Hi Joy! You have picked a great marathon for your first one! The 20th anniversary race is going to be awesome!
During marathon weekend, ALL of the
Disney Resorts will be host resorts. This means they will all have free bus transportation to and from all race weekend events. This is a huge benefit for staying on property. The traffic and road closures make driving confusing, so not having to worry about transportation is a big relief. Spectators can use it too.
You should choose a resort based on budget and theme preference. My favorite resorts are the Epcot area resorts (Beach Club, Yacht Club, and Boardwalk). We love Epcot, and love that we can walk right into it, and ferry over to Hollywood Studios. The Beach Club Resort is our absolute favorite.
Some people prefer the resorts on the monorail. The Value Resorts are all really fun with great themes, and the moderates are beautiful too.
I would browse through them online and find the one that your family will love. You can call 407-WDW-IRUN to book your resort.
Also, here is a great link to some ideas and tips for you on
your first visit! I am sure it will be the first of many!