Springtime Surprise 2026 (Apr 16-20)

[The Expert]

I think it's time to start next year's thread!

My participation is entirely depending on themes. With the announcements coming out of Star Wars Celebration and the Mandalorian and Grogu movie coming in May 2026, I'm starting to seriously think they may bring back Star Wars themes. Hopefully for the whole weekend, but at LEAST one race or the challenge. If that's the case, I'm in!

 

[Dopey 2020]

I am most likely in for the challenge, that would guarantee it.

Or any other actual ‘surprise’

 

[marty3d]

I really want to do Springtime Surprise one year - I am more of a warm/ hot weather runner so that is part of the appeal. I also haven’t done a rD 10 miler since TOT in 2012. But I don’t think 2026 will be the year.

Unless Star Wars…..

 

[fatmanatee]

My priority right now is DL but I can definitely be convinced on this one depending on theme.

 

[nancipants]

I think it's time to start next year's thread!

My participation is entirely depending on themes. With the announcements coming out of Star Wars Celebration and the Mandalorian and Grogu movie coming in May 2026, I'm starting to seriously think they may bring back Star Wars themes. Hopefully for the whole weekend, but at LEAST one race or the challenge. If that's the case, I'm in!

You know I want a Star Wars race!

That movie makes me roll my eyes for several reasons (1. WHY are they making a movie??? 2. I did NOT like Season 3. 3. That title is atrocious.), but if it gets us another Star Wars themed race, I will forgive all.

 

[sandam1]

I'm definitely planning to do the challenge. I skipped SS this year for budgetary reasons (the Mouse hooked me into Princess with the Sleeping Beauty theme) and I really missed it.

I'm not too fussed about the theme, but if runDisney wanted to grace us with a Star Wars weekend, I would be absolutely thrilled. I was registered for the Star Wars weekend that went virtual due to COVID so they owe me one.

 

[The Expert]

I was registered for the Star Wars weekend that went virtual due to COVID so they owe me one.

Me too! It was for my Kessel Run too, so I was SO relieved when they at least took it virtual and I could still get that medal.

 

[Baloo in MI]

Oh, I am in for Springtime Surprise 2026! It will be number five. They can tell me, repeatedly, that there will be no perfect status awarded. But I can stubbornly hold onto the dream regardless! And I will.

 

[Livelovedance]

I’m in for the challenge. It’ll also be my 5th and I’m admittedly hoping for a “Surprise! We will recognize a perfect status for this race weekend!” announcement (since nothing else has really been a surprise). I’d love a Star Wars theme too!

 

[mmm_texas]

Me too! It was for my Kessel Run too, so I was SO relieved when they at least took it virtual and I could still get that medal.

Me three, Kessel Run as well! It was the first race I ever signed up for—even as someone a bit on the older side, the combination of Star Wars and Disney was too tempting to pass up.

 

[The Expert]

Me three, Kessel Run as well! It was the first race I ever signed up for—even as someone a bit on the older side, the combination of Star Wars and Disney was too tempting to pass up.

Are we the same person?? I had never once even considered doing anything more than the one random Princess 5K I signed up for because we happened to have a trip booked at the same time. Then I saw the Kessel Run medal. Who has two thumbs and decides to start running races at 45?!

 

[Dopey 2020]

Who has two thumbs and decides to start running races at 45?!

Ha! That would be this guy!

 

[Baloo in MI]

Now that is weird! First race since college (seventeen million years ago) Goofy Challenge and I was 45!

 

[mmm_texas]

Now that is weird! First race since college (seventeen million years ago) Goofy Challenge and I was 45!

By my math we're about the same age, but you found racing/runDisney before I did. The first race I ever signed up for was Star Wars 2020 (the first one canceled), the first race I ever actually ran (not counting some intervening virtuals) was Wine & Dine 2021 (the first returning runDisney race) at age 56, followed soon after by Dopey 2022.

 

[nancipants]

Who has two thumbs and decides to start running races at 45?!

Princess 10k when I was 42.

 

[Dopey 2020]

So technically I was 44 for my first Castaway Cay 5k then 45 for Princess and Star Wars, then registered for wine and dine at 45 but ran it at 46. Must be a Gen X thing. Always knew we were a little nuts, once I latch on I don’t let go so I guess I’m running until I can’t.

 

[jpholic]

Theme dependent for me, same for Princess. If its Star Wars or another fun IP, I am totally in.

 

[Naomeri]

Oh, I am in for Springtime Surprise 2026! It will be number five. They can tell me, repeatedly, that there will be no perfect status awarded. But I can stubbornly hold onto the dream regardless! And I will.

Same! I won't believe in "no perfect status" until we hit 5 years. I'm in for the challenge for 2026.

 

[fatmanatee]

For the third (or fourth?) time, my proposal: Spaceship Earth 5k, Guardians 10k, Galaxy’s Edge 10 Miler. Ideally it would be the Space Mountain 5k but you have to hold it at Magic Kingdom and well… you know.

 

[DIS-OH]

I’m in and also hoping for Perfect Status Recognition!

DD and I are looking at DL Half too…so Coast-to-Coast is on the table as well.

My first runDisney race was 2010 Princess…when I was 46 and five years post Achilles tendon rupture/repair! (Rupture occurred in a non-athletic situation…missed the last step going down a short set of stairs. Took up running a few years after repair surgery.)