For many people, running is a hobby in which they are very passionate about. Everyone has their own story of why they do it: a new or continuing health journey, a constructive way to process their excess energy, in memory of someone, and much more. One group of passionate Disney fans has descended into Walt Disney World this weekend for the conclusion of runDisney’s running season. Yesterday kicked off the 2025 runDisney Springtime Surprise Weekend and people are out and about the resorts and parks in droves this weekend.
The MouseHouseNews.net team was at yesterday’s runDisney Health & Fitness Expo, held at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex and witnessed the crowds firsthand. The Expo is where all runners go to pick up their race bibs and shirts, visit exhibitor displays, and purchase merchandise.
There are also opportunities to meet some rare characters! Runners must pick up their race bibs one day prior to the race in which they are participating, so the Health & Fitness Expo will still be open today until 7:00 PM and then again on Saturday from 11:00 AM – 3:00 PM. Transportation to and from the Expo is provided via bus from Disney Resorts Collection Hotels, as well as the Walt Disney World Swan, Dolphin, and Swan Reserve hotels.
As for the main events, there is a 5K run, a 10K run, and a 10-miler run for the runDisney Springtime Surprise Weekend. Many will participate in all three runs, a total of 19.3 miles! These events all start at 5:00 AM on their respective dates from the EPCOT parking lot. This morning was the 5K run, in which your favorite MouseHouseNews.net crew participated.
The 10K run will be on Saturday morning, and the 10-miler will wrap up the runs on Sunday morning. Due to these events, be prepared to expect road closures around some resorts and parks in the morning this weekend.
It is also important to note that EPCOT will be opening later on Sunday, at 10:00 AM as opposed to the usual 9:00 AM, due to the 10-miler wrapping up. As always, Disney Resorts Collection Hotel guests and select other hotels will receive Early Entry… on Sunday, Early Entry will be at 9:30 AM instead of 8:30 AM.
If you have never participated in a runDisney event and are interested in doing so, please know that they are all highly sought-after and the shorter runs generally sell out on day one of general availability sales (Gold and Platinum Club runDisney members can generally register for races one week ahead of the general availability registration date). The 2025 Springtime Surprise 5K run was sold out within 40 minutes of general availability registration, and the 10K run was sold out within an hour after that. As such, you’ll want to have a look at the runDisney site well in advance to look at the planned events, then determine well in advance of the registration dates if you want to participate. Trying to decide the morning of registration is a guarantee that you will miss out. Don’t let this happen to you.
Whenever there’s news that can affect your Walt Disney World vacation, you can count on MouseHouseNews.net to bring it to you. Stay tuned for all of the Disney Vacation News and Reviews for Disney Adults, and we’ll keep our eyes peeled for other upcoming changes.
