Credit: Sarah Larson, Inside the MagicPicture a Walt Disney World morning at 3:00 a.m. Roads are closing, buses are already running, and runners are heading toward EPCOT while the park itself won’t open for hours. That’s Disney Wine & Dine Half Marathon Weekend, and it changes the schedule for anyone visiting EPCOT or driving near it.
We’ve pulled together the delayed opening times, every road closure listed for the weekend, and the transportation schedules, all attributed to the report we’re drawing on. Where something isn’t stated, we say so. Here’s what to know.
The Delayed Openings
On Friday, October 23, and Sunday, October 25, 2026, EPCOT will open at 10 a.m. instead of 9 a.m. Guests staying at a Walt Disney World resort have access to early entry, which will begin at 9:30 a.m. The park will close at 9 p.m.
According to the report, the delayed openings give runners extra time to complete their races before the park opens. The information we have lists delays only for October 23 and 25, and it doesn’t mention a delay for Saturday, October 24.
The Three Races
Three runDisney races take place as part of the weekend, all starting in EPCOT:
- October 23: Disney Wine & Dine 5K
- October 24: Disney Wine & Dine 10K
- October 25: Disney Wine & Dine Half Marathon
Saturday Morning Road Closures for the 10K
The 10K takes place on the morning of Saturday, October 24. The listed closures:
- Backstage Lane at Red Lot Entrance: 3:00 AM to 8:00 AM
- Crush Lot Exit Bridge to Epcot Center Drive East: 3:30 AM to 7:30 AM
- Epcot Center Drive West to Epcot Auto Plaza: 4:15 AM to 7:30 AM
- Epcot Parking Exit Loops to Epcot Center Drive East: 3:00 AM to 7:30 AM
- Epcot Center Drive West (Bonnet Creek to World Drive): 4:15 AM to 7:30 AM
- Overpass Road West at Bonnet Creek: 3:00 AM to 9:00 AM
- Woodpecker Lane (Yellow Lot): 3:00 AM to 9:00 AM
- World Drive South Ramp to Epcot Center Drive East: 3:45 AM to 7:30 AM
The report calls Saturday’s closures fairly contained. Five of the eight roads reopen by 7:30 AM, Backstage Lane at 8:00 AM, and two, Overpass Road West and Woodpecker Lane, at 9:00 AM.
Sunday Morning Road Closures for the Half Marathon
- Backstage Lane North at Red Lot Entrance: 3:00 AM to 8:00 AM
- Buena Vista Drive East (Osceola Parkway to Cypress Drive): 4:00 AM to 9:30 AM
- Buena Vista Drive West Ramp to World Drive South: 4:00 AM to 9:30 AM
- Crush Lot Exit Bridge to Epcot Center Drive East: 3:30 AM to 10:00 AM (modified)
- Epcot Center Drive West (Vacation Club Way to World Drive): 4:30 AM to 9:00 AM
- Epcot Center Drive West Ramp to World Drive South: 3:45 AM to 9:30 AM
- Floridian Way South at Bear Island Road Exit Ramp: 3:45 AM to 9:30 AM
- Osceola Parkway West Ramp to Buena Vista Drive East: 4:00 AM to 9:30 AM
- Overpass Road West at Bonnet Creek: 3:00 AM to 10:30 AM
- Epcot Parking Exit Loops to Epcot Center Drive East: 3:00 AM to 7:00 AM
- Vista Boulevard Ramp to World Drive South: 3:45 AM to 9:30 AM
- Woodpecker Lane (Yellow Lot): 3:00 AM to 10:30 AM
- World Drive North Ramp to Buena Vista Drive: 4:00 AM to 9:00 AM
- World Drive South Ramp to Epcot Center Drive East: 3:45 AM to 10:00 AM
- World Drive South Flyover Ramp: 3:45 AM to 9:30 AM
- World Drive South to Osceola Parkway: 3:45 AM to 9:30 AM
The latest reopenings on Sunday are at 10:30 AM, for Overpass Road West and Woodpecker Lane.
Who Feels It Most
The report says that with World Drive, Buena Vista Drive, and Osceola Parkway ramps all affected, Sunday morning is when guests who aren’t running are most likely to feel the impact. Its advice for guests staying near Disney Springs or the Magic Kingdom area who plan an early start is to give yourself extra travel time or use Disney transportation.
Complimentary Transportation to the Expo
Disney is offering complimentary event transportation to each race and to the runDisney Health & Fitness Expo at ESPN Wide World of Sports. Service is available from all Disney hotels, Shades of Green, the Swan Hotel, the Dolphin Hotel, and the Swan Reserve.
Expo transportation runs on this schedule:
- Thursday, October 22: 8:15 AM to 8:30 PM
- Friday, October 23: 11:30 AM to 7:30 PM
- Saturday, October 24: 10:30 AM to 3:30 PM
The report notes that Thursday has the longest window by far for picking up a bib, and that Saturday’s service ends mid-afternoon.
Race Day Buses to EPCOT
Each race has its own schedule between the resorts and EPCOT:
- Wine & Dine 5K (Friday, October 23): continuous service in both directions from 2:30 AM to 10:00 AM
- Wine & Dine 10K (Saturday, October 24): resorts to EPCOT from 3:00 AM to 5:00 AM, and EPCOT to resorts from 6:30 AM to 9:00 AM
- Wine & Dine Half Marathon (Sunday, October 25): resorts to EPCOT from 2:30 AM to 5:00 AM, and EPCOT to resorts from 6:30 AM to 10:30 AM
The report says the cutoffs for the 10K and Half Marathon matter. If you miss the last bus to EPCOT at 5:00 AM, you’ll need to find your own way there, and many of the surrounding roads will already be closed.
Planning an EPCOT Day Around the Weekend
For visitors, the practical points are clear. If EPCOT is on your list for October 23 or 25, expect a 10 a.m. opening, with early entry at 9:30 a.m. for guests staying at a Walt Disney World resort. If you’re driving near the park early on race mornings, check the closure times above and allow extra time. Hours and schedules can change, so confirm everything in the official app before you head out.
Tell Us About Your Weekend
Does this affect your Walt Disney World vacation? Are you running, cheering, or just trying to get to EPCOT? Tell us in the comments how you’re planning around the weekend, and share any tips for early mornings on race days.
