Hi Mary-Jo!
Thanks for stopping by planDisney with some great questions about the
2026 Disney Wine & Dine Half Marathon Weekend! This race weekend has always been a favorite of mine, as I love the parks in the fall. The race themes were recently announced, and I'm officially obsessed, so I understand your daughter's desire to lace up her running shoes and join the fun!
Mary-Jo, the weekend features three separate races - the
Aristocats-themed 5K on Friday, October 23, 2026, the
10K fiesta hosted by The Three Caballeros on Saturday, October 24, 2026, and a practically perfect
half marathon inspired by Mary Poppins on Sunday, October 25, 2026. Runners can also choose to complete the
Two Course Challenge, which includes both the 10K and the half marathon for 19.3 magical miles. General registration opens on February 10, 2026, for all events that weekend, and they usually sell out that same day. If your daughter is interested in running, I'd recommend being online and ready to register when the link opens at 10:00 AM ET. Race fees are paid at the time of registration, and I'd suggest reviewing the
runDisney FAQs for important information about what is included in your registration fee and additional technical tips to help make sure the process goes smoothly!
Once she has registered for the race, it's time to start preparing - both for those magical miles and for your visit to Walt Disney World Resort! Staying at a
hotel in the Disney Resorts Collection is always my preference during a runDisney weekend, as the complimentary transportation to and from the race makes those early mornings much less stressful for me! Hotel reservations can fill quickly on race weekends, so I would suggest booking sooner rather than later and then keep an eye on
available special offers to see if you can modify your reservation to take advantage of any savings that may be announced closer to the fall.
I like
Disney's Pop Century Resort as a budget-friendly option on race weekends. From here, you can use complimentary bus transportation to the race expo and start line, and then use the convenience of the
Disney Skyliner to visit EPCOT and Disney's Hollywood Studios when you're ready to hit the parks. Speaking of the expo, don't forget that all runners must visit the
race expo in person at least one day before their first race for bib pick-up. You'll want to make sure your travel plans build in time for this essential stop!
Mary-Jo, I hope this information has been helpful and that your daughter can secure her spot in the runDisney Wine & Dine Half Marathon Weekend. If you have any other questions, please stop by to see us again here at planDisney!
Every Mile is Magic!
Kristi