SPRINGTIME SURPRISE
Springtime Surprise is the newest race weekend at Disney (the inaugural year was 2022). Every year the theme completely changes. Hence the surprise! This is also the only weekend that offers a 10 miler instead of a Half Marathon.
Dates and Details
WHEN: April. The exact weekend shifts to accommodate Easter.
DISTANCES AND PARKS COVERED :
Yoga - Hollywood Studios
5k - EPCOT
10k - EPCOT + Boardwalk Resort Area
10 Miler - Hollywood Studios (including Galaxy’s Edge and Toy Story Land) + EPOCT
CHALLENGES:
Springtime Surprise Challenge (all 3 races)
Price
Springtime Surprise takes place during a prime travel season - Spring Break. Hotel costs are generally higher for this race weekend than others.
THEMING
It’s a surprise! The first year the theme was “Races of Yesteryear”. It included a 5k scavenger hunt night race in Animal Kingdom, a 10k race for the taste, and the Tower of Terror Ten Miler. This past year was Pixar themed.
Springtime Surprise Pros
1
10 MILER
The 10 miler distance is a great option to have in the lineup. There’s a big difference between a 10k and a Half Marathon. The 10 miler fills the gap between those two distances nicely. The course starts off really strong as well. The first 4.5-5 miles are all parks and resorts. Athletes start in EPCOT and travel through World Showcase, Boardwalk, and then Hollywood Studios. The Hollywood Studios portion includes Galaxy’s Edge, Toy Story Land, and a jaunt down Sunset Blvd where you can get a picture with the Tower of Terror. The downside here is the last 5 Miles are all highway and include more than one on-ramp.
2
TRAINING
Training starts after all of the Holidays, which can be nice if you work retail or do a lot of holiday travel.
3
FLOWER AND GARDEN FESTIVAL
The race weekend takes place during the Flower and Garden Festival. Not only do you get to enjoy all the amazing food, but Epcot is truly glorious with all the flowers and topiaries. It makes for a fun addition to the race weekend.
4
THEMING
The surprise nature of the race theme opens the door to some creative and fun options. Disney has a lot of intellectual property that is beloved, but wouldn’t be enough to sustain a race weekend year after year, making them perfect for Springtime Surprise. Just think of all the possibilities: Muppets, non-princess movies like Lilo and Stich, Orange Bird to match the Flower and Garden Festival, park rides as a theme like Jungle Cruise and Haunted Mansion. The race weekend was historically a Star Wars themed race, so I’m sure that could make a come-back one year as well.
SPRINGTIME SURPRISE CONS
1
WEATHER
It will be hot. Very hot. So unbelievably and miserably hot. Also, a higher chance of summer storms.
2
INCONSISTENCY?
Springtime is still finding its footing. The inaugural year had next-level on-course immersion. For the 10 Miler, you ran through a fog tunnel and were “transported” back to 1939 (the infamous year the Tower of Terror is stuck in). All characters were in their 30s best, there were old school crooners serenading the athletes, and any video screens were black and white sportscasts from the era. The Pixar theming was lackluster in comparison. They still had plenty of characters but the level of immersion wasn’t the same.
3
TAX SEASON
Springtime Surprise race weekend often comes right around the US IRS Tax deadline. The longest training runs and the travel for the race can overlap with the craziest time at work for those that have careers impacted by tax season.
4
SPECTATING IS LIMITED
The only spectating options (outside of hotels on the course) are the start and finish line. This is pretty limited compared the weekends that have courses through Magic Kingdom. Disney opens up mainstream to spectators, and because the monorail must run to do so, there are also spectating spots at the TTC.