Down To Disney

I’m going to cut right to the chase here: 100% yes.

I participated in the Toy Story 10-Miler as part of the 2023 Springtime Surprise Weekend and it was some of the most fun I’ve ever had. Granted, I enjoy running and hit the treadmill almost every day, but my non-runner bestie had a ball as well . . . I even have visual evidence!

I didn’t choose this race from a wide range of options; by the time I decided to do the Disney College Program and realized there was a race weekend when I was going to be living in Orlando this past spring, every race was sold out during the Disney Princess Half Marathon Weekend and the 10-Miler was the only race available for the Springtime Surprise Weekend. I’ve run that far before, but even if you’ve never run more than a mile, I recommend picking the longer of the races offered for the weekend you’re looking at (maybe not the Marathon if you’re a beginner, that’s a little crazy).

Firstly, you meet sooo many more characters than you would during a 5K or even a 10K. There was an opportunity to meet a character approximately every half mile, adding up to a total of 21 rare character interactions, not including the 4 at the post-race event! In my opinion, that is definitely worth the extra cost.

The theme of the weekend was Pixar, so all of the characters along the path were from one of those movies in addition to some of the classics like Goofy and Donald. Another plus of taking part in the third race of the weekend is, surprisingly, a lot of people complete the challenge of running each race of the weekend. That means relatively short lines to meet the characters during the 10 Miler since many people have already snagged their pictures in the days prior (one woman told me she waited an hour and a half to meet Edna Mode during the 5K, while we waited a mere 10 minutes). It’s nice to have a little bit of a wait to catch your breath, but not long enough to the point where you lose your desire to keep going. In reality, you are running no more than half of a mile at a time, and the adrenaline of the environment and all the other participants gives you such a boost!

Also, to be honest, they should call it walkDisney instead of runDisney; my friend and I were some of the only ones running throughout the entire race. And I don’t blame anybody for that, because athleticism is not the name of this game. When you’re not high-fiving characters, you’re taking in the views of the parks before the sun even rises and the crowds fill them to the brim, which is such a rare and amazing experience. My race course went around the World Showcase, Galaxy’s Edge, Toy Story Land, and the rest of Epcot and Hollywood Studios, and it was great to stop and take pictures and videos of those iconic sights at dawn. You’re also singing along to your favorite songs and catching the best scenes from Disney and Pixar movies on the massive screens placed along the trail. There’s not a moment to even process the fact that you’re running!

Finally, the best part about participating in the longer race is that, geographically and sentimentally, it lasts longer. We ran for over two and a half hours and I didn’t want it to end. The adorable medal was the only thing that coaxed me across that finish line . . . and WALL-E!

Whether you want to run (or walk) 3.1 miles, 26.2 miles, or anything in between, you will absolutely love your race (once you get past that 3:00 am alarm of course). I highly recommend buying Photopass for the day if you don’t already have it for the duration of your trip, as there is a cast member at every character and at numerous random spots throughout the route to capture the moments based on your bib number! If you really want to get in the spirit, match your outfit to the theme of the race. Don’t be afraid to go all-out! I got my shirt and skirt at the Health & Fitness Expo held in the days leading up to the race held at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex. There you will pick up your bib and free (ignoring the couple hundred dollars you paid) shirt and have the opportunity to browse the variety of vendors and even grab some race weekend merch.

There is only one race weekend at Disneyland: the Disneyland Half Marathon Weekend in early January. However there are four to choose from at Walt Disney World: the Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend in early January, the Disney Princess Half Marathon Weekend at the end of February, the Springtime Surprise Weekend in mid-April, and the Disney Wine & Dine Half Marathon Weekend in early November. Registration is held extremely early for each event and they sell out almost immediately, so as soon as you pick which one is best for you, I suggest puting the registration date and time in your calendar! Check out the other events being offered throughout the weekend as well; the sunrise yoga in front of Cinderella Castle is on my bucket list.

As if there wasn’t enough to do in the parks and at the resorts, Walt Disney World never ceases to bring us more opportunities to add magic to our lives. Even the stubborn couch potato will find a runDisney race truly unforgettable.

Please share your runDisney experience and any tips you have for my next one!