Today runDisney announced that the 2020 Disney Wine & Dine Half Marathon Weekend will be transitioning to a virtual model. This comes as COVID-19 continues to have an impact on Disney operations and events.
For runDisney participants who had already registered for the 2020 Disney Wine & Dine Half Marathon emails will be sent out detailing their options moving forward. Guests will have the option to receive a full refund for the race or they can instead change their registration to a new virtual event where they can complete the races at home. Emails will begin to go out on July 23rd and participants will need to make their choice by August 5, 2020. The default if no selection is made will be a refund.
At this time, Disney is planning on moving forward with the 2021 Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend. However, this is all subject to change. Disney is making sure that each event and experience is safe for all involved. DAPS MAGIC will continue to follow this story and provide updates as they become available. More details can be found at runDisney.com.
runDisney Announcement
With circumstances surrounding COVID-19 continuing to change around the globe, we continue to make timely decisions about our operations after considering guidance from local and national health authorities. As we have shared before, we are basing our decisions on the safety and well-being of our Cast Members, athletes and our Guests, since there is nothing more important than that.
With that in mind, we are transitioning the 2020 Disney Wine & Dine Half Marathon Weekend at Walt Disney World Resort to a virtual race. All registered Guests for the onsite event have the option of receiving a full refund for the race, and registered Guests with a U.S. mailing address may convert their existing registration to the new virtual event that can be completed from home, a local running track or favorite running trail.
Eligible runners who select to participate in the virtual race will receive a race shirt and medal for each distance they complete, in addition to the satisfaction of completing the race they’ve been training for. Registered participants will receive an email beginning July 23 with instructions on how to make their registration selection before August 5, 2020. If a selection is not made, registered Guests automatically will be refunded.
2020 Disney Wine & Dine Half Marathon Weekend Refund Option
Runners registered for the 2020 Disney Wine & Dine Half Marathon Weekend at Walt Disney World Resort who select the refund option will receive a refund back to their original form of payment for the following. If a Guest no longer has their original form of payment used when registering, they may contact runDisney by August 5, 2020 to receive a refund via check or a Disney Digital Gift Card for the following:
- Race registrations (Half Marathon, 10K, 5K, Two Course Challenge and Kids Races)
- Commemorative merchandise (automatic refund – no virtual option)
- ChEAR Squad (automatic refund – no virtual option)
- Processing fee
Additionally, any registered participant with a shipping address outside of the U.S. will automatically receive a refund back to their original form of payment. At this time, participants without a valid U.S. shipping address are not eligible for the virtual option.
Refund timing:
Refunds from runDisney can be expected to be processed in six to eight weeks. If you haven’t received your refund after eight weeks, please visit the “contact us” section on runDisney.com.
2020 Disney Wine & Dine Half Marathon Weekend Virtual Race Option
All registered participants with a valid U.S. shipping address for the 2020 Disney Wine & Dine Half Marathon Weekend at Walt Disney World Resort who purchased their registrations on runDisney.com will have the option to participate in a virtual race. Please note this does not include PO Boxes or APO Boxes. Participants who select this option will receive the following based on their registration(s):
- Race distance medal(s)
- Runner long sleeve shirt(s) and kids short sleeve shirt(s)
- Digital Bib and finisher certificate
- Digital Toolkit including start/finish line and mile markers
- Digital Goody Bag
- Virtual playlist
- A Disney Digital Gift Card for select races
Guests with a U.S. mailing address who already have received a refund for their registration may still register to participate in the virtual race option by contacting runDisney by August 5, 2020.
Disney Digital Gift Cards for select races:
Eligible athletes registered for select events during the 2020 Disney Wine & Dine Half Marathon Weekend at Walt Disney World Resort will receive a Disney Gift Card:
- Half Marathon, 10K, 5K, Two Course Challenge
Disney Digital Gift Card timing:
Disney Digital Gift Cards from runDisney can be expected to be processed in six to eight weeks. If you haven’t received your Disney Digital Gift Card after eight weeks, please visit the “contact us” section on runDisney.com.
Alternate booking methods:
Runners who’ve booked through a charity or tour operator should reach out directly to that organization. Runners who’ve booked through the Walt Disney Travel Company may call them at 407-939-4786 (407-939-IRUN) for available options.
Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida donations:
Donations made to Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida will not be refunded and will be delivered to that organization as originally planned.
Future Races:
We’re looking at every aspect of the runDisney experience and making decisions with the safety and well-being of our athletes, volunteers, Cast Members and Guests at the forefront of our planning. At this time, we plan to host the 2021 Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend as scheduled and will share more details at a later date. We thank you for your continued patience and understanding.
What do you think of the 2020 Disney Wine & Dine Half Marathon Weekend transitioning to a virtual model? Share your thoughts in the comments below or with DAPS MAGIC on Facebook or Twitter!
