Marathon Weekend 2022

[Neon Cactus]

- Flame Tree BBQ, for the same reasons Lee mentioned earlier (Regal Eagle and Polite Pig are also great BBQ).
- Les Halles - I'm sure I've been to EPCOT at some point and missed going here, but I can't remember it.
- Sassagoula Floatworks - Cajun food and beignets.
- Woody's gets honorable mention just for the breakfast bowl.
- And I'm pretty sure the to go window at the new crepe restaurant in EPCOT will make my list.

 

[shairpdrh]

SAFD by park:

MK: Pecos Bill's
AK: Satu'li
HS: Woody's Lunchbox
EP: Tangierine Cafe
Resort: Capt Cook's

 

[UK_Disney_Dopey_Hopeful]

Hello everyone

Im after a little bit of advice please on MW 2022.

1) Im thinking of booking POP as it seems to be the cheaper end of the hotels but seems to have good links and plenty of food court options. Does anyone know if the skyliner will operate to take runners to epcot in readiness for the event? and would Disney still supply the free shuttle bus alongside the skyliner option (Or is it just one or the other?)

2) whats people thoughts on character stops? Do you think Disney will allow those again by January 2022? I must admit i spent a LONG time planning for MW 2021 and having never done a disney race before i was keen to get as many of these as i could. Im just concerned that although the races might be bought back, will all the "extras" that make this event so unique return alongside (I appreciate no one knows for sure, but thoughts and opinions are welcome!)

3) Does anyone know the approximate date of when registration will open (Based on previous years)? id like to know when to start looking out for more information

4) Anyone got any nice suggestions of where they go to have their photograph taken once they have all their medals. Im thinking the kind of obvious places (In front of the tree of life @ AK, Castle at MK, Golf Ball @ Epcot etc..) but id like a few perhaps lesser known but equally iconic kind of areas (perhaps ToT @ HS?)

Thanks everyone. Fingers crossed we will be there in January!

 

[Grabnar]

SAFD:
MK: Gastons or Cheshire
AK: Satuli 110%
Epcot: Tbh, I haven't been when it hasn't been a festival, but the Deconstructed booth at Fest. of the Arts is stellar. Other than that, the new crepe place is sounding promising!
HS: Woody's Lunchbox

Today was my Princess Challenge 1/2 marathon and the check-in point for me being on track for a Dopey in 2022. Here's hoping!

 

[Barca33Runner]

Hello everyone

Im after a little bit of advice please on MW 2022.

1) Im thinking of booking POP as it seems to be the cheaper end of the hotels but seems to have good links and plenty of food court options. Does anyone know if the skyliner will operate to take runners to epcot in readiness for the event? and would Disney still supply the free shuttle bus alongside the skyliner option (Or is it just one or the other?)

2) whats people thoughts on character stops? Do you think Disney will allow those again by January 2022? I must admit i spent a LONG time planning for MW 2021 and having never done a disney race before i was keen to get as many of these as i could. Im just concerned that although the races might be bought back, will all the "extras" that make this event so unique return alongside (I appreciate no one knows for sure, but thoughts and opinions are welcome!)

3) Does anyone know the approximate date of when registration will open (Based on previous years)? id like to know when to start looking out for more information

4) Anyone got any nice suggestions of where they go to have their photograph taken once they have all their medals. Im thinking the kind of obvious places (In front of the tree of life @ AK, Castle at MK, Golf Ball @ Epcot etc..) but id like a few perhaps lesser known but equally iconic kind of areas (perhaps ToT @ HS?)

Thanks everyone. Fingers crossed we will be there in January!

1. Skyliner is not an option for transport to the starting line. It drops off at the International Gateway at Epcot and is nowhere near the traditional starting line. It would be impractical even if it was available. There are all kinds of buses at the front of the resort. Pop is a huge volume resort for race weekends and they have it covered really well. ETA: The Skyliner is amazing for everything outside of transportation to the race (Going to HS/Epcot, hopping to CBR/Riviera/Boardwalk for a meal, just going for a ride, etc.) and Pop is great choice for a race weekend.

2. My personal belief is that it may be a while before character meets in the pre-pandemic form make their way back even when things are "back to normal." I would think that there will be characters on course, but they may be distanced like Pooh and Joy at Epcot or the Character Cavalcades. ETA: This is as much based on my belief that Disney will drag their feet on bringing back many things as it is that Disney will still deem it unsafe.

3. Registration has usually occurred in mid-April, but I would expect delays since we are still far from certainty on whether and in what form MW2022 is possible. We are all pretty much at the mercy of an announcement from rD and the turnaround from an announcement to registration could be very short.

4. Everywhere is a good place to get pictures taken with your medals

 

[FFigawi]

Good morning, rundisney all-stars!

For this week's Sundays are for Disney, what is your favorite counter service restaurant?

SAFD: add me to the list of Columbia Harbor House fans. Good menu, good seating upstairs, and a great place to meet up with @PaDisneyCouple during marathon weekend.

 

[BigEeyore]

SAFD:

MK - when I was there a few weeks ago, Tomorrowland Terrace was actually open and I had a really nice salad. We were able to sit right by the water with a perfect view of the castle. Usually we would go for CHH but it has been closed since Covid.
HS - Docking Bay 7 in GE
Epcot - hmmm, usually there is some kind of festival and we typically eat our lunch sampling around the world, then get a nice TS ADR for dinner. But I guess if I had to pick, Tangerine Cafe.
AK - another vote for Satuli
DS - Polite Pig or Blaze

 

[Dis_Yoda]

Favorite Counter Service: Captain Cook's

 

[jmasgat]

4) Anyone got any nice suggestions of where they go to have their photograph taken once they have all their medals. Im thinking the kind of obvious places (In front of the tree of life @ AK, Castle at MK, Golf Ball @ Epcot etc..) but id like a few perhaps lesser known but equally iconic kind of areas (perhaps ToT @ HS?)

My MO for medal pictures is based around race characters, not WDW location. So for Marathon I always find Mickey, Goofy Challenge, I find Goofy, etc. Characters always make a fuss about runners with "their"medal. Maybe add that to your list.

 

[marty3d]

SAFD:
MK: Add me to the Columbia Harbor House fans - I think this is the only location we've done on every trip. Love the upstairs dining area by the windows watching the crowds. The food selection is good as well! Peco's Bill is a sentimental second place.
HS: Sunset Blvd. Like the outdoor atmosphere and while the food is just ok, at least there's something for everyone at the various counters.
AK: Flame Tree BBQ but after all the mentions for Satuli, I'll have to try that next time.
Epcot: This is tough - but I'll pick Cantina de San Angel

 

[PrincessV]

SAFD: Favorite parks spots for counter serve...

MK: Columbia Harbor House - Lighthouse Sandwich, please!
EP: For an actual meal? None. Not a single option with anything I like. But for dessert, it's L'Artisan des Glaces.
DHS: Docking Bay 7 - Felucian Kefta and Hummus
AK: Yak & Yeti Local Foods - used to be a chicken wrap, but that vanished, so chicken salad it is.

 

[GuinnessRunner]

SAFD:

MK: +1 for Columbia Harbor House. Hoping they reopen soon, although I thought I heard they moved some of the menu items someplace else for now.
AK: Also a big fan of Satuli. Love the bowls there.
HS: I guess Docking Bay 7, although my experience there was limited. Can't say there are any others there that jump out at me as a go to.
Epcot: A quick service wasteland for me. Lots of great sit down places, but I end up going with a Mickey Pretzel with "cheese" sauce if I don't have time for a sit down (or can't get a reservation).

 

[lhermiston]

Hello everyone

Im after a little bit of advice please on MW 2022.

1) Im thinking of booking POP as it seems to be the cheaper end of the hotels but seems to have good links and plenty of food court options. Does anyone know if the skyliner will operate to take runners to epcot in readiness for the event? and would Disney still supply the free shuttle bus alongside the skyliner option (Or is it just one or the other?)

2) whats people thoughts on character stops? Do you think Disney will allow those again by January 2022? I must admit i spent a LONG time planning for MW 2021 and having never done a disney race before i was keen to get as many of these as i could. Im just concerned that although the races might be bought back, will all the "extras" that make this event so unique return alongside (I appreciate no one knows for sure, but thoughts and opinions are welcome!)

3) Does anyone know the approximate date of when registration will open (Based on previous years)? id like to know when to start looking out for more information

4) Anyone got any nice suggestions of where they go to have their photograph taken once they have all their medals. Im thinking the kind of obvious places (In front of the tree of life @ AK, Castle at MK, Golf Ball @ Epcot etc..) but id like a few perhaps lesser known but equally iconic kind of areas (perhaps ToT @ HS?)

Thanks everyone. Fingers crossed we will be there in January!

1. This doesn't completely answer your question, but I have stayed at Pop! for Marathon Weekend in the past and really enjoyed it. I would do it again in a heartbeat. In fact, I doubt I'll stay at anything above a value for solo trips. Just doesn't make sense for me.

2. This is speculating, but I think character stops will be much more socially distanced during MW22. I think we'll see characters on the course, but they'll will be further off the road and maybe have some kind of aesthetically pleasing barrier. I don't see the typical character stops returning for MW, unless they're able to test drive it first with some smaller, earlier races. But maybe they could do more photo opp sort of stops? No characters, but old ride vehicles, parade floats, cutouts, etc.? I think Disney will do their best since that's a big draw for a lot of people.

3. Past years are probably completely out the window for at least this year. I wouldn't be surprised if it was summer-ish.

4. I've done medal pics on Main Street USA and in front of SSE. World Showcase overlooking the lagoon is nice. You could also do some ride photos - like Splash or ToT. There are characters available after the races, too. So, you can take medal pictures with the corresponding characters.

 

[camaker]

With all the love CHH is getting on this SAFD question, how about they get it open for my trip in April? Please!?

 

[flav]

SAFD:
Resorts: Everything Pop and Captain Cook. Hurricane Hannah if I am in that pool. Missing the MYO pasta at AoA. For specific snacks, beignets at Scat Cat’s Club (that is where they serve them in POFQ) and Zebra Dome at the Mara (@Baloo in MI they have them GF).
Epcot: Les Halles, Cantina de San Angel and Katsura Grill, depending on what we feel like eating.
HS: Breakfast bowl at Woodies Lunch Box.
AK: I haven’t been lucky there so far but I haven’t tried many. I guess that an African Margarita at the Dawa Bar doesn’t constitute a QS meal, maybe if paired with a Simba Pretzel from Harambe Fruit Market.
MK: Columbia Harvour House, Peco’s Bill and Sleepy Hollow.

 

[meye1099]

b

 

[jmasgat]

SAFD: There's very little about Disney Dining that satisfies me, let alone excites me. Food is meh, cookie cutter, bland, mass-market, and most definitely overpriced. I rarely eat in the parks if I can avoid it.

That said, I would also vote for Satu'li Canteen at AK since the food was a cut above the usual Disney offering. I also give a little love to Earl of Sandwich in DS since it has previously been reliably tasty and not overpriced. And I will pop for a Dole Whip or a Citrus Swirl without thinking twice. A baked potato from the cart in Liberty Square was a good snack/meal--I don't know if they even do that anymore. I too also long for the days of Chowder in a bread bowl from CHH.

 

[pluto377]

My MO for medal pictures is based around race characters, not WDW location. So for Marathon I always find Mickey, Goofy Challenge, I find Goofy, etc. Characters always make a fuss about runners with "their"medal. Maybe add that to your list.

This reminds me of one of my favorite memories from my 2019 Dopey weekend. I wore my Minnie 10K medal to meet Minnie in MK and she was so excited! It was so cute having her make a big fuss and she signed the back for me

SAFD- Sounds like I have some new places to try. Never been to Columbia Harbor (although it's been on my list for a long time) or Tangerine.

MK- Sleepy Hollow- what's not to love about a waffle with fruit and Nutella?!
EP- Cantina de san angel and also Les Halles (but only for the chocolate mousse, that's a meal right?)
HS- no idea
AK- Satuli, Flame Tree and Yak and Yeti

 

[BikeFan]

SAFD: Lots of my favorites already mentioned, so I'll go with a CS restaurant not yet mentioned: Sassagoula Floatworks and Food Factory (the food court for Port Orleans - French Quarter)! Po'boys, beignets, gumbo, jambalaya, shrimp & grits, and build-your-own rice bowls?!? Yes please!

2. This is speculating, but I think character stops will be much more socially distanced during MW22. I think we'll see characters on the course, but they'll will be further off the road and maybe have some kind of aesthetically pleasing barrier. I don't see the typical character stops returning for MW, unless they're able to test drive it first with some smaller, earlier races. But maybe they could do more photo opp sort of stops? No characters, but old ride vehicles, parade floats, cutouts, etc.? I think Disney will do their best since that's a big draw for a lot of people.

I'd expect character stops to be the same as always, if only because I don't expect races themselves to come back until we're back to normal, or something close to normal. Until then, I just expect we'll be getting more virtual races. I don't really expect to see a modified Marathon Weekend, for the same reasons none of the other major marathons are trying to return to live events anytime soon - too difficult and too costly. Hopefully, we're close enough along the vaccination/herd immunity timeline over the summer that Disney can at least make an announcement regarding Marathon Weekend 2022.

 

[Rogue224]

SAFD:
I love this week’s SAFD. Our Disney trips the past 3 years has been around W&D so our meals have mostly been the festival booths. We have also placed orders to Garden Grocer and got our breakfast food and snacks that way. So we are looking forward to trying the places mentioned by you all for MW2022, and maybe meeting people in this forum there! The places we tend to hit are:

MK - Cosmic Ray’s (nothing special for food. But it’s quick so we get to do Medal Monday pics). Also Gaston’s
Disney Springs - Chicken Guy!, Earl of Sandwich