2025 Wine and Dine

[jenljeffers1989]

Just a note - historically, for the 5K, none of the buses back to the hotel can leave until every runner has started, which means sometime after 6 a.m. So if you are a faster runner and/or in an earlier corral, you may be waiting around afterwards.

I'm not doing the 5K this year so thankfully that won't be an issue for me! Only trying to get the Two Course Challenge.

 

[jenljeffers1989]

AFAIK you've never been able to walk to the start line. WDW roads are generally not designed to be walkable -- designated walking paths and jogging trails aside -- and they need everyone to go through a security check. Because it is the middle of the night, they aren't going to staff every possible security point and have staff placed to guide walkers through Epcot (in the case of the Boardwalk resorts). Instead they funnel everyone through as few security points as possible. For most races that's the one main Epcot security under the monorail. For races where the monorail runs, they also staff monorail security at those resorts and a checkpoint at TTC for those who walk over from Poly to take the Epcot monorail directly.

And to answer the question about buses from Swan/Dolphin, as others have said, they run pretty much like all the other resorts. Sometimes the loop can be long if you're the last stop, so you may decide to jump off at one of the other stops and walk. The Boardwalk stop is closest if you cut across the entry and tennis courts or go through the pool and out the back.

I was definitely able to walk to the starting line in 2021's Wine and Dine when the start was in the Magic Kingdom parking lot and I stayed at SoG. I wish they would do MK parking lot starting lines again!

 

[DisneyParrothead]

I also wish walking to the start line was easier. I have read that you used to be able to walk from OKW to the Epcot start lines, but not anymore. For the 2023 W&D half I stayed at OKW, and I could hear the start line music/announcements from my room, but wasn't able to walk there! That was annoying.

People used to, from either OKW or Port Orleans. It was frowned upon but Disney didn’t do anything to stop it. My dad walked from FQ one time. Then Boston happened and we all have to go through security now.

 

[escriven75]

Hi All....it's been a hot minute since I've been on here. Last race was W&D 10k in 2022. But we're visiting for my Oct bday and running the half this year (assuming we can all get registered). Since it's a been a while since I did the half, I don't recall much about the Post Race Party. How early can we get in if we don't have a park ticket for that day? How late does the party go? Is there still a decent amount of booths and rides open most of the time? I'm thinking we'll just chill after the run, ice our knees, take a nap, have a late lunch and then just do the post race party that day. Race day will be our first park day bc we won't be flying in until Saturday. Any Post Race party details you can share please!

 

[Naomeri]

Hi All....it's been a hot minute since I've been on here. Last race was W&D 10k in 2022. But we're visiting for my Oct bday and running the half this year (assuming we can all get registered). Since it's a been a while since I did the half, I don't recall much about the Post Race Party. How early can we get in if we don't have a park ticket for that day? How late does the party go? Is there still a decent amount of booths and rides open most of the time? I'm thinking we'll just chill after the run, ice our knees, take a nap, have a late lunch and then just do the post race party that day. Race day will be our first park day bc we won't be flying in until Saturday. Any Post Race party details you can share please!

You can get in at 5pm, it goes until 1am. I can't speak to the rest of it because I was pretty tired this past W&D and mostly just hung out at the dance party with a cocktail

 

[Zutroy]

Hi All....it's been a hot minute since I've been on here. Last race was W&D 10k in 2022. But we're visiting for my Oct bday and running the half this year (assuming we can all get registered). Since it's a been a while since I did the half, I don't recall much about the Post Race Party. How early can we get in if we don't have a park ticket for that day? How late does the party go? Is there still a decent amount of booths and rides open most of the time? I'm thinking we'll just chill after the run, ice our knees, take a nap, have a late lunch and then just do the post race party that day. Race day will be our first park day bc we won't be flying in until Saturday. Any Post Race party details you can share please!

The rides are limited—Remy, Guardians, Frozen, and Soarin’ I think. If Test Track reopens, that’s usually there too. None of the restaurants or stores are open, but they have some booths available. When I didn’t have an AP, the party ticket was a great way to go at 5 and have free admission. I’ve had an AP for several years now and usually skip the party because it’s pretty underwhelming.

 

[lovingeire]

Hi All....it's been a hot minute since I've been on here. Last race was W&D 10k in 2022. But we're visiting for my Oct bday and running the half this year (assuming we can all get registered). Since it's a been a while since I did the half, I don't recall much about the Post Race Party. How early can we get in if we don't have a park ticket for that day? How late does the party go? Is there still a decent amount of booths and rides open most of the time? I'm thinking we'll just chill after the run, ice our knees, take a nap, have a late lunch and then just do the post race party that day. Race day will be our first park day bc we won't be flying in until Saturday. Any Post Race party details you can share please!

We normally eat after the half, then shower and nap until we head to Epcot. If we have a ticket we try to beat the rush and arrive before everyone going in at five. It can be quite crowded at the entrance. I believe most of the rides are open during the part, but Epcot has fewer rides than others. All of the Food & Wine booth are open during the part. When you enter at 5 they'll give you a wristband and a map with a list of characters greeting, rides open, and booths. Normally the booth shut down for a bit when the park closes after fireworks as they clear out the regular guests and then they reopen for the party. I don't think I kept any of the maps to share, sorry.

 

[The Expert]

I was definitely able to walk to the starting line in 2021's Wine and Dine when the start was in the Magic Kingdom parking lot and I stayed at SoG. I wish they would do MK parking lot starting lines again!

I hadn't thought of the MK starts. I wonder if Poly was also able to walk, since it's also right there?

People used to, from either OKW or Port Orleans. It was frowned upon but Disney didn’t do anything to stop it. My dad walked from FQ one time. Then Boston happened and we all have to go through security now.

Now that you say that, I do recall some folks doing it "unofficially" when the longer races lined up out on the roadway. Then Disney started to put explicit instructions not to do this in their race guides.

 

[Disneyhanna]

Not sure why but I just booked a room at Pop & Movies, as well as a flight, "just in case" I feel like registering

 

[escriven75]

Do any of you that are regulars wait till SAT to hit the Expo if you can't get there sooner? Its a fairly short flight for us, we'd likely be landing before the Expo even opens. But there's always the unexpected delays to worry about. We just might not have a choice. I'm guessing Disney is NOT flexible at all if you miss the Expo.......you don't run, right??

ETA: we're ok with lack of merch if we go on SAT, just want to ensure we get our bibs and can run.

 

[fatmanatee]

Do any of you that are regulars wait till SAT to hit the Expo if you can't get there sooner? Its a fairly short flight for us, we'd likely be landing before the Expo even opens. But there's always the unexpected delays to worry about. We just might not have a choice. I'm guessing Disney is NOT flexible at all if you miss the Expo.......you don't run, right??

ETA: we're ok with lack of merch if we go on SAT, just want to ensure we get our bibs and can run.

If you miss the expo you might be able to get your bib on race day but you have to get there extremely early. They don’t publicize it and basically pretend it isn’t an option bc they don’t want people to think they can just walk up on race day to get their bibs. But it might be there.

 

[jenljeffers1989]

Do any of you that are regulars wait till SAT to hit the Expo if you can't get there sooner? Its a fairly short flight for us, we'd likely be landing before the Expo even opens. But there's always the unexpected delays to worry about. We just might not have a choice. I'm guessing Disney is NOT flexible at all if you miss the Expo.......you don't run, right??

ETA: we're ok with lack of merch if we go on SAT, just want to ensure we get our bibs and can run.

If you're JUST picking up your bibs and shirts, you should be fine. But Disney is really not flexible about packet pickup, you must do it at least the day before your race. I personally think it's fine to fly in early and go to the expo, but others will tell you to come in the night before to be sure you don't have a flight delay.

 

[rundisfan]

So I know it’s early but…any perfects receive their registration links yet?

 

[KSellers88]

Do any of you that are regulars wait till SAT to hit the Expo if you can't get there sooner? Its a fairly short flight for us, we'd likely be landing before the Expo even opens. But there's always the unexpected delays to worry about. We just might not have a choice. I'm guessing Disney is NOT flexible at all if you miss the Expo.......you don't run, right??

ETA: we're ok with lack of merch if we go on SAT, just want to ensure we get our bibs and can run.

We live six hours away and drive. If I am only doing the half, we normally leave Saturday morning and go straight to the expo upon arrival. Merch is normally picked over, but lines for bibs and everything else are super short. I'd just make sure you have enough of a time buffer built in to get there before they close. We plan to do the same thing this year and leave Saturday morning.

 

[The Expert]

Club registration is open. Here is updated pricing for 2025. I'll grab screenshots of any preorder merch too.

 

[The Expert]

I'll grab better screenshots here in a bit of the actual merch images, but here are items and pricing.

 

[The Expert]

Merch closer up. I can't figure out if the ears are customizable? Are those pins or patches that go on them? I went back and read the description in the screenshot above -- there's a detachable bow and the race logos are patches that you can put on or take off. I like this idea!

Also from the shapes and details I think some of this stuff may be Brooks! The backpack is LUG, not Loungefly, and does have the medal pocket.

 

[The Expert]

PINS

 

[Dopey 2020]

Unless my memory has failed, they’ve added a faster time for the 10K. I’ve always checked under 8 minutes, now there is an under 7 option. Wondering if the backlash from the 8-10 corralling issues at MW are being addressed. Not the way to do it, people will just say they are fast. Should use POT for 10K as well



No matter, I’ll stay at 8/mile
In for the challenge

 

[WillRunForPizza]

Unless my memory has failed, they’ve added a faster time for the 10K. I’ve always checked under 8 minutes, now there is an under 7 option. Wondering if the backlash from the 8-10 corralling issues at MW are being addressed. Not the way to do it, people will just say they are fast. Should use POT for 10K as well

View attachment 935444

No matter, I’ll stay at 8/mile
In for the challenge

Interesting! I agree with you that people who previously just picked the fastest pace will still pick the fastest pace.

Out of curiosity, I looked to see how many people actually ran under 7:00/mile in the W&D 10K last year. The way they post the results makes it surprisingly difficult to figure out, but as far as I can tell, the total number of people in that range (so under 43:35 net) was 31. So do they think they're going to have a corral of 31 people or what?