Hiya Eric,
Thanks so much for stopping by planDisney with your planning question. You actually picked a really fun week to visit. I have run the
Springtime Surprise with
runDisney the past few years and will be there again, so I am happy to share what I have learned. The runDisney crowd is one of my favorite parts of these weekends. You will see runners proudly wearing medals in the parks, cheering each other on, and soaking in the magic. It really adds a fun energy to the whole place.
Springtime Surprise weekend typically runs Thursday through Monday. Thursday is when many runners head to the expo at the
ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex to pick up their bibs and do some shopping, so the parks usually feel pretty normal that day. By Sunday, especially after the longer races, you will often see runners heading to
Magic Kingdom to grab those classic castle photos with their medals. In my experience, Magic Kingdom has not felt overly crowded on race Sundays, but crowds can always vary a bit.
EPCOT is also popular with runners, because it is an easy park to stroll through after race days, so that may be another park to consider visiting later in the week if your schedule allows.
One of my biggest tips is to make good use of the
My Disney Experience app and consider
Lightning Lane selections for any must-do attractions. We live about an hour from Disney and use Lightning Lanes often, especially during busy weekends, to help us get the most out of our park days without spending all our time in lines.
Another helpful thing to know is that runners are usually in bed early. Race mornings start very early, and many runners leave the parks by early evening. If your family likes staying later in the parks, you may notice lighter crowds at night, which can be a great time to enjoy attractions.
I also recommend mobile ordering food or booking
dining reservations in advance on the My Disney Experience App. It saves a lot of time and keeps everyone happy and fueled for long park days.
Eric, I hope this helps you feel more confident about planning during Springtime Surprise weekend. You should still have a wonderful trip with plenty of magic. If any other questions come up, feel free to stop by again.
See you real soon,
Christina