Disney Wine & Dine Half Marathon Weekend - November 7-8, 2014

[Melanie]

This is getting to be very very tempting.



John

Do it. Do it. Do it!

Seriously, it's my hubby's favorite half. And, there will be a special, one of a kind, 5th anniversary medal this year.

[Melanie]

Here's the press release with more info on the medal (but no pic yet )

New Medal to Mark 5th Anniversary Disney Wine & Dine Half Marathon Weekend

Commemorative medal only available for 2014 event; popular post-race party during Epcot International Food & Wine Festival to return; registration opens today for November race weekend

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. (March 4, 2014) – Registration opens today for the fifth anniversary Disney Wine & Dine Half Marathon Weekend at Walt Disney World Resort, and runners who sign up will have the chance to earn a one-time-only fifth anniversary medal.

The all-new commemorative medal will be distinctive and unique, a collectors’ item for anyone who completes the 13.1-mile nighttime race on Nov. 9 through Disney’s Animal Kingdom, Disney’s Hollywood Studios and Epcot. The race weekend will also include Mickey’s Jingle Jungle 5K and runDisney Kids races on Nov. 8.

Immediately after the half marathon, runners and their families have the opportunity to celebrate at the popular Finish Line Party during the Epcot International Food & Wine Festival inside Epcot until 4 am (friends and family must purchase a party ticket for entry). The Finish Line Party features more than 25 kiosks offering fine cuisine and wine from the Epcot International Food & Wine Festival, plus Disney characters, musical performances and the opportunity to ride signature Epcot attractions.

There will also be a Disney Wine & Dine Pre-Race Taste on Nov. 7, at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. This special ticketed evening event offers runners and fans a private reception on the set of Lights, Motor, Action! Extreme Stunt Show, featuring food and beverages from the Epcot International Food & Wine Festival, music and meet & greets with Disney characters.

The race weekend kicks off with the Disney Health and Fitness Expo on Nov. 7-8, at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex at Walt Disney World. The expo, which is free and open to the public, offers the latest in running apparel, technology and a speaker series featuring running experts such as runDisney official training consultant Jeff Galloway and runDisney nutritionist Tara Gidus.

To register for the Disney Wine & Dine Half Marathon Weekend races and to purchase tickets for the Disney Wine & Dine Pre-Race Taste and Finish Line Party at Epcot, visit www.runDisney.com. Runners can access specially priced theme park tickets and accommodations after registering for the event by calling 407-939-iRUN.

[Melanie]

I updated the original post regarding sign ups. Color me a little surprised on how quickly the half is filling up.

[Melanie]

Half Marathon now 95% full!

[WDWParrothead]

Half Marathon now 95% full!

Sold out! Wow that was fast, glad I registered as soon as I got home yesterday!

[Melanie]

Sold out! Wow that was fast, glad I registered as soon as I got home yesterday!

Yes. Crazy fast!

[DizRunner]

The website showed sold-out about 2 hours ago.

I'm so excited. I got in right when I needed to.

I wasn't expecting it to sellout so quick. I was thinking that I had a month or so to decide.

But this morning before work I saw that it was at 76%. Figured I'd register when I got home from work.

For the heck of it I checked during lunch. At that time it was 92%. I was very surprised.

Didn't want to take any chances so I registered during lunch.

Before I left work it was at 98%. And when I arrived at home it was sold-out.

Sooooooo happy I didn't wait until I got home. I would be so bummed. But now I'm too excited.

This'll be my fourth Disney half, but my first W&D. Can't wait. Heard a lot of great things about it.

If you wanted to register, I really hope you got in.

[Christine]

Wine & Dine is my favorite 1/2! The after party alone makes the price justifiable IMHO.
Food & wine festival til 4am with no crowds!? Heck yeah!

[Melanie]

Food & wine festival til 4am with no crowds!? Heck yeah!

Do you mean there are no crowds at 4am? lol!

It was certainly crowded after the runners started pouring in that first year. Hopefully that changed with opening the whole park up year 2?

[Christine]

I guess it did help bc I didn't find the crowds bad at all last year or the year before. It was easy peasy and a lot if fun!!

[DizRunner]

Hey all!

This will be my first W&D and I'm wondering what you veterans of this run have done in the past on the day of. Do any of you go to the parks? I'm sure if you do you don't wipe yourselves out.

I'm thinking of flying in on Friday morning and heading to Epcot after checking into Pop. Spend all day there.

On Saturday go to the expo right when it opens and pick up my packet. But after that I've got most of the day to kill. Thought about going to DTD and maybe the Contemporary to walk around. But that won't be much of the day. I'll have quite a few hours to kill.

Thoughts?

Thanks in advance. Really excited for this run.

[Christine]

Hey all!

This will be my first W&D and I'm wondering what you veterans of this run have done in the past on the day of. Do any of you go to the parks? I'm sure if you do you don't wipe yourselves out.

I'm thinking of flying in on Friday morning and heading to Epcot after checking into Pop. Spend all day there.

On Saturday go to the expo right when it opens and pick up my packet. But after that I've got most of the day to kill. Thought about going to DTD and maybe the Contemporary to walk around. But that won't be much of the day. I'll have quite a few hours to kill.

Thoughts?

Thanks in advance. Really excited for this run.

I was SO nervous about this race- what do I eat all day? Do I rest or move around? Should I nap since I'll be up late? Turns out I just did what I normally do. No sleep alterations. Ate a little lighter (bagel with peanut butter, bananas, stayed away from anything fried but I do that normally anyway. I didn't go tour the parks but I did move around stayed somewhat active.

You're going to love it! Adrenaline will kick in!

[DizRunner]

Thanks Christine. I appreciate the response. That helps.

[N2DisneyWorld]

I'm looking forward to this run too! I happened to be in MK when the registration opened and later that evening figured I would check it out & saw it was 76% full. I quickly registered before I forgot to do so. LOL!

[Yungbuck73]

Booked at PORFQ. coming in on Thursday morning an dawn comes in Friday night. Both leaving Sunday night. Gonna do the after race party. Sounds like a good time.

[shaneym]

Hi I am looking to come down and surprise my niece. What is the event code so i can get hotel and tickets for the event?

[Yungbuck73]

Hi I am looking to come down and surprise my niece. What is the event code so i can get hotel and tickets for the event?

When I called for the room I just told them I was running the 5K and no other questions were asked. I called 407-939-IRUN which is thru the runDisney site

[Yungbuck73]

Physical therapy is going ok so far for my Achilles tear but I'm not allowed to do any kind of long walking or jogging. I called today to see if I could defer the 5k and runDisney does not defer any 5K. I'm just gonna do my best to walk it and not even try to run (ok maybe i'll try to sneak a few light jogs in) as long as my Rehab goes ok.
Still looking to do the 10K for Marathon weekend in January

[Yungbuck73]

So Dawn broke her big toe the night we got back from the big Disneyland trip.
She wont be doing the 5K and I'm Going to be limping along for it.
We are still going to go and also hit the After Race Party. See you all there

[badkitty]

Good luck all you 5K and half marathon racers!
Enjoy and have one for me at the after party.