Hi Kaleigh!
Thanks for racing over to planDisney! The
Disney Wine & Dine Half Marathon Weekend was my very first runDisney weekend ever (almost a decade ago) and where I fell in love with runDisney races. I have to say, I'm a bit jealous this year of the adorable medals for the race! Each is super cute, but I think the Swedish Chef medal for the
Disney Wine & Dine 5K may be my favorite. I'm so happy to see The Muppets included in one of the race themes!
Kaleigh, the day before a runDisney race is as much about preparing for your race as it is about having some fun at Walt Disney World Resort. When I'm visiting for runDisney races, I often only stay for a few days and usually skip the theme parks, which means I'm filling my time with other activities. On the day before your race, you'll want to make sure to head to the
runDisney Health & Fitness Expo if you haven't been there yet. All runners must pick up their race bibs in person and it's a great opportunity to shop for some merchandise. You can plan to spend as much or as little time here as you'd like. I've found that bib pick-up generally moves quickly, but the merchandise line can be very busy! In fact, recent races have utilized a Virtual Queue for purchasing merchandise. I'd suggest keeping an eye on your email and checking the runDisney website for the latest updates on the expo a few days before you arrive.
Once the logistics are taken care of for your race, I suggest finding a way to relax and get off your feet! You have a busy race day ahead of you, so I'm a fan of spending time enjoying the resort pool. No matter where you are staying, you'll find dining options at your resort, but another great option for dinner may be heading to
Disney's BoardWalk. From your hotel, you can make your way to Disney's Hollywood Studios and then take a
FriendShip boat from the entrance of Hollywood Studios to the BoardWalk.
Trattoria al Forno is a delicious Italian restaurant if you're hoping to "carb load" and
Ale & Compass is also one of my favorite dinners at Walt Disney World Resort. You'll also find
Fantasia Gardens and Fairways Miniature Golf here if you're looking for a more active afternoon rather than just lounging by the pool. Since your race morning will be very early, I like making an early dinner reservation to give my food a chance to settle before turning in for an early bedtime!
Kaleigh, I hope this information helps you plan for a race weekend that is practically perfect in every way! If you have a day after your race, be sure to check out the Digital Expo & Event Guide that will be released closer to the event for some great dining and retail discounts typically available to runners at select locations throughout
Disney Springs. Please stop by to see us again here at planDisney with any other questions you have!
Wishing you many magical miles!
Kristi