Some of the busiest weekends in Disney World are when there’s a runDisney race going on in the parks!

runDisney

During those weekends, you can expect to see big crowds, long wait times, and packed hotels throughout Disney World as runners come down to race and then celebrate their achievements in the theme parks. Whether you’re running or not, we recommend seriously planning ahead so that your trip isn’t made up entirely of waiting in long lines and fighting through crowds. If you’re going to be in Disney World during the EPCOT Wine & Dine runDisney weekend coming up soon, there’s one VERY important date you need to know about!

TODAY — September 3rd — is when dining reservations open for the Wine & Dine Half Marathon weekend. You can book Disney World dining reservations 60 days in advance, and September 3rd marks 60 days before November 2nd — the first day of the Wine & Dine Half Marathon weekend.

©runDisney

Since we’re expecting that weekend to be very crowded, it makes sense that dining reservations will get booked up quickly, so it’s important to be ready RIGHT when they open online at 6AM EST, 60 days before your trip.

Click here for a complete guide on how to make Disney World dining reservations!

Note that Disney World Resort hotel guests may make reservations up to 60 days in advance plus the length of their stay up to 10 days. (So, 60 days before the first day of your stay, you can make reservations for the entire trip, even for days that are more than 60 days out.)

California Grill Dining Room

If you’re not sure which restaurants you should book reservations for, we can help! With DOZENS of places to eat at Disney World, we know it can be tough to plan your meals. That’s why we wrote the DFB Guide to Dining at Walt Disney World. We have reviews, pictures, and details about every restaurant all in one digital download – along with ALL of our best tips and strategies from decades of Disney World trips. We’ve got a special discount code for DFB readers, too! Use WDW2023 at checkout for 25% off!

Grab the DFB Guide!

Disney World hosts several runDisney races each year, including the classic Marathon weekend in January and a Springtime Surprise weekend in April. One of the most popular race weekends is the EPCOT Wine & Dine Half Marathon Weekend, which is part of the EPCOT Food and Wine Festival. The weekend is from November 2nd through the 5th.

©Disney

This race weekend includes three different races and a course challenge: the 5K, 10K, Half Marathon, and Two Course Challenge (for runners who want to do both the 10K and Half Marathon). There are also some virtual race options. All of the races are sold out, but there is still availability open for the post-race party in EPCOT.

Spaceship Earth

The post-race party happens in EPCOT after the park closes to other guests. You get access to Food & Wine Festival booths, select EPCOT rides and attractions, and live entertainment. Anyone running the Half Marathon or Challenge has entry included in the cost of their race. Friends and family can buy the Post-Race Party tickets to celebrate with the runners. The event cost begins at $105 per ticket.

Stay tuned to DFB for more updates on all the latest Disney news!

For more information about the Wine & Dine Half Marathon Weekend, click here! 

Are you running in this year’s Wine & Dine races? Let us know in the comments!