Wine & Dine 1/2 marathon weekend 2021

[Z-Knight]

I find it fascinating that all races except for the 10k are still available 8+ hours later.

now 24 hours later...mind. blown.

 

[Sara W]

I am an experienced runner with 3 fulls and I don't know how many halves, but this will be my first rD race. I hesitated on registering for a few reasons. I started looking at hotels/DVC as soon as it was announced, and availability was very limited. Non-Disney hotels don't have any runner weekend packages announced, so I felt like I had to stay on property for transportation purposes. The few Disney hotel prices available are higher than I usually see for moderates. Also, all of my half marathons are sub-2:00 except for 1 where I did only one 6 mile training run. I think that one was 2:05. I don't have any recent races that I can submit for POT (I took a break after my last half, and then COVID happened). There's plenty of time for me to train, but I really don't want to run a 10k in the GA heat this weekend after 2.5 weeks of training on the ground rather than biking. I doubt I'd even get a time to qualify for the sub-2:00 corrals.

But Food and Wine (along with the party) swayed me...

 

[PrincessV]

Non-Disney hotels don't have any runner weekend packages announced, so I felt like I had to stay on property for transportation purposes.

I tend to forget about the importance of this for most rD runners. I always have a car because I drive to WDW (100 miles away), so I don't have to think about race transportation and often stay offsite. I just peeked at onsite offerings and the rates are off the wall high, in addition to being scarce!

 

[GreatLakes]

I am an experienced runner with 3 fulls and I don't know how many halves, but this will be my first rD race. I hesitated on registering for a few reasons. I started looking at hotels/DVC as soon as it was announced, and availability was very limited. Non-Disney hotels don't have any runner weekend packages announced, so I felt like I had to stay on property for transportation purposes. The few Disney hotel prices available are higher than I usually see for moderates. Also, all of my half marathons are sub-2:00 except for 1 where I did only one 6 mile training run. I think that one was 2:05. I don't have any recent races that I can submit for POT (I took a break after my last half, and then COVID happened). There's plenty of time for me to train, but I really don't want to run a 10k in the GA heat this weekend after 2.5 weeks of training on the ground rather than biking. I doubt I'd even get a time to qualify for the sub-2:00 corrals.

But Food and Wine (along with the party) swayed me...

I have only stayed on property for rD weekends for the convenience. Before they opened POFQ we were leaning towards staying offsite and driving (we alwyas have a rental car even onsite) but are now at POFQ. If you have a car and are comfortable driving on property I don't think it is a deal breaker. There may also be available Uber/Lyft for races but someone else that might have tried that before can chime in.

 

[butterscotchcollins]

I have only stayed on property for rD weekends for the convenience. Before they opened POFQ we were leaning towards staying offsite and driving (we alwyas have a rental car even onsite) but are now at POFQ. If you have a car and are comfortable driving on property I don't think it is a deal breaker. There may also be available Uber/Lyft for races but someone else that might have tried that before can chime in.

I would love to stay at POFQ but they only have rooms from Thurs for the weekend, and we can't arrive earlier than Friday. Adding the 1 night jacks the price up by like $500 vs. what I just paid for Coronado Springs. Onsite options really stink right now :/ I'll keep checking back in case availability opens up.

 

[fatmanatee]

RE: rental cars, not sure what the story is for W&D but prices have jumped significantly for MW. Had been debating staying off-site with a rental but whereas in the past the cost was a wash for me, right now the better option is definitely staying on-site.

 

[GreatLakes]

RE: rental cars, not sure what the story is for W&D but prices have jumped significantly for MW. Had been debating staying off-site with a rental but whereas in the past the cost was a wash for me, right now the better option is definitely staying on-site.

I reserved a standard car from Budget last week and it cost us $282 before taxes and fees. I just checked the same car again and now it is $510.99 before taxes and fees. I can tell you to check back often as these prices do change almost by the hour.

 

[Sara W]

I have only stayed on property for rD weekends for the convenience. Before they opened POFQ we were leaning towards staying offsite and driving (we alwyas have a rental car even onsite) but are now at POFQ. If you have a car and are comfortable driving on property I don't think it is a deal breaker. There may also be available Uber/Lyft for races but someone else that might have tried that before can chime in.

We usually drive down, but since we're leaving the kids this time we'll probably fly to take advantage of the time away. By the time I add in resort fees and Ubers (expo and race), not to mention my own anxiety of getting to the start on time, it's basically the same price I'm paying at GDT. So we will be taking advantage of Coronado while kid free by (hopefully) taking Sangria University at Three Bridges.

 

[Herding_Cats]

By the time I add in resort fees and Ubers (expo and race), not to mention my own anxiety of getting to the start on time, it's basically the same price I'm paying at GDT.

This was my deciding factor as well when i made all of my budget spreadsheets for MW. "Oh look, a hotel for $100/night." Plus a resort fee. Now I'm only $25 away from ASMo, and adding in $300 for a rental car, it saves me money to stay on-property.

 

[Z-Knight]

I reserved a standard car from Budget last week and it cost us $282 before taxes and fees. I just checked the same car again and now it is $510.99 before taxes and fees. I can tell you to check back often as these prices do change almost by the hour.

stupid question...or maybe lazy question cause I havent searched...what are the options now for getting on-site to hotel? Assuming I don't use those ripoff rideshares - does Mears have something in place already?

 

[Guidman]

They announced the Mears Connect will be replacing Magical Express come next January. They were supposed to open up reservations already for it (May or last month I believe) but now it just says Summer 2021. As far as I know there’s been few details released but it should operate just like ME for the most part I’m guessing.

 

[camaker]

They announced the Mears Connect will be replacing Magical Express come next January. They were supposed to open up reservations already for it (May or last month I believe) but now it just says Summer 2021. As far as I know there’s been few details released but it should operate just like ME for the most part I’m guessing.

Except you have to pay for it, right?

 

[camaker]

stupid question...or maybe lazy question cause I havent searched...what are the options now for getting on-site to hotel? Assuming I don't use those ripoff rideshares - does Mears have something in place already?

When I’ve looked at rideshares from MCO in the past, they were pretty comparable in price to what I remember paying for a Mears-type shuttle service. Plus, you get to go directly to your destination and not wait until enough riders are aggregated for a full van/shuttle where your stop is inevitably one of the last ones on the trip.

 

[GreatLakes]

stupid question...or maybe lazy question cause I havent searched...what are the options now for getting on-site to hotel? Assuming I don't use those ripoff rideshares - does Mears have something in place already?

As others noted they will have a replacement for DME but it will be for a fee. Since having our kid we have always rented a car and I don't see that changing in the near future so I haven't really looked into it much. I suspect we will have more information as we get closer to the end of DME.

 

[AgentMama]

When I’ve looked at rideshares from MCO in the past, they were pretty comparable in price to what I remember paying for a Mears-type shuttle service. Plus, you get to go directly to your destination and not wait until enough riders are aggregated for a full van/shuttle where your stop is inevitably one of the last ones on the trip.

With the shortage of rideshare drivers right now, I would be worried about not being able to get a ride scheduled or the surplus charges being sky high.

 

[CP3uhoh]

As others noted they will have a replacement for DME but it will be for a fee. Since having our kid we have always rented a car and I don't see that changing in the near future so I haven't really looked into it much. I suspect we will have more information as we get closer to the end of DME.

We reserved a rental car for the 4th-8th today for $168 through National. We figured to and from the airport on ride share would be 75-$100 anyway depending on surge pricing and now we have access to a car all weekend. Magical express still available but thought we might as well get use to it.

 

[Z-Knight]

We reserved a rental car for the 4th-8th today for $168 through National. We figured to and from the airport on ride share would be 75-$100 anyway depending on surge pricing and now we have access to a car all weekend. Magical express still available but thought we might as well get use to it.

keep in mind $25 per day hotel parking (if staying on site) - though I believe it covers parking at Parks too.

 

[CP3uhoh]

keep in mind $25 per day hotel parking (if staying on site) - though I believe it covers parking at Parks too.

We’re DVC so makes it easier for us. No on site and comp at parks

 

[Sara W]

All this talk of cars got me thinking- if we don’t have one for the weekend, how can my husband get around to cheer me on? Are there busses going anywhere other than the start/finish that early in the morning?

 

[jmasgat]

All this talk of cars got me thinking- if we don’t have one for the weekend, how can my husband get around to cheer me on? Are there busses going anywhere other than the start/finish that early in the morning?

There aren't any buses to the parks before normal operating hours. Here's what was in the 2019 event guide about spectators.

"The recommended spectator viewing locations for this event weekend are located at the Start and Finish lines for the 10K and Half Marathon and at the finish line for the 5K. In-park course viewing is also available inside Epcot (during normal park hours) for the Half Marathon. As a reminder, valid theme park admission is required for the spectator viewing areas in Epcot. Complimentary runDisney transportation is available to these viewing locations.

Additionally, course viewing may also be available at select Walt Disney World Resorts along the course, but please remember to watch your noise levels, especially early in the morning as some of our Guests may still be sleeping. As a reminder, runDisney does not provide dedicated transportation to these locations, and parking fees may apply."

Who knows what the courses will be this year--don't expect them to be wildly different from the past. Spectators can take the race transportation buses.