive days) - because Dopey merch goes REALLY quick.

But doing my first Dopey was a pretty easy decision for me - I was already seriously thinking about it before @FFigawi put on the public pressure and got me to really commit to it. 2017, I thought I was fine with just Goofy but FOMO got the best of me - I didn't even make the decision for Dopey until registration went live.

When it comes time to sign up, you'll know what you want to do. Trust your gut!

 

[Sleepless Knight]

Thanks so much @Keels. You've helped me feel like whatever decision I do make is the decision that I'm happy with. Especially if that is Goofy.

Because speaking for myself, any FOMO really only applies to Star Wars races. For instance, I signed up for Avengers 2017 with just 3 weeks to train. I briefly regretted not doing the Infinity Gauntlet Challenge. But then I signed up for 2018 Dark Side instead and knew that I was perfectly content not running the Infinity Gauntlet Challenge.

I feel like my heart is really saying Goofy. I'd like to enjoy some time in the parks.

 

[SarahDisney]

I feel like my heart is really saying Goofy. I'd like to enjoy some time in the parks.

Sounds like Goofy is what's right for you. Go with your heart.

 

[cavepig]

My debate comes down to Goofy or Dopey. I understand that training is the key to this, but I'm not worried about that. I know I can get the training in because my last few training seasons for Star Wars have been near perfect. Will I regret not doing Dopey if I sign up for Goofy?

Dopey is fun with all the excitement, medals, shirts, feeling of being part of the Dopey crowd. However, I did just the marathon this year and honestly didn't really feel I was missing out just doing one race. It was actually amazingly enjoyable after doing all the races at the last weekends I did to just do one, one early wakeup, one outfit, one must skip out of the park early night, etc. My first marathon weekend was just the marathon as well & I didn't feel one ounce of missing out on the challenge part. This time I'm 95% sure we are doing Goofy (because I haven't done just Goofy so it will be different & a chance to buy Goofy merch. as when I did Dopey I only bought Dopey stuff & won't eat as much park time). I don't feel the inkling of the Dopey pull (granted I've done it & will again one day). Training for Dopey or Goofy won't be any different as the half/full combo is the beast of Dopey. That all being said I'm glad I have done Dopey. Whatever you decide you'll have a blast with. But don't underestimate the power of the Dopey energy drain, it's so real unless you have the force maybe not!

 

[BikeFan]

I'm still weighing my options on the Dopey vs. Goofy question myself, but I'll probably bite the bullet on the extra time and expenses and do Dopey. MUST GET ALL THE MEDALS! The early wake-up calls four days in a row is brutal, however. That's the toughest part!

Plus, I don't feel like training for Dopey again. One longish run over Christmas week versus a sim weekend sounds pretty dang awesome right now.

I wouldn't imagine the training between Goofy and Dopey is all that different, especially if you've done it before several times.

 

[Dis5150]

Overrated WDW: Hmm, that's a tough one. I'll go with Pirates and Fantasmic, but you must understand that I say this only because I love the far superior versions of these attractions in Disneyland.

There are a lot of attractions I enjoy such as Mine Train and even Frozen Ever After, but I also believe they're not worth insanely long waits. Since I stay at WDW for a week, my multiple days in the parks makes this a non issue for me.

After upgrading to an AP during my Dark Side trip, I'm now committed to one more WDW visit before next February. My first choice is for Marathon weekend. My little sister is threatening to run Dopey, and I'm considering either Goofy or Dopey.

This will be my first full, but since I've always vowed that if I ever run a full, I will run my first at Disney World and since I know there is no Star Wars race in January at Disneyland next year, this makes it a good year.

My debate comes down to Goofy or Dopey. I understand that training is the key to this, but I'm not worried about that. I know I can get the training in because my last few training seasons for Star Wars have been near perfect. Will I regret not doing Dopey if I sign up for Goofy?

For those who stayed at Pop during a race weekend, how quiet was it? I loved how quiet French Quarter and Riverside were for the past two Dark Side weekends. I have a great rate at Pop, but am still leaning towards French Quarter because of how quiet it is and proximity to Epcot.

I ran the full in 2017 and definitely had FOMO over missing out on all the Dopey excitement. Then in 2018 I did Dopey and it was great! All the medals, all the excitement, etc. But I think it was a one and done. I am running only the marathon this year and super happy about it. For all the reasons previous posters stated, one early wake up, one outfit to plan, one day of giving up park time. When we did Dopey we didn't even do parks on the trip because it seemed like a waste of our limited funds when we wouldn't be in the parks much. So looking forward to a Disney vacation with a race thrown in this year as opposed to just a race trip. But I don't regret doing Dopey!

 

[camaker]

Thanks so much @Keels. You've helped me feel like whatever decision I do make is the decision that I'm happy with. Especially if that is Goofy.

Because speaking for myself, any FOMO really only applies to Star Wars races. For instance, I signed up for Avengers 2017 with just 3 weeks to train. I briefly regretted not doing the Infinity Gauntlet Challenge. But then I signed up for 2018 Dark Side instead and knew that I was perfectly content not running the Infinity Gauntlet Challenge.

I feel like my heart is really saying Goofy. I'd like to enjoy some time in the parks.

If you are feeling Goofy, by all means go with Goofy. To clarify my point on the FOMO, you really won't have a true idea until you get there. It's one thing to say at this point "Goofy is fine with me, I won't miss out on anything with Dopey", it's another to maintain that viewpoint and not feeling like you're missing out when you're actually there during the race weekend, and seemingly everything and every announcer focuses on Dopey. It's easy to feel like you're not getting the full experience. I'm not trying to push you to Dopey, by any means, I just want to make sure you're ready for the environment of that race weekend. For what it's worth, my current plans are to do Goofy or the marathon.

 

[PrincessV]

Will I regret not doing Dopey if I sign up for Goofy?

I think it all comes down to your own mindset about it. I first did the 10K + marathon, then signed up for Dopey the next year but had the DIY canceled half, so I did Dopey again the year after that to finally feel like it was "official." That first year, with "just" the 10K and full? I had absolutely zero feelings of missing out, regret, etc. - because I went in knowing what my goal was. For a first marathon, it was a perfect plan, IMO, without all the extra baggage that comes with Dopey, and I came out of it feeling really strong and confident in my ability to tackle Dopey in the future.

 

[Bulldogmommy]

For those who stayed at Pop during a race weekend, how quiet was it? I loved how quiet French Quarter and Riverside were for the past two Dark Side weekends. I have a great rate at Pop, but am still leaning towards French Quarter because of how quiet it is and proximity to Epcot.

I've stayed at Pop for every race... the new renovated rooms are killer nice, I mean, like really really clean and great set up. I love being in the outskirt buildings (the 90's) are my favorite, because you just cut through the parking lot to the buses.

 

[JM735]

I feel like my heart is really saying Goofy. I'd like to enjoy some time in the parks.

I'll echo what others have said: just follow your gut. Personally, I'll offer that I always have moments of second guessing, regardless of my decision, either before or after the fact. Dark Side weekend I had moments where I had regrets about not doing the challenge. But by the fourth, or even third, early morning of Dopey, I was seriously questioning why I felt the need to be awake that early yet again.

Ultimately, I say try not to obsess now, and decide when registration finally opens. Then get excited about your race(s) and have fun! There really isn't a wrong decision.