Hello runDisney friends! I know, I know, I famously did not run the 2024 Wine & Dine Half Marathon. Luckily, someone simultaneously much cooler AND hotter than me did. Enter my cousin-in-law (that’s a real term; I checked) Kate, the only member of my family who loves Disney parks as much as I do. She recently came over to the runDisney dark side, and graciously agreed to recap the 2024 Wine & Dine Half Marathon Weekend races for the blog.
Alrighty then, I’ve set it up – Kate, knock it down!
Jenn asked me to write a guest blog entry for 2024 Walt Disney’s Wine & Dine Half Marathon Weekend. This was my second time back and flying solo again. Last year was a big blur, being my first runDisney event ever, and only staying two days to run the 5K and 10K. This year I stayed 4 nights, and ran all three events – 5K, 10K and the half marathon – and it was so much more enjoyable. One thing that stayed consistent from last year to this year, no sleep for the weary. This is the real test of your endurance.
Another consistency is the overall tone for runDisney events, which are energetic and fun. So, although we are all walking around like zombies, sleepless in the middle of the night, mostly everyone seems happy to be there. Some of us wear elaborate costumes, while others sport regular running gear. Some of us take the running seriously, while others make it fun the entire time. This was the first time I ran the challenge, and my first half marathon for charity, American Cancer Society.
DAY 1 – PARK TIME & RACE EXPO
I arrived at Walt Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort on Halloween. They had several spooky events on the calendar for that evening, including a costume contest with a DJ, and a trick or treat trail. However, on my checklist for day 1 was to first head to the Magic Kingdom and ride my virtual queue Tiana’s Bayou, which I grabbed at 7am from the DC Metro. I was able to see the last of the Halloween decorations and grab a quick snack. In a few hours, the Magic Kingdom would be magically transformed over from Halloween to Christmas, minus the big Christmas tree on Main Street.
After Magic Kingdom, I had to rush over to the runDisney expo for bibs and shirts, and to take obligatory photos with runDisney signage.
Then I had to run back to the resort to try and receive my Walmart grocery order, which did not arrive. I also wanted to walk over to neighbor Deluxe Resort, Riviera, to Bar Riva for some quick sips and bites. I’ve stayed at Caribbean Beach resort before, in the old pirate rooms that have now been refurbished to Little Mermaid theme. Sadly, I did not get one of the refurbished rooms. I stayed in the Jamaica section, and I would highly recommend it. My room was conveniently located to both the bus station and Skyliner.
This year I had several friends to meet up with, that I met through a You Tube channel, Adventures by Carney, and corresponding Discord community. One friend, an avid runner from Massachusetts, offered to pace me for the 10K, so I could PR. I would say this is not really a thing at the runDisney events. In my opinion, runDisney participants are there to have fun and meet rare characters.
However, I am the uncommon Disney adult you will meet that doesn’t like standing in lines while I am being timed for a race. It’s the most anxious feeling to me, to start in corral D or E, and then stand in line and be too close to the infamous balloon ladies. If I am in D or E, I know that I am not going to stop to pose with characters. I don’t want to get swept!
You may have guessed it by now, I am not an experienced distance runner. But I did train for these events. I don’t run a lot of organized races in my area, although there are races available year-round in the DC area, including the most recent Marine Corps Marathon, which FairestRunOfAll ran. I wanted to PR my 10K, and my goal was to finish the half in less than 3 hours, and that was without stopping for characters. Plus I usually always have to stop for the restroom, and I prefer the nicer bathrooms in the parks, with flushing toilets and running water, over the stinky port-a-potties.
Another difference from last year: I have my Disney World Annual Pass, so I felt pressured to go into the parks after running each day. Funny thing for me, when I have been up since 3 am, and get back to the resort, my body says it’s time to get cleaned up and go into the parks. I have never been a napper, and I can’t turn off my brain after running that early. And remember, time is money at Disney.
So, on the eve of the 5K, I waited for my Walmart grocery order, which never arrived. I ended up eating Nissan cup of soup and an apple. Not great, but it will do at 9pm, when I should have tried to go to sleep by 8pm. I laid out my fit, which I tried to incorporate my American Cancer Society singlet, and mesh with the Swedish Chef theme 5K.
DAY 2 – WINE & DINE 5K
At 3:15am, the alarm sounded, and I promptly got up, got ready with full makeup, and scurried out the door. I might be the only person sipping on coffee at 4am in the runDisney queue, but I just simply cannot function without it. The 5K starts in the Epcot parking lot, goes backstage a bit and curves around international gateway, and then dumps back out in front of Epcot for the end. If you were going to stand in line for characters, this is the race to do it. No times, no pressure. I hate standing in line though, so I booked it to the end to see my friends, but I did wait in line for Remy.
This day I had pre-purchased Multi-Pass for Hollywood Studios, with my first lightning lane being 10:30am for Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway. On our July family trip, several rides were down at Hollywood, including Rise of the Resistance, Rock ‘n Roller Coaster and Slinky Dog Dash. For this trip, I got on every ride using Multi-Pass, so it was worth the $26 plus tax, not waiting in lines. The only ride I did not get on was Slinky Dog Dash, because I just didn’t have the energy, and I wanted to make time to pop into BaseLine Tap House for a much-needed refreshment. I was sad to learn the hard cider has been removed from the menu!
That afternoon, I met up with some friends at the newly opened and much talked about Cake Bake Shop Restaurant at the Boardwalk Resort. They do have some reservations on Open Table, but we walked up around 4:30 and only waited maybe 20 minutes. It is stunning inside, with tones of pink and gold, think turn of the century old Atlantic City boardwalk, meets bougie chic and modern.
Everything is expensive! One crab cake on the appetizer menu is $27, while the double crab cake as a main is $50. You do receive that top quality care expected from the Cast Members, and Stephen made sure to take good care of our group. One member of our group called “champagne all around” which proved to be a mistake for my 10K the next day, but more to come on that later.
I started with the French onion soup, which had a very rich brothy flavor, and a crusty baguette on the side. For my main, I chose the Croque Monsieur, which came with a small side arugula salad. The portions are huge, so there was food to take back.
And of course, you can’t pass up the dessert; after all it is the Cake Bake Shop! We ordered one of Gwendolyn’s Famous Earl’s Court Chocolate Cake, and the Raspberry Champagne Cake. Everything was delicious, and expensive. I think I mentioned that already. I’m not sure why a slice of cake needs to be $25, but it’s Disney. Do we even question the price anymore? They give you this uber fancy golden handled bag for your leftovers.
It was an early evening since I had been awake since 3am. I wanted to be back in my room by 7:30 to begin my evening ritual. This started with laying out the fit for the 10K, which was Tiana-themed.
I always take a warm shower, have chamomile tea and try reading, but for whatever reason, I still can’t sleep. It’s a strange and unwelcome nervous energy. It’s been with me my entire life, and it is getting worse as I age. Yes, it also could have been the champagne! So, I tossed and turned all night, maybe getting 2 hours of sleep before my alarm sounded at 3:15am.
DAY 3 – WINE & DINE 10K
This day I was meeting up with my friend from Mass, the one who had decided early on he was going to pace me, and I was going to PR my 10K. This meant not stopping for characters. I guess if I have a big lead, I will stop next time, but this day I had someone coaching me, and it was both inspiring and sickening.
Revisiting the champagne from last night’s Cake Bake Shop, I immediately regretted my choices. Alcohol does indeed keep you up – it’s the sugar – and for everyone, processing is different. For me, some of my worst hangovers were from champagne, even top shelf Veuve Clicquot. I was not sick during the run, I just felt nauseous and hot. I did PR that run, but I will not do that again, despite the generous offer of “champagne all around.” I’m still not fast, but with small goals it feels good to accomplish something when you work hard.
For my Magic Kingdom day I purchased Multi-Pass again. I knew the Christmas decorations would be up, and I wanted to hit attractions that my family don’t much care for anymore, like Country Bear Jamboree and Peter Pan. This time I was able to do 10 attractions in 4 hours and have a snack. I would call that a success, especially after not sleeping for two nights and running the 10K earlier that morning.
This evening I was invited to Yacht Club Resort for the Ale & Compass Lounge and I had to decline. I had scheduled a tour with Disney Vacation Club, to see the new Polynesian Tower Villas, over at Saratoga Springs. They are absolutely stunning rooms, and it was worth the 2 hour excursion to see them.
However, I started to feel so tired it was hurting my chest. Also, the half marathon for the next day was going to be my biggest challenge, and I wanted to try and rest.
Back at Caribbean Beach, I heated my leftovers from the night before and went up to the main pool and hot tub. Naturally it was packed full of people, some runners and some families. I sat in the tub for a total of 10 minutes and then ran back to change out my laundry and get showered. It was still relatively early, but I had to try and sleep. I felt even if I laid in bed, I was still resting, even if not completely asleep. I tossed and turned all night as usual, just so anxious about the next morning.
DAY 4 – WINE & DINE HALF MARATHON
At 3:15 am, the final alarm went off, and I know that I did not sleep at all. [Editor’s note: been there, sister.] I kept checking the clock, and last looked at 2:30 am, so it was a restless night.
There was no need to rush to get to the starting line, as I knew I would be standing there for at least a full hour. I set a goal in my mind, and they finally released Group D around 5:50 am.
The first 6 miles went by without much thought, and I was feeling good. Miles 6-8 I started to feel it, and then by 8, I was losing steam, and then the sun started to hit hard. Thank goodness I remembered my shades.
I met a friend from California, and we fast walked miles 8-12. I saw the 3-hour pacing group pass us, and I let it go. No matter, as I still had a good lead and wasn’t anxious. I knew I was going to finish, but I needed to catch that 3-hour mark. Though I saw a lot of characters, I was too nervous to stop. I don’t want to be swept, and I don’t want to stress myself trying to catch up. So, I waited until the very end to meet the stars of the show.
My parents met me at the end of the race to congratulate me, as well as my runDisney run group of friends, who were also waiting at the finish line. They had finished nearly an hour before me. That doesn’t make me feel bad; they started a full hour before me. I had just wished I had a friend to run it with. Soon enough, for Marathon Weekend, January 2025, I will meet Jenn and friends. We have coordinated outfits and we are staying together. I’m looking forward to doing it with friends next time. I definitely felt strength and encouragement from my friend who paced me in the 10k.
My parents took me to Disney Springs for lunch at The Boathouse. I should have been excited to eat a real meal at this point. But it’s strange – I was not hungry, even after burning 1200 calories in the half. I could barely eat a salad. Still, I forced myself to eat, because I knew that I needed the nutrition. I was also sitting on a bag of ice that our waiter kindly gave me for my aching hip.
After the Boathouse, I would normally wait in line for Gideons, or maybe peruse World of Disney for some tchotchkes for the kids, but I just didn’t have the energy for it. We left Disney Springs an hour later, with me limping up the escalator. My parents dropped me back at my room, and I tried lying down for a bit, unsuccessful in sleeping.
The rest of the trip was just icing on the cake. Though I wanted to do more at Epcot, gave myself some grace, as it just wasn’t going to be a big park day for me. I booked Biergarten with three runDisney friends for Eat to the Beat, with Boyz II Men concert seats, and it was totally worth it. I wanted guaranteed seats, and this was the best way to do it, without having to stand in line for hours. The consensus seems to be that if you are willing to pay money to skip the line, you can do this at Disney.
I hadn’t been to Biergarten since I was a child, and it was just as nostalgic and corny as it was before. The buffet is just okay. You have to like German sausage and traditional meats and salads. The beer cheese soup with pretzel rolls is not to be missed, as well as the apple strudel. Again though, no appetite?! I can’t explain this phenomena. [Editor’s note: That happens to me sometimes too!]
This evening came to a close early, as I gave my race party ticket away to a friend, and headed back to my resort to once again try to sleep. This time I was successful. I slept 8 hours, and it was bliss!
DAY 5 – FAREWELL FOR NOW
The next morning, I woke relatively early and packed my bags. Checkout is not until 11, so I met a friend and we rope dropped Les Halles Boulangerie-Patisserie for croissants and champagne. This is the first time I have ever rope dropped a food establishment at Disney, and it was marvelous! Just sitting there, at a little café table, while people were lined up for Ratatouille. This time I enjoyed my champagne with no regrets! We walked Epcot for about an hour, and even picked up a little treat at Guerlain French Perfume House. It was perfectly unexpected, and a sweet ending to a fun, and exhausting weekend.
Did I accomplish all of my goals, including making the most of my Disney Annual Pass? No, but it wasn’t that kind of trip. Would I change anything about how the weekend went? Maybe I will try Red Bull when I am feeling tired and don’t want to miss out on a special gathering at a resort lounge I haven’t been to. Or try a specialty coffee in the afternoon, so I can make it to the race party and beyond. Goals…there will be a next time!
Thank you so much for your mini Wine & Dine trip report, Kate! I love trip reports. I hope there will be a next guest blog post too!
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