It’s almost time to lace up your running shoes for the 2026 runDisney Springtime Surprise Weekend races! Thousands of runners will be making their way to Disney World the weekend of April 16th through 20th. Whether you’ll be running in the races or not, you’ll need to be prepared for increased crowd levels during this time.
What Is Springtime Surprise Weekend?
Springtime Surprise Weekend is the final event of the runDisney race season. Distances included in this particular race weekend are a 5K, 10K, 10-Miler, and a Challenge (composed of all three races). This year’s Springtime Surprise races are themed to Disney duos and a celebration of friendship. Participants have the option to dress up in costume as favorite characters while they race in and around the Disney theme parks for these events. Finishers will earn some amazing medals to commemorate their efforts!
Race Dates
Here’s a rundown of when each race will be happening:
- Friday, April 17th – Springtime Surprise 5K
- Saturday, April 18th – Springtime Surprise 10K
- Sunday, April 19th – Springtime Surprise 10-Miler
There will also be a Springtime Surprise Yoga session inside Disney’s Hollywood Studios on Monday, April 20th beginning at 5:00am EST. Although the races are sold out, there is still availability to register for this one hour long, instructor-led yoga session.
runDisney Health & Fitness Expo
Along with the actual races, Springtime Surprise Weekend also includes a Health & Fitness Expo. This Expo is held at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex on Disney property. All race participants must visit the Expo at least one day prior to their first race in order to pick up their race bib, participant shirt, and any pre-purchased merchandise.
The Expo features a number or vendors, exhibits, photo ops, and even a few character meet and greets! There will also be a shopping location where you can purchase official race weekend merchandise. We can’t wait for the reveal of this year’s merchandise. We’ll definitely share all the details as soon as we know more, so stay tuned to MouseHouseNews.net!
While mostly geared toward the runners, the Expo is technically open to anyone who wishes to attend. Here are the dates and times for the Health & Fitness Expo:
- Thursday, April 16th from 10:00am to 7:00pm
- Friday, April 17th from 12:00pm to 7:00pm
- Saturday, April 18th from 11:00am to 3:00pm
For most people, entrance into the official merchandise shopping location will use a Virtual Queue on the first day of the Expo. Gold and Platinum Club runDisney members do not need to join the Virtual Queue. So, if this is not you, remember to grab a spot in the Virtual Queue on your My Disney Experience app if you’re planning to shop on day one!
A Couple Of Additional Things To Know
In addition to the increased crowd levels due to runners and spectators, there are a couple of other things that may impact your visit during Springtime Surprise Weekend. First, expect road closures around some resorts and theme parks due to race routes. Double check your route for any impacts, and allow plenty of extra time to navigate around the area.
The second thing you should be aware of is that EPCOT will have adjusted operating hours on Sunday, April 19th due to the 10-Miler race. The theme park will be opening at 10:00am that day instead of 9:00am. Disney Resort guests will still have access to Early Theme Park Entry beginning at 9:30am that day.
runDisney race weekends are popular events filled with enthusiasm, excitement, and community. If you’ll be in the area, consider setting an early alarm to come cheer on the runners! The MouseHouseNews.net team is excited to be among those who will be participating in this event. We look forward to bringing you along! Make sure to bookmark MouseHouseNews.net and subscribe to the MouseHouseNewsNet YouTube channel so you won’t miss any of the fun! We’ll see you real soon!
