Wine and Dine Half-Marathon

[frank2271]

thanks dreamfinder, not that I plan on qualifing, I was just curious.

Hmmmm, maybe someday......

 

[Mulan]

I looked through the previous 7 pages - and I can see that there's some experienced Disney runners here.

Do they enforce the 15 minute mile rule? I'm at a 10-11 min. mile pace & still have five months to go. It just makes me nervous because I'm definitely not a runner - asides from 5K's this will be my first long-distance race. I'm doing a 10K for placement on May 1st.

Any advice from runners who have run at Disney before? (Preferably the half-marathon races and longer.) I'm so excited - I'm registering this week!

 

[dreamfinder]

I looked through the previous 7 pages - and I can see that there's some experienced Disney runners here.

Do they enforce the 15 minute mile rule? I'm at a 10-11 min. mile pace & still have five months to go. It just makes me nervous because I'm definitely not a runner - asides from 5K's this will be my first long-distance race. I'm doing a 10K for placement on May 1st.

Any advice from runners who have run at Disney before? (Preferably the half-marathon races and longer.) I'm so excited - I'm registering this week!

They will enforce the rule, but do their best to get you before the cut off. Typically its a 16 minute pace, and they add on the time required for the last person to cross the start line. So if the gun fires at 10:00, and the last person crosses the start line at 10:15, they would say cut off at mile 5 at 95 minutes. (5*16=80+15=95) By most reports, they have a few people on bikes riding along at that cutoff point. They will usually tell you that when they get to the mile marker, you need to be in front of them, or you will have to get on the bus. And when they get to that marker, they turn their bikes across the road, and if you are before them you can keep running, if you are behind them they will load you on the bus. The 16 minute pace isn't that bad though. As long as you can keep a brisk walk going, you should be fine. Most likely, you walk faster through the parks on a regular basis trying to get to shows and stuff and don't even know it.

Advice? Try to have fun. Do your best to be in shape. Not "I'm from Kenya and gonna run Boston in 2:05:51" shape but "I've been working towards this for months, do regular training and I feel good!!" shape. If you aren't ready to do a 9 minute mile a few weeks before the race, settle for your 10 minute mile. Know your boundaries and try to keep track of where you are pacewise if you are in doubt.

 

[Blueliner]

Our plans have changed. We have booked POFQ for that 4 day trip. Once our daughter gets a bit older, we will stay in higher themed resorts (ie:AK Lodge and WL) but for now, she really likes all the photos of the FQ side of PO.

I still havent booked the F&W Half. How can you find out if it is getting close to filling up?

Hi jmaxwell007. I live in Birmingham, too. My wife and I are booked at Port Orleans French Quarter as well, although we have not registered for the race yet. We need to pull the trigger soon. For this race, we're just flying in on Saturday mid-morning and back to Birmingham on Monday evening, but we figured we'll have a great long weekend.

I have done a couple of the Mercedes half-marathons and also did the San Francisco Marathon in 2005 and the Disney Marathon in 2007 (very much a middle of the pack kind of runner). This will be my wife's first distance race. We're big Disney fans, so this seemed like the perfect opportunity to set a goal and put together (and sticking to) a training plan.

Thanks to those that got this sub-forum up and running. It's going to be tough to get work done knowing there's a discussion going on in here about running at Disney.

 

[bdevil4]

Transportation?

Hello everyone! I'm very excited to see this forum was created, it is nice to "meet" other Disney runners! I've done the Race for the Taste 10k a couple of times in the past, and now the Wine and Dine will be my first half marathon!

A question for those who have done Disney races in the past--are they pretty strict on transportation to and from the race? I had a room booked at PO French Quarter, but unfortunately just had to give it up in order to get the free dining plan, so I am now at PO Riverside. Would I be able to walk over and catch the bus from French Quarter, or would they not allow that? I will not have a car with me, but could get a cab if needed. Just curious.

 

[surfsupdon]

Is it wrong that we are not running the Wine and Dine b/c there is no after party with rides open???

The beauty of the Everest Challenge and ToT13K where that you'd run your brains out then have 4 hours to play in the parks with very few Guests!! And you hung out with other runners!

Wine and Dine--I get to run a half marathon and then get to eat and drink one selection from the F&W Festival. No rides. No fun. And just what I want when I'm done running---escargots or chedder cheese soup. Or better yet booze at an event that promotes healthy living (a foot race!!).

I feel Disney missed the boat on this one, but I know they will make money!! Just not mine.

 

[GoofyRacer11]

I accidentally signed up for the Wine and Dine Half-Marathon while registering for another race. I was most likely going to do it but did not have all the details worked out yet.

 

[frank2271]

I am 99% sure they will let you get the bus. During the Princess Half they didn't check any ID's or ask us anything.

Did you ask the person when you made the ressie? If so what did they say? Let me guess, "What race?" or "I didn't know that." LOL

Like I said, I wouldn't worry about it at all.

Good Luck.

 

[Ariel484]

I bought one too. I was worried I might jinx myself because I bought it at the expo BEFORE I actually completed the race.
I wore to the park when we went to the park after the race. I liked that it had the course on the back. But I can completely understand why you didn't purchase one (unless you can really rock bright pink-LOL)

Hi fmingo, can you post a picture of the "I did it" shirt as well as the tech shirts your bought? I'd appreciate it...thanks! :wave:

 

[frank2271]

I just found the area of the Disney website that states that they will be selling tickets to the after party for family. I'm really on the fence about this one. I think I'll meet my family in the parking lot instead. It's going to be really late and I won't be interested in the food and booze after running that distance. My wife, son and I are also doing the 5k in the morning (I'm the only one crazy enough to do both) so I think we'll skip the late night, rideless, after party. I just wish they could come to the finish line without paying admission. I'm with the other post that says "I think Disney missed the ball on this one". Should be a fun race, but I'm not interested in the party stuff.

What do you guys think?

Frank

 

[bdevil4]

Thank you for the information, Frank! I made my reservations through a Disney travel agent, so I did not ask anyone about the buses. I am guessing I wouldn't have had much luck anyway! I may try to ask about it at packet pick up.

As far as the after party, it doesn't hold much interest for me. I may check it out briefly, but told the rest of my group to stay at the resort. We will have a few more days to hit the parks after the race, so I would rather just enjoy the race and get to bed!

However, are we sure that there will be no rides open? The information on the website is not very clear or specific. It does say "Limited country pavilions, entertainment and attractions will be available due to Epcot® closing at 9 p.m. for day guests," which could mean that some rides will be operational.

 

[GoofyRacer11]

I'm not sure if I am staying for the party. I was thinking about going over to Beaches and Cream and ordering a Kitchen Sink.

 

[dreamfinder]

Thank you for the information, Frank! I made my reservations through a Disney travel agent, so I did not ask anyone about the buses. I am guessing I wouldn't have had much luck anyway! I may try to ask about it at packet pick up.

As far as the after party, it doesn't hold much interest for me. I may check it out briefly, but told the rest of my group to stay at the resort. We will have a few more days to hit the parks after the race, so I would rather just enjoy the race and get to bed!

However, are we sure that there will be no rides open? The information on the website is not very clear or specific. It does say "Limited country pavilions, entertainment and attractions will be available due to Epcot® closing at 9 p.m. for day guests," which could mean that some rides will be operational.

Disney hasn't cared about the buses in the past. My wife has had no problems getting on the Marathon buses, and she wasn't running. I would imagine that all they care about if you are there, and trying to get on the bus, you have a reason to do so.

Regarding rides at the after party, it really comes down to what is open. If it's anything like the DHS post parties, some rides will be open. But if they stick to that "limited country pavilions" only, you only have the 2 boat rides. Since the course description makes it sound like you finish near the international gateway, they may only have the UK and Canada open. With the actual party in the Millennium Village building. As much as Disney likes taking our money, I can't see them charging $35 bucks to just stare at a few countries and not do anything. I bet they are waiting to see the response before deciding what to open. Epcot most likely has a set fee to open an attraction outside park hours, and the Endurance Sports group needs to see what they think works best.

 

[MCC1]

Planning on Wine & Dine 1/2 - love the idea of running @ night, and it'll be the only 1/2 that'll hit 3 parks which my wife loves as she has done the marathon weekend 1/2 and only gets to run through MK (and a bit of Epcot)

 

[frank2271]

Planning on Wine & Dine 1/2 - love the idea of running @ night, and it'll be the only 1/2 that'll hit 3 parks which my wife loves as she has done the marathon weekend 1/2 and only gets to run through MK (and a bit of Epcot)

I agree about the running at night part, I love the parks at night and it should be GREAT!!!!

 

[surfsupdon]

No, I emailed Disney and made a phone call to the event planners and they confirmed that Wine and Dine will not have any rides open. The attractions open are the countries themselves and the F&W Festival booths--but no shows/rides.


ToT13K had ToT, RnRC, Muppets, GMR, and Star Tours.

Everest has Everest, Dinosaur, Primevil Whirl, Tough/Bug, Kali Rapids.

Epcot is hosting a party where you get one 'taste" and one "drink" included in your price. Like I said--escargots and purple haze isn't exactly a perfect after race meal. Haha.

Future World should be open!

The slogan changed from the original "The Runner's Ultimate Night Out" to merely "The Runner's Night Out."

 

[fmingo36]

Hi fmingo, can you post a picture of the "I did it" shirt as well as the tech shirts your bought? I'd appreciate it...thanks! :wave:

I'm wearing the "I DID IT" shirt in my profile picture. The back has a picture of the race course in the same pink as the front of the shirt. VERY GIRLIE. LOL

I haven't figured the whole posting picture thing. I'm working on it. When I do I'll post a better picture of the front and back of the shirt.

 

[dreamfinder]

No, I emailed Disney and made a phone call to the event planners and they confirmed that Wine and Dine will not have any rides open. The attractions open are the countries themselves and the F&W Festival booths--but no shows/rides.

I find that very very hard to believe. I'm not doubting that you were told that, I just find it hard to believe. I definitely don't think that people will appreciate paying $35 to simply pay more to eat. Even if its just the countries, shouldn't that include Malstrom and Gran Fiesta Tour? And then conversely all the films? O' Canada, the American Adventure, etc?

 

[Texas84]

I'm registered for the 5k. I'm using this as motivation to lose some weight. Ten pounds so far! Really looking forward to it. Hope to do a half next year. I'm assuming there will be plenty of parking at the TTC.

 

[Phonedave]

No, I emailed Disney and made a phone call to the event planners and they confirmed that Wine and Dine will not have any rides open. The attractions open are the countries themselves and the F&W Festival booths--but no shows/rides.


ToT13K had ToT, RnRC, Muppets, GMR, and Star Tours.

Everest has Everest, Dinosaur, Primevil Whirl, Tough/Bug, Kali Rapids.

Epcot is hosting a party where you get one 'taste" and one "drink" included in your price. Like I said--escargots and purple haze isn't exactly a perfect after race meal. Haha.

Future World should be open!

The slogan changed from the original "The Runner's Ultimate Night Out" to merely "The Runner's Night Out."

Wow, I have friends who were going to go to the after party. Now, I think not.

I was thinking the same thing about the booze. The last thing I want when dehydrated or volume constricted is alcohol.

Give me a banana, some Hydralite, and then a protein shake and I am good to go.

-dave