I'm having a hard time making some decisions! Where are you staying for Marathon weekend? Are you staying with your families? Thinking about the logistics of getting ready on race morning/resting the evening before when we will have 2 runners and 3 non-runners, one being an energetic 7yo.
VP
My situation is similar to yours, and we've had several different experiences. First, with kids in the mix, we have consistently stayed deluxe for race weekends. I might consider values for race days at some point in the future when the kids are grown. For this January, we'll stay value for a few days with our youngest
before Marathon Weekend. But when Marathon Weekend starts and our teens arrive, we'll move over to BWI.
Quick overview of our WDW race weekend experiences:
1. BWI CL 2-bedroom suite. This was (and still is) a favorite. Last time, we booked standard CL and ended up in a CL 2-bedroom suite. It was perfect and ideal in every way. (Only exception: no in-room laundry, but it was one floor down.) Plenty of space, kids in another room when I was getting to sleep so early, all the convenience of the club lounge (key with kids eating breakfast at different times, and for desserts when I was trying to get to sleep.) And then I didn't bug anyone when I was up early for races. We also like the Epcot area because there are so many dining options outside the parks and within walking distance - Blue Zoo, Il Mulino, Yachtsman, Flying Fish, Beaches N Cream, just to name a few that are or have been on our ADR list. Makes it easy to get to dinner and get to sleep early.
2. Poly CL. This was great, but I did miss that extra space that we had in the 2-bedroom suite! I also missed the camaraderie that we saw in the BWI lounge. The lounge space (and view) at Poly is definitely better than BWI and it's nice for the kids to be able to watch the fireworks from the lounge when I'm getting to sleep early. Also, Poly is very convenient for spectators because they can see runners at TTC, then outside Poly and then venture out to other viewing locations. I don't love taking the monorail to the start, but I know some really enjoy that.
3. Poly DVC Studio. Probably my least favorite so far. I do love the studio decor and the two bathrooms are AMAZING!!! Very convenient with multiple runners! But the bathrooms take up a lot of space and it gets super cramped in there when our entire family is along. Also, I missed CL for a race weekend - especially when I returned from a race and everyone needed me to come up with a breakfast plan.
So back to BWI CL for Marathon Weekend this time. Booked standard and won't have the same space as the 2-bedroom, but will enjoy the rest!