While I was running the 50th annual Marine Corps Marathon, Kate was tackling Wine & Dine Half Marathon Weekend. She was kind enough to jot up a race recap and trip report guest blog for me. Take it away, Kate!
Well, it’s me, Kate, back again as a guest blogger for Fairest Run Of All, bringing you my report for the 2025 Walt Disney Wine & Dine Half Marathon Weekend. This was my third time back and flying solo again. This year I stayed 5 nights, strategically placing 2 days ahead of my first run, so that I could relax and enjoy the parks/resort. This time, I ran just 2 events, the 10K and the half marathon for 19.3 total miles. This may be an unpopular opinion, but it’s just not worth it to me to get up for the 5K anymore, unless
you are with a group and have fun coordinated costumes.
Again I ran for the American Cancer Society. I highly recommend running a marathon weekend for a charity, if you have the time and energy to raise the minimum threshold by the deadline. You have to be ok with asking friends and family for donations, and times are tough. Of course my preference is always to register outright at runDisney. But sometimes you just can’t get what you want, as was the case for 2026 Marathon Weekend (future blog maybe?).
With a fundraising group, you are automatically grouped together with a bunch of positive people, coaching you on, providing both running and Disney planning advice. Additionally, their leadership is on site during the weekend’s events. Wine & Dine Half Marathon Weekend is usually a smaller fundraising group compared to WDW Marathon Weekend. With the American Cancer Society, they usually organize a luncheon on the Saturday of the weekend event for all group participants, which is another added benefit to joining a fundraising group.
Thursday (10/23)
I arrived at MCO and took Mears transportation. I am sure Fairest Run Of All has covered Mears, but if not, it is the one of the most affordable coach bus transportation options from MCO to the resort, which used to be free, and was called the “Magical Express.” It is now $16, plus tax, for one way.
Often times though, as was the case this time for me, you may have to wait. Although my flight landed at 10:30am, I waited for my checked bags for 30 minutes and then another 45 minutes for the Mears bus. Because they drop off at other neighboring resorts, your transport time from MCO to the resort could be up to another hour. I did not arrive to my resort until 1:30.
Is it cheaper than a Lyft? Yes, of course. Is it more convenient? I will leave that for you to
decide. When I travel with my family of 4, and all of our luggage, we require a Lyft. It’s just too hard otherwise.
When I finally arrived at Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort, my preferred studio villa was not yet ready. I checked with front desk staff and they were completely full for runDisney weekend. The cast member said they had received my advance room request, but unfortunately were unable to accommodate me for Congress Park (closest set of buildings to Disney Springs). So, she assigned me to Building 5 in the Springs.
I highly recommend this building, as it was very close to the RunDisney transportation, as well as main lobby pool and facilities. Also, my studio villa faced a pretty little pond with a fountain, and it was very quiet at the end of the hallway. It ended up working out well, being on the first floor as well. Room 3101, to give you reference.
On my checklist for day 1 was to get over to the Expo to get my bib and materials. After the expo, I headed to Hollywood Studios to get some park time in. I am an Annual Passholder, and half the time I feel guilt driven to go into the parks, “to get my money’s worth.” In runDisney years past, this was not always the smartest idea, as I would end up walking around like a zombie, not enjoying myself at all.
This time, I set a new strategy for each day that I visited a park: 1 ride, 1 show, 1 drink, 1 snack. Simple, easy, and usually accomplished within a couple of hours. Did I get my AP value? No, but that is not what this trip is about. runDisney events are exhausting; the early mornings, the physical exertion, the lack of sleep. It’s time to put the idea of good value aside, and worry about comfort and downtime during an already hectic weekend.
I hadn’t yet seen the new Villains show, nor the new Little Mermaid live action show, so I fit both of those evening shows in. I also rode Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway and grabbed a beer Baseline Taphouse. Finally, I grabbed the seasonal pop tart at Woody’s lunch box, which had a Nutella filling. So good!
I am still a member of the YouTube and runDisney friend community called Adventures by Carney (ABC). The group was much smaller this year at Wine & Dine, with only a few of us participating. We still meet in the reunion area (Epcot parking lot), near the refreshment tent, after each race.
I texted a few of the friends and some were participating in the 5K on Friday and were headed to bed early. Strange how when I am at Disney with my family, I try to pack it all in and always try to make a fireworks or the Fantasmic show at Hollywood. I had a long travel day with very little sleep, so I picked up a sandwich from Artist’s Palette, the quick service at Saratoga, and went back to my room for a little R&R and to call it an evening.
Friday (10/24)
Today was the 5K, but it was glorious to sleep in until 8am, then wake up rested. I did go for a 3-mile shakeout run, around the beautiful grounds of Saratoga. After a bit of breakfast in the room and a shower, I got ready and headed over to Epcot to meet a friend and to try some Food & Wine booths. I rode Spaceship Earth and had my first Tipsy Ducks & Love beverage from the China pavilion.
My friend bought pretzel nuggets and beer cheese, and we sat in the Japanese Tea Garden and listened to the drum show. On my way out, we rode Soarin.’ My parents live in the Cape Canaveral area, and were in Florida at this time, and they wanted to come over to the resort and take me out for early dinner. So, they picked me up at the Epcot car pickup area, and we drove back over to Saratoga.
From there we walked to Paddlefish at Disney Springs, which was very enjoyable. I had a light salad with grilled chicken. Then I needed to make sure I was back in my room early enough to try and rest for the next day’s 10K. I laid out my runDisney ‘fit for the 10K, and “tried” to rest. I never actually sleep during race weekend, until the events are officially over.
Saturday (10/25)
At 3:15am, the alarm sounded. I may have slept one hour. I promptly got up, got ready with full makeup, and scurried out the door.
The bus line at Saratoga was incredibly long, as there was construction in the area making it difficult for the busses to get to Saratoga and Old Key West. It took over an hour to get to Epcot, but I was not stressing since I was in the F coral. I might still be the only person sipping on coffee at 4am, and some might argue that I am playing with fire. But I simply cannot wake up without it.
I was not trying to PR again at Disney. I have decided that this might actually be dangerous, especially if you start in a later coral. There is simply not enough room for everyone to safely get by without trampling or tripping over someone, especially in the bottleneck areas of Hollywood and Epcot, ie: pathway to Hollywood, and backlot of both parks. I usually don’t stop for characters, but felt inclined to do so when my friend who had started earlier in corral A told me that Anna and Elsa were out in Norway.
After the race, I headed back to the room for a shower and to “try” and rest. This was pointless, and I ended up staring at the ceiling for over an hour.
So, I got up, got ready and headed over to Animal Kingdom. Again, 1 drink, 1 snack, 1 ride, 1 show: Snow Leopard and chicken wings at Nomad Lounge, Festival of the Lion King show, and a Kilimanjaro Safari ride.
I was going to call it a day when my ABC friends told me they were headed to Hoobastank at Epcot and would be live streaming, and that I should join them. I decided I would go for the 6:30 show and head out right after they finished. Hoobastank has been around since the early 2000’s, and they can definitely rock.
It was a great show, and I was having a fun time, but I had to stick to my plan. I ran to the car pickup area and took an Uber back to Saratoga, and it really was the best $10 I had spent that day. It took all of 8 minutes to get from the front of Epcot to my room! It was an early evening, however. Since I had been awake since 3am, I wanted to be back in my room by 7:30pm to begin my evening ritual, including laying out the fit for the half marathon, which was Lady & the Tramp themed.
Sunday (10/26)
Half Marathon day. 3:15 am doesn’t startle you awake if you are already awake. I did some research on the whole not sleeping thing. My body is actually having a chemical (cortisol) reaction as preparation for a big event. So, the reason I can’t sleep is because I am surging with adrenaline, even though my physical body is drained.
After full makeup and costuming, I headed to the bus. Thankfully the line was not as long this day, and there were bananas and coffee for runDisney participants. So nice! I did not stop for characters (which I regret) but I did stop in the real bathrooms in Hollywood, and this does set you back. If you can get by without having to use the bathroom, you will save time. But as my sister kept reminding me, “This is Disney; have fun!”
Also, my parents came to cheer me on at the finish line. This time I saw them, and I cried! It was so lovely to have someone there for me.
After the race, as we did last year, we went over to Boathouse at Disney Springs. The piano brunch was going on, but my parents wanted to sit in a more quiet area. So, we sat on the far end of the restaurant.
I should have been famished, after burning a half marathon worth of calories, but for whatever reason, my body shuts down and I cannot eat immediately after a race. The most important thing I can do is hydrate, for hours and hours. I started taking salt/electrolyte tablets during this race series and they helped me tremendously with cramping. However, I do find that I am very dehydrated after taking the tablets, and in general after the race, despite stopping at every water station.
After a short rest in the room, I did some laundry, because after all who likes bringing home sweaty gross running gear? Then another ABC friend, staying at the Fort Wilderness campground, came over to pick me up. Because we were so close to Halloween, everything was decorated and festive. We drove around the fort on their golf cart for hours. “Jessica” is amazing host, and welcomes all to her camp. We had pizza, a campfire, and played cornhole. Perfect ending to a long weekend!
I had a ticket for the Wine & Dine Half Marathon After Party at Epcot, and once again I was too tired to attend. Also, I never received the physical party ticket in the mail, but I am pretty sure that Disney Cast Members can assist you if you don’t have that ticket. However, I chose to go to over to the Fort to hang with friends instead of go into Epcot. In all the years that I have been going to Wine & Dine Half Marathon Weekend, I have yet to attend the after party.
Monday (10/27)
I woke rested and refreshed but sadly needed to get moving and check out of my room. My flight out was not until later, so my plan was to bus to Disney Springs for Gideon’s Bakehouse cookies, and then bus from there to Boardwalk to get Cake Bake.
Accomplishing both goals, I set back to my resort only to find my flight had been delayed. I immediately called Mears to determine my next step. I ended up cancelling my Mears reservation and opted for Lyft. Side note, if you cancel within 24 hours, you are still charged the $16, which I was not aware of. I think they can put you on a later bus, but I did not want the hassle of having to continuously call Mears.
I finally left the resort around 3:30pm and took a Lyft to the airport. There was a lot going on during this time that affected flights in the US, including a government shutdown and air traffic control being short staffed. This resulted in my flight being delayed for hours!! My original flight was for 6:30pm, and I did not leave Orlando until nearly 11:30 pm. It was a LONG travel day, and I was exhausted when I finally made it home.
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. I will definitely stop for more characters at my next Disney race. Hook, line ,and sinker, Disney has my wallet in more ways than one, and runDisney is just part the magic that keeps me coming back.
Thank you so much for your reporting, Kate! One of these days I’ll make it back to Wine & Dine, but it’s good to know I have boots on the ground. I’d love to shut down the after party with you! ❤️
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