Official Wine and Dine 2016 thread

[MickeyMinnieMom]

About that 2:45:00 cutoff... that's the way it was done before they made the change to 3:15 a year or two ago. My first couple halfs were no PoT for estimated finishes slower than 2:45:00. Corrals were bigger and fewer: my first PHM went up to H, with C being times under 2:45:00 - so D through H were all times over 2:45:00. What we don't yet know is if rD will stick to more corrals with fewer people in each going forward, or if they'll revert back to the bigger corrals. And DL won't tell us anything on that point, so yeah... W&D will basically be the guinea pig lol!

My first race was ToT 2013, and the PoT required was 3:15. I didn't know it was lower before! I really hope they opt for more vs fewer corrals... I think the small number of corrals is part of what makes the 10K a little crazy... that and seemingly semi-random corral assignments for that race... I really don't understand it...

I ran the race and had no problems with it and actually enjoyed it. It was kind of cramped on the course at times, but transportation was no issue because I was staying on property and just took a bus from WWoS back to my hotel when I finished. It sounds like the issue was the bus back to EPCOT. They probably should have allocated more buses to that.

It wasn't just the line for Epcot buses. But regardless of that, I really hate not having the option to either 1) walk to Epcot after finishing to get pics in the park with our medals, and 2) walk/monorail to our Epcot/MK area resort rather than having to take the bus. Personal preference!!

 

[Ariel484]

Ah, @PrincessV is totally right! I remember reading about them making the switch to 3:15 and thinking that was so smart. I'm really curious to know why they are switching back.

 

[pclvnmcky88]

It's possibly people have complained about the amount of corrals. Those of us in H/I and up don't notice too much, but those back in O I would imagine get really frustrated waiting an hour or more after the start of the race to begin running. I can see why they would make the switch and have a smaller number of corrals with more people in each.

 

[MickeyMinnieMom]

It's possibly people have complained about the amount of corrals. Those of us in H/I and up don't notice too much, but those back in O I would imagine get really frustrated waiting an hour or more after the start of the race to begin running. I can see why they would make the switch and have a smaller number of corrals with more people in each.

IMHO it's a matter of whether you want to pay the price on the front end or back end, so to speak!! I don't mind waiting longer to start if the run itself is more pleasant because we're not so crowded and we're all grouped with other of similar-ish pace.

For now, I think that the only thing we know for sure is that they've reduced the PoT threshold from 3:15 to 2:45... I don't think we've heard that they will reduce the number of corrals... (though I totally could have missed it!!)

 

[PrincessV]

It's possibly people have complained about the amount of corrals. Those of us in H/I and up don't notice too much, but those back in O I would imagine get really frustrated waiting an hour or more after the start of the race to begin running. I can see why they would make the switch and have a smaller number of corrals with more people in each.

It was still about an hour between the first and last corral back then, though. The corrals were fewer, but much bigger, so the space between corrals was longer as 3000-3500 people had to pass through and disperse. TBH I haven't noticed a huge difference between the old way and the new way: I think any way you slice it, 20,000+ people on a course with narrow stretches and character stops is going to be congested!

 

[cavepig]

It's possibly people have complained about the amount of corrals. Those of us in H/I and up don't notice too much, but those back in O I would imagine get really frustrated waiting an hour or more after the start of the race to begin running. I can see why they would make the switch and have a smaller number of corrals with more people in each.

Still will take an hour no matter how many corrals since it's still the same number of people getting across the start. Less corrals won't shorten that. It just takes a long time to safely get all the people across. I'm just glad they have corrals assigned and it's not a free for all.

 

[alparker23]

Hi y'all. Another RD newbie here. I will have a ton of questions but at the moment I had a question about spectators, because there is basically zero info for them online other than the ability to purchase post-race tickets...My husband and kids want to see me somewhat close to the finish line and meet me afterward. (Side note: It is important to me that my kids see me accomplish this!). Does the race end inside Epcot gates or outside? Do they need to actually enter the park? We have hopper passes, so that's not a big deal, just less shuffling around of little ones if they don't have to go into the park and can stay in the parking area.

Another one about post-race dining (saw some above)...We were thinking about Cinderella's royal table for a slightly late lunch, maybe 1. I am assuming probably a 12min/mi pace currently but I have never done a half before. Is 1pm enough time for us to gather after finish line, transport (bus? or car?) back to CBR, shower and do my daughter all up princess-like, and make it back to MK for lunch? Is that a lunch worthy of a post-race meal? I know those are sort of personal questions tailored to me and my family but any thoughts appreciated! It's hard going in with no idea what to expect!

 

[cavepig]

Hi y'all. Another RD newbie here. I will have a ton of questions but at the moment I had a question about spectators, because there is basically zero info for them online other than the ability to purchase post-race tickets...My husband and kids want to see me somewhat close to the finish line and meet me afterward. (Side note: It is important to me that my kids see me accomplish this!). Does the race end inside Epcot gates or outside? Do they need to actually enter the park? We have hopper passes, so that's not a big deal, just less shuffling around of little ones if they don't have to go into the park and can stay in the parking area.

Another one about post-race dining (saw some above)...We were thinking about Cinderella's royal table for a slightly late lunch, maybe 1. I am assuming probably a 12min/mi pace currently but I have never done a half before. Is 1pm enough time for us to gather after finish line, transport (bus? or car?) back to CBR, shower and do my daughter all up princess-like, and make it back to MK for lunch? Is that a lunch worthy of a post-race meal? I know those are sort of personal questions tailored to me and my family but any thoughts appreciated! It's hard going in with no idea what to expect!

Race ends outside Epcot in a parking lot. If you'll be running through Epcot after 9:00am when the park opens then they can go in with a park ticket and watch you, but sounds like waiting at the finish would be best for them.

You should be fine with a 1:00 ADR.

 

[donk3]

Is a POT recommended for the 10k? Like I said in a prior post this will be (as of this posting) my first 10k aside from doing the local March of Dimes walk + my first RunDisney race. Not that it matters as I'm 99% sure we will be in the dreaded last corral regardless but tips?

From past experience ,what they usually do in the 10km race is that they corral people according to the estimated pace and according to if they are doing the challenge as well

 

[*DisneyDreamer]

About that 2:45:00 cutoff... that's the way it was done before they made the change to 3:15 a year or two ago. My first couple halfs were no PoT for estimated finishes slower than 2:45:00. Corrals were bigger and fewer: my first PHM went up to H, with C being times under 2:45:00 - so D through H were all times over 2:45:00. What we don't yet know is if rD will stick to more corrals with fewer people in each going forward, or if they'll revert back to the bigger corrals. And DL won't tell us anything on that point, so yeah... W&D will basically be the guinea pig lol!

Oh man, I really hope they don't do that. The idea of bigger corrals seems really messy to me. There's got to be some reason they changed away from that to make more, smaller corrals. I don't like that W&D will be the guinea pigs! I hope it goes okay.

Makes me more determined to get a decent time at my half marathon in June.

 

[MickeyMinnieMom]

Makes me more determined to get a decent time at my half marathon in June.

I was thinking along the same lines... Scheduled myself a couple of 10Ks to see how good a PoT I could get...

 

[FFigawi]

Regarding the corrals, maybe rD looked at the number of people submitting times in the 2:45-3:15 range and realized moving PoT up to 2:45 wouldn't impact that many people. Or maybe they looked at @opusone's fine analysis and noticed how many people in the last corral run faster than 3:15.

 

[MickeyMinnieMom]

Regarding the corrals, maybe rD looked at the number of people submitting times in the 2:45-3:15 range and realized moving PoT up to 2:45 wouldn't impact that many people. Or maybe they looked at @opusone's fine analysis and noticed how many people in the last corral run faster than 3:15.

I would hope that it is well reasoned, but I look at some other things (like what 10K corrals look like) and it makes me wonder... :-/

 

[Ariel484]

10K is totally different though, and always has been - we've never had to submit proof for 10Ks (unless it's part of a challenge).

 

[Princess_Nikki]

I was thinking along the same lines... Scheduled myself a couple of 10Ks to see how good a PoT I could get...

Yes, me too. Hoping to do the same!

 

[PrincessV]

Oh man, I really hope they don't do that. The idea of bigger corrals seems really messy to me. There's got to be some reason they changed away from that to make more, smaller corrals.

They made the change in hopes of cutting down course congestion... IMO it helped a little, but not very much.

 

[arbie_m]

If you purchase the merchandise items on the Active website (namely the hat and Tervis) do you pick those up at the expo or how does that work? I really want to get a Tervis but would prefer the water bottle to the goblet if that is an option but after reading about the Star Wars stuff selling out I'm worried about not getting one. (Another newbie here). Thanks!

 

[Ariel484]

If you purchase the merchandise items on the Active website (namely the hat and Tervis) do you pick those up at the expo or how does that work? I really want to get a Tervis but would prefer the water bottle to the goblet if that is an option but after reading about the Star Wars stuff selling out I'm worried about not getting one. (Another newbie here). Thanks!

You pick it up at the expo. I'd recommend bringing some sort of confirmation of your purchase. FYI, you WILL have to pay Active.com fees on any pre-orders.

 

[MickeyMinnieMom]

If you purchase the merchandise items on the Active website (namely the hat and Tervis) do you pick those up at the expo or how does that work? I really want to get a Tervis but would prefer the water bottle to the goblet if that is an option but after reading about the Star Wars stuff selling out I'm worried about not getting one. (Another newbie here). Thanks!

We picked these up at the expo both for the DL SW half and WDW SW half.

Definitely bring your Active receipt... I've needed it more than once when something got messed up.

 

[RogueKnits]

Argh...planning out my days so that I can make ADRs is proving to be a challenge for this trip. We are staying at BWI. Here's what I have so far:

Nov. 2 -- Arrival (don't have flights booked yet, but will try to get early flight out and arrive at resort early afternoon)

• Drop bags at Boardwalk and probably grab lunch from Boardwalk Bakery
• Hollywood Studios to ride ToT, RnRC, Star Tours, TSMM (if I can snag a FP)
• Epcot for dinner--I will probably make a reservation somewhere, but we may decide later to just eat from the F&W kiosks

Nov. 3

• Breakfast at the resort
• Expo--do I really need to be at the Expo on Thursday if I'm not running the 5k? Might be better to do this Friday?
• Head to MK
• 'Ohana or Kona Cafe for dinner, then back to MK for Wishes

Nov. 4

• Breakfast at BW Bakery or walk to Epcot for breakfast at Les Halles
• Expo?
• Animal Kingdom
• Dinner at Jiko or Sanaa; or, back to Epcot and dinner at Via Napoli
• Bed early

Nov. 5

• 10k
• Cape May Cafe breakfast? Not sure what time to target for this, though--10 am?
• relax at the resort, maybe play mini golf or walk around Disney Springs if we feel up to it
• Trattoria al Forno for dinner
• Bed early

Nov. 6

• Half marathon
• back to hotel to clean up
• lunch at Beaches & Cream?
• relax at the hotel or Disney Springs
• party at Epcot

Nov. 7

• Last day, so will probably not make any ADRs and just wing it depending on timing of flight home