Anyone else a +1 for the Wine & Dine 1/2 Marathon?

[TMcDwyer]

I am the Disney nut in the family and my husband does not really get it. He recently fell in love with running and mentioned that he wanted to do a 1/2 Marathon, so as any good Disney wife would...I signed him up for the Disney Wine & Dine 1/2! I am so excited because I did not think I would be able to make it to the World this year.

So...has anyone else either done the event or been the +1 of a runner? What hotels would you recommend? How did you prepare the day of?

Thanks so much!

 

[DisneylandForever]

So...has anyone else either done the event or been the +1 of a runner? What hotels would you recommend? How did you prepare the day of?

I've never been a +1, but I love Disney races. The Wine and Dine Half last year was the inaugural, so hopefully they'll work out the kinks this year. I am not a "pro" runner so I don't have any great training advice, but I do recommend staying at the Beach Club or Boardwalk if you can. There is nothing like having a 5 minute walk back to your room after a race like that, as opposed to waiting forever to sit on a stinky bus!

 

[Simba's Mom]

I am the Disney nut in the family and my husband does not really get it. He recently fell in love with running and mentioned that he wanted to do a 1/2 Marathon, so as any good Disney wife would...I signed him up for the Disney Wine & Dine 1/2! I am so excited because I did not think I would be able to make it to the World this year.

So...has anyone else either done the event or been the +1 of a runner? What hotels would you recommend? How did you prepare the day of?

Thanks so much!

No answers, but I'm right there with you. DH isn't nearly the Disney nut I am, and he's doing the Wine and Dine 1/2 Marathon this year for the first time. We're staying at BCV, which appears to be a good choice. Not only is it an "official" hotel, with transportation, but they just posted the course, and the runners go right along the wooden boardwalk out front (or back, depending on how you see it). In DH's case, he used to run and do 1/2 marathons and full marathons many years ago. He just turned 60 yo, and I think he wants to prove to himself that he's still "got it".

 

[TMcDwyer]

Thanks for the tips! Keep them coming!

 

[DisneylandForever]

We're staying at BCV, which appears to be a good choice.

'Tis indeed! You get transportation to the starting point, and a 5 minute walk back to your room post-race.

they just posted the course, and the runners go right along the wooden boardwalk out front (or back, depending on how you see it).

Yep the home stretch is passing the Yacht and Beach Clubs. Last year I joked to my friend that I was gonna just go straight to my room instead of finishing the race.
The race actually ends at that little patch of grass just outside of the International Gateway. There is a backstage area for post-race refreshments, medal pick-up, photos, medical tent, etc. Then you go through the old Millennium Village building (and pick up your bag if you checked one) and you're in World Showcase right between Canada and the UK ready to enjoy the after-party. Last year however the after-party was a mess. They allowed way too many guests, so the runners who were too tired to stand in lines 50 people deep didn't even get to use their free drink or snack vouchers. Supposedly they will be addressing that this year.

He just turned 60 yo, and I think he wants to prove to himself that he's still "got it".

Good for him!

 

[OregonGirl]

Hi TMC!

So I am the runner but I will be having a +1. The Wine & Dine will be my first half marathon ever (unless I do the Disneyland Half in September) and I am very excited. I started training 14 months ago and have gotten into the best shape of my life. 75 pounds lost, heart beats 20 BPM slower, size 18 to size 6, nowadays I run an average of 7-8 miles every other day and maintain about a 10 minute per mile pace. But enough about me - I wanted to chime in because....

A) There is a Wine & Dine thread that you might find useful: http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2654069

B) Seeing as how this is my first Disneyworld running event I have been searching up and down for various info about it, I agree that if possible you should totally stay at a host resort. The Yacht/Beach are good choices as they are a walk away from EPCOT which is handy after the party, but if you want to save on expenses Port Orleans is also a good choice. Don't forget to utilize the discounted room rates and part tickets that you get with your DH's race registration.

C) Yes, supposedly they are limiting the amount of after party tickets and instead of the free food/drink voucher, they are offering a $10 Disney gift card with purchase and the runners will get a beverage of choice before entering the park to 'get the party started'. I also understand that various rides will be open that were not last year, including Test Track and Sourin'.

D) I don't know about specifically preparing for this race since it will be my first, but in general on run days I try to eat healthy but powerful several hours before, make sure my running gear is all ready to go, and make sure I am feeling alert and awake. I suppose that's probably typical of most runners. This is a night race, so you will have had a full Disney day prior to, and so I would suggest keeping the chasing around to a minimum, just in case.

- Carey

 

[TMcDwyer]

B) Seeing as how this is my first Disneyworld running event I have been searching up and down for various info about it, I agree that if possible you should totally stay at a host resort. The Yacht/Beach are good choices as they are a walk away from EPCOT which is handy after the party, but if you want to save on expenses Port Orleans is also a good choice. Don't forget to utilize the discounted room rates and part tickets that you get with your DH's race registration.

Since this is a last minute type of trip, I think Beach Club is a little out of our reach. We were thinking Port Orleans or French Quarter. We have never stayed at either so which would you recommend?

 

[Simba's Mom]

The race actually ends at that little patch of grass just outside of the International Gateway. There is a backstage area for post-race refreshments, medal pick-up, photos, medical tent, etc. Then you go through the old Millennium Village building (and pick up your bag if you checked one) and you're in World Showcase right between Canada and the UK ready to enjoy the after-party. Last year however the after-party was a mess. They allowed way too many guests, so the runners who were too tired to stand in lines 50 people deep didn't even get to use their free drink or snack vouchers. Supposedly they will be addressing that this year.

I have a question about the after-party. For the runners, it's included. But for spouses, there's a fee, correct? I'm trying to decide if we should pay that amount of money, especially since I'm not much of a late nite person. But I AM a Disney fan, and being in Epcot in the middle of the night, especially for something with the word "party" attached, does kind of appeal to me. So what would you recommend for spouses-buy the ticket for the after-party or don't bother?

 

[TMcDwyer]

I have a question about the after-party. For the runners, it's included. But for spouses, there's a fee, correct? I'm trying to decide if we should pay that amount of money, especially since I'm not much of a late nite person. But I AM a Disney fan, and being in Epcot in the middle of the night, especially for something with the word "party" attached, does kind of appeal to me. So what would you recommend for spouses-buy the ticket for the after-party or don't bother?

As the spouse, I bought a ticket because we are going without our kids and thought it sounded like fun. Especially since Soarin' & Test Track will be open.

 

[DisneylandForever]

I started training 14 months ago and have gotten into the best shape of my life. 75 pounds lost, heart beats 20 BPM slower, size 18 to size 6, nowadays I run an average of 7-8 miles every other day and maintain about a 10 minute per mile pace.

You = rad

Since this is a last minute type of trip, I think Beach Club is a little out of our reach. We were thinking Port Orleans or French Quarter. We have never stayed at either so which would you recommend?

I definitely recommend French Quarter over Riverside, especially in this case. Both are lovely (I find the theming at POFQ much nicer though), but the POR is huge. I don't know how tired you both will be at the end of the night, but at the POFQ you're never more than 5 minutes away from the bus stop. At POR you can get off at the closest stop to your room and still be in for a hike. It's not a huge deal, but it'll be a nice feeling for your DH knowing that when you get back to your resort he won't have to run another half marathon just to get to the room.

The POFQ doesn't have a sit-down restaurant, but it has a nice food court. It's by far my favorite Moderate, and I even like it better than some Deluxes.

I have a question about the after-party. For the runners, it's included. But for spouses, there's a fee, correct? I'm trying to decide if we should pay that amount of money, especially since I'm not much of a late nite person. But I AM a Disney fan, and being in Epcot in the middle of the night, especially for something with the word "party" attached, does kind of appeal to me. So what would you recommend for spouses-buy the ticket for the after-party or don't bother?

It's a little pricey, looks like $59 a ticket before August 31st. Like OregonGirl said it looks like they are addressing the issues from last year. I would say go for it. If I wasn't running and I had a SO and she was running I would definitely buy a ticket to hang with her after! I'm glad RunDisney took all of the runners' complaints seriously.

 

[ahoff]

I have to agree with everything said already, especially the staying at the BW or BC (I am at BW). But FQ is a nice alternate. Things are a little different this year, I hear that the finish will be further into Epcot (maybe even where the Jan races end?) Last year was way to congested, this year will be better, more of Epcot open with more rides, so it should be better to attend the after party. As far as training, I only run a few days a week, so not much I can offer there. But I bike a lot, so maybe that has helped my times!

Way to go, OregonGirl!

Also, check out the WISH thrreads here on the DIS for more info, especially the competition ones.

See you in October!