Hi Natalie,
The runDisney events are so much fun. The vibes are out of this world and the energy on the course is truly unlike any other race event I have ever been to. I have attended several runDisney events and the convenience of your hotel can make a big difference, especially at 3 AM when you are headed to the starting line. The
Disney Wine and Dine Half Marathon Weekend is so special because it has a special Post Race Party for you to attend and celebrate your momentous accomplishment!
Transportation is the main differentiator when picking a hotel for these events. I prefer to stay at a monorail loop hotel.
Disney's Grand Floridian,
Contemporary Resort, and
Polynesian Village Resort are all on the monorail loop. The beauty of these hotels is that you don't need to worry about taking a bus to the start line for your race. You can take the monorail straight to the entrance of EPCOT and walk right over to the start line. The monorail is the only transportation option that will be running before race time other than the buses at each resort. It is my favorite option because you avoid traffic and road congestion ensuring you get to the start line with plenty of time to warm up and relax before the race begins. The other plus with Disney's Grand Floridian is that it also has the
best spa at Disney World so you can schedule that post-race massage!
The other option that a lot of people really like is staying at a hotel that is within walking distance of EPCOT. You will have to take a bus to the start line for the race but once the theme parks open, you can use your ticket to enter EPCOT and walk through the park to the International Gateway at the back then on towards your resort hotel. These options will include
Disney's Yacht Club Resort,
Beach Club Resort, and
Boardwalk Inn. I am not up for another big walk after a race so this is not my cup of tea but a lot of my friends swear by the convenience of these hotels for the access to the Post Race Party and EPCOT's International Food and Wine Festival.
Happy Planning
Jenna