RunDisney Favorites Thread

[prncssjas]

Like a few of you, I am working up the courage to finally attend one of the DIS race weekend meet ups but until then, I really enjoy all the fun chatter on these boards and getting to know the RunDis community.

Inspired by the jubilant reaction of the @The Expert for Disneyland Yoga, it made me wonder what Disney character/movie do you *JUST LOVE* above all else? I think our avatars give some of that away but not necessarily. And would said character/movie motivate you to sign up for a RunDisney race you normally would not (for whatever reason) if they were headlining or the theme? I'd love to hear from you and if you are comfortable, I would love to see a pic that embodies the love!

Feel free to answer any or all of the following:

Favorite Disney character?
Favorite RunDisney weekend?
Dream Race Line Up/Theme?

 

[RuntheMouse]

Favorite Disney character? Pooh
Favorite RunDisney weekend? Marathon Weekend by far
Dream Race Line Up/Theme? If they did a Pooh & Friends race weekend, I’d be in no matter what!

 

[The Expert]

I love this!

I have an actual history of races I wasn't otherwise going to do, but signed up for because of the theme:

- Merida 2018 Princess 10K (I actually did a travel agency bib back when those were a thing, b/c themes came out after registration). WORTH IT as I waited in MK for the Merida meet and greet that day and she SIGNED MY MEDAL! I'm pretty sure they no longer do this, but ymmv.


- Muppets 2024 Wine & Dine 5K. I made a super fast trip and ended up doing the MNSSHP on Halloween night the night before the race. Super fun! That said, I live in Vermont, so traveling all the way to California for the Muppet yoga is not likely to happen. If it were a RACE with a medal and shirt? I might actually consider it.

- Megara 2025 SS 10K. Okay, technically this was Hercules themed, but I had high hopes for Megara appearances (and merch -- fail).

- Stitch 2024 SS Challenge. I had sworn off any races longer than a 10K in April after the last Star Wars Dark Side half was so damn hot, but that went out the window when Stitch was the theme.

I think I would also jump in for any Star Wars themed race at this point.

My all time favorite Disney character is Oswald, and there were a few glorious years where he displaced Chip & Dale as the 10K theme for MW, but I was signed up for those anyway. To @camaker's delight, they switched it back. I was able to do two of his three races, though.

 

[camaker]

Like a few of you, I am working up the courage to finally attend one of the DIS race weekend meet ups but until then, I really enjoy all the fun chatter on these boards and getting to know the RunDis community.

Inspired by the jubilant reaction of the @The Expert for Disneyland Yoga, it made me wonder what Disney character/movie do you *JUST LOVE* above all else? I think our avatars give some of that away but not necessarily. And would said character/movie motivate you to sign up for a RunDisney race you normally would not (for whatever reason) if they were headlining or the theme? I'd love to hear from you and if you are comfortable, I would love to see a pic that embodies the love!

Feel free to answer any or all of the following:

Favorite Disney character?
Favorite RunDisney weekend?
Dream Race Line Up/Theme?

Favorite Disney movie? Nightmare Before Christmas
Favorite RunDisney weekend? Marathon Weekend (go big or go home)
Dream Race Line Up/Theme? Pirates of the Caribbean

No pics because nobody needs that in their lives, but Nightmare Before Christmas is my favorite Disney movie with its incredible soundtrack leading the way. The alternate soundtrack with well known artists performing versions of the songs is not to be missed, especially Marilyn Manson's rendition of "This is Halloween".

My first RunDisney weekend was Marathon Weekend and it'll always be my favorite. The atmosphere my first time was captivating and it's maintained its magic ever since. The Dopey Challenge fits perfectly with my core philosophy (toxic trait?) of taking everything that I do to the extreme.

As for the dream theme, we've had this question a number of times in the past and my answer is always Pirates of the Caribbean with some variation of these races:

Cursed Pirate 5k (spinner medal with pirates on one side and skeletal pirates on the other, preferably run at night)
Black Pearl 10k (pirate ship medal, duh)
Capt Jack Sparrow's "I thought you said rum" Half Marathon
Cursed Coin Challenge (Jack's compass medal that opens up to show the cursed coin inside)

 

[The Expert]

Favorite Disney character?
Favorite RunDisney weekend?
Dream Race Line Up/Theme?

Favorite Disney character: Oswald
Favorite rD weekend: Marathon Weekend
Dream Race Line Up/Theme: A full Muppets race weekend with a different character for each distance and a challenge.

 

[prncssjas]

- Merida 2018 Princess 10K (I actually did a travel agency bib back when those were a thing, b/c themes came out after registration). WORTH IT as I waited in MK for the Merida meet and greet that day and she SIGNED MY MEDAL! I'm pretty sure they no longer do this, but ymmv.

Agggghhhh, love this SO much!

My all time favorite Disney character is Oswald

Oh! I would have guessed a muppet! LOL! Love it!

No pics because nobody needs that in their lives, but Nightmare Before Christmas is my favorite Disney movie with its incredible soundtrack leading the way. The alternate soundtrack with well known artists performing versions of the songs is not to be missed, especially Marilyn Manson's rendition of "This is Halloween".

Hmmmm, nightmare before christmas AND Marliyn Manson? Seeing you in a whole new light @camaker

 

[nancipants]

The greatest irony of me becoming a runner is that it happened after runDisney stopped doing Star Wars races. I did the first 5k, but that was it. I was very tempted to sign up for the Ahsoka 10k at Disneyland, but considering it was so soon after marathon weekend, it was pretty much out of the question. I'm begging them to do another Star Wars themed race in WDW, please! My kingdom for a Leia race at Princess, but it would probably make people mad.

I'm pretty much always going to do the Princess half and the Marathon weekend half or full, but due to the weather, Wine and Dine/Springtime Surprise is heavily dependent on the themes. I did the 10 miler in 2024 because it was Lion King themed and that's my favorite Disney movie. I love the idea of Marvel themed races, but I couldn't bring myself to do just the Groot 5k this year, and there was no way I was doing the challenge. So I hope they use a Marvel theme again.

I'd also like another Muppets race - again, more than a 5k - especially with Muppets Courtyard closing.

To answer the questions:

Favorite Disney character? Chip and Dale or Clarabelle Cow. If you count Star Wars, Luke Skywalker
Favorite RunDisney weekend? Princess Weekend - I loved the marathon, but you can't beat the girl power vibes of princess
Dream Race Line Up/Theme? Anything Star Wars, or Mickey sidekicks

 

[marty3d]

Favorite Disney character? Always Mickey (Specifically - Steamboat Willie)
Favorite RunDisney weekend? Marathon Weekend
Dream Race Line Up/Theme? I'm going to cheat a bit and give 3 answers in 3 different categories.
Classic Disney --> If they did a Steamboat Willie themed race or medal, I'm there.
Star Wars --> Yes!
Attractions --> Picking up on the summer virtual series I would LOVE and attraction themed race weekend. I think the closest they've come is the (first?) SS with the Everest 5k and TOT 10 Miler. I couldn't do that weekend because of a conflict but I would absolutely attend an attraction based weekend. (And TOT remains my favourite so I'd be happy to add a second TOT medal to my collection!)

MW 2026 is one where I registered for more than I was originally thinking due to the theme. I'd been leaning towards doing the Marathon + 10k but I settled on Goofy to get a third medal (and I am proud of myself for NOT registering for Dopey this time!)

 

[camaker]

Hmmmm, nightmare before christmas AND Marliyn Manson? Seeing you in a whole new light @camaker

Oh, don't misunderstand. Nightmare Before Christmas is awesome. Marilyn Manson doing NBC is awesome. Marilyn Manson's normal stuff, however, doesn't mesh with my normal Yacht Rock and New Age/Electronica vibe.

 

[prncssjas]

The greatest irony of me becoming a runner is that it happened after runDisney stopped doing Star Wars races. I did the first 5k, but that was it. I was very tempted to sign up for the Ahsoka 10k at Disneyland, but considering it was so soon after marathon weekend, it was pretty much out of the question. I'm begging them to do another Star Wars themed race in WDW, please! My kingdom for a Leia race at Princess, but it would probably make people mad.

Awww man, yeah, what a bummer! I don't know--I have a feeling RunDisney will do more with Star Wars--don't give up hope!

Favorite RunDisney weekend? Princess Weekend - I loved the marathon, but you can't beat the girl power vibes of princess

Yahhhhhh, let's go Princess week!!

Attractions --> Picking up on the summer virtual series I would LOVE and attraction themed race weekend. I think the closest they've come is the (first?) SS with the Everest 5k and TOT 10 Miler. I couldn't do that weekend because of a conflict but I would absolutely attend an attraction based weekend. (And TOT remains my favourite so I'd be happy to add a second TOT medal to my collection!)

I do wonder if they will ever do attractions for the in person weekends, like SS or Wine and Dine...that's not been done before, right?

Oh, don't misunderstand.

I was just teasing...the vibe is totally cool, either way!

 

[prncssjas]

Dream Race Line Up/Theme? If they did a Pooh & Friends race weekend, I’d be in no matter what!

I could see this totally during SS or Wine and Dine!

 

[3princesandaprincess]

Favorite character? It’s too hard to pick I like everything from the Fab 5 to princesses, to Buzz Lightyear. My all time favorite movie is the Lion King though!

Favorite weekend? Have only done MW, and it was amazing. Would definitely like to try the others at least once.

Dream race/theme? Lion King. Or an attraction theme, like the virtual, but with the ability to run through the park with that attraction!

 

[DianaMB333]

At this point in time I’d say I’ll sign up -regardless of theme- for Princess, Springtime, DL Halloween, Wine & Dine.

Basically I LOVE Disney parks; and I really dislike cold weather, which makes me doubt on going to January’s events at WDW or DL… but I recently moved to Detroit, so now it is colder here LOL…

I started running just because of Disney, I feel safe, I feel their care for people…the first time I crossed the finish line as a very slow run/walker was a tremendous achievement that I never believed was possible.. and reliving it in each weekend event keeps me motivated to train.
(Knowing that I was able to do Dopey is surreal!)

i like watching people too, I can see the joy, the laughter, the camaraderie, the support provided to the ones struggling, the groups coming together thru the line, the celebration to the last person crossing is so beautiful!

i have been so vocal and enthusiastic about the Disney events that friends from the office are now coming; by chance I bumped into a former boss in another city and catching up I told her that now Im a runner.. and she started doing it as well…we went together to last princess and had a blast!

Finally the answer to the questions:

Favorite Disney character? Mickey and Tigger

Favorite RunDisney weekend? Princess - women empowerment and sorority

Dream Race Line Up/Theme? attraction-based.. Small World (!!)

 

[prncssjas]

Basically I LOVE Disney parks; and I really dislike cold weather, which makes me doubt on going to January’s events at WDW or DL… but I recently moved to Detroit, so now it is colder here LOL…

Yeah, fellow Michigander (it IS cold here! ).

I love princess week too, it’s the best!

 

[DisneyParrothead]

Favorite Disney character? Marie
Favorite RunDisney weekend? Princess, but Springtime is creeping in.
Dream Race Line Up/Theme? I posted this in the Princess thread, but a theme of non-Princess ladies, like Meg, Esmeralda, and Jane Porter. I loved Princess last year when they had more than the princesses on the course.

I’ve also thought a space theme would be fun. I know MW has a Pluto in space graphic, but:
Pigs in Space 5k
Buzz Lightyear/Zurg 10k
Guardians ten miler
Then maybe Star Wars challenge?

 

[KCO5988]

Favorite Disney character? So hard to pick! Probably Tigger or Pumba
Favorite RunDisney weekend? I think I need to do more races to be able to decide this one. I've only done W&D and Princess recently. Marathon weekend I did back in 2013 so way too long ago to compare.
Dream Race Line Up/Theme? Add me to the Winnie the Pooh list! Piglet 5K, Eeyore 10k, Tigger half or 10miler and Pooh Challenge. Yes Please!!

 

[Herding_Cats]

Favorite Disney character: Merida--if she is included in the upcoming PW registration I am so screwed
Favorite rD weekend: Marathon Weekend (but I've only run one other race weekend and my PF was super bad and it was hella hot and humid out)
Dream Race Line Up/Theme: Disney horses! If Dooney can pull it off, runDisney can pull it off. I would begrudgingly accept a "cats, dogs, horses, and other friends" (think mice, raccoons, etc) weekend. But only if we had the horses.

My dream race weekend also includes all of the miles of a Dopey without the requisite effort and training required. With short character wait-lines, and delightful running temps in the morning, and blissful pool temps in the afternoon.

 

[WillRunForPizza]

I always like seeing people's ideas for race themes.

Favorite Disney character? The guardian of lost souls: the powerful, the pleasurable, the indestructible Mushu!

https://animated-disney-gifs.tumblr.com%2Fpost%2F20725647557

Favorite RunDisney weekend? I have only done MW and Princess. I like them both, but probably lean a little more towards MW because the meetups are more lively.

Dream Race Line Up/Theme? I'd definitely be on board for Star Wars. I like the idea of attractions too (though the It's a Small World Half holds zero appeal for me, so let's specify good attractions ). I think a sidekick pairs theme would be fun: think Timon & Pumbaa, Hei Hei & Pua, Cogsworth & Lumiere, and of course Cri-Kee & Mushu.

 

[Baloo in MI]

So fun to read all these!

Favorite Character: Well of course, Baloo. As a boy I was convinced I could find Baloo in the forest around my house and went searching for him all the time. A close second for me would be Bruno.

Favorite Race Weekend: Marathon Weekend was my first race and has remained my favorite, though the only other weekend I have done is Springtime Surprise. But there is something special about MW that keeps me coming back. Twelfth time in 2026.

Theme I would like: Already been shared by others, but agree! I would love a Muppets theme - runDisney you can take
all my money but give me an Animal or Kermit medal! Also an east coast Avengers/Marvel theme would be awesome!

 

[Erika10021]

I love this thread!!!

Favorite Character: It's too hard to choose, it's like picking your favorite child. Top five are: Stitch, Buzz, Bruno, Betamax and/or Kronk.
Favorite Race Weekend: Marathon Weekend - it feels like everyone is there for the races and no one asks me where I got my shoes or shirt. It's such a good vibe.
Theme I would like: Anything except for the Avengers. The Avengers just feel too adult and not enough child-like fantasy. I love reading everyone's ideas and think a sidekick or extending princess weekend to non-princesses would be amazing.