Disney Wine & Dine Half Marathon

So I had to pick a half marathon to run at Disney World in order to get my Coast to Coast medal. This one fit into my schedule. The namesake being that it coincides with the Food & Wine Festival going on at Epcot. What’s also special is that it’s a night race at 10pm and just around the time when the Christmas decorations go up.
Being able to partake in the Food & Wine festival was the highlight. We were previously mailed a $ 15 gift card towards the small bites of food and drink from around the globe. Some of the attractions are kept open too such as my favorite, Test Track (although since I didn’t bring my Disney park card (or MagicBand) with me, I wasn’t able to design my car.) Us runners (and friends if they bought tickets) got to party till 4am!
For 2015, unfortunately due to lightning, they decided to shorten the course by 6 miles, cutting out the Animal Kingdom section. Our safety was a very major concern so they held us indoors while the bad weather passed. The highlight of the course was running through Hollywood Studio’s Osborne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights. Sadly this is the last season for the lights at the park and I feel fortunate to have seen them.
There are fireworks before each corral at the start line and photo ops with characters along the course. My favorite was Lilo and Stitch. At the finish line, you get a choice of beer, wine, or soda. We also got these cool purple cooling towels at the finish line. I’m not sure if it was just the route that I took but it was a pain in the butt to get to the festival due to the race course.
On getting there, they want you to board the shuttle buses by 8pm which is a good idea because the buses still have to drive through traffic to get to ESPN.

The initial Disney races, including the marathon was a very enjoyable event. Over the years, these events have become more know for their greed and excessive prices more than the event itself.
You receive the minimum support while they charge the most. Each race is the most expensive one in the country and despite a horrible economy, they continue to raise prices.
Not that this matters. They do not take feedback at all. They do not listen to it, nor are they influenced to any degree so it is pointless to write to them.
The Wine and Dine Half was THE classic example. Overpriced, under-​prepared event. At the end, it was so crowded and a number of the spectators were intoxicated that it reminded me of Universal Studios.
There are many enjoyable events statewide that are far superior to this one. My suggestion would be to explore them.

I am giving this run the benefit of the doubt because it was POURING when I ran in 2014. This run was solely for the purpose of achieving my «coast-​to-​coast» aspirations, but I was also drawn by the run in all parks elements (excluding Magic Kingdom).
It’s a night time run, which is OK when you travel from California to Florida and are not acclimated to the time difference! The downside is the corral wait times due to the tens of thousands of participants. I have to give it to runDisney for quickly moving us along as the rain continued to come down and there were no signs of it letting up.
Due to the rain, we did not have characters or exciting milestones, just flooding streets, puddles, and soaked shoes. It was a true test of my athletic abilities (or stubbornness?) to get through 2.5 hours of being drenched. And the volunteers that did stick it out at the water stops and treat stops — I cannot express my gratitude enough. AH-​mazing volunteers — another testament to runDisney.
All the holiday/​Christmas decorations were up in the parks which was kind of exciting. This run is early November so I was not really prepared for the holiday spirit but you cannot go against the magic of Disney — they do everything on another level and it is definitely worthwhile.
Coming through the finish was a little anticlimactic. It is in front of the outside of Epcot and the way you funnel through may have made more sense in the daylight/​dry conditions, but it was very separate from where your friends and family would meet you. Unfortunately we never made it into Epcot afterward for the celebrations, I was too cold and wet and honestly, exhausted.
The buses that were supposed to take us back to our Disney hotels, etc. (the shuttles) left something to be desired. I think we were all agitated due to the weather but the lines were not dedicated very well and we would wait in the wrong line for what seemed like a lifetime, only to be re routed to the «correct» line and wait some more — this could be a shuttle issue and not a runDisney issue, I’m not sure.
The expo at ESPN was great — super easy, straight forward, not overcrowded; The packet pick up is separate from the vendors which I think is smart. We stayed at a Disney hotel for this trip (it was also a 5^th anniversary trip!) so we got dropped off right at ESPN but if I recall from my previous Disney racecations, you can meet shuttles elsewhere and also enjoy the smooth drop off and pick up process.
In comparison to runs at Disneyland, Disneyworld takes the cake. Much more to see/​experience/​more Disney related space. Overall, runDisney races are the ones to run — rain or shine!

This is easily one of my favorite runs for the year, creating great memories. The best thing about this runDisney race it’s very flat. Making it a great equalizer race for those who are really competitive and also great for beginners.
Taking you through some of my favorite locations on Walt Disney World property besides the Magic Kingdom Park and Resorts.
My favorite though is running this with friends, unlike other races, this is more of a fun race, meeting characters along the way, DJs randomly along the course, and sight seeing some of my favorite Attractions. What would a food and wine race be without wine??? At the finish line, they give you beer or wine :) Not that you really want any by that point lol
One of the best things about the weekend is the Health Expo! There are many venders and organizations selling a variety of gear from shoes to food to training material. For the most part, it’s well organized and enjoyable.

I’m biased because I love runDisney events– they are the most organized and fun races I’ve run and the post-​race party is pretty spot-​on. While I enjoyed Wine and Dine, I learned that night racing just isn’t for me. I’m still planning on signing up for 2016 because I want a re-​do.
Before I get into my breakdown, the one thing I wish someone told me ahead of time is that regardless of the weather, it’s likely to feel colder because it’s at night. I know, common sense. But I never thought about this as a runDisney veteran that is used to starting morning races in similar pitch black environs. The big difference is that it actually does warm up in the morning and it only gets colder between 10pm and 3am. If anyone is running in 2016 or later and is here looking for advice, take this into consideration. Seriously. Don’t make the mistake I did and think that just packing warm clothes for the after party is enough.
The good:
–Very organized and despite being in a corral far, far away, the start went off without a hitch.
–Despite the rain, there was enough to see and do along the course.
–You’re at Disney. How can you be sad running at Disney?
–The volunteers who stood out in the freezing cold rain, cheering us on. That was awesome.
The bad:
–UGH THE WEATHER. Although little fault lies with the race here, so this did not count in my rating. I was too cold to untie my bag and get my ID for my free beer. If you know me and my love for free beer, that is saying something.
–I realize you’re wet, but ladies in the changing tents post-​race, WTF? There’s no way that could have been faster? We left the line and tried to find the buses.
–Bus lines going back to the hotel after the race were disorganized and LONG. Nothing felt better than getting on that warm bus, though. Well, minus the shower and cranking the heat to 75 in our room, that is.
–Having to walk through a bag check in order to make our way around to the buses. I may have been delirious at this point and did it unnecessarily, but if it wasn’t necessary I wish the directions reflected that.
The ugly:
–Running into Animal Kingdom is usually pretty narrow and slows down the crowd. The construction in AK this year made that even narrower. We went from an 11 minute mile to a 22 minute mile (including a 5 min bathroom stop) because of the congestion, and I was surprised how significant of a set back that was.
Other things I’d recommend for future runners: Find a way to rest mid-​day and time your meals well. I’m usually in bed by midnight, not at the halfway point of a half marathon. Being sleepy did me in more than the race itself. My poorly timed naps didn’t help because I missed times where food could have been digested and settled before getting in line. Totally could have done that better.
Overall, I did really enjoy the race and will likely give it one more shot just to feel like I’m giving it a serious go. I left with a medal, but somewhat disappointed in my performance.

Half number 12… check!
From one shining coast to another, I traveled over 2,200 miles – plus another 13.1 when I arrived – in order to run Disney’s 5^th annual Wine & Dine Half Marathon. But there was a highly sought after prize taunting me, summoning me from the Floridian coast, one that I’d been plotting capture for since last March, a medal that would test not only my endurance and stamina, but my wallet as well: Disney’s elusive Coast-​to-​Coast, the black one. And now… it’s mine!
Little did I know, though, the challenges lying in wait…
* Yes, I knew this run was at night, beginning at 10:30pm to be exact.
* Yes, I knew that the further down the line the corral, the longer the wait.
* Yes, I knew over 14,000 runners were registered.
* And, yes, I know how overly ambitious I tend to be at times.
However…
* No, I didn’t take into consideration Florida’s weather patterns.
* No, I didn’t think to bring along anything warmer than my shorts and a tank.
* No, a tiring, race day trek through Disney’s Hollywood Studios hadn’t been something I’d factored in beforehand. I was exhausted.
* And, no, I hadn’t remembered my Advil.
Had I planned, had I had the luxury of foresight, had I simply considered in the very least Murphy’s Law, I would have been more smug: scoffed at the 60 degree weather, balked at the rain – the complete saturation – that began an hour before I even set foot upon the starting line, snickered at anything less than a 1:00am finishing time. (Instead, I dragged myself, wet and shivering and aching to the bone, to bed sometime after 3:00am.)
But I was at Disney World! I’d never before been. I’d run through the Animal Kingdom, Hollywood Studios, and EPCOT, all in one, long night! And despite it all, I couldn’t wipe the smile from my face when I was awarded my Wine & Dine medal. And when my Coast-​to-​Coast was draped around my neck, I beamed. I earned them. I was broken, but I had won!
And I would do it again in a heartbeat.

Coast to Coast, here I come. After completing my first Disneyland race in January 2013, my friends and I decided to go for the next step to earn our coast to coast medals by completing a race at Disney World. In addition to the medal you will receive for completing the half marathon, you will receive an additional medal for completing two Disney races in one year… hence the challenge. Due to scheduling and work, the Wine and Dine Half Marathon was the only one that would fit with our schedule. Good thing it was close to the Veteran’s Day Holiday.
Running at Disney World is different than running at Disneyland. For starters, Disney owns the land that the entire races takes place on instead of having to pay for permits to close down the streets of Anaheim. The best part of this particular Disney race is that it is connected with the Wine and Dine festival that takes place at Disney in the fall. You run at night and end at Epcot where the park is open late for participants to eat around the world. It also helps that we were given a $ 10 gift card to use on food (but technically, you could use it on merchandise as well).
The race was planned well and there was a lot of excitement throughout the 13.1 mile course. Starting off at ESPN World of Sports, you run through the Animal Kingdom, Hollywood Studios, and ending at Epcot. It’s pretty magical running past the illuminating, iconic ball at Ecpot.
The best part of any Disney race is seeing the Disney magical-​ness, such as characters, standing off to the side cheering and encouraging you on… and getting a photo opportunity with many that you may not usually see at the parks. Captain Jack Sparrow, Lilo and Stitch, Darth Vader and Storm Troopers, etc. were out and about. In addition, the Osborne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights (with over 5 million lights) was my favorite part to run through… actually, it’s my favorite part about the holidays at Disney World. It’s so magical being surrounded by so many lights through the fake streets of NYC (one of my favorite places!).
Disney races are fun in general. Just don’t forget to dress up and have fun as well! Can’t wait to run my next Disney race.

Great running course!
You start in ESPN sports complex, go through ANIMAL KINGDOM, HOLLYWOOD STUDIOS, go through EPCOT and finish in the parking lot.
(It is a night run, starting at 10 PM.)
Held on Veteran’s day weekend, Which is the last weekend of the Food & Wine festival, and the first weekend they decorate for Christmas. So you get to run through the parks, decorated for Christmas, at night, with no one else there!
Epcot is open, for just you and your supporters (they have to buy a special finish line ticket) and you can eat your way around the countries, (YOU EARNED IT!)
Every Disney run is pricey, but you get tremendous support and entertainment along the way.
They only reason I didn’t give it 5 stars is because even though there were plenty of characters to take pictures with along the way, I was still concerned with time and was only going to stop for Donald or Mickey. Guess what? THEY WEREN’T there! Sure, I passed Mickey at the finish line, but what am I going to do, ask a fellow runner who’s about to pass the finish line to stop and take a picture of me with MICKEY?

Disney nailed it! Here are a few things to help you determine if you wanna run or cheer a fellow runner in this event:
Love the characters on the course :-) they are scattered but you can stop and get a great picture.
Buses didn’t have a long. To get to expo, race, or back to hotel and it’s included if you stay at any hotel.
Descriptive book on events included.
My suggestion for the future: use the magic arm band for extra bling. Why give a wrist band? Disney its too many bands. They should just have you scan your band to determine if you have earned another award or medal.

I have done my fair share of night races and training at night time. This was my 16^th lifetime Half Marathon, 14^th for the year so I’m no stranger to how these are run. This was also my 4^th runDisney event, so again, not a stranger to a rD half or run.
So what gives, why 3 stars? While the character presence and course support was present and awesome. I do not like circles. In parking lots. I also don’t do well in humidity, which I need to practice more on (how to do that I have no idea really since I live in the desert (California) and my air is dry. However, the course was for the most part flat. the highways that the course is on is not exactly runner friendly either. The grades off to the sides of the road weren’t friendly on our knees or ankles and the constant ramps were killer too. Running through the parks at night was an awesome experience, I have no qualms about that whatsoever, but some of it was very boring to run through. Also, Narrow! Why are we running on the boardwalk with hundreds/​thousands of others? How is this possible? If people were 3 wide walking, the rest of us were stuck walking!
Bonus: Fireworks for each corral at the starting line. :) Oh and the Osborne Spectacle of Lights is amazing. This part was where I literally lost 20 minutes of my time and fell behind BIG time because I took too many pictures! Blah! LOL.
The After party and finish through Epcot was not what I was expecting, I kind of wish we went around it instead of through it. it made it feel anticlimactic.
I wish I could say I stayed for the after party with their amazing $ 10 gift card (that I later used on something else, because let’s face it, it’s a disney gift card, not epcot or food & wine festival gift card) but I didn’t feel well throughout the course (and I wasn’t the only one either, lots of us got sick :() and was racing to get back to my hotel ASAP.
The Coast to Coast medal I received in the end was not exactly worth it, but it still is my most favorite medal on my medal rack.
Would I come back and do this again? Only for 2014 because it’s the 5^th anniversary. and maybe for the anniversary years after that. Otherwise, no thanks.

It was my first night half, and I liked it a lot.
The planning was as perfect as you expect when dealing with the mouse, the first runners took off at 10, and each corral was 3 minutes later.
The path was awesome, got to run through three parks, including hollywood studios when it is lit for christmas.
When we finished I would like to say I ate/​drank the world in Epcot, but I didn’t, I limped my way onto a bus and passed out, but I could have, Epcot was open until 4 or 5 for those with the energy to keep going.
Training more for this run next year is worth it, just for the crowd less Epcot.

As far as races go, this half had plenty of support along the way, and was extremely well organized. I would expect nothing less from Disney. However, the $ 175 registration fee is a complete rip off. The after party was not much of a party. They give you one free drink voucher, but I still I have no idea where I was supposed to redeem that. Epcot is open until 4 am, but the only thing you can do is walk around and buy their food. The party was also far away from the finish and directions were poorly marked. After running 13.1 miles, walking additional miles is the last thing I want to do. I will probably never do another run Disney race, mostly because it is a scam to get you down the park to spend lots of money.

Halfie #21
Last race of the year and I went out with a bang!!! I traveled cross country to race at the Happiest Place on Earth — DISNEYWORLD!
The race packet pick up was located at ESPN. Luckily, there’s free parking. The expo was huge and packed so be prepared.
The night of the race, you are advised to go to Epcot to park and you get shuttled over to the start by ESPN. What sucked azz is the fact that we waited over an hour and a half for the race to start and it was freezing! There’s only so much stretching and waiting and going to the port-​o-​potties you can do before you start getting the running jitters before a race! There is ample port-​o-​potties which I totally appreciated, as well as a trainer doing exercises and keeping the runners pumped and warmed up before the start.
The start was a totally bottleneck, but it was awesome to see the fireworks go off for each corral. It was sooo cool!!! Once you start racing, it’s completely dark. Be aware of the potholes and slower runners/​walkers because at times I had to run on the dirt/​grass and that was pretty dangerous.
There was a lot of highway running, which I didn’t care for. Disney had their characters or peeps cheering along the way, which was nice and encouraging. Towards the end was when you get the adrenaline pumping and you run through the parks and it was well lit. So MAGICAL!!!
I would definitely come back and do other Disneyworld runs just because they’re so fun. Don’t expect a PR due to the traffic and the amount of runners during these races. Oh and expect to pay a grip for registration for any of the Disney runs!
2012 Coast to Coast — DONE!!!
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CHIP TIME 2:18:08
OVERALL PLACE 3134 of 11 834
WOMEN’S RANK 1538 of 7836
DIV PLACE 276
5K 30:37
10K 1:03:00
15K 1:34:47