runDisney: A Wine & Dine Race Weekend Review

The runDisney Wine & Dine weekend marks the end of the current race season, here's what to expect for this runDisney weekend.

I love the Wine & Dine runDisney race weekend! I have been participating since 2021 and have really enjoyed experiencing Walt Disney World in this new way. If you're a first time race goer, seasoned runner or just looking to try something new, then the Wine & Dine Race weekend is the perfect runDisney event to start with.

I keep going back to this event because October is one of my favorite times to visit Walt Disney World. I really like the Halloween and Fall decor, and the temperatures in Florida are still warm, but not nearly as hot as the summer months. Typically, I fly down to Walt Disney World the Wednesday prior to the race, enjoy a Thursday park day, and am then off to the races Friday, Saturday and Sunday. I will still venture to the parks Friday and Saturday after the respective 5k and 10k races. These are great days to swing by Disney's Animal Kingdom or venture to EPCOT when it opens later in the day. Sunday is always my rest and relaxation at my resort post Half Marathon and I'll squeeze in a Monday park day before flying home Tuesday. While this makes for a busy trip to Walt Disney World, it also makes for a fun trip filled with extra magic at the runDisney events.

Let's talk about Thursday packet pickup. The homebase for runDisney is the ESPN Wide World of Sports. If you've ever wanted to venture to this area of Walt Disney World, the runDisney race weekend is a great time to head over, since every resort will have a bus going to and from the venue. Be warned, if you hop the bus to check out the ESPN complex, it will be packed with race participants. Runners will be in the State Farm Field House picking up their race bibs, the VISA Athletic Center will house the race expo with vendors and the Advent Health Arena is home to merch, merch and more merch for participants to commemorate their runDisney weekend. Typically, I avoid the long lines for merch by preordering my weekend swag. This saves me a lot of time when at ESPN Wide World of Sports. I usually casually pick up my race packet midday, so I can rope drop in a park and use my ESPN adventure as my lunch break activity. Thankfully, Walt Disney World makes it easy to get to and from this venue with all of the added bus transportation.

Races start around 5am so that participants are in and out of the parks prior to them opening for guests. It makes for an early morning, but the energy coming from the cast members and other participants makes for an amazing AM atmosphere. runDisney even turns the morning parking lot into a party with food trucks, character photo-ops, and a DJ Dance Party. They make the pre-race wait worth while. I've been lucky to have great weather when running this race. Only once did I have to wait for the race start in the rain. Mornings are cool, so a long sleeve running shirt is really nice to have until the sun comes up while on the course. I ran the Disneyland Halloween Half Marathon in September and never again will I run in that California heat! I'll take my mild Florida October weather instead!

If you're looking to experience Walt Disney World in a unique way, then the Wine & Dine 5k is where it is at. I typically see families and groups of friends participating in this one. You have three hours to complete the 3.1 miles and it's relaxed pace allows for time to stop for photos, meet with the course characters and make fun memories in the parks. For the more competitive runners, the 10k and Half Marathon are timed at a 16 minute mile pace. I've been able to successfully jog/walk both of these with no issues. Like Baymax, I am not so fast.

The Wine & Dine Half Marathon weekend is also the only runDisney event to come with an afterparty option. For those registered for the two course challenge, meaning you're completing the 10k and Half Marathon, you'll automatically get a ticket to the race weekend afterparty. Additional tickets can be purchased from runDisney. The afterparty, fittingly, takes place at EPCOT for runners to enjoy the Food & Wine Festival. You're able to enter the park starting at 5pm and party until 2am. I've done the after party once and the bonus park hours were great! Other years, I've just been too tired after the three days of racing to party late and have let family members take my party pass to enjoy the park after hours.

If you're looking for a runDisney weekend, then consider the Wine & Dine Half Marathon weekend. It comes with the opportunity to experience the EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival and the opportunity to try something fun with runDisney. As I write this, I'm gearing up for the 2026 Princess Half Marathon and am looking forward to trying a different runDisney event at Walt Disney World.

Have you dashed through the parks during the runDisney Wine & Dine Half Marathon Weekend?

Photos: Walt Disney World Adults Only (WDWAO)