Track 3: Wine & Dine 5K Race (What You Should Know)
If you’re gearing up to run the runDisney Wine & Dine 5K, here’s a compact guide (from a fellow runDisney racer) to help you make the most of it.
Before the Race
- Get there early
Arriving early gives you breathing room to check bibs, use restrooms, and find your corrals without rushing. If you plan to drive to the race, parking is free. However, there is a 10-15 minute walk to the corrals. - Maximize character meet-and-greets
One of the magic parts of any Disney race is the characters. Be sure to hit them before the race (if your schedule allows) or right after crossing the finish line. Lines tend to swell, so plan accordingly. - Strategize your costume / layers
Nights in Florida can be warm, but early mornings may feel cool. If you run in costume or layers, bring a throwaway item you can shed. Pick something easy to remove zippers, Velcro, etc.. In 2023, the morning was cold, and I was unprepared. However, in 2024, the morning was warm, and was too prepared for the cold. - Plan for the course pace
Even though the 5K is untimed and more relaxed than the half or 10K, you’ll still want to stay mindful of your time.
During & After the Race
- Stay aware of photo ops but keep moving. Character stops are fun but can slow you down if you linger too long. Since I am a slow racer, I typically take a video or photo from far away to be mindful of my time.
- Immediately after finishing, head to character lines or back toward the runner staging areas — many stops stay open for a while for finishers.
- Hydrate and refuel quickly — snack boxes and water are available post-race but they can run low if too many runners land at once.
My 2024 Timestamps
- 3:30 AM – Arrived at EPCOT Parking (Free Parking)
- 3:50 AM – Started Walking to Corrals
- 4:00 AM – Took Picture in Front of Spaceship Earth
- 4:15 AM – Arrived at Corral
- 5:45 AM – Started Race
- 7:05 AM – Finished Race
- 7:10 AM – Got in Character Photo Lines
- 7:45 AM – Returned to Car
Extra Tip: Check the Most Current Course Info & Expo Details
Always refer to the official runDisney pages as your source of truth. For 2025, you can find race details and course layout here:
Video & Blog Resources from Other Racers
If you want to see the experience from others, check out:
Tracks 1 & 2: Wine & Dine Weekend Post Race Party Day
Making the Most of the Wine & Dine Post-Race Party: Why You Need a Game Plan ✨
If there’s one thing I’ve learned about the runDisney Wine & Dine Post-Race Party, it’s this: three hours isn’t nearly enough time to do everything. Between rare character meet-and-greets, exclusive party merchandise, special food booths, and short ride lines, those 10 PM–1 AM hours fly by faster than Donald sprinting to the finish line.
To truly enjoy the night, you need to pick your top priorities.
If rare characters are your jam (think classic costumes or hard-to-find duos), hit those first (lines can get long fast). Want the new merch? Go early or risk missing out on the party glass and pin. Prefer to snack your way around the world? Focus on just a few booths or signature items instead of trying to taste it all.
And don’t forget, rides like Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure and Frozen Ever After are open, but even with shorter waits, time adds up quickly (Frozen actually was down part of the 2024 party).
💡 Pro tip: Decide your “top three,” whether that’s characters, a few sips and bites, or must-do attractions, and stick to them. Everything else becomes a bonus.
You earned your medal! Now, go celebrate smartly so you can actually enjoy it!
P.S. You can enter EPCOT at 5PM, but Party exclusives don’t appear until the party starts!
A Different Kind of Party Plan — Why We Combined Eat to the Beat Dining with the Wine & Dine Post-Race Party
If you’re heading to the runDisney Wine & Dine Post-Race Party, you already know the struggle. There’s so much to do and only a few magical hours to do it all. Between exclusive character meet and greets, short ride lines, party merch, and the delicious food and drinks around the World Showcase, the 10 PM to 1 AM window flies by.
That’s why we made a slightly unpopular decision: combining our Eat to the Beat dining package with the post-race party itself.
We booked a 5 PM dinner reservation at Chefs de France (part of the dining package) and got guaranteed seats for the 8 PM Boyz II Men concert; before the official party even started! It was the perfect way to rest, refuel, and still enjoy an exclusive party perk without sacrificing our limited post-race time.
Here’s what I learned:
✨ Book early. Dining packages go fast: Grab one as soon as they’re released.
🎟 Get in the designated line early. Even with a dining package, lines form fast for the reserved concert seating.
🏃♀️ You don’t need to leave the park to get your party wristband! Just find one of the in-park distribution points before 10 PM, and you’ll be ready to party as soon as the fireworks fade.
🍷 Rest before you rally. Dinner and a concert was the perfect way to relax our tired legs before taking on the rest of the night.
We went from a cozy dinner at Chefs de France → an amazing Boyz II Men show → straight into the post-race party without missing a beat.
If you’re someone who likes to balance your Disney magic with a bit of planning (and a lot of good food), this combo might be your new Wine & Dine strategy.
Lagniappe
Lagniappe is something given as a bonus or extra gift. I know finding information about the runDisney Wine & Dine Post-Race Party can be a challenge. So, I have put together the following links for 2025 in one place to help you plan.
runDisney Wine and Dine Half Marathon Weekend Website
Eat to the Beat Concert Series Dining Package
Other Reviews
The Life of a runDisney 5K Wine & Diner
✨ Welcome, fellow Disney racers! ✨
If you’ve ever dreamed of combining the magic of Disney, the thrill of a race, and the sparkle of a weekend getaway, then you’re in the right place. This series is your behind-the-scenes pass to everything that made my 2024 Wine & Dine Half Marathon Weekend unforgettable.
What to Expect
I will be sharing a series of recaps of each part of the weekend.
Running Disney isn’t just a race. It’s an experience. It’s the excitement of the Expo, the thrill of the starting line, the magic of the park, and the sparkle of crossing your finish line with friends old and new. Through this series, I hope to share not just tips, but inspiration so you can plan, race, and celebrate like a true RunDisney Showgirl.
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Geaux Ceaux Chic 