The next Disney Wine & Dine Half Marathon Weekend is beginning to take shape, even though runners do not yet have a complete 2027 race calendar. Newly posted runDisney artwork identifies four character themes for the Walt Disney World event: Abu, Pinocchio, Elsa and Sam Eagle.
The artwork associates a different character with each distance, beginning with Abu from Aladdin for the 5K. Pinocchio represents the 10K, Elsa from Frozen is paired with the 13.1-mile half marathon, and Sam Eagle from The Muppets appears beside a 19.3-mile designation. The final number corresponds to the combined distance of a 10K and half marathon, strongly suggesting that Sam Eagle represents the weekend’s two-race challenge. Disney has not yet published a full explanation of the 2027 challenge format.
The illustrations connect the characters with the food-and-travel atmosphere that distinguishes Wine & Dine from other runDisney events. Abu appears with a kebab skewer and other food imagery, Pinocchio is surrounded by ingredients suggestive of Italian cuisine, Elsa is pictured with pastries, and Sam Eagle is accompanied by a burger and hot dog.
Each illustration also incorporates architecture inspired by EPCOT’s World Showcase. Abu is shown against scenery resembling Norway, Pinocchio appears with a Morocco-style tower, Elsa is backed by a structure reminiscent of Italy, and Sam Eagle is placed in front of The American Adventure. The pairings are not necessarily the characters’ fictional home countries. Disney has not provided a public explanation for why each character was matched with that particular backdrop, so the artwork should be described as a thematic preview rather than a literal map of race routes.
The new lineup is a clear departure from 2026. This year’s Wine & Dine weekend featured The Aristocats on the 5K, The Three Caballeros on the 10K, Mary Poppins on the half marathon and Grumpy on the Two Course Challenge. None of those headliners carries over into the newly revealed 2027 group.
Wine & Dine combines races of several distances with the larger atmosphere of EPCOT’s food-focused fall season. The event has become a regular part of Walt Disney World’s runDisney calendar, appealing both to experienced distance runners and guests who want a shorter character-themed race during a vacation. The 19.3-mile challenge traditionally rewards participants who complete both the 10K and half marathon during the same weekend.
There are still important unknowns. Disney has not announced the 2027 Wine & Dine weekend dates, registration opening date, entry prices or medal designs in connection with this artwork. The character illustrations should not be confused with the actual finisher medals, which are normally revealed separately. Nor should visitors book nonrefundable travel based on a projected weekend until the official schedule is published.
For context, the 2026 event took place October 22–25, with its races on the final three mornings. That historical timing offers a sense of the season, but it is not confirmation of the 2027 dates. Registration for popular runDisney events can fill quickly, so prospective participants may want to monitor official announcements and decide in advance whether they are interested in a 5K, 10K, half marathon or challenge.
The new characters are enough to establish that the 2027 event will have a fresh identity, with Sam Eagle giving The Muppets a particularly prominent place in the longer-distance artwork. The next major milestones to watch are the official race dates, registration information and medal reveal.