Wine and Dine 2015

[orangejeepgirl]

Has anyone attended the Health & Fitness Expo and actually looked around? Is it worth blocking out some time to check out or no?

 

[Chaitali]

Has anyone attended the Health & Fitness Expo and actually looked around? Is it worth blocking out some time to check out or no?

I went to the expo at Tower of Terror and thought it was interesting to look around. There was a line for official race merchandise and it was probably the longest line I stood in all weekend! So if you think you may want to buy any of that stuff, definitely block some time off. If you just want to pick up your bib and shirt and get out of there, it won't take long. But it's mostly shopping for different types of fitness related stuff. There are speakers and I didn't get a chance to check out any of them but I hear they can be interesting, especially if you're new to running.

 

[ZellyB]

Has anyone attended the Health & Fitness Expo and actually looked around? Is it worth blocking out some time to check out or no?

I've gone for Marathon weekend and have enjoyed it. We spent a lot of time there the first year and I thought it was time well-spent. The last two years we've spent progressively less time as the vendors and speakers were the same for the most part. I'm not sure if the expo for W&D is any different.

 

[NormaG]

I'm still so excited I got in, I keep checking the "check to see if I am registered" link just to convince myself I'm in even though I've printed my confirmation email and everything! We'll be at WDW for the Flower and Garden Festival next week! I think I'll still be riding the high of registration!

 

[mbwhitti]

I'm just hoping there are a few things left since we won't be flying in until Friday afternoon. If Disney releases photos of stuff, I may be hitting someone up to pick up something for me that will be there early. I know for Princess we go there in the afternoon (will be the same time) and everything as picked over. I got a couple of things that I wanted but everything else was sold out.

 

[madduck]

I am so bummed. Thought I was prepared at noon, and got put into the waiting line to get into the website. I got in at 12:32 and filled it out as quickly as I could so I must have been right around the cutoff. 10 days reserved at Boardwalk down the toilet and those rooms were hard to get also.

 

[Dis5150]

Okay, I need input. I texted my daughter and told her I signed us up for 3:30, as I hadn't asked her ahead of time and didn't want to stop to ask her during registration. She said she walked/limped a 3:00 in her last half (took a tumble on the trail part). She wants me to change it. But I don't think I can without proof of time now, correct? I might do a 10K April 4th that is certified. Her race was certified so we could just go in whichever corral had slowest time of the 2 of us. Is it worth it if it moves us up a few corrals? Or do you think it even would?

 

[AThrillingChase]

Has anyone attended the Health & Fitness Expo and actually looked around? Is it worth blocking out some time to check out or no?

Definitely! It is a dorky runners dream I met Jeff Galloway there last month!

I am so bummed. Thought I was prepared at noon, and got put into the waiting line to get into the website. I got in at 12:32 and filled it out as quickly as I could so I must have been right around the cutoff. 10 days reserved at Boardwalk down the toilet and those rooms were hard to get also.

Contact a travel provider! Maybe they can somehow combine with your reservation, and/or cancel and them immediately rebook it. Or, a charity bib!

 

[Keels]

I'm just hoping there are a few things left since we won't be flying in until Friday afternoon. If Disney releases photos of stuff, I may be hitting someone up to pick up something for me that will be there early. I know for Princess we go there in the afternoon (will be the same time) and everything as picked over. I got a couple of things that I wanted but everything else was sold out.

We'll be there well in advance of the start of the Expo (we're driving and staying for a while), so I can grab stuff for you.

 

[MrsMcKenzie]

I thought they might expand capacity from last year because of no ToT, but based on how quickly it sold out, I thinking they still capped it around 14k to keep it a smaller race! Will be interesting to see in a few months when corrals are released how many people registered.

For anyone looking for a charity, if you choose to run for the ASPCA - please post your link here and I will personally donate to help you meet your fundraising goal!

https://www.aspca.org/team/2015-disney-wine-and-dine-half-marathon

I'll donate a little too - but message me if you do this so I don't overlook it in the thread.

 

[AThrillingChase]

Okay, I need input. I texted my daughter and told her I signed us up for 3:30, as I hadn't asked her ahead of time and didn't want to stop to ask her during registration. She said she walked/limped a 3:00 in her last half (took a tumble on the trail part). She wants me to change it. But I don't think I can without proof of time now, correct? I might do a 10K April 4th that is certified. Her race was certified so we could just go in whichever corral had slowest time of the 2 of us. Is it worth it if it moves us up a few corrals? Or do you think it even would?

It will definitely move you up - the last corral is usually filled up with people without proof. Especially if they told me the correct number of 20k runners this year!

 

[orangejeepgirl]

I went to the expo at Tower of Terror and thought it was interesting to look around. There was a line for official race merchandise and it was probably the longest line I stood in all weekend! So if you think you may want to buy any of that stuff, definitely block some time off. If you just want to pick up your bib and shirt and get out of there, it won't take long. But it's mostly shopping for different types of fitness related stuff. There are speakers and I didn't get a chance to check out any of them but I hear they can be interesting, especially if you're new to running.

I've gone for Marathon weekend and have enjoyed it. We spent a lot of time there the first year and I thought it was time well-spent. The last two years we've spent progressively less time as the vendors and speakers were the same for the most part. I'm not sure if the expo for W&D is any different.

Thanks for your input! I think I will block out some time. It sounds like something I would enjoy looking around.

 

[girliea]

I am so bummed. Thought I was prepared at noon, and got put into the waiting line to get into the website. I got in at 12:32 and filled it out as quickly as I could so I must have been right around the cutoff. 10 days reserved at Boardwalk down the toilet and those rooms were hard to get also.

So sorry madduck!

 

[Keels]

Okay, I need input. I texted my daughter and told her I signed us up for 3:30, as I hadn't asked her ahead of time and didn't want to stop to ask her during registration. She said she walked/limped a 3:00 in her last half (took a tumble on the trail part). She wants me to change it. But I don't think I can without proof of time now, correct? I might do a 10K April 4th that is certified. Her race was certified so we could just go in whichever corral had slowest time of the 2 of us. Is it worth it if it moves us up a few corrals? Or do you think it even would?

Proof of time is REALLY easy to do once they put the link up. Does she have a link to the results from that half? That's really all you need. Even if you selected 3:00, you'd still need to validate it with proof of time since they require it for any finish faster than 3:15.

 

[Keels]

I am so bummed. Thought I was prepared at noon, and got put into the waiting line to get into the website. I got in at 12:32 and filled it out as quickly as I could so I must have been right around the cutoff. 10 days reserved at Boardwalk down the toilet and those rooms were hard to get also.

Don't give up just yet! Unfortunately, travel agents will require a two-day minimum reservation BUT I wonder if they will let you transfer your reservation to them to meet that requirement!

Also, you can go the charity route. There are a few options with really low fundraising minimums (like $500-1000) that can guarantee you a spot as well!

 

[jeanigor]

Has anyone attended the Health & Fitness Expo and actually looked around? Is it worth blocking out some time to check out or no?

I've gone for Marathon weekend and have enjoyed it. We spent a lot of time there the first year and I thought it was time well-spent. The last two years we've spent progressively less time as the vendors and speakers were the same for the most part. I'm not sure if the expo for W&D is any different.

So during registration if my goal time is 1:44:48, but I have no official 10k or half's, do I just not put in any goal time?

I almost always do a once-over of the expo. The Wine & Dine Expo is the smallest of the expo's that runDisney has (next to Expedition Everest). The program they release a week or two before the race will have vendors and speakers listed, so if something piques your interest, block time. Otherwise give it a gander as you pass.

 

[mbwhitti]

We'll be there well in advance of the start of the Expo (we're driving and staying for a while), so I can grab stuff for you.

@Keels you are just all around amazing! Can't wait to meet up at the DL Half in September!

 

[DawnM]

We had two of us trying to sign up. We got person #1 registered and then went to register me and it was sold out. I was literally a minute or two late at most.

I feel sick. She really didn't want to run alone and I really wanted to do it with her.

I am looking at the charities. Autism Speaks is a min. fundraising of $1,500. Are most of them around the same amount?

And does that amount include the race fee?

 

[Dis5150]

It will definitely move you up - the last corral is usually filled up with people without proof. Especially if they told me the correct number of 20k runners this year!

Thanks! I will have a hard enough time without worrying about finishing last or getting swept!

Proof of time is REALLY easy to do once they put the link up. Does she have a link to the results from that half? That's really all you need. Even if you selected 3:00, you'd still need to validate it with proof of time since they require it for any finish faster than 3:15.

She is looking for it. Ugh I thought I was done stressing, lol! Now I may be running a 10K in 2 weeks just to get a time!

 

[Dis5150]

We had two of us trying to sign up. We got person #1 registered and then went to register me and it was sold out. I was literally a minute or two late at most.

I feel sick. She really didn't want to run alone and I really wanted to do it with her.

I am looking at the charities. Autism Speaks is a min. fundraising of $1,500. Are most of them around the same amount?

And does that amount include the race fee?

Can you book through a travel agent? Were you going to stay onsite anyway? It might be worth looking into...