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

[Naomeri]

So quick to close. Anyone known to actually register during this time or is it some glitch in the Disney matrix?

I was able to register for Princess Weekend yoga during one of the random pop-up availabilities, so it’s definitely possible if you catch it right timewise

 

[escriven75]

This will be our first trip since they cancelled the Magical Express. We're staying on property (no car rental) for the race in Nov. Wondering what everyone's favorite mode of transportation to/from MCO has been if they used to rely on DME? The private van option we use for Universal trips is always an option but it is getting pricey at $160 round trip now so just wondered what other reliable options people recommend!

 

[RunMagicalMiles]

This will be our first trip since they cancelled the Magical Express. We're staying on property (no car rental) for the race in Nov. Wondering what everyone's favorite mode of transportation to/from MCO has been if they used to rely on DME? The private van option we use for Universal trips is always an option but it is getting pricey at $160 round trip now so just wondered what other reliable options people recommend!

If I'm traveling with one or two others, I've done uber/lyft. Typical price each way tends to be $35-40. It was $65 MCO-Bay Lake tower the Thursday before Princess weekend this year (9:30pm).
When I went for Princess this year, I returned to the airport (solo) with Mears. The communication was poor and the bus was 20 minutes late, leading to a lot of anxiety. I'm going in a couple of weeks and will try Sunshine Flyer.

 

[jpeterson]

For Marathon Weekend, I just used a Lyft. Wasn't that expensive and it was just me so it worked fine.
For family trips we used Tiffany's Town Car service. That was also good but pricey.

 

[camaker]

This will be our first trip since they cancelled the Magical Express. We're staying on property (no car rental) for the race in Nov. Wondering what everyone's favorite mode of transportation to/from MCO has been if they used to rely on DME? The private van option we use for Universal trips is always an option but it is getting pricey at $160 round trip now so just wondered what other reliable options people recommend!

I used Mears Connect for Marathon Weekend this year with no issues. The driver even accidentally welcomed us to "Disney's Magical Express!"

 

[escriven75]

If I'm traveling with one or two others, I've done uber/lyft. Typical price each way tends to be $35-40. It was $65 MCO-Bay Lake tower the Thursday before Princess weekend this year (9:30pm).
When I went for Princess this year, I returned to the airport (solo) with Mears. The communication was poor and the bus was 20 minutes late, leading to a lot of anxiety. I'm going in a couple of weeks and will try Sunshine Flyer.

Thank you. Will you let me (us) know how Sunshine Flyer works out? It will be me and my 2 teens in Nov. Lots of time to plan ahead so I just want to shop around a bit and hear everyone else's recommendations.

 

[escriven75]

For Marathon Weekend, I just used a Lyft. Wasn't that expensive and it was just me so it worked fine.
For family trips we used Tiffany's Town Car service. That was also good but pricey.

I just took a look at Tiffany's and that is almost exactly what we'd pay with the other private van line that I would use. It also includes a store stop. Good to know that prices are at least consistent even if they're high. The last time I used this same private van service was a trip to Universal in 2017 and the price has increased 60% since that trip. Yikes....gas prices don't help either.

 

[jmasgat]

This will be our first trip since they cancelled the Magical Express. We're staying on property (no car rental) for the race in Nov. Wondering what everyone's favorite mode of transportation to/from MCO has been if they used to rely on DME? The private van option we use for Universal trips is always an option but it is getting pricey at $160 round trip now so just wondered what other reliable options people recommend!

Another possibility is to rent a car one way from MCO to either Disney Springs area or Car Care Center. That way you can get there on your own terms, stop for groceries, go to expo and then some before you need to return the car. There's usually not a one way fee for the rental. Over MW, I was going to do this. It would have cost me $60 or so (I have a corporate discount rate). In the end, I got a car for my whole trip.

If you have any affiliation discounts, it can work out nicely. Quick check for Nov 4 for a day, for example, I can get my GM corporate rate on a one way rental for total of $44

 

[Naomeri]

I used Sunshine Flyer for Princess and Springtime Surprise weekends, and it worked very well for me, very short waits at the airport, and on-time pickups from the resorts. Bonus is that the pickup spot at MCO is much closer to the escalators down from level 3–that walk to DME (now Mears) was always so freaking long.

 

[escriven75]

I used Sunshine Flyer for Princess and Springtime Surprise weekends, and it worked very well for me, very short waits at the airport, and on-time pickups from the resorts. Bonus is that the pickup spot at MCO is much closer to the escalators down from level 3–that walk to DME (now Mears) was always so freaking long.

Thank you...I'm going to check this out. Where would I go to look at details and book with Sunshine Flyer? Is it a separate entity or affiliated with Disney? I know it might be cheaper to rent a car, but part of vacation for me is not worrying about driving, parking, etc. even if it costs more and takes a bit longer. Even waiting in a line for the DME at night still felt like less effort personally for me than getting a rental car, driving to the resort, parking, etc.

 

[Naomeri]

Thank you...I'm going to check this out. Where would I go to look at details and book with Sunshine Flyer? Is it a separate entity or affiliated with Disney? I know it might be cheaper to rent a car, but part of vacation for me is not worrying about driving, parking, etc. even if it costs more and takes a bit longer. Even waiting in a line for the DME at night still felt like less effort personally for me than getting a rental car, driving to the resort, parking, etc.

It’s a separate entity. SunshineFlyer.com

 

[jpeterson]

It’s a separate entity. SunshineFlyer.com

I'm really hoping one of these options brings back the luggage handling that DME had. That was the killer feature to me. Not having to wait for my luggage at the carousel.

 

[ashejen]

How does the after party work with the park reservation system and genie+? If we are goi g to Epcot only during the after party time and aren’t purchasing a ticket for that day, can we use genie to make park reservations?

if this isn’t a good spot for this question, please let me know and I’ll redirect it…

 

[1lilspark]

How does the after party work with the park reservation system and genie+? If we are goi g to Epcot only during the after party time and aren’t purchasing a ticket for that day, can we use genie to make park reservations?

if this isn’t a good spot for this question, please let me know and I’ll redirect it…

I assume for the ILL rides you will be able to book a return between mix in-posted park close

As for Genie+ proper I don’t believe fastpass/lightning lane has ever been in use during party hours

 

[ashejen]

I assume for the ILL rides you will be able to book a return between mix in-posted park close

As for Genie+ proper I don’t believe fastpass/lightning lane has ever been in use during party hours

i Guess I’m still wondering how to book lightning lanes during the pre party only hours…

 

[Naomeri]

i Guess I’m still wondering how to book lightning lanes during the pre party only hours…

You might try the theme park board and see if anyone had any luck booking LL with Halloween/Christmas party tickets last year

 

[jmasgat]

How does the after party work with the park reservation system and genie+? If we are going to Epcot only during the after party time and aren’t purchasing a ticket for that day, can we use genie to make park reservations?

if this isn’t a good spot for this question, please let me know and I’ll redirect it…

So a version of this question came up re: Halloween on the PlanDisney website on April 29 and here is the response.....

Q: "If I have a ticket for MNSSHP (but not a ticket/reservation for MK prior to the party), will I be able to use Genie + to book rides from 4-7 on party day? "

A: "In the past, Guests were not able to use FastPasses during the Halloween parties as these were special after-hours events with limited capacity. While it was announced recently that the Halloween parties are returning to the Magic Kingdom Park, whether Disney Genie+ will be available during those hours has not yet been confirmed."

So, if past is precedent, sounds like no. But this is Disney and I can't see them passing up an opportunity to make a $$$. And they did say "not yet confirmed".

ETA: They also didn't specifically answer the question, since the person asked about the period from 4-7....before the party starts. So that is also an unknown.

 

[HangWithMerida]

This will be our first trip since they cancelled the Magical Express. We're staying on property (no car rental) for the race in Nov. Wondering what everyone's favorite mode of transportation to/from MCO has been if they used to rely on DME? The private van option we use for Universal trips is always an option but it is getting pricey at $160 round trip now so just wondered what other reliable options people recommend!

We have gone a couple of times and just used Lyft/Uber. Very easy and pretty cheap with little to no wait on either leg and a much shorter ride since you don’t have the multiple stops.

 

[escriven75]

We have gone a couple of times and just used Lyft/Uber. Very easy and pretty cheap with little to no wait on either leg and a much shorter ride since you don’t have the multiple stops.

Do you wait until you're there to order your ride or do you reserve airport pickup in advance? I'm probably the last person on Earth that hasn't used Lyft or Uber yet!

 

[jpeterson]

Do you wait until you're there to order your ride or do you reserve airport pickup in advance? I'm probably the last person on Earth that hasn't used Lyft or Uber yet!

Just use the app once you are there and have your bags. My Lyft came in less than 5 mins last time.