runDisney’s half marathon weekend pushes EPCOT’s opening to 10 a.m. on two days. Hollywood Studios also closes early Oct. 20, and the race expo uses a virtual queue Oct. 22.
Planning a Walt Disney World trip next week? Check the park hours twice.
EPCOT will open a full hour late on Friday, Oct. 23, and Sunday, Oct. 25, for runDisney races, KennythePirate reported on Thursday, Oct. 15.
Disney’s Hollywood Studios also closes early on Tuesday, Oct. 20, for a private event, KTP said.
And Disney is bringing back a virtual queue on Oct. 22, this time for the race expo’s merchandise shop, BlogMickey reported.
Here’s what last year’s expo looked like, from MouseGen:
What time does EPCOT open on Oct. 23 and Oct. 25?
10 a.m. for everyone, with Early Entry for resort guests at 9:30 a.m., according to KennythePirate. On a normal day, EPCOT opens at 9 a.m., with Early Entry at 8:30 a.m.
The 5K on Oct. 23 and the half marathon on Oct. 25 both affect EPCOT’s opening, KTP said.
What is happening at Disney World next weekend?
The Disney Wine & Dine Half Marathon Weekend. Here’s the race schedule, according to KennythePirate and BlogMickey:
Friday, Oct. 23: 5K
Saturday, Oct. 24: 10K
Sunday, Oct. 25: half marathon
The finisher medals have an Aristocats theme for the 5K and Mary Poppins for the half marathon, BlogMickey reported.
Why is Hollywood Studios closing early on Oct. 20?
For a private event, KennythePirate reported. KTP didn’t say what the event is.
Magic Kingdom closes early on several nights too, for Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party. The parties run through Oct. 31.
Disney Springs has its own virtual queue on Friday, Oct. 16, for the Disney Lorcana launch at World of Disney, as we reported.
How does the runDisney expo virtual queue work?
The expo is at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex. The virtual queue covers AdventHealth Arena, home of the official runDisney Merchandise Shop and the runDisney-themed Brooks running shoes, BlogMickey reported.
You can join in the My Disney Experience app at 7 a.m. or 1 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 22. You’ll need to be within about 45 miles of Walt Disney World, and you can only join once a day.
Here’s how it works, according to BlogMickey:
Open the app’s menu and pick “Virtual Queues”
Tap “Join Virtual Queue” and choose the runDisney Merchandise Shop and Brooks shoes
Select your party, up to six guests, all on your Friends & Family list
Watch for a push notification, then get to AdventHealth Arena within an hour
Each guest in your party gets a digital entry code to show at check-in. Disney asks guests to arrive with about 30 minutes left on their estimated wait, so they can see the rest of the expo.
Platinum Club runDisney members can shop from 7 to 8:30 a.m. without the queue, and Gold members from 7:30 to 8:30 a.m., BlogMickey noted.
What are the rules for runDisney Brooks shoes?
Strict ones on day one. Buyers fill out a form first, listing style, size, width and quantity, and can get one of each design per adult, BlogMickey reported.
You can try shoes on before you hit the main floor, but the try-on pairs are generic, non-Disney designs.
You’ll need a credit or debit card. Cash, Disney gift cards and MagicBands won’t work, and no Disney or Brooks discounts apply in the arena.
Joining the queue doesn’t guarantee you’ll get in or find your size, since spots and inventory are limited. Brooks became runDisney’s official running shoe in 2024.
When is the runDisney expo open?
Thursday, Oct. 22, from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Friday from noon to 7 p.m.; and Saturday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., BlogMickey reported.
Parking is limited. Disney Resort hotels offer free transportation on Thursday from 8:15 a.m. to 8:30 p.m.
The virtual queue first showed up at the 2022 Wine & Dine expo, BlogMickey noted, and runDisney has used it many times since.
Is next week a bad time to visit Disney World?
KennythePirate thinks it might be. “This may be the worst week to visit Walt Disney World this fall,” KTP wrote, pointing to the late openings, early closings and the virtual queue.
It depends on your plans, though. Runners will love it. Everyone else may want to save EPCOT for Saturday.
Article compiled and written by Kambrea Pratt (editor-in-chief), Derek Gibbs (beat editor) and the Pirates & Princesses newsroom. Pirates & Princesses is part of WebReef Media.
Pirates and Princesses is your destination for Disney news, theme park updates, and the pop culture you love. From Disney cruises and travel tips to Disney fashion, food, collectibles, and movie news, PNP covers it all. Visit us at piratesandprincesses.net for daily coverage. Follow PNP on Facebook and Instagram, and listen to the Pirates & Princesses podcast on Apple Podcasts and YouTube.
Hat Tips:
KennythePirate, Donna Farmer (Oct. 15, 2026), park hours and the race schedule
BlogMickey (Oct. 15, 2026), the expo virtual queue, hours, shoe rules and medals
Pirates and Princesses (Oct. 15, 2026), the Lorcana virtual queue
MouseGen on YouTube (Oct. 25, 2025), the 2025 expo
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