The Epic Wine and Dine Race Weekend – Day 4

This morning I was up a little before 3:00 AM and on my bus shortly after, to head out for my runDisney Wine and Dine 10K. I arrived at Epcot and made it through security by 3:30.

I grabbed a coffee from Joffrey’s Coffee Truck and found a place near the stage to listen to the music and people watch, before making my way over to my corral at the start line.

I was once again in corral C, which meant I would have a little cushion as the official pacing time of 16 min/mile doesn’t start until the last person crosses the start line. I am not a very fast runner and have been running around 13 min/mile at home, but being able to start sooner meant I would have time to stop and take pictures, or take a bathroom break without worrying about getting swept off the course. These races are so much fun! The atmosphere and the people around you make it such an amazing experience that I didn’t even mind getting up in the middle of the night just to run a race.

This race started in the Epcot parking lot. The first three miles were road miles, with several character meet and greets. The lines were long so I decided just to snap pictures as I ran by, as I didn’t want to be rushing at the end of the race when I knew I would be tired. (Click on thumbnails for full-sized photos)

Just after the 5K mark we entered Hollywood Studios behind Tower of Terror and ran down Sunset Boulevard before exiting the park out a side entrance. (Click on thumbnails for full-size pictures)

The next leg of the race was on the walkway between Hollywood Studios and the International Gateway at Epcot. When we got to the Boardwalk Inn and Villas, there were tons of people and Photo Pass Photographers lining the Boardwalk to cheer us on.

Shortly before getting to Epcot, I passed the 5-mile mark and knew that I was going to make it so I slowed down at this point and took my time running the last 1.2 miles. I even got in line for a couple of pictures….one with the 100 Years sign in front of Spaceship Earth and one with Perry the Platypus, before rounding the last curve to the finish line where Marc was waiting for me. (click on thumbnails for larger images)

After picking up my medal and snack box, I got a picture with the Figment statue, before heading back to our resort to shower.

After getting cleaned up I wanted to go to go take pictures of my medals with the castle and around the Magic Kingdom.

When we got to the Magic Kingdom, I was thrilled to see they had the Christmas Decorations up. It is my favorite time of the year at Disney, so we spent some time soaking in the Christmas spirit on Main Street before taking a ride on the Liberty Square Riverboat and then stopping at Columbia Harbour House for lunch. Fun fact: Columbia Harbour House has a quiet upstairs dining room with some tables that overlook the Liberty Square area so it is a nice area to eat, recharge, and people-watch. (click on the thumbnails for full-sized pictures)

While we were eating lunch I decided I wanted to try to get pictures with my medals in all four parks so after we ate, we rode the Tomorrowland Transit Authority and checked out the shops on Main Street, before taking the Monorail over to the Contemporary Resort to get a bus to Animal Kingdom.

We arrived at Animal Kingdom shortly before 2:00 and took pictures of their giant Christmas Tree. I love this tree, especially all the African and animal-themed ornaments.

Then we headed to Africa to get my post-run celebratory beer at the Dawa Bar.

Then we slowly made our way over to Asia where I rode Expedition Everest before going to watch its Tough to Be a Bug. Before my October trip, I had not watched this show in years, but since it’s getting re-themed into a Zootopia show sometime in the near future we wanted to watch it again.

We were hoping to get a table at the Nomad Lounge, but the walk-up list was full so we decided it was time to head over to our next destination. We took a few pictures on the way out of the park and grabbed an Uber to Hollywood Studios.

We arrived at Hollywood Studios around 5:00 and stopped on Hollywood Boulevard for pictures with our medals. I let Marc borrow my 5K one after the Photopass Photographer asked him if he ran this weekend and if so, where was his medal.

Then we headed to Baseline Taphouse to get a snack and a beer and do some people-watching.

After relaxing at Baseline, we slowly wandered around the Studios taking pictures. We noticed they were just starting to put their Christmas decorations up, so we will have to come back sometime in the next week to check out the rest of them. (click on thumbnails for full-sized pictures)

As we headed out of the park we caught this beautiful sunset from the Skyliner Station on our way to Epcot.

Once we got to Epcot, Marc went to the United Kingdom to watch the final set of Command Performance, while I went to the Germany Pavillion to get a caramel. On the way over I caught Atlas Fusion in Morocco.

Then I staked out a quiet place to sit and relax while we waited for the nightly fireworks show Epcot Forever. Marc grabbed Roasted Irish Sausage from the Ireland Food and Wine Fest Booth and joined me.

Epcot Forever (click on the thumbnails for full-sized pictures)

After the fireworks, we slowly made our way out of the park. I stopped at the 100 Year sign, where I stopped at 6:30 this morning, to get another picture.