Wine and Dine Half Marathon Weekend 2022 (Nov. 3-6, 2022)

[DisneyGamer11]

The 16:00/mile time limit doesn’t start until the last runner crosses the start line, so unless you’re at the very back with the balloon ladies there’s additional time available.

Sweeping is a rolling activity throughout the race, as well, not a single point in time. If you fall behind pace, there are designated points throughout the course that sweeping takes place, so you can be swept well before the 3:30 mark if you’re not making adequate progress along the course.

Thanks for that info - that's helpful!

 

[ErinC]

I just finished looking at the maps on my phone (so I could blow them up a little). I feel like these are pretty much the same exact courses that we ran for Springtime Surprise. Kinda disappointed. I've never done Wine and Dine because as a school teacher and cheer coach, going anywhere in the fall was a no go. Now that I'm retired, I was excited about getting to run a different course. I guess not. Also, it appears they kept that path through the Boardwalk area that is so narrow, and even kept the water stop for the half. I felt like I was going to run over someone, or be run over in that area last spring. So we won't have any clue about bib numbers or placement until we get to the expo this year?

 

[Naomeri]

I just finished looking at the maps on my phone (so I could blow them up a little). I feel like these are pretty much the same exact courses that we ran for Springtime Surprise. Kinda disappointed. I've never done Wine and Dine because as a school teacher and cheer coach, going anywhere in the fall was a no go. Now that I'm retired, I was excited about getting to run a different course. I guess not. Also, it appears they kept that path through the Boardwalk area that is so narrow, and even kept the water stop for the half. I felt like I was going to run over someone, or be run over in that area last spring. So we won't have any clue about bib numbers or placement until we get to the expo this year?

Ugh! Did they really put that stupid water stop in again?! That was the worst thing ever!

 

[Tiggerette]

Since the sun rises an hour earlier on Sunday HM, I don't think we'll have a lot of time in the dark by the time the corrals go through. Twilight starts at 6:15am and sun is fully up by 6:40am, so the later half of the course will be in full sun. Planning sunscreen for the highway stretches that I will now call "the burning lands."

 

[MommaBerd]

So Sunday, after the HM, was supposed to be a non-park day for us, just doing the after party. We are even switching to Yacht Club that day to have a pool day at SAB. But.... now that I see the HM course... and assuming I will be done right at or after 8:30 (very likely for me).... I'm really debating adding an extra park day ticket, so I can walk through EPCOT after the race. Maybe even get a super low boarding group for GOTG?! Ugh... hard decision... but I will want to walk afterwards right? Walking is so good after a half..... (anyone want to talk me into this lol!).

I’m in the same boat, and I can’t say that I’m going to talk you into it. I think to myself, do I really want to pay $154 (though probably less $ for you since you already have tix) to walk through the park for a couple of hours, especially when we have “free” access starting at 5:00? So, my rational brain has overruled my emotional brain.

@DisneyGamer11 - I watched an interesting video on “getting swept.” It really did a great job of easing any concerns I had and explains what happens if you should have to leave the course for any reason. You can find it here:

 

[jpeterson]

I’m in the same boat, and I can’t say that I’m going to talk you into it. I think to myself, do I really want to pay $154 (though probably less $ for you since you already have tix) to walk through the park for a couple of hours, especially when we have “free” access starting at 5:00? So, my rational brain has overruled my emotional brain.

@DisneyGamer11 - I watched an interesting video on “getting swept.” It really did a great job of easing any concerns I had and explains what happens if you should have to leave the course for any reason. You can find it here:

The "Balloon Ladies" were also on a recent episode the Rise and Run podcast. Tons of good info there about being swept.

 

[jpeterson]

So Sunday, after the HM, was supposed to be a non-park day for us, just doing the after party. We are even switching to Yacht Club that day to have a pool day at SAB. But.... now that I see the HM course... and assuming I will be done right at or after 8:30 (very likely for me).... I'm really debating adding an extra park day ticket, so I can walk through EPCOT after the race. Maybe even get a super low boarding group for GOTG?! Ugh... hard decision... but I will want to walk afterwards right? Walking is so good after a half..... (anyone want to talk me into this lol!).

I planned an EPCOT day for after the half. I figured I would want to get there before 5:00 party time and spend some time walking. Thankfully, I still have an AP (which I will not stop renewing at this point for fear I won't be able to get one again) so I can make a game day decision without having to worry about an extra ticket.

If I had to buy another ticket, I probably wouldn't personally, just because I would hate to burn out on EPCOT before the party and feel like it was a waste.

 

[PrincessV]

I'll also be driving this year. What time do you normally plan on parking to avoid any traffic stress?

I aim to be walking out my resort door within 15-20 minutes of when race buses start running for WDW resorts. I want to say buses start at 3am for the half, but haven‘t actually looked yet. That’s with a resort in the Bonnet Creek or Sherberth Rd areas: I’d add more time for anything farther away. Only once have I encountered ANY traffic (that weird year - 2020? - when they made a mess of traffic with the new Jan. Marathon course), and even then I arrived plenty early.

 

[The Expert]

For past participants, do the sweeps truly happen exactly 3:30 after race beginning? Or are they somewhat lenient? Because their page states the race is 5:00am – 9:30am, which would mean 4.5 hours.

@DisneyGamer11 - I watched an interesting video on “getting swept.” It really did a great job of easing any concerns I had and explains what happens if you should have to leave the course for any reason. You can find it here:

If anyone is looking for info on the 5K, where there is no official sweep, I wrote this up about my mom finishing last in the Princess 5K last year: https://www.disboards.com/threads/dfl-what-its-like-to-finish-last-in-a-disney-5k.3873825/

 

[1lilspark]

FWIW I was reading in the news thread about lots of character cuts affective Sunday…this doesn’t bode well for on course entertainment

 

[sandam1]

So Sunday, after the HM, was supposed to be a non-park day for us, just doing the after party. We are even switching to Yacht Club that day to have a pool day at SAB. But.... now that I see the HM course... and assuming I will be done right at or after 8:30 (very likely for me).... I'm really debating adding an extra park day ticket, so I can walk through EPCOT after the race. Maybe even get a super low boarding group for GOTG?! Ugh... hard decision... but I will want to walk afterwards right? Walking is so good after a half..... (anyone want to talk me into this lol!).

Skip it! Really, skip it! The party technically doesn't start until 10 p.m. If you want a snowball's chance of making it until the party starts, let alone when it ends at 1 a.m., you are going to need a substantial rest period. I know for me that means at least 2 hours. A 20-minute power nap isn't going to do it.

My recommendation for post-race movement is always the pool. That way you can keep moving without putting any additional stress on your legs.

 

[jpeterson]

FWIW I was reading in the news thread about lots of character cuts affective Sunday…this doesn’t bode well for on course entertainment

It appears they are having major staffing issues. The article I read mentioned the CMs were currently working 6 days a week with no/limited options to take time off.

 

[btk2333]

Skip it! Really, skip it! The party technically doesn't start until 10 p.m. If you want a snowball's chance of making it until the party starts, let alone when it ends at 1 a.m., you are going to need a substantial rest period. I know for me that means at least 2 hours. A 20-minute power nap isn't going to do it.

My recommendation for post-race movement is always the pool. That way you can keep moving without putting any additional stress on your legs.

I usually do a 30 minute nap immediately after the race

Go to Epcot Eat and drink for a few hours for lunch

Then another 30 minute nap

And return for the party

 

[Naomeri]

Here’s a new wrinkle for our planning: Fantasmic returns November 3rd!!

 

[1lilspark]

It appears they are having major staffing issues. The article I read mentioned the CMs were currently working 6 days a week with no/limited options to take time off.

Yes I know it’s more staffing vs budget I’m going to just assume cutting for day guests is just so they can redistribute schedules to accommodate race weekend & Christmas party

 

[rdelar01]

I aim to be walking out my resort door within 15-20 minutes of when race buses start running for WDW resorts. I want to say buses start at 3am for the half, but haven‘t actually looked yet. That’s with a resort in the Bonnet Creek or Sherberth Rd areas: I’d add more time for anything farther away. Only once have I encountered ANY traffic (that weird year - 2020? - when they made a mess of traffic with the new Jan. Marathon course), and even then I arrived plenty early.

Yeah, I was in that 2020 Marathon traffic, and I was on a resort bus from the Hilton Bonnet Creek. I had to get off the bus and walk along the highway to the staging area and then walk to the starting line. I ended up doing a 5k before the marathon.

This year I'm in a VRBO "15 minutes" from the EPCOT parking lot. So i'm planning on leaving at 3 AM to avoid stress.

Thanks for your feedback!

 

[sandam1]

I usually do a 30 minute nap immediately after the race

Go to Epcot Eat and drink for a few hours for lunch

Then another 30 minute nap

And I would be toast by 9 p.m. if I did this. I'm a napper, but they only get me so far.

My tentative plan is back to the hotel, race box snack (i.e. nachos and plastic cheese), pool/hot tub/bath, substantial lunch, nap/stay horizontal and stationary/watch football until around 4ish, get ready for the party.

 

[1lilspark]

Here’s a new wrinkle for our planning: Fantasmic returns November 3rd!!

And yet staffing shortage

That said Saturday the 5th do you think it’s worth having someone be on at 7am while we are running to book a genie+/ILL for the show

 

[Naomeri]

And yet staffing shortage

That said Saturday the 5th do you think it’s worth having someone be on at 7am while we are running to book a genie+/ILL for the show

Assuming they have it for Fantasmic, that’s probably a good plan to avoid the presumably-massive lines for standby.

 

[XoxoAmy]

Here’s a new wrinkle for our planning: Fantasmic returns November 3rd!!

I came here to say the same thing! It’s killing me but I don’t think we can fit it in on this trip. We land 9pm on 11/3. Early to bed on 11/4 and 5 for races (challenge). Epcot party on 11/6…. Fly home on 11/7

Unless I’m really aggressive and do fantasmic on 11/6 and then skyliner to party? Uuuggghhhhh……

(I love fantasmic and I’ve never seen it at WDW! I grew up with the original show in DL in the 90s…)