When you run on the road between Epcot and MK, the characters are in the middle on the grassy median, so they will be there on the way back. I've only done this 2 years now, but both years had Capt. Jack & a pirate ship and a big group of men

- Prince Eric, Flynn Rider, Tarzan

scratchin), John Smith (Pocahontas), prince from Mulan, Aladdin... Don't remember who else was in the middle. But the lines are shorter on the way back, you have better light and you don't waste time at the beginning. This is only on the road, though - once you get in the MK parking lot, if there is someone you want to see then you need to hit it b/c you leave a different way than how you come in.
I noticed you are in Alabama. If you run outside, I promise you that you will get faster once fall breaks! Heat & humidity make everything about 100 times harder. If you are on a treadmill, I would suggest just challenging yourself - kick up the speed in small notches, a little at a time. Really, you have a long time to get up to speed, so to speak, so I wouldn't really worry about that now. I would get your body used to the miles, and I think you will find that if you consistently stick to a plan, you will see the speed come of it's own. Hang in there!