Challenge Overview
Disney is known for multi-race challenges. What does that mean? They offer special challenge bibs that require running two or more races during a race weekend. If you complete the challenge, you earn an extra medal. It’s all about the bling.
What Are The Race Challenges Offered?
WINE AND DINE WEEKEND:
Two-Course Challenge:
10k + Half Marathon
19.3 Total Miles
MARATHON WEEKEND:
Dopey:
5k + 10k + Half Marathon + Full Marathon
48.6 Total Miles
Goofy
Half Marathon + Full Marathon
39.3 Total Miles
PRINCESS WEEKEND:
Two-Course Challenge:
10k + Half Marathon
19.3 Total Miles
SPRINGTIME SURPRISE WEEKEND:
Springtime Challenge:
5k + 10k + Half Marathon
19.3 Total Miles
How Do Challenges Work
When you register for a runDisney race, you have the option to select an individual race bib or a challenge bib. The challenge bib will include two or more race bibs. You must purchase the challenge bib to participate in the challenge and earn the challenge medal.
DOPEY: 39.3 miles
RACES INCLUDED IN CHALLENGE BIB:
Half Marathon - Magic Kingdom
Marathon - All 4 Parks
Dates and Details
WHEN: First weekend of November
DISTANCES AND PARKS COVERED :
5k - EPCOT
10k - Hollywood Studios + EPCOT.
Half Marathon - HS with Galaxy’s Edge and Toy Story Land+ EPOCT
CHALLENGES:
Two Course Challenge (10k + Half Marathon)
SPECIAL NOTE:
This is the only weekend that includes an after party for athletes
Price
Wine and Dine is hands down the best runDisney deal. It’s not the cost of the bibs that make it such a good deal. The bibs for the race are the same price or a little cheaper than the other race weekends. The real value comes from the after-party. All athletes who participate in the half marathon (either stand-alone or as part of the challenge) receive a ticket to a special after-party in Epcot. This ticket will grant you access into EPCOT around 5 pm. A few hours later, guests without tickets will be asked to exit the park and then the party really begins. There are DJs, dance floors, most of the rides are open, and most of the festival booths stay open. It’s an all-out celebration, and yes, there are characters out and about as well. The party goes on until after midnight.
Because the party is an exclusive event, the rides are generally walk-on or have low wait times. Even rides like Guardians of the Galaxy. Wine and Dine is the only race weekend to include any sort of park entry.
Not running the half? That’s ok. Anyone can purchase the after-party ticket from runDisney.com and join the event.
THEMING
Wine and Dine theming is pretty flexible and broad.
The Wine and Dine race weekend takes place during the Food and Wine Festival at EPCOT. However, the nod to the festival can be very subtle and include any Disney intellectual property. To give you an idea, in 2021, each race distance was a villain. Previous years have included sidekicks such as Sven and Olaf. In 2024, we will have a park character, Figmet, as the challenge.
The on-course entertainment is equally diverse. In addition to characters that match the theme, on-course character stops also include characters from across the full Disney library.
Wine and Dine Weekend Pros
1
AFTER PARTY
It’s hard to top the after-party. It’s amazing and what makes this my favorite race weekend. There’s nothing like celebrating with all of your fellow athletes in world showcase, with walk-on rides, all the food and drink from the festivals (participants get a 15 dollar gift card to get them started), characters, and a DJ hosting it all.
2
LAID BACK ATMOSPHERE
Wine and Dine is one of the smallest race weekends and tends to have a more casual party vibe.
3
HALLOWEEN AND CHRISTMAS
The race weekend takes place right at the transition of Halloween to Christmas. Depending on the year, you may start the weekend with all of the Halloween decor and end the weekend with a Christmas Tree on Main Street. This applies to seasonal events as well: Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party, Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party, and if the dream lights come back, you may be able to see Elsa lighting up the castle. All of these seasonal events have the potential to overlap this race weekend. Because the dates vary slightly every year, you may get more Christmas than Halloween options (or vice versa), so check ahead.
WINE AND DINE WEEKEND CONS
1
WEATHER
November can still be humid and hot in Florida. While Florida weather is always a dice roll, Marathon and Princess have better odds for favorable race weather.
2
NO CASTLE
Wine and Dine weekend does not have a course that runs through Magic Kingdom. As a result, you do not get the iconic running through the castle moment. Historically, the half marathon course has gone through EPCOT, Hollywood Studios, and Animal Kingdom. However, this past year (2023) the half marathon course was altered. Animal Kingdom was removed from the half marathon course and the route in Hollywood studios was extended to include Galaxy’s Edge and Toy Story Land. We will have to wait and see what future courses will look like. Most people did not like the “new” half marathon course due to a large highway out-and-back.
3
TRAINING
Training starts the first week of July. Due to the summer heat, you may end up doing a lot of miles early in the morning before the sun comes up, or getting really friendly with your treadmill.