Springtime Surprise Weekend 2025 (April 3-6)

[DisneyParrothead]

They need more character stops for the 5K.

I’m taking a break from rD 5k’s because of this. Super pricey to run 3 miles with limited character stops.

 

[jpholic]

I’m taking a break from rD 5k’s because of this. Super pricey to run 3 miles with limited character stops.

The price is hard to swallow for the distance and the additional 2 am wake up. I try to limit those as much as possible. lol

 

[Livelovedance]

I’m taking a break from rD 5k’s because of this. Super pricey to run 3 miles with limited character stops.

The price is hard to swallow for the distance and the additional 2 am wake up. I try to limit those as much as possible. lol

I skipped the 5K during Princess weekend and didn’t miss it at all! It’s another early morning with lackluster mile markers and very long lines for minimal character stops.

 

[DisneyParrothead]

I skipped the 5K during Princess weekend and didn’t miss it at all! It’s another early morning with lackluster mile markers and very long lines for minimal character stops.

Exactly how I feel. I did the challenge so I was already going to be up early multiple days. I did not want to make it worse.

 

[Livelovedance]

Exactly how I feel. I did the challenge so I was already going to be up early multiple days. I did not want to make it worse.

I usually do all three. This was the first time I “only” did the challenge, and it was nice to have one less early wake up. I might just do 5Ks for Dopey or Springtime challenges now, unless the theme tempts me or they make changes to the format.

 

[morgsmagic]

I usually do all three. This was the first time I “only” did the challenge, and it was nice to have one less early wake up. I might just do 5Ks for Dopey or Springtime challenges now, unless the theme tempts me or they make changes to the format.

This is 100% what I plan on doing going forward. Unless the 5K is baked into a challenge, I won't sign up for one. I did for Wine & Dine because the Muppets tempted me, but the course crowding and long character lines don't make the 5K's price tag make sense to me anymore. The SS lines were crazy IMO, but I was doing the challenge, so I went in with the expectation I would focus more on enjoying the run around EPCOT rather than the characters. Unless I see a drastic change in the 5K course (i.e. different park), it's a pass for me.

 

[Mr_Incr3dible]

I skipped the 5K during Princess weekend and didn’t miss it at all! It’s another early morning with lackluster mile markers and very long lines for minimal character stops.

This!
I did the 5K as part of Dopey, and unless I do another Dopey, I don't see myself doing the 5K for the above reasons.
It's a nice stroll aound Epcot, and more power to those that only want/can do a 5K, but otherwise it is not enough ROI for me.

I have a co-worker who is going to do a sprint triathlon, which now has me thinking about one at Disney, with the swimming in the "river" at Blizzard Beach....

 

[marty3d]

I did the 5K as part of Dopey, and unless I do another Dopey, I don't see myself doing the 5K for the above reasons.
It's a nice stroll aound Epcot, and more power to those that only want/can do a 5K, but otherwise it is not enough ROI for me.

I agree - I think I'll only do the %k as part of Dopey for the same reasons. Only exception would be if I was doing another race weekend and someone else really wanted to run the 5k.

And of course sometime in the future when I decide to try for a perfect runDisney season! (But who knows when that will be!)

 

[nancipants]

I swore off Disney 5ks as well, but the space theme during marathon weekend sucked me in.

 

[Naomeri]

I'm kind of the opposite on Disney 5Ks. I think they're a good way to ease into the weekend and get the sleep schedule going--I'd rather do a 5K on terrible sleep than a 10K. I certainly do wish they would have more characters out though.

 

[Stitch&Co.]

I swore off Disney 5ks as well, but the space theme during marathon weekend sucked me in.

I was tempted by the theme, but I really liked just doing the 10K and the full this year. I couldn’t justify adding the 5K into the mix because why not just sign up for Dopey. And I really don’t want to do that.

 

[sandam1]

Unless the 5K is baked into a challenge, I won't sign up for one.

Same here although, to be honest, the only Disney 5K that I've ever done that wasn't part of a challenge was during my first race weekend. I seriously looked at it for Marathon Weekend 2026, but I just couldn't justify $120 (and an extra morning wake-up) for a 5K.

In some ways, I like the fact that Springtime is a three race challenge as it makes it different than Wine & Dine and Princess.

 

[radiodome21]

I signed up myself, my wife and my kids for the 5k Food & Wine. They’ll be 15 & 17 on race day. They love Disney but hate running. I told them if the balloon ladies sweep them then they have to buy their own junk food and souvenirs for the trip . My wife and I are excited to do this with them. This was an ask for forgiveness vs ask for permission call on my end. But I think they’ll never forget it and I’ve offered to train them via intervals too.

 

[fatmanatee]

Is the first stretch of the 5k before you enter Epcot typically lacking character stops? I feel like that could be a missed opportunity. IIRC in 2022 they didn't have anything going and then you get to Epcot and the first character was maybe Lumiere and Cogsworth? And as you could imagine the line was crazy, ended up skipping it, which I kinda regret but if you're spending what you think might be 20-30 min in the first line you might be locking yourself out of the later photo ops because those lines will be building up while you're waiting.

 

[sandam1]

Is the first stretch of the 5k before you enter Epcot typically lacking character stops?

Yes, it is.

However, runDisney wants people out of that stretch of road as soon as humanly possible since they can't start the buses until everyone has passed the parking lot area. They aren't going to put anything in there that might encourage people to stop.

 

[The Expert]

Is the first stretch of the 5k before you enter Epcot typically lacking character stops? I feel like that could be a missed opportunity. IIRC in 2022 they didn't have anything going and then you get to Epcot and the first character was maybe Lumiere and Cogsworth? And as you could imagine the line was crazy, ended up skipping it, which I kinda regret but if you're spending what you think might be 20-30 min in the first line you might be locking yourself out of the later photo ops because those lines will be building up while you're waiting.

Often there is one near the first mile marker, just behind Test Track.

 

[fatmanatee]

Yes, it is.

However, runDisney wants people out of that stretch of road as soon as humanly possible since they can't start the buses until everyone has passed the parking lot area. They aren't going to put anything in there that might encourage people to stop.

That makes sense, thought there might be some legit reason why they'd avoid doing that.

 

[Naomeri]

Is the first stretch of the 5k before you enter Epcot typically lacking character stops? I feel like that could be a missed opportunity. IIRC in 2022 they didn't have anything going and then you get to Epcot and the first character was maybe Lumiere and Cogsworth? And as you could imagine the line was crazy, ended up skipping it, which I kinda regret but if you're spending what you think might be 20-30 min in the first line you might be locking yourself out of the later photo ops because those lines will be building up while you're waiting.

Princess 2022 had the triple princess stop back there and the line was insane

 

[emilyann704]

I'm planning on doing the 5K during next years Springtime Surprise. I'd like to do every distance over the course of several races (not Dopey!! haha). I knocked out the 10K this year for Marathon weekend.

My one complaint about runDisney events is how they cut into my trip - spending time at the Expo, going to bed early the evening before, waking up early the next day/running/recovering, etc. While a 5K isn't challenging for me (and I likely won't stop for any character greetings because of the huge lines), April seems the best time to do one. I don't know that I want to run more than 3-4 miles in Florida in April.

 

[radiodome21]

We did a 5 night stay in Disney that stated on December 30th. It was great time but as I told my wife last week I thought our 3 night stay for the Springtime Surprise blew that stay away. Better weather, smaller crowds, and we did use multi pass lanes this time around, on top of running in our first ever 10k. My only complaint was we spent too much time at the expo on Friday, and then had to return on Saturday to exchange my Mickey shoes for the correct size. But it was all great. April is my favorite month to go to Disney so I’d like to make this race an annual trip.