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runDisney: Your Complete Guide to the 2024 Springtime Surprise Race Weekend

We blinked and it was already time for runDisney’s Springtime Surprise race weekend! Springtime Surprise is a relatively new spin on the last race weekend of runDisney’s race season. The races take place over the course of three days, with additional days for yoga and the Expo event at Disney’s ESPN Wide World of Sports. It’s also joined Dopey as the only weekend with a challenge that covers all of the races of the weekend–the 19.3 mile Stitch’s ‘Ohana Challenge.

To make things as smooth and simple as possible this coming weekend, whether it’s your first race or your 100th, here’s everything you’ll need at your fingertips for the whole weekend in one place. If you’re also looking for guidance on what to bring with you on race day and how to navigate gEAR check on race mornings, you can find that right here.

General Details

 

runDisney’s 2024 Springtime Surprise Weekend takes place this coming weekend. The Expo event begins Thursday, April 18, 2024, and Springtime Surprise Yoga is that day as well. Races are over the following 3 days, with the Neverland 5K on Friday, April 19, the Adventure is Out There 10K on Saturday, April 20, and the Hakuna Matata 10-Miler on Sunday, April 21. If you are running Stitches ‘Ohana Challenge, you’ll be doing all three races, for a total of 19.3 miles.

If you are participating in any of the weekend’s races, be sure to log into your runDisney account before heading to Expo to complete your waiver form. You’ll receive a Check In Pass for Expo as well via email early this week, or you can download it directly from your runDisney Account.

Expo – ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex

Schedule:

  • Day 1: Thursday, April 18, 2024 | 10:00am – 7:00pm 
  • Day 2: Friday, April 19, 2024 | 12:00pm – 6:00pm 
  • Day 3: Saturday, April 20, 2024 | 11:00am – 3:00pm

All race participants will need to go to the Expo at Disney’s ESPN Wide World of Sports before their race(s) to pick up their race bib(s). You aren’t allowed to have someone pick up your bib for you, so make sure that you’ll be able to get there at least a day before your event. When you go, you’ll bring your Check-In Pass (printed or screenshot/digital are both fine) and a valid photo ID with you.

You can drive yourself to Expo. Parking is very straightforward and generally readily available. You can also use Disney’s provided Expo transportation from the resorts. It generally runs back and forth all day from 30 minutes before Expo opening to 30 minutes after Expo close. 

Expo bus transportation times to/from all Disney Resorts, Shades of Green, and the Swan and Dolphin Resorts:

  • Thursday, April 18, 2024 | 9:30am – 7:30pm
  • Friday, April 19, 2024 | 11:30am – 6:30pm
  • Saturday, April 20, 2024 | 10:30am – 3:30pm

You’ll pick up your race bib in the State Farm Field House with your valid photo ID, your Check-In Pass, and your digitally signed waiver (they’ve generally just checked to make sure that your Check-In Pass indicates that it’s been signed). Then you’ll pick up your race shirt(s) and gEAR Bag in the Athletic Center. If your shirts don’t fit, you can exchange your size for a different one there too so long as they have the new size available.

runDisney Springtime Surprise Virtual Queue

On the first day of Expo, Thursday, April 18, 2024, there will be a virtual queue for the runDisney Merchandise Shop at Expo. This will be the only way to shop on the first day, so make sure to join if you plan to shop on Thursday. You can join the virtual queue in the My Disney Experience app at 8:30 a.m. Eastern that morning. If you need detailed instructions on how to join, you can find them right here under “Virtual Queue Process”. runDisney suggests that you plan to arrive at Expo when you have about 60 minutes remaining on your estimated wait time.

runDisney Springtime Surprise Weekend Events

Before we dig into each individual event, here’s some information that will apply no matter what you’re running.

New Costume Guidelines

runDisney updated their costume guidelines recently and has done a good job trying to clarify the new rules. Here’s a general overview. You can watch a short video by runDisney that also covers these guidelines right here.

Participants may dress as their favorite character, but must follow these rules:

  • Costumes must be family-friendly and not obstructive or violent.
  • Participants aged 14 and up may not wear masks. (Participants 13 and younger may wear masks, but eyes must be visible and they shouldn’t cover the whole face.)
  • Costumes may not drag on the ground or include sharp objects or weapons that could easily be mistaken for the real thing.
  • No layered costumes that don’t follow the natural contour of the body. (I.e., if you could hide something prohibited under it, it’s not permitted.) Layered clothes like tutus and cold weather gear are expressly permitted.
  • No costumes or props that physically connect two or more participants, surround the whole body with hard edges (e.g., don’t be the Up house), or otherwise present a safety hazard (e.g. don’t carry King Triton’s trident). Small, inflatable or otherwise soft props are expressly permitted.
  • Tutus, transparent wings and hats/headwear are okay so long as they don’t cover your face.
  • Capes must be waist length or shorter.

Transportation and Arrival at the Race

runDisney asks that you arrive no later than 4:00 a.m. for the races, but traditionally people will start to arrive well before 3 a.m., so arrive early if you plan to try to get character pictures before the races. The lines get long very quickly. 

Participants and spectators who are staying on property are encouraged to use the provided runDisney event transportation. You’ll find transportation times and pick-up locations posted on signs in the lobby of your resort. 

There will NOT be monorail or Skyliner transportation for any of the weekend’s races.

If you plan to drive, you will need to park in the EPCOT parking lot. Parking is free before 6:00 a.m. on race mornings. Here is the lot map that Disney has provided, but don’t stress about memorizing this–there will be people to guide you in. If you’re using a ride share service, follow the signs to the designated drop off area.

2024 Springtime Surprise Weekend Staging/Parking Lot Map

Maps for road closures for the 10K and Half Marathon are below.

If you’d like a little extra magic (and convenience) in your transportation, Minnie Vans are also available to on property participants. If you’re interested in this paid option, you can ask for more information at your resort.

gEAR Bag Check

The clear plastic bag that you get your race shirts in at Expo will serve as your gEAR Bag for the weekend if you want to use one. gEAR Bag check is available for all three of the races. You’ll find it in the staging area before the race. Here is a map of the area generally, but, again, don’t feel the need to memorize anything. There are plenty of people there to help if you have questions.

runDisney Springtime Surprise Weekend Reunion / Staging Area Map

I’ve covered gEAR Check in detail in other articles. If you need more information about how the process works or what you should bring, it’s all detailed right here.

Race Bib and Start Group Assignment

For each race, your start group is indicated by a letter in the upper corner of your bib. Look at the specifics below for each race for the specific opening and closing times for your corral.

Medical

If you need medical assistance before, during, or after the race, they are there to help! Medical stations will be located on each course as well as at the finish line. You can also look for medical personnel riding the course on bikes, in the finish chute and walking around the family reunion area. You should also fill out the Emergency Medical Information area on the back of your race bib. 

Weather

It’s expected to be a very warm weekend, especially as we get later into each day. Overnight temperatures will likely be comfortably in the upper sixties, but daytime highs are expected to top 90 degrees. Even though we’ll be long done before the highest temps of the day arrive, don’t underestimate how warm you’re likely to feel while running. Make sure to dress accordingly, hydrate, and replace your electrolytes before, during, and after your race(s).

If you do want to add a layer for while you’re waiting, you can bring along a mylar blanket or wear an extra throwaway layer. You’ll need to drop the mylar before you start (it will block the chip on your bib from registering when you cross the start line) but you can drop clothing layers any time. Disney’s Textile Services team follows along at the back end of the race and collects all of the layers of clothing that runners remove. The clothing is then laundered on site and donated to people in need. 

I’ve listed my go to items for hot or cold race mornings before–you can find everything here.

Disney PhotoPass – Race Photos

Disney PhotoPass® Photographers will be on the course and at the finish line taking your photos. To view them, you’ll need to link them at Disneyworld.com/PhotoPass or on the My Disney Experience app. To link your photos, enter the following codes, replacing the xxxxx with your bib number. If your bib number has less than 5 digits, start with 0s.

  • Springtime Surprise 5K: 2024 STSU R5Kx xxxx 
  • Springtime Surprise 10K: 2024 STSU 10Kx xxxx 
  • Springtime Surprise 10-Miler: 2024 STSU 10Mx xxxx 

It’s great to get PhotoPass for your race weekend trips, as it will include all of your pictures from Expo and the races. Otherwise, you’ll be buying them a là carte.

Spectator Guide

You’ll find spectator viewing areas for each race in the sections that follow. Generally, Disney does not allow spectators to watch the race on open roadways or overpasses. They also ask that you not hand out any food or drinks to athletes on the course. To volunteer at official water or food stops for future races, you can email celebratedcharityvolunteer@disneysports.com.

If you’re making a sign, try using the brightest paper you can find to help your athlete find you, especially before sunrise. A friend of mine wears a neon hat to cheer for his husband and it makes him so easy to spot in the crowds on Main Street! Knowing your athlete’s pace and tracking them on the course can help you to know when and where to look for them. And be realistic if you plan to cheer in more than one location (e..g, on the course and at the finish line) as transportation can be slow moving on race days. It’s good to know your priorities going into the morning.

Springtime Surprise Weekend Yoga

The race weekend starts with Springtime Surprise Yoga in Disney’s Hollywood Studios. This is a one hour yoga experience on Thursday, April 18, 2024 at 5:00 a.m. Each participant will be provided with a yoga mat and carrying strap and bottled water. Parking in the Disney’s Hollywood Studio’s lot is free from 4:00-4:45 a.m.   

Guests should complete their digital waivers beforehand and bring their ID and Check-In Pass to check in for the event. Check in begins at 4:15 a.m. and ends at 4:45 a.m., with the parking lot itself opening at 4:00 a.m. 

There will be limited event transportation for this event with only one pick up per resort, so be mindful of the schedule if you plan to use it. This is the schedule as provided by runDisney. The details will also be available at your resort.

After the event, everyone will need to exit Disney’s Hollywood Studios and you’ll need a regular park pass to reenter later in the morning when the park opens for the day.

Participants in Springtime Surprise Yoga must be at least 10 years old. Children under 14 years of age will need to be accompanied by a guest age 14 or older.

runDisney Springtime Surprise Neverland 5K

  • Theme: Peter Pan – Neverland 5K
  • Date: Friday, April 19, 2024 | 5:00am – 7:30am
  • Transportation: Athletes and spectators should arrive at EPCOT by 4:00 am for all of the races. Transportation times and pick-up locations for on property resort guests will be posted on signs in the lobby of each resort. There will not be monorail or Disney Skyliner transportation during any of the races this weekend. Details for participants who plan to drive is in the general race information section above.

Bus Transportation Times to/from all Disney Resorts, Shades of Green, and the Swan and Dolphin Resorts:

  • Resorts to Start Line 3:00am – 5:00am
  • Finish Line to Resorts 6:30am – 8:30am
  • Course: Start and finish, EPCOT parking lot

runDisney 2024 Springtime Surprise Neverland 5K – Course Map

  • PhotoPass Link: 2024 STSU R5Kx xxxx (replace xxxxx with your bib number)
  • Corral Start Group Opening and Closing Times

runDisney 2024 Springtime Surprise Neverland 5K Corral/Start Group Opening and Closing Times

  • Additional Spectator Information: 
    • Start: EPCOT Rocket Parking Lot. Accessible 5:00am-6:00am via EPCOT Rocket Parking Lot
    • Finish: EPCOT Eve Parking Lot. Accessible 5:00am-8:00am via EPCOT Eve Parking Lot

runDisney Adventure Is Out There 10K

  • Theme: UP – Adventure is Out There 10K
  • Date: Saturday, April 20, 2024 | 5:00am – 7:45am
  • Transportation: Athletes and spectators should arrive at EPCOT by 4:00 am for all of the races. Transportation times and pick-up locations for on property resort guests will be posted on signs in the lobby of each resort. There will not be monorail or Disney Skyliner transportation during any of the races this weekend. 

Bus Transportation Times to/from all Disney Resorts, Shades of Green, and the Swan and Dolphin Resorts:

  • Resorts to Start Line 3:00am – 5:00am
  • Finish Line to Resorts 6:30am – 9:00am

Details for participants who plan to drive is in the general race information section above. This is the road closure map provided by Disney for that morning:

  • Course: Start and finish, EPCOT parking lot

runDisney 2024 Adventure Is Out There 10K – Course Map

  • PhotoPass Link: 2024 STSU 10Kx xxxx (replace xxxxx with your bib number)
  • Corral Start Group Opening and Closing Times

runDisney 2024 Adventure is Out There 10K Corral/Start Group Opening and Closing Times

  • Additional Spectator Information: Spectators will be able to follow their runners’ split times for the 10K and Half Marathon by inputting their information here.
    • Start: EPCOT Rocket Parking Lot. Accessible 5:00am-6:00am via EPCOT Rocket Parking Lot.
    • Finish: EPCOT Eve Parking Lot. Accessible 5:00am-9:00am via EPCOT Eve Parking Lot
  • Official Race Results: The official race results for the 10K and 10-Miler are typically posted on the evening of the race.

runDisney Springtime Surprise Hakuna Matata 10-Miler

  • Theme: Lion King – Hakuna Matata 10-Miler
  • Date: Sunday, April 21, 2024 | 5:00am – 9:00am
  • Transportation: Athletes and spectators should arrive at EPCOT by 4:00 am for all of the races. Transportation times and pick-up locations for on property resort guests will be posted on signs in the lobby of each resort. There will not be monorail or Disney Skyliner transportation during any of the races this weekend. 

Bus Transportation Times to/from all Disney Resorts (except below), Shades of Green, and the Swan and Dolphin Resorts:

  • Resorts to Start Line 3:00am – 5:00am
  • Finish Line to Resorts 6:30am – 10:00am

Details for participants who plan to drive is in the general race information section above. This is the road closure map provided by Disney for the morning of the Half Marathon:

  • Course: Start and finish, EPCOT parking lot

runDisney 2024 Springtime Surprise Hakuna Matata 10-Miler – Course Map

  • PhotoPass Link: 2024 STSU 10Mx xxxx (replace xxxxx with your bib number)
  • Corral Start Group Opening and Closing Times

runDisney 2024 Springtime Surprise Hakuna Matata 10-Miler – Corral/Start Group Opening and Closing Times

  • Additional Spectator Information: Spectators will be able to follow their runners’ split times for the 10K and Half Marathon by inputting their information here.
    • Start: EPCOT Rocket Parking Lot. Accessible 5:00am-6:00am via EPCOT Rocket Parking Lot
    • Finish: EPCOT Eve Parking Lot. Accessible 5:00am-9:00am via EPCOT Eve Parking Lot
  • Official Race Results: The official race results for the 10K and 10-Miler are typically posted on the evening of the race.

runDisney Stitch’s ‘Ohana Challenge

Runners registered for Stitch’s ‘Ohana Challenge will run all three races this weekend and will receive a third medal at the end of the 10-Miler for completing the challenge. You need to be registered for the challenge specifically to get the additional medal–you won’t get it for registering for and running each of the races separately. 

runDisney Springtime Surprise Splash

Race participants and their friends and families are also invited to buy a ticket to the Springtime Surprise Splash, taking place Sunday, April 21, 2024 from 7-10pm, to celebrate their victories. Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon water park will be open after its normal hours for the event, but ticket holders will be able to enter as early at 5:00 p.m.

Your ticket includes ice cream novelties, popcorn, and select fountain beverages throughout the park, with additional snacks available for purchase. All attractions at the water park will be open, and there will be a DJ dance party with some Disney Pals as well.

If you opt for Disney transportation to and from the event, you’ll have to take the bus to the Disney Springs area and then transfer onto the bus for Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon water park. Transfer will remain running during the entirety of the event until about 60 minutes after it ends. Alternatively, you can drive or use a rideshare option or Minnie Van.

As of today, tickets are still available and can be purchased at https://www.rundisney.com/events/disneyworld/springtime-surprise-weekend/events/splash/

Disney Springs Deals for Runners

If you head to Disney Springs over the weekend, be sure to bring your race bib or medal. Lots of shops and restaurants are offering deals for race participants. You can find a list right here: https://www.rundisneyexpo.run/special-savings-at-disney-springs  

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And that’s a wrap on the run down!! Watch here and on my Instagram @thecastlerunner over the weekend for live updates on the races and recaps after each event. I try to start near the front of the race and provide coverage throughout during, especially for the 5K and 10K. I’ll also be at Expo early Thursday morning covering the process and official merchandise. 

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Important Note: Sometimes, on my site, I will share products that I’ve personally used and that consistently work for me. If you buy these items through links on my site, I may earn a small commission. It won’t affect the price that you pay but it does help to keep the lights on around here so that we can bring you more like this, so thank you! 

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Please join me on Instagram for my day-to-day adventures living a mile from the magic. 

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Planning a run while you’re here? You can find my complete guide to running trails on Walt Disney World property RIGHT HERE.

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If you’re missing home (or love someone who is) and are looking for a way to bring the magic home, I’d love for you to check out my photography prints over at Thousand Circles Images.  



April 15, 2024 By
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