Hiya Monica!
Welcome back to planDisney, the most magical place on the internet! I am so glad you stopped by again to ask us this magical question and I am honoured that we get to help you with your vacation once again. Plus, us Canadians have to help each other, and since I've grown up in Quebec, that practically makes us neighbours, right?
I always love buying a souvenir or two on my trips, and seasonal merchandise makes the best keepsake. If you are traveling during those events, you may find themed merchandise at select merchandise stores throughout the Walt Disney World Resort, though it is typically sold at the
expo where runners can also pickup their race bib. A good rule of thumb is to stop by the bigger stores such as
World of Disney at Disney Springs or
Creations Shop at EPCOT as they typically have the widest variety of merchandise. Similarly, if you will not be visiting during those events, you may be able to find leftover merchandise at those same bigger locations. This is, however, never a guarantee and it is subject to availability. For this reason, I would also recommend that you keep an eye on the
shopDisney website!
shopDisney has carried runDisney items in the past, so it may be an option for you if you cannot find these items in person.
If you are able to attend a runDisney event in the future, however, I cannot recommend it enough! I am not a big runner, but still signed up for a 5K and it was an experience I will never forget. Not only do you get the Disney magic and special photo ops with characters you typically cannot meet during regular park hours, but you also get to bond with fellow Guests and Cast Members throughout your run. Feeling the energy and excitement was truly touching! Plus, you get to experience the theme parks in a way that is completely different from regular park hours. EPCOT at sunrise is such a different experience than during regular park hours, even with thousands of runners coming through!
I hope this was helpful, Monica, and that you and your Ohana will have the best day ever on your next Disney vacation. If you have any other questions in the time leading up to your trip, please don't hesitate to reach back out! It is always a pleasure to help fellow Canadians like me.
Have a magical day,
Ariane