The 2026 Disney Wine and Dine Half Marathon Weekend takes place from October 23 through October 25, bringing thousands of runners to Walt Disney World. To keep participants safe along the courses, runDisney has announced temporary road closures and traffic modifications across the resort.
Understanding these schedules will help both runners and regular theme park guests navigate the property without unexpected delays.
Overview of the Race Weekend Schedule
The race weekend features three separate endurance events, each starting at 5:00am. The 5K race on Friday, October 23 takes place within the boundaries of EPCOT and its immediate backstage areas, meaning there are no public road closures scheduled for Friday morning.
However, EPCOT will delay its regular park opening until 10:00am on both Friday and Sunday to accommodate the events. The 10K on Saturday and the half marathon on Sunday utilize major resort roadways, requiring temporary closures during the early morning hours.
Saturday, October 24: Wine and Dine 10K Road Closures
Saturday’s 10K course stays relatively close to the EPCOT resort area. Eight road segments will close beginning at 3:00am. Drivers will likely notice the closure of EPCOT Center Drive West the most, which remains shut down until 7:30am. This is thirty minutes longer than the closure window during the previous year’s event. Fortunately, EPCOT opens at its normal time on Saturday, and most roads will clear before regular theme park traffic arrives.
| Roadway or Ramp | Closure Time | Reopening Time |
|---|---|---|
| Backstage Lane at Red Lot Entrance | 3:00am | 8:00am |
| EPCOT Parking Exit Loops to EPCOT Center Drive East | 3:00am | 7:30am |
| Overpass Road West at Bonnet Creek | 3:00am | 9:00am |
| Woodpecker Lane (Yellow Lot) | 3:00am | 9:00am |
| Crush Lot Exit Bridge to EPCOT Center Drive East | 3:30am | 7:30am |
| World Drive South Ramp to EPCOT Center Drive East | 3:45am | 7:30am |
| EPCOT Center Drive West to EPCOT Auto Plaza | 4:15am | 7:30am |
| EPCOT Center Drive West (Bonnet Creek to World Drive) | 4:15am | 7:30am |
Sunday, October 25: Wine and Dine Half Marathon Road Closures
The half marathon on Sunday covers a much larger footprint across Walt Disney World property, affecting 16 different roadways and ramps. Closures begin at 3:00am and impact major arteries including World Drive, Buena Vista Drive, and Osceola Parkway.
Most of these routes will reopen by 9:30am, with the final closures lifting at 10:30am. Because EPCOT does not open to regular guests until 10:00am on Sunday, the roads near the park entrance should be mostly clear in time for standard morning arrivals. Guests driving to other theme parks before 10:30am should budget extra travel time.
| Roadway or Ramp | Closure Time | Reopening Time |
|---|---|---|
| Backstage Lane North at Red Lot Entrance | 3:00am | 8:00am |
| EPCOT Parking Exit Loops to EPCOT Center Drive East | 3:00am | 7:00am |
| Overpass Road West at Bonnet Creek | 3:00am | 10:30am |
| Woodpecker Lane (Yellow Lot) | 3:00am | 10:30am |
| Crush Lot Exit Bridge to EPCOT Center Drive East (Modified Traffic) | 3:30am | 10:00am |
| EPCOT Center Drive West Ramp to World Drive South | 3:45am | 9:30am |
| Floridian Way South at Bear Island Road Exit Ramp | 3:45am | 9:30am |
| Vista Boulevard Ramp to World Drive South | 3:45am | 9:30am |
| World Drive South Ramp to EPCOT Center Drive East | 3:45am | 10:00am |
| World Drive South Flyover Ramp | 3:45am | 9:30am |
| World Drive South to Osceola Parkway | 3:45am | 9:30am |
| Buena Vista Drive East (Osceola Parkway to Cypress Drive) | 4:00am | 9:30am |
| Buena Vista Drive West Ramp to World Drive South | 4:00am | 9:30am |
| Osceola Parkway West Ramp to Buena Vista Drive East | 4:00am | 9:30am |
| World Drive North Ramp to Buena Vista Drive | 4:00am | 9:00am |
| EPCOT Center Drive West (Vacation Club Way to World Drive) | 4:30am | 9:00am |
Transportation, Parking, and Rideshare Logistics
Getting to the starting line requires early travel, and Disney provides several transportation options for participants and spectators. Complimentary event buses run between EPCOT and all Disney Resort hotels, the Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin, the Swan Reserve, and Shades of Green. The bus operating hours vary by day:
- Friday, October 23 (5K): Continuous two-way bus service runs from 2:30am to 10:00am.
- Saturday, October 24 (10K): Buses run from resorts to EPCOT between 3:00am and 5:00am, with return service to resorts operating from 6:30am to 9:00am.
- Sunday, October 25 (Half Marathon): Buses run from resorts to EPCOT between 2:30am and 5:00am, with return service to resorts operating from 6:30am to 10:30am.
Guests who prefer to drive themselves must park at EPCOT for all three races. Parking at the theme park is free before 7:30am on race mornings, and runDisney recommends that 10K and half marathon attendees arrive at the lot no later than 4:00am. Drivers will be directed to the Crush, Dory, HeiHei, Moana, and Wall-E sections. Because the parking rows look very similar before sunrise, drivers should write down their specific lot and row number before walking to the starting area.
Rideshare operations will also adjust for the races. For Friday’s 5K and Saturday’s 10K, the designated rideshare drop-off area is located next to the HeiHei parking lot. For Sunday’s half marathon, rideshare vehicles will use the standard EPCOT rideshare loop from midnight until 4:00am, shift over to the Charter lot between 4:30am and 10:30am, and then return to the regular loop. Additionally, Minnie Van service will begin operating at 2:30am on race days, providing an option with drivers who are already briefed on the morning detour routes.
Planning Ahead for a Smooth Race Weekend
While the road closures for the 2026 Disney Wine and Dine Half Marathon Weekend affect several main thoroughfares, nearly all restrictions end by mid-morning. By utilizing the early resort buses, arriving at the EPCOT parking lot before 4:00am, or simply allowing extra travel time on Saturday and Sunday mornings, runners and park guests can easily work around the temporary traffic adjustments.
Written by
Rachel Van Norman
Contributing Writer
Rachel fell deeply in love with all things Disney as a little girl. Now as a wife and a mother herself, she shares this Disney obsession with her son and everyone around her. From her love of princesses to eating all the Disney food, Rachel spends her time radiating Disney magic and keeping everyone up to date on Disney news.
