Wine and Dine Half Marathon

[Deb & Bill]

Did any DVC members do the Wine and Dine? Did you stay at BCV? If you did, did you book it at 7 months out? And tell me about the party afterwards. We were thinking of maybe doing it next year.

 

[Simba's Mom]

DH did this last year in 2011. The only reason he didn't do it again was because of hernia surgery. He found the experience fantastic. Yes, we stayed at BCV and the fact that it was one of the host resorts made it very convenient. But we booked it at 11 months and were glad we did. The after-party was fun, fairly uncrowded near the early part, but by around 2 hours into it, crowds got too dense so we walked back to BCV. Great experience to run through the parks at night-all the characters out, beautiful lighting, time goes by so fast-enjoy!

 

[Jillpie]

My DS ran it last night and loved it. His time was 2:00 and 50 sec., he was psyched, one of the best half races he's ever done. He's a CM too, so he lives down there. He waited for other friends to finish till almost 2:00 am, then went to the party. He said it was lots of fun, didn't get home till 4:00 am!

 

[nolanboys]

We ran it the first year and had a blast. We stayed at AKV. After the race and after party, we walked to BC and got a taxi. BCV would be the most convenient, but the $20 we spent on the taxi was well worth it. You could really stay at any resort and do the same. One thing I will add - we are morning runners. We had a very difficult time sleeping after running. Couldn't fall asleep after getting back to our room. Running at night is very different. Would do it again though- running through AK at night is truely magical!

 

[Simba's Mom]

We ran it the first year and had a blast. We stayed at AKV. After the race and after party, we walked to BC and got a taxi. BCV would be the most convenient, but the $20 we spent on the taxi was well worth it. You could really stay at any resort and do the same. One thing I will add - we are morning runners. We had a very difficult time sleeping after running. Couldn't fall asleep after getting back to our room. Running at night is very different. Would do it again though- running through AK at night is truely magical!

So's DH-a morning runner. Because of this being at night, he said he'd highly recommend doing a few night runs as part of your training.

 

[shoes99]

My friend from California, a new runner, did a time of 3:28:32 and she owns at SSR. This was also part of the Disney coast to coast so she got two medals. She could not get a studio near Epcot so she stayed at AKL Kidani and had a blast. For a new runner, she is doing very well. We are proud of her.
Michele

 

[dis-happy]

I did it this year with my dh.....he went along for the ride; I wanted to do it to celebrate a big birthday! The race was a blast....I had been following the Jeff Galloway training program for several months (had never been a runner prior). Had to stop training due to knee injury late summer and had pretty much relegated training to walking fast for 2 miles a day. Anyway, we finished the mostly walking, some interval running event in 3.5 hours. Were too exhausted and sore to do the party...we wandered in, rode SE, then called it a night. (this was after it took about 30 mins at the finish line to get medal, take photos, eat a snack, pick up bag and change clothes first).

Stayed at OKW, drove to Epcot for the race, took bus to WWS with the other runners, then drove back to OKW afterwards...everything was very smooth and easy. We joked that we were glad we weren't at BCV or BWV...too tempting to turn off before the race ended, and actually, we were glad we didn't have to trudge all the way back through the WS to get home afterwards.

Making plans for C to C next year. Either way, make room ressies early...I waited and had to piece together one bit by bit. While OKW wasn't my first choice it worked out well for us.

 

[gatorgirl02]

My DH and I did the Food and Wine half and had a blast. I did the Princess in February, and this race was SOOO much better. Of course the after party is an easy advantage, but the race course for the W&D was much better as well. Transportation is only provided at specific resorts depending on the race, so either look at www.rundisney.com to find out which resorts are covered, or call them and ask. As far as staying at Beachclub or Boardwalk, I think either would have been really nice, as you could just crawl/walk back after the party. That being said, we stayed at Saratoga and had no problems gettig back after the race.

Regarding booking, I would imagine you need to book more than 7 months out for those resorts if you want to guarentee availability. That being said, depending on room type/resort, I would book at 7 months out to guarentee a room at your desired resort, and that is a busy time in general. Good luck!

 

[kristenrice]

DH and I are putting together our vacation time for next year and we are seriously considering trying the W&D 1/2 marathon. Will the race be held the weekend of November 8-9, 2013? I just started running about 3 months ago. I couldn't make it more than a 1/2 mile when I started and I managed to RUN 4.25 miles this past Sunday. DH has never been a runner either, but he started running about 3 years ago so he has a head start. His goal is to run the entire 13.1 miles. My goal is simply to finish without getting swept.

I'll need a value studio at AKV and so I am planning on walking the reservation. The budget for this trip will be tight since it is an "extra" trip and we won't be bringing the kids.

 

[Deb & Bill]

Thanks for all the info so far. We'll probably book OKW at 11 months out (or as soon as we find out the W&D half marathon dates). We'll be at VWL in January because Bill and our son will be running the half marathon in January. Our friend will be running the full. Our son was thinking of running the full (he's finally old enough), but he starts back to school the next day, so he'll have to drive back on Sunday.

We were at BLT in October for F&W and combining the race with F&W just sounds like a winner for us.

 

[kristenrice]

We were at BLT in October for F&W and combining the race with F&W just sounds like a winner for us.

+1

DH has never been to F&W, while I've gone three times. I know he'd like it so I'm dying to get him to go with me. On top of that, my birthday is in October and his is in November so this trip would fall right in between. Perfect! I'm just hoping that airfare doesn't price us out. The budget is really tight and I have to get airfare for less than $300 each which will be tough.

 

[dvcterry]

+1

DH has never been to F&W, while I've gone three times. I know he'd like it so I'm dying to get him to go with me. On top of that, my birthday is in October and his is in November so this trip would fall right in between. Perfect! I'm just hoping that airfare doesn't price us out. The budget is really tight and I have to get airfare for less than $300 each which will be tough.

Lately the airlines have had last minute deals, better prices than if you book ahead. Maybe you could hold off for one of those specials.

 

[bigtony777]

I have run all 3 W&D half marathons and have stayed at AS Music, BCV and BWV. I have to say that I will always stay at an epcot resort from now on. You can't beat walking out the international gateway to your resort after grabbing a few drinks and something to eat around the world showcase.

You will find a huge difference with the crowds during the race and at the after party depending on your finish time. The faster you are the, the less you will deal with bottle necks throughout the course and you will enjoy shorter lines for the beginning of the party.

It is my favorite race that I have done and highly recommend signing up!

 

[wiigirl]

Lately the airlines have had last minute deals, better prices than if you book ahead. Maybe you could hold off for one of those specials.

 

[kristenrice]

I
The faster you are the, the less you will deal with bottle necks throughout the course and you will enjoy shorter lines for the beginning of the party.

Uh oh...I'm in trouble. I'm still building up my endurance (I was able to run 5 miles straight today) so I won't be one of those in the "faster" category.

 

[bigtony777]

Uh oh...I'm in trouble. I'm still building up my endurance (I was able to run 5 miles straight today) so I won't be one of those in the "faster" category.

It will be a great experience no matter what your pace. The only negatives that I really heard from this year were the longer lines at the kiosks starting at about 1 in the morning and getting slowed up at the around Animal Kingdom and the path from HS to Epcot. I think anyone will greatly enjoy the event unless you are totally not an evening person.

 

[Jousey]

It was hard to run at night, I was tired much quicker than usually and by the time we got to Epcot we just wanted our beds. Skipped the party and headed home.

 

[jpeka65844]

We're thinking of doing this in 2014; hope they still have the race!

Our 2013 race calendar is full. WDW Marathon Wknd in Jan; DLR 1/2 Marathon Wknd in September!

I only run the 5K's though. I'm thinking of working up to a 1/2 for W&D, though.

 

[sgtpet]

I just ran the 5k at the Animal Kingdom during the F&W 1/2 marathon weekend. I am looking to stretch it to the 10 mile tower of terror run next September. I think I can get there. Running in a disney park is awesome.