RunDisney Spectator Tips 2024: Where to Cheer Springtime Surprise

Being a runner and a chEARleader for runDisney races, I have experienced the best of both worlds.  If you’re going to support your favorite runner at their next race, I’ve got come some tips for cheering for runDisney races in 2024. Things have changed over the years at runDisney. 

Spectator Tips to Cheer for RunDisney Races 2024

Cheering for runDisney races really is the best! I had so much fun at Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend, I decided to cheer year after year for different runDisney races, especially since I’m local now.  I love being about to cheer on those magical moments.

Before you cheer on your favorite runDisney runner, check out these best tips for spectating runDisney races. The next race is Disney Princess Half Marathon Weekend in Walt Disney World. 

Thinking about running a runDisney race? Here’s all the info on whether runDisney races are worth it. 

runDisney Race Runner Tracking

Sign up to track your runner through runDisney. This will give you an idea when you can expect your runner around where you are spectating. You’ll receive notifications of their split times.

Family and friends will be able to track participants with live online runner tracking for the 10K, 10-Miler, Half Marathon and Marathon Distances.

For Springtime Surprise Weekend, family and friends will be able to track runners with this live online runner tracking for the 10K and 10-Miler distances.

Choose Your Spectating Spot With Your Runner

Let your runner know where you’ll be when choosing a spectator spot during runDisney races! Then they can look out for you. As a runner, when I’m having a hard time on the course, and I’m hitting a wall, knowing I’ll see a friend somewhere helps me push through.

Plan your spectating spot in advance and try to communicate with your runner during the race. There are a lot of runners and you don’t want to miss yours! Once you pick your spot, text your runner so they can also look out for you.

2024 Springtime Surprise Spectator Locations

Use this guide for Spectator locations for Springtime Surprise Weekend Races.

2024 Springtime Surprise 5K Spectator Spots

Spectator viewing for the Neverland 5K will be at the start and finish lines around the reunion area. You can see the spectator viewing areas marked around the reunion area on the map below. This will be for all the races during Springtime Surprise.

Start: EPCOT Rocket Parking Lot. Accessible 5:00am-6:00am via EPCOT Rocket Parking Lot

Finish: EPCOT Eve Parking Lot. Accessible 5:00am-8:00am via EPCOT Eve Parking Lot

Where to Cheer for Springtime Surprise 10K

There aren’t too many public spots where you can cheer for the Adventure is Out There 10K during Springtime Surprise. runDisney recommends the start and finish in the EPCOT parking lot. However, runners will run around the Disney BoardWalk area. 

If you are staying at Disney’s BoardWalk Hotel, Disney’s Beach Club or Disney’s Yacht Club, then you can cheer from the BoardWalk. If you’re not staying there, it can be difficult to get there with Disney transportation that early. 

Start: EPCOT Rocket Parking Lot. Accessible 5:00am-6:00am via EPCOT Rocket Parking Lot.

Finish: EPCOT Eve Parking Lot. Accessible 5:00am-9:00am via EPCOT Eve Parking Lot

Where to Cheer for Springtime Surprise 10-Miler

If your runner is running the Hakuna Matata 10-Miler, the best spot to spectate is probably by the Skyliner outside Disney’s Hollywood Studios. We cheered there during Marathon Weekend and it was pretty easy to park at Hollywood Studios and walk over.

You have the usual start and finish line areas as well.

Start: EPCOT Rocket Parking Lot. Accessible 5:00am-6:00am via EPCOT Rocket Parking Lot

Finish: EPCOT Eve Parking Lot. Accessible 5:00am-9:00am via EPCOT Eve Parking Lot

2024 Princess Half Marathon Spectator Locations

Here are the best places to cheer for your runners during Princess Half Marathon Weekend. 

2024 Princess 5K Spectator Spots

For the Disney Princess 5K, you can meet your runners at the start and finish of the race in the EPCOT parking lot.

Where to Cheer for the 2024 Princess 10K

Officially, runDisney says the spectator viewing spots are in the EPCOT parking lot for the Princess 10K during the start and finish. However, if you are staying at Disney’s BoardWalk Hotel, Disney’s Beach Club or Disney’s Yacht Club, then you can cheer from the BoardWalk. That is around mile 4-ish.

When I cheered for the Wine & Dine 10K on the BaordWalk, they did have signs to cheer quietly. So maybe no cow bell.

2024 Princess Half Marathon Spectator Viewing

Where can you cheer for the Princess Half Marathon runners? Aside from the start and finish here is where you can cheer during the Princess Half:

• Mile 3.7 – Ticket & Transportation Center (5:15 a.m. – 7:15 a.m.)
• Mile 5-ish – Main Street Magic Kingdom Park (5:15 a.m. – 7:30 a.m.)

There is a stretch of road that goes behind Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort and Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort. However, most of that corridor is under construction right now for the new DVC villas. So it’ll be hard to find a good cheering spot unless you’re staying at Grand Floridian, there is a traffic light that they may allow you to cheer, but it’s not guaranteed.

2024 Disneyland Half Marathon Weekend Spectator Locations

Where can you cheer for the Disneyland Half Marathon Events? You can cheer on your runner mostly on Harbor or Katella or between Disneyland and California Adventure. There is no in the park cheering. Here’s where you can cheer according to the runDisney Half Marathon Event Guide.

If you are not staying at a Disneyland Hotel or within walking distance, parking for all spectators will be located at the Toy Story Parking Lot. Daily parking rates will apply.

Where to Cheer for the Disneyland 5K

Spectator viewing for the Disneyland 5K will be located at the Finish Line only. The Finish Line is located at Pixar Pier in Disney California Adventure Park. This location will be accessible from 5:00am-6:15am via the gate between World of Disney (Downtown Disney) and Earl of Sandwich

Where to Cheer for the Disneyland 10K

Spectator viewing for the Disneyland 10K on the course will be available along Harbor Blvd and along Katella Ave. Spectators can also cheer on their athletes in the Esplanade, between the entrances of Disney California Adventure Park and Disneyland Park.

Finish Line viewing will be available within the Manchester Cast Member Parking Lot. This lot will be accessible starting at 3:30am through the conclusion of the event. 

Where Can You Cheer for the Disneyland Half Marathon?

Spectator Viewing for the Disneyland Half Marathon on the course will be available along Harbor Blvd and along Katella Ave. Spectators can also cheer on their athletes in the Esplanade, between the entrances of Disney California Adventure Park and Disneyland Park.

Spectator Viewing will also be available along the course on the City Streets of Anaheim. Please be mindful of street closures and possible parking locations when planning your viewing locations.

Finish Line Viewing will be available within the Manchester Cast Member Parking Lot. This lot will be accessible starting at 3:30am through the conclusion of the event. 

2024 Walt Disney World Marathon Spectator Locations

Disney has provided great graphics for spectator locations for Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend 2024 in the digital guide. 

Here are the best places to cheer for Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend 2024. 

2024 Walt Disney World 5K Spectator Locations

LOCATION	TIME	DETAILS
Start – EPCOT Rocket Parking Lot	5:00 a.m. – 6:00 a.m.	Accessible via EPCOT Rocket Parking Lot
Finish – Epcot Eve Parking Lot	5:15 a.m. – 7:30 a.m.	Accessible via EPCOT Eve Parking Lot

2024 Walt Disney World 10K Spectator Locations

LOCATION	TIME	DETAILS
Start – Epcot Explore Parking Lot	5:00 a.m. – 6:00 a.m.	Accessible via Epcot Rocket Parking Lot
Finish –Epcot Imagine Parking Lot	5:30 a.m. – 7:45 a.m.	Accessible via Epcot Eve Parking Lot

For the 10K you can also spectate around the BoardWalk area if you’re a guest there or can get transportation there.

2024 Walt Disney World Half Marathon Spectator Locations

LOCATION	TIME	DETAILS
Start – EPCOT Rocket Parking Lot	5:00 a.m. – 6:00 a.m.	Accessible via EPCOT Rocket Parking Lot
Mile 3.7 – Ticket & Transportation Center	5:15 a.m. – 7:15 a.m.	Take monorail from EPCOT to Ticket & Transportation Center or walk from Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort
Mile 4.6 – Disney’s Contemporary Resort	5:15 a.m. – 7:30 a.m.	Accessible to guests staying at Disney’s Contemporary Resort
Mile 5– Magic Kingdom Park- Main Street, U.S.A. Area	5:15 a.m. – 7:45 a.m.	Take monorail from Epcot to Ticket & Transportation Center, exit monorail and walk down ramp, follow overhead signs and take the monorail to Magic Kingdom Park. *Theme park admission ticket not necessary before 7:30 a.m.*
Mile 7 – Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa	5:15 a.m. – 8:00 a.m.	Accessible to guests staying at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa
Finish – EPCOT Eve Parking Lot	5:45 a.m. – 9:45 a.m.	Accessible via EPCOT Eve Parking Lot

2024 Walt Disney World Marathon Spectator Locations

The easiest cheering spots to get to for the Walt Disney World Marathon are the Ticket & Transportation Center and outside Disney’s Hollywood Studios. Talk to your runner and see where they’ll need support the most. 

Give yourself time to get to locations due to road closures and just if you don’t really know where you’re going. When I ran the Walt Disney World marathon, seeing friends cheering for me really lifted my spirits and gave me an extra push.

For the 2023 Walt Disney World Marathon, we cheered from the outside of Hollywood Studios. It was pretty easy to park there and then walk over by the Skyliner. 

runDisney Race Transportation

Check your race guides or with the concierge at your Disney hotel if you’re relying on Disney Transportation to transport you to spectating spots. Sometimes the information gets a little muddled, so take it with a grain of salt. Sometimes transportation will start earlier than listed.

Leave adequate time to get where you are going. Road closures during race times slow things down. Like with everything Disney, sometimes it takes longer to get places than you think, so make sure you leave earlier than you think if you really want to see your runner.

Again, check your Disney hotel for more information on race transportation for your event. 

Make Race Signs for runDisney Races

One of my favorite things about spectating is making runDisney race signs! Since Steve Harvey first made an appearance at a race, we’ve adopted Celebrity Corner and now blow up pictures of celebrities with different sayings.

We like to invoke pop culture to make people laugh! Mariah Carey was a hit. I had to go with motivational and Captain America. There was a shout out to Hamilton fans, and of course, Kevin Bacon. Though some runners wanted real bacon.

We’ve also made signs with current movies and quotes. Barbie was a big hit during Wine and Dine Half Marathon Weekend 2023.

Can You Pass Out Food to Runners on a runDisney Course?

The official answer is no. RunDisney says, “For our runners’ safety, you’re not allowed to hand out any food and/or beverage items to runners or participants along the race course.”

Rules have changed, and spectators can no longer bring food and snacks to give to their runners. It’s a bummer, because we used to bring waters, sodas, and candy for the marathon. My friend, Bonnie, even saved me half an Earl of Sandwich when I ran the Walt Disney World Marathon.

However, for safety reasons, they’ve done away with spectators handing out snacks at runDisney races, but there are still water stations along the course.

If you happen to see your runner along the route and they really need something to finish their race, if they step off the course and see you, you can slip them a snack or beverage. I think they want to avoid people handing items to people they don’t know. 

Have a Meeting Point at the Finish

This map of the reunion area at EPCOT will give you a good idea where you can spectate at the finish line during Springtime Surprise.

Cheering for runDisney races is such a great experience. I know how much it means to have that support on the course. The people you know, the people you don’t know, the strangers, the sense of community as a whole. I love it!

Have a great time and don’t forget to set up a place to meet your runner in the finish line area if that’s where you’ll be meeting again. We usually choose a letter of bag check and meet there.

 

Sometimes it can get crowded at the finish staging area.

Know what your runner is wearing, and have your runner know what you’re wearing. Stand out in the crowd! 

Good luck, runners and spectators. Have a magical race!

Need some cheaper Disney souvenirs after spending all your money on races? Try the Disney Character Warehouse outlets to save some money for your Disney trip! Sometimes they have old runDisney merchandise there.