Two Disney Resort Fun Runs in One Day!

On Sunday, February 16, 2020, I participated in two fun runs at Walt Disney World! Both races take place on Sunday mornings: The Running of Coronado at Coronado Springs and the Topolino Trot at the Riviera Resort.

Since first introducing fun runs at their resorts back in 2017, Walt Disney World now offers at least 7 regular short races at various resort locations each week. These runs are casual events that are walker-friendly with simple routes and fun swag, including "local" treats (beignets from Port Orleans French Quarter, a magdalena from Coronado), custom pins, medals, and more.

In the summer of 2017 I ran two of these early Disney Resort fun runs: the Beignet Dash at Port Orleans: French Quarter, and the Derby Dash at Saratoga Springs. This past Sunday I was able to run two more offerings on the same morning: The Running of Coronado at Coronado Springs, and the Topolino Trot at the new Riviera Resort.

Before I get into my review of these two runs, here is a summary of what fun runs Walt Disney World resorts offer, as of February 2020. The time listed is when the run begins; registration begins 15-30 minutes before the run and the time can vary month to month. Each run costs $15 plus tax. I check the Resort Experience Guides posted by Orlando Parks News for the most recent guides. Call 407-WDW-PLAY for the latest information and to pre-register. Note that the runs do not take place when there are runDisney events. There will be no fun runs from Feburary 21-23 due to Princess Half Marathon Weekend.

Walt Disney World Resort Fun Runs as of 2/17/20

Currently on hold, the All Star Resorts' All-Stars & Icons Fun Run should resume at the end of March, occurring every other Tuesday.

Fort Wilderness and the Polynesian have offered special 5K runs to celebrate holidays in the past. Fort Wilderness has had races on Easter, Halloween, and Thanksgiving; the Polynesian has offered the Pineapple Dash on July 4th. 

The Running of Coronado at Coronado Springs Resort
Check-in for this race is on the Gran Destino Plaza, behind the new resort tower. The course goes around Lago Dorado and between some of the resort buildings. The course kind of looks like a sideways Mickey head, doesn't it?! Here is the Relive video: Relive the Running of Coronado.

At registration runners receive a blank race bib. We were told to put on any number we wanted. When it came time to run, recreation staff donned cute little bull horn headbands and explained the inspiration behind the theme of the fun run: the Running of the Bulls. The route was well-marked and there were a couple of staff members out on the course to keep everyone moving in the right direction.

At the end of the run we received a commemorative pin and we could pick up a magdalena pastry as a treat at the Barcelona Lounge inside the Gran Destino Tower. Once I was done with this run, it was off to the next one, just down the road.

Topolino Trot at Riviera Resort
Check-in for this race is at the movie lawn outside the new resort. This run is a simple course around Barefoot Bay, mostly through the Caribbean Beach resort which is adjacent to the Riviera.

At registration runners received a nice pre-numbered race bib. We got a course overview and then it was time to run. I got a little bit mixed up when we ran by the lighthouse but I got straightened out myself fairly quickly. There were no directional signs out on the course, but two staff members were out to help us with a couple of turns.

At the end of the run we received a commemorative pin and a shaved ice treat.

These were two cute resort runs from Disney recreation staff and I enjoyed them both. It was fun to get two done on the same day. The Beignet Dash also takes place on Sunday, between these two. Thursday has a pair of runs with the Derby Dash at 8AM followed by the Regatta Run at 9AM, so it may be possible to do multiple fun runs on Thursday, too.