Isn’t he expression that rumors are usually true, correct? Well, I think it is most of the time. This time it was true. All of the chatter surrounding the changes with Wine & Dine were confirmed today when runDisney announced their new race challenge taking place during Wine & Dine race weekend. They are adding a 10K, in addition to the 5K and half marathon and the challenge is completed when you run the 10K on Saturday morning and the half marathon on Sunday morning. It’s called Lumiere’s Two Course Challenge. This being a Beauty and the Beast themed challenge.
The biggest change, besides adding a 10K to the weekend is that the half marathon is no longer taking place on Saturday evening. The fun about that race weekend in the past for me had been the night race. I still haven’t had a spectacular experience at that race weekend because the first year I ran it, it was pouring rain so most of the characters weren’t out for pictures, and we didn’t stick around for the after party because of the weather. The second year I ran it (last year) it was cut short due to the bad weather in the area. But I did stay for the After Party with Dale Martin and Dave Dunkowski and had a great time!
The 10K is beginning at 5:30 a.m. on Saturday morning, and if you do the 5K, it will take place on Friday morning at 6:30 a.m. at Animal Kingdom. The 5K used to take place at 7:00 a.m. on Saturday morning. That was nice because i was able to fly in on Friday night, pick up my bib Saturday morning before the race and still participate in the race.
This year they are changing the Wine and Dine Half Marathon to begin at 5:30 in the morning and then you will attend the Post Race Party with your $15 gift card at the Epcot® Food & Wine Festival on Sunday night from 8:00 p.m. – 1:00 a.m. Friends and family members who want to attend the Post Race Party will have to purchase tickets separately.
If I do decide to register for this challenge, which I am already leaning towards not doing, I won’t be able to run the 5K, which is also called the Mickey’s Holiday 5K instead of the Jingle Jungle 5K, and I won’t be participating in the Post Race Party because I will have to fly home Sunday immediately after the half marathon. This trip would mean two very early wake up mornings and then fly home. So it’s not as appealing to me. It’s basically a carbon copy of Princess weekend.
They are also changing the course; but the actual course is yet to be determined. Especially since Disney’s Hollywood Studios will be under construction due to Start Wars and Toy Story lands. And there are no longer the Osborne Lights, which was the highlight of that night time race. So for me, the draw just isn’t there. I know I love my Disney races and it bugs me to think that I won’t register for this race and miss out on an inaugural challenge. My kids have that Monday and Tuesday off from school and it sure would be fun to try to make a mini vacation out of it; but I’d be waking up early for two of those mornings and I am just not sure we will be shelling out the money for this weekend.
I also have to mention that there are kids races taking place at ESPN Wide World of Sports both Friday and Saturday morning. The expo will open Thursday morning and will run Thursday, Friday and Saturday. The hours have not been posted yet.
I am disappointed that this race is no longer a night race. With the Tower of Terror 10 miler no longer being offered (or at least until further notice), there are no more night races. I enjoyed a night race. That is what made the Wine & Dine half marathon fun. It was different. It was fun running at night, and I liked doing the 5K that morning and then running the half marathon that night and then staying for the Post Race Party until it closed. I was up for 24 hours and it was FUN!
So what do you think about the changes? Will you still attend the races?