Changes to next year's Wine & Dine

Ariel484

Ariel484

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
Good news, yes? From the Run Disney Facebook page:

Dear Fans. . .

Thank you for being such enthusiastic supporters of Disney events. Our Disney team has been busy over the past few months with the WALT DISNEY WORLD Marathon Weekend presented by CIGNA and this month’s Disney Princess Half Marathon presented by Lady Foot Locker. We’re off to a great start in 2011, and expect to see continued success with the Disneyland Half Marathon in September and then the return of the Disney Wine & Dine Half Marathon Weekend at WALT DISNEY WORLD Resort September 30-October 1.

As a listening company, we constantly seek input from our guests so that we can make the guest experience even better. In the spirit of that commitment, the Disney team has been working on changes to improve your experience at the Disney Wine & Dine Half Marathon.

First, you may be pleased to note that the post-race party will be expanded to include a variety of Epcot attractions and many more food and beverage locations. In addition, the half marathon finish line will be moved to just outside the main entrance to Epcot. Our intent is to provide more space for the finish itself, a larger spectator viewing area, and a greatly expanded baggage claim operation. Different from the WALT DISNEY WORLD Marathon and Disney Princess Half Marathon events, the Wine & Dine Half Marathon finish area will be in a parking area adjacent to the Epcot main entrance, allowing for easy access to the post-race party inside the park.

I wanted to personally share these updates to assure you that we value your feedback and are committed to making every Disney race a world-class experience for you and your families. We expect to have exciting entertainment enhancements to share among other surprises, both during the race and during the post-race party, so stay tuned for more news on the Disney Wine & Dine Half Marathon and all Disney events in the coming months. We look forward to seeing you at the finish line.

Yours in running,

Ken Potrock
SVP, Disney Sports Enterprises
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joel_maxwell

joel_maxwell

Permanent Resident of EPCOT
That is awesome. Way to go Disney. You listened to feedback and made some changes. I hope all the participants will enjoy year 2 of this event.

:sohappy:
 
Phonedave

Phonedave

Well-Known Member
That is great.

Now I am 95% certain I will be going back.

See Disney - you sucked me (and my dollars) in again.


-dave
 
joel_maxwell

joel_maxwell

Permanent Resident of EPCOT
Phonedave said:
That is great.

Now I am 95% certain I will be going back.

See Disney - you sucked me (and my dollars) in again.


-dave
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:lol:

I wish I could do it again this year. Ill have a 4 month old at home... so justifying the expense wont get past the other half. Oh well, Ill do it again in a few years when we go back in late Sept early Oct.
 
Texas84

Texas84

Well-Known Member
In addition, the half marathon finish line will be moved to just outside the main entrance to Epcot. Our intent is to provide more space for the finish itself, a larger spectator viewing area, and a greatly expanded baggage claim operation. Different from the WALT DISNEY WORLD Marathon and Disney Princess Half Marathon events, the Wine & Dine Half Marathon finish area will be in a parking area adjacent to the Epcot main entrance, allowing for easy access to the post-race party inside the park.

I don't understand this. I ran the January half and watched the full and thought the finish was already close. So it will be even CLOSER? :shrug:
 
D

Disney Dawg88

Active Member
Texas84 said:
I don't understand this. I ran the January half and watched the full and thought the finish was already close. So it will be even CLOSER? :shrug:
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I'm right there with you Texas . . . the finish for the half seems like it's only about 100 yards from the park entrance. Maybe they're going to take out the turnstiles at the entrance (far left side if walking to the entrance from the parking lot) have you run through those and the have tents/spectator entrances set up in the parking lot right out front . . . ? That doesn't seem like it would work logistically as that's where everyone exits the park, but that's the only other place that I can think of.
 
Phonedave

Phonedave

Well-Known Member
Disney Dawg88 said:
I'm right there with you Texas . . . the finish for the half seems like it's only about 100 yards from the park entrance. Maybe they're going to take out the turnstiles at the entrance (far left side if walking to the entrance from the parking lot) have you run through those and the have tents/spectator entrances set up in the parking lot right out front . . . ? That doesn't seem like it would work logistically as that's where everyone exits the park, but that's the only other place that I can think of.
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Unless they have you end up over by the buses. Heading from DHS, you would take a sharp left just before the International Gateway (just like for the marathon) and then go backstage over to where the buses are.

They could take the distance out of than damn loopback section.

-dave
 
Phonedave

Phonedave

Well-Known Member
dreamfinder said:
Or just have you walk a mile to the start like they do for the full/half in January. Drop off at WWoS, and then hike!
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Yeah, the W&D start was only about what, 1/4 mile from the staging area ?

Now that I think about it, they could have used the same finish for the W&D half that they use for the Marathon.

Towards the end the World Showcase is open, and people are still running though. Maybe because it is dark, so it is harder to keep guests out of the running path? But then you would also think that at a special event specificaly for a race, the people there would be more aware of the racers and would not walk in the running path.

-dave
 

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