November Half Marathon Questions

[Mambo Junkie]

New to this; never scheduled a vacation during the run.
Is there a schedule?
Do they run at different parks and if so, do they block off certain areas for the run?
Do the parks close for the events and are the runs normally daytime or night?
How do these events affect regular park visitors with children?
Is there anything else I should be aware of?

 

[tbholc81]

New to this; never scheduled a vacation during the run.
Is there a schedule?
Do they run at different parks and if so, do they block off certain areas for the run?
Do the parks close for the events and are the runs normally daytime or night?
How do these events affect regular park visitors with children?
Is there anything else I should be aware of?

My wife runs in these frequently and she has talked me into the 10k for Wine and Dine


Is there a schedule? There is a schedule. you will need to pick up your bib (or bibs) at the Wide World of Sports when you get to WDW, or sometime before the race. If you do a Google search you should be able to see which races are when.

Do they run at different parks and if so, do they block off certain areas for the run? All different parks depending on the race. Eventually there will be maps for each run. The shorter runs are usually around EPCOT/ Boardwalk area.

Do the parks close for the events and are the runs normally daytime or night? Runs are early in the morning, like really early and parks are not open when you run through them.

How do these events affect regular park visitors with children? Not much we have gone during Run Disney weekends and aside from road closures and transportation it just makes it more crowded.

Is there anything else I should be aware of?[/QUOTE] Find some Run Disney Blogs, these events are run really well and are super organized. For Wine and Dine there is a party on Sunday night for only runners, I think it's in the MK.

 

[Mambo Junkie]

Thank you! With the lack of Sunday ADR availability in the MK, I was afraid of that.

 

[Mambo Junkie]

Looking at the schedule, the after race party is at Epcot Food and Wine area on Sunday. Definitely interested in the Kids events though; I think the girls will love it! The 5 year old is super fast.
One more question: I see where the race starts at MK and ends at Epcot parking lot on 11/3. We have 8 am dining reservations. Do you think this will affect our parking? We were thinking of not relying on Disney transportation to get us there on time. Same with 11/4 EMM. If the race starts at MK parking lot, will this affect our ability to park? We are staying at AoA and last time transportation was spotty. Also, with the location of the bus drop, we may as well have walked from the parking lot. I don't think the Ubers transport 6.

 

[GADisneyDad14]

From my experience, the only day you really need to pay attention to / worry about is Sunday morning. The other races are smaller/clear out well before park times. The Half is the longer race, and depending on the route, it can impact travel around WDW property that morning. Depending on the route and where you are trying to go, sometimes the travel delays can be material.

I'd recommend paying attention to the course map and building in some extra time if your plans include rope drop for any park and/or route that looks like it could be impacted. If you're not doing rope drop, most residual race impacts quickly disappear as you get towards mid-morning.

Sunday afternoon/evening at Epcot can be pretty crowded with runners looking to celebrate their achievements.

Hope that helps!

 

[GADisneyDad14]

Same with 11/4 EMM.

This EMM has me a bit worried, to be honest. I was surprised to see it on the schedule. I am not familiar enough with the W&D Half route and the exact timing of things that morning, but I'd be extra careful with your prep/travel time on this morning just in case.

 

[Mambo Junkie]

This is what I have found:

Sunday, November 4, 2018
5:30 a.m.
Walt Disney World® Resort, Florida
Start: Magic Kingdom® Parking Lot
Finish: Epcot® Parking Lot

A breathtaking morning run capped by a spectacular evening of food and wine!

How much fun can you pack into one day? Plenty when you set your course for the Disney Wine & Dine Half Marathon featuring Chef Mickey! Your day begins with an early morning 13.1-mile run through the beautiful Walt Disney World®Resort. Then, celebrate your race later that evening at an exclusive Post-Race Party at the Epcot® International Food & Wine Festival.

We have tickets that morning for EMM, which starts at 7:45, but I had planned on getting there around 6:30 or so. Not sure what time the resort buses start running, plus with the unpredictability of them, we were going to drive.
Any idea how much of the parking lot is blocked off?

 

[Capang]

This is what I have found:

Sunday, November 4, 2018
5:30 a.m.
Walt Disney World® Resort, Florida
Start: Magic Kingdom® Parking Lot
Finish: Epcot® Parking Lot

A breathtaking morning run capped by a spectacular evening of food and wine!

How much fun can you pack into one day? Plenty when you set your course for the Disney Wine & Dine Half Marathon featuring Chef Mickey! Your day begins with an early morning 13.1-mile run through the beautiful Walt Disney World®Resort. Then, celebrate your race later that evening at an exclusive Post-Race Party at the Epcot® International Food & Wine Festival.

We have tickets that morning for EMM, which starts at 7:45, but I had planned on getting there around 6:30 or so. Not sure what time the resort buses start running, plus with the unpredictability of them, we were going to drive.
Any idea how much of the parking lot is blocked off?

Last year i don’t think the half course went through MK, at least as far as I could tell from the maps I found through google. I am really surprised about EMM that day as I expect transportation will definitely be impacted. If you are driving yourself check at your resort the day before about road closures.

 

[Mambo Junkie]

I am surprised as well. I am considering canceling the EMM tickets. I guess they can be canceled without penalties. I was so looking forward to getting a few popular rides out of the way though. Very disappointed.

 

[SweetSerenity]

Where is the party usually held? We have an ADR at Rose and Crown for Sunday evening and are staying at Boardwalk Inn so transportation is not an issue. We just would like to avoid the crowds if we can.

 

[Capang]

Where is the party usually held? We have an ADR at Rose and Crown for Sunday evening and are staying at Boardwalk Inn so transportation is not an issue. We just would like to avoid the crowds if we can.

The runners party is Sunday night at Epcot. It is a hard ticket event. You will have runners in the early morning on the boardwalk though as at least 2 of the courses normally end in that area.

 

[StacyStrong]

I am surprised as well. I am considering canceling the EMM tickets. I guess they can be canceled without penalties. I was so looking forward to getting a few popular rides out of the way though. Very disappointed.

Why would you cancel? You will get there and you will find parking. You just might need to leave a bit earlier.

Seems silly to cancel because of some road closures. I think you're worrying too much for nothing.

 

[Mambo Junkie]

Where is the party usually held? We have an ADR at Rose and Crown for Sunday evening and are staying at Boardwalk Inn so transportation is not an issue. We just would like to avoid the crowds if we can.

This is the current info on the post race

After-hours Epcot® International Food & Wine Festival

Sunday, November 4, 2018
10:00 p.m. –1:00 a.m. (Early entry begins at 8:00 p.m.)

Walt Disney World® Resort, Florida
Location: Epcot®

Celebrate a race well run at an exclusive Post-Race Party with great food and fabulous wine!

You've run the half marathon! Now it's time to celebrate with your exclusive entry to the Post-Race Party at the Epcot® International Food & Wine Festival. Your Half Marathon or Challenge registration includes entry to Global Marketplaces at the Epcot® International Food & Wine Festival, access to favorite Epcot® attractions and special Disney entertainment!

Friends, family and spectators are invited to purchase Post-Race Party tickets to attend the Post-Race Party and celebrate with their favorite runner.

 

[Mambo Junkie]

Why would you cancel? You will get there and you will find parking. You just might need to leave a bit earlier.

Seems silly to cancel because of some road closures. I think you're worrying too much for nothing.

At least half of my party (including 2 children) are not early morning people. They are already grumbling about EMM and the 8 am ADR I have, though they see the value in being there early. I am looking into Minnie Van service now. I really don't want to cancel, but I am 1 of 6.

 

[SweetSerenity]

The runners party is Sunday night at Epcot. It is a hard ticket event. You will have runners in the early morning on the boardwalk though as at least 2 of the courses normally end in that area.

Since it is a hard ticket event, does that mean they will close Epcot like they do MK for MNSSHP? I just didn't know if the party was held in a specific area of the park like in WS while the general public are there. Thank you

 

[GADisneyDad14]

Since it is a hard ticket event, does that mean they will close Epcot like they do MK for MNSSHP? I just didn't know if the party was held in a specific area of the park like in WS while the general public are there. Thank you

No, Epcot doesn’t close early. The after party doesn’t start until after regular Epcot hours. It’s not like a MK/MNSSHP setup.

 

[Allison]

Check on the runDisney board on this website.

 

[1lilspark]

The only park impact would be Sunday morning at Epcot as the back of the pack half runners will still be running....( I know this cause in 2016 I went to pick up an AP thing and meet Joy & Sadness with my 10k medal and was met by some hostile guests while we were held by the fountain so runners could pass)

Guests can start entering Epcot Sunday night at 8 for the after party....

FWIW if OP was planning to run only kids races are still open for this weekend

 

[ChipNDale86]

The races honestly shouldn't impact your trip very much, if at all. Sunday morning traffic around MK will be tough but still very manageable. We did the 10k last year (the Saturday race) and then had to drive to Tampa for a wedding that day. We were staying at the Poly, ran the race, showered, got picked up by the rental car company, drove back to the Poly and then left around lunchtime and had no issues whatsoever. The race starts at 5:30am so by the time you get there for EMM most (if not all) runners should be off and running. Like everyone said I'd leave a little earlier so to be sure you can get around some of the road blocks but I'm sure they'll have plenty of parking available for when you get there. I definitely wouldn't cancel because of the 10k.
If your party is already complaining about waking up early, they're going to complain no matter what and if waking up 30 minutes earlier is that tough for them then EMM in general probably isn't for them. Once they get there and are enjoying very little waits for some headliners, they'll totally forget about having to wake up a little earlier.

 

[SweetSerenity]

No, Epcot doesn’t close early. The after party doesn’t start until after regular Epcot hours. It’s not like a MK/MNSSHP setup.

Thank you! That clarifies things.