My runDisney Springtime Surprise Weekend was a tale of three contrasting hotel experiences, sandwiched around the actual 10K I was there for. Due to a change in plans, I found myself resort hopping: one night at Coronado Springs, one at the Dolphin, and two at Saratoga Springs.

Coronado Springs, where I stayed in a Cabana room (a pleasant return after a 2011 visit), offered a smooth start. The room’s poolside access was convenient, and while the resort food was typical, the churros were a highlight. The morning yoga bus presented a minor challenge in finding the stop, but the event itself at Hollywood Studios was well-organized, despite the low costume participation. The yoga instruction was excellent, followed by a fun Disney character experience. My post-yoga breakfast was memorable, and even my virtual queue experience for merchandise was standard. The expo was efficient, and I made a couple of purchases, including the coveted sneakers.

In stark contrast, my night at The Dolphin was a low point. The arrival was confusing, the staff unhelpful and unwelcoming (especially compared to Disney’s usual magic), and even my room had a bizarre view of the maintenance area. Despite a comfortable bed, the overall atmosphere was disappointing. My attempt to spread some cheer by handing out trophies to returning runners was thwarted by my own introversion and the runners’ focus on post-race recovery. The lack of any runDisney recognition at the resort was also notable. To top it off, unexpected fees and rude departure interactions left a sour taste.

Arriving at Saratoga Springs felt like a breath of fresh air. The check-in was seamless, directions were clear, and finding the runDisney bus stop was easy. Even a simple thing like this felt magical after the Dolphin. Enjoying some park time at Hollywood Studios (finally!) was a welcome change. While my attempt at congratulating fellow runners was unsuccessful, I did manage to enjoy some rides and park snacks. My brief grumpy old man moment during a Star Tours ride aside, I appreciated the chance to relax and settle in for two nights, grateful to be done with the resort hopping.

The runDisney SPRINGTIME SURPRISE 10K

Balloon Ladies Pace Prediction: Based on a 6:00 AM start, the estimated pace for the Balloon Ladies was: 6:18 (Mile 1), 6:34 (Mile 2), 6:50 (Mile 3), 7:06 (Mile 4), 7:22 (Mile 5), 7:38 (Mile 6).

Saratoga Springs Pre-Race: The resort offered cast member support, refreshments (coffee, water), and opportunities for quick photos. The 2:44 AM bus to the start picked up additional runners along its route.

Character Sightings: Before the race, popular characters like Hercules, Mr. Incredible, Doctor Strange, Groot, and a large inflatable Baymax were present.

Navigating Character Stops:

• At 0.4 miles, a stop was made for Mirabel Madrigal (no mention of the infamous family member!).
• The line for Megara at 0.9 miles was very long, prompting a decision to skip subsequent characters.
• Esmeralda and Clopin were met at 1.6 miles.
• The wait for Pain and Panic at 1.91 miles exceeded 20 minutes, reinforcing the need to skip more photo ops.
• Hades was encountered at 3.64 miles after a 30-minute wait and was likely the final character stop.

Race Progress: The Balloon Ladies began their pace at 6:03.3 AM. The runner decided to skip Robin Hood and initially considered skipping Hades to avoid being swept by the Balloon Ladies. A bathroom break occurred around the 5-mile mark at 7:14 AM. The Epcot Ball was a welcome sight at 5.98 miles around 7:30 AM.