The runDisney Wine & Dine Half Marathon Weekend just wrapped up at Walt Disney World, and runners are barely done recovering before Disney gave them something new to plan for. runDisney has just revealed the themes for the 2027 Disney Wine & Dine Half Marathon Weekend, and it looks like Disney is sticking with the idea of traveling around EPCOT’s World Showcase. Each race distance has its own Disney character, and each one is paired with a World Showcase pavilion and plenty of delicious-looking food.
I was out on the course this past weekend, running both the 5K and the 10K, so this announcement caught my attention right away. The 5K was themed around The Aristocats and the France Pavilion, and the 10K was themed around The Three Caballeros and the Mexico Pavilion. One of my favorite details was the music. During the 5K, all of the music on the course was in French. During the 10K, everything playing was in Spanish. It was such a fun touch, and it really made each race feel like a trip to that part of World Showcase.
Credit: runDisney/Edited: Inside the Magic
Now that the 2027 themes are out, I can’t help but wonder if Disney will do the same thing next year. Since the new lineup seems to follow a similar World Showcase theme, there’s a good chance runners could hear music from new countries along the course. Here’s a look at what runDisney revealed for 2027 and how it compares to this year’s weekend.
The 2027 Wine & Dine Theme
Disney says the 2027 weekend centers on World Showcase tastes and tales. The artwork, uploaded to @teamrundis on Instagram, depicts each character in front of an illustrated World Showcase landmark, with a gold badge displaying the race distance and snacks floating around them.
Abu, Pinocchio, Elsa, and Sam Eagle headline the lineup, with one character for each distance.
Abu from Aladdin is the star of the 2027 5K. The monkey has a smug grin and one hand raised to flex his muscles. A kebab skewer and a tomato slice sit beside him.
Behind Abu are illustrated buildings from the Norway Pavilion in plum and cream tones. That’s an interesting pairing, since Abu isn’t usually associated with Norway. Seems like an error was made and wasn’t caught before publishing.
Credit: Disney
Pinocchio Hosts the 10K
Pinocchio takes over the 10K. He’s shown smiling in a running pose and wearing his blue bow tie. Around him are tomatoes and what appears to be mozzarella with a basil leaf.
Behind him is a tall tower from the Morocco Pavilion with arched windows.
Credit: Walt Disney Animation
Elsa Leads the Half Marathon
Elsa from Frozen takes the 13.1-mile half marathon. She’s wearing a pale blue and white outfit with her braid over one shoulder, and two pastries float nearby, including one topped with a swirl of cream.
In the background is a tall tower in the style of the Italy Pavilion’s campanile.
Credit: Disney
Sam Eagle Appears to Take the Challenge
Sam Eagle from The Muppets takes the 19.3-mile distance. He’s sprinting with a furrowed brow in front of The American Adventure, with a cheeseburger and a hot dog placed nearby in true patriotic fashion.
Since 19.3 miles is the combined distance of the 10K and half marathon, Sam Eagle appears to be the face of the 2027 challenge. runDisney hasn’t confirmed any details beyond the artwork yet.
Credit: Steven Miller, Flickr
How 2027 Compares to 2026
None of the 2026 themes are returning in 2027. This year’s lineup featured:
5K:The Aristocats
10K:The Three Caballeros
Half Marathon:Mary Poppins
Two Course Challenge: Grumpy from Snow White
For 2027, Aladdin, Pinocchio, Frozen, and The Muppets take their place. runDisney hasn’t revealed the 2027 medal designs yet.
One thing I noticed is that this year, the 5K and 10K characters lined up neatly with their countries. The Aristocats felt right at home with France, and the Three Caballeros were a perfect match for Mexico. The 2027 artwork mixes things up a bit, pairing characters with pavilions they aren’t usually connected to, like Abu with Norway and Elsa with Italy. I think this might have been a mistake. Hopefully they can upload the correct pairings and fix the mistake, unless it does end up being intentional.
Will the Music Match Again?
This is the part I’m most curious about. The French music during the 5K and the Spanish music during the 10K made this year’s races feel so immersive. It added a layer of fun that went beyond just the costumes and medals.
If Disney follows the same approach in 2027, runners could hear music tied to Norway, Morocco, Italy, and the United States. A race with Norwegian music, or a challenge to finish with American tunes, would be a great way to keep the World Showcase theme going. Nothing has been announced, but given how well it worked this year, I’m hoping it comes back.
2026 Prices and Dates for Reference
Dates, prices, and registration details for 2027 haven’t been announced yet. For reference, here’s what the 2026 weekend looked like:
Dates: October 23 through 25, 2026
5K: $125
10K: $175
Half Marathon: $269
Two Course Challenge: $449
Those prices included fees, and every race sold out well in advance. Registration for the 2026 weekend opened earlier in the year, so 2027 registration could follow a similar timeline; keep an eye out for February.
Credit: Disney
Start Planning Now
If you’re hoping to run Wine & Dine in 2027, now is a good time to start thinking about which race fits you best. With races selling out quickly, having a plan before registration opens can make a big difference.
Between Abu’s flexing, Pinocchio’s running pose, Elsa’s power pose, and Sam Eagle’s patriotic sprint, next year’s weekend already looks like a fun one. And if Disney brings back the themed music, it could be just as memorable as this year.
Which 2027 Wine & Dine race are you most excited about?
Erica Lauren is a theme park writer and content creator based in Orlando, Florida, where she enjoys the magic of Walt Disney World and Universal Orlando Resort. With frequent visits to the parks, she provides an insider's perspective on the attractions. As a dedicated runDisney participant, Erica combines her love for running with her passion for theme parks. When not writing or running through the parks, she’s busy planning her next trip to discover new amusement parks. A thrill ride enthusiast, she believes the best seat is always in the front row of the fastest coaster and has plenty of… More »
