Character sightings at CC 5K

[over50visits]

Never did it, next time I'm out for the 5K run. Has anyone sighted characters during the run (for example, does Goofy run along)? I'm wondering if a family member could be at the right spot to take a picture of me running along with a Disney character, or perhaps a pose before or after? Don't want to pay the onboard photographers price! Hoping someone who has actually done the run will have some advice on this...

 

[ladyofthetramp]

No characters on my last 2 runs there. They did have some photographers at the finish line from the ship. Usual race day pictures you never like- at least for me anyway. Someone was kind enough to take our picture at the finish using my camera.

 

[stacecakes]

I haven't seen characters out on this course. Sometimes tere will be one near the finish line, but not always. There are random character popups on the island as well as more predictable ones near the ship, if you wanted to get a picture with your bib and medal tat might be your best bet.

 

[over50visits]

Awww…I was hoping!

 

[Mitura]

I dd the 5K from the Dream 2 years ago. There were no characters on the course but after the race I headed back to the ship to meet the family and I (pardon the pun) ran into Goofy and Pluto. The line for Goofy was long but no one was in line with Pluto. So I got the ultimate race pics with Pluto (and now my new favorite character). He posed with me and pointed out the medal and I was all sweaty and exhausted, the best race pic ever. I now use the pic to extol the greatness of Disney cruising (when can you run a race and get a pic with a Disney character?)! Now with that being said the characters weren't there for the race they were there for the passengers getting off the ship, so I was in the right spot at the right time.

 

[bumbershoot]

With the exception of the *paid* Castaway Challenge 5K (done separately and before the free island 5K) that went along with the January marathon weekend in 2015, I have not seen a character on the course in the 4 or 5 times I've done the free island run since Feb 2013.

 

[Quellman]

With the exception of the *paid* Castaway Challenge 5K (done separately and before the free island 5K) that went along with the January marathon weekend in 2015, I have not seen a character on the course in the 4 or 5 times I've done the free island run since Feb 2013.

I agree that you certainly will not find them the way that @over50visits describes. There are only so many qualified performers and for the 120-250 people running the race, while it would be magical, would not be practical for the other 3500 guests on the ship who are expecting them along the paths from the boat to the beach.

I have had pictures with Pluto, Captn Jack, and others taken on the walk from the boat to the starting line however. There were no lines (but then again I'm usually one of the first people off the boat with the runners.

 

[CM Dad]

With the exception of the *paid* Castaway Challenge 5K (done separately and before the free island 5K) that went along with the January marathon weekend in 2015, I have not seen a character on the course in the 4 or 5 times I've done the free island run since Feb 2013.

I did the paid runDisney Castaway Cay Challenge 5K both in 2015 and this year, and agree that that is the only time I have seen characters during the 5k (with characters available for post-race pictures as well so you could pose with your Challenge medal). You just have to run one or more of the races (5k, 10k, half or full marathon) during the marathon weekend in January, and then book the 4-night Dream cruise the leaves the following Monday. No idea if this Challenge will continue next year.

 

[C6PT7]

Never did it, next time I'm out for the 5K run. Has anyone sighted characters during the run (for example, does Goofy run along)? I'm wondering if a family member could be at the right spot to take a picture of me running along with a Disney character, or perhaps a pose before or after? Don't want to pay the onboard photographers price! Hoping someone who has actually done the run will have some advice on this...

I think if you consider how hot, sweaty, thirsty and exhausted you get running the cc 5k in that heat and humidity, how a person in a character suit would feel even just jumping around and giving a high 5 each person crossing the line must be, let alone running with you on a 5k!
Taking photos and being a personable in that heat and covered in fur on top would be my limit of pax exposure! lol!

 

[jiminy14]

The only "characters" I have seen on the course are some of the other cruisers. This year there was a lady "running" with a Stitch backpack and carrying a DCL tote bag and another lady in a long flowing sundress pulling a wheeled duffel bag.

 

[Shanti]

We ran it in January and there were no characters on the run.

 

[ladyofthetramp]

The only "characters" I have seen on the course are some of the other cruisers. This year there was a lady "running" with a Stitch backpack and carrying a DCL tote bag and another lady in a long flowing sundress pulling a wheeled duffel bag.

wow- ok, then...

 

[beccawes7471]

Ran it Monday, no characters but Mickey and Goofy were out for pics for all passengers and there was only 1 person in line in front of me since it was fairly early still