2026 Springtime Surprise Themes Revealed!

2026 Springtime Surprise registration is a few weeks away, and now we have our main theme: Friendship. Not the most exciting or original theme (it's not altogether different from the 2023 and 2024 themes), but that won't discourage anyone from registering on July 29th. For the final race weekend of the runDisney season we have a mix of new characters and almost-too-familiar ones, so let's dive into each race.

Judy Hopps and Nick Wilde from Zootopia are the best friends featured for the 5k. From the runDisney website: "On April 17, have a “hare”-raising time as you speed through 3.1 miles of running fun. Just don’t get busted by bunny cop Judy Hopps or sly fox Nick Wilde. It is currently unknown if carrots will be offered."

Zootopia is one of our favorite new Disney movies and it makes sense for runDisney to hop on the bus as the sequel is scheduled to release in November 2025. Also with the new Better Zoogether attraction at Animal Kingdom replacing It's Tough To Be A Bug it makes sense to go all in on Zootopia characters. Maybe runDisney follows suit from past years and holds the 5k at Animal Kingdom while spreading different Zootopia characters around the park?

Making their first appearance as featured runDisney headliners are Winnie the Pooh and Tigger, too, for the 10k. From runDisney: "On April 18, run, bounce, pounce or trounce your way through 6.2 miles during this hunny of a 10K featuring Winnie the Pooh and Tigger. If bounding as Pooh, please wear pants."

Someone at runDisney has definitely enjoyed writing their race descriptions. Winnie the Pooh is always a fan favorite in the parks. While my kids have never really been too into Pooh and the gang, everyone knows the characters for being timeless and fun.

Springtime Surprise is borrowing Inside Out's Joy and Sadness from the Disneyland 5k for their Half Marathon. From runDisney: "On April 19, who knows which set of emotions you’ll experience as you take on 10 miles with Joy and Sadness…though maybe we just covered two of them."

Even though they will be featured in a runDisney race just a few months earlier, it's never a bad idea to put Inside Out on the course. Both movies hit pretty hard as an adult, and my kids also love the movies. Inside Out also lends itself to great group costumes. During the 2025 WDW Marathon I ran for several miles alongside a group of runners all taking on a different emotion from Inside Out 2, complete with all red body paint for Anger.

Genie and Aladdin from Aladdin headline the Springtime Surprise Challenge. Writes runDisney: "Finish all three races for a total of 19.3 miles and receive a fourth Challenge medal featuring Aladdin and Genie. Note that the utilization of magic lamps and flying carpets will be considered cheating."

The Genie (and Abu) always find their way on the runDisney courses, and for good reason. The Genie (Robin Williams, not so much Will Smith) is one of the most iconic characters Disney has to offer. Similar to past years runDisney is keeping with classic or 90's-era Disney themes for their challenge. Overall the themes are a mixed bag in terms of new or original ideas. Many people on social media were hoping for a return to the Star Wars races, or at least some characters or movies that haven't been used before. Personally I like the Zootopia and Aladdin themes best, but I'm sure they will all sell out as quickly as ever.