Video / Photos: Disneyland Resort Hosts CHOC Walk 2026 in Support of Rady Children's Health

Last Sunday morning, before the sun came up over Southern California, over seven thousand enthusiastic participants gathered at Disneyland Resort for the annual CHOC Walk in the Park 5K charity walk event raising over 2.9 million dollars for Rady Children's Health (formerly the Children's Hospital of Orange County). Laughing Place was on hand for the festivities, and below you can see my photos and videos from CHOC Walk 2026.

In the YouTube video embedded below, you can watch the full 17-minute opening ceremony for CHOC Walk 2026, complete with appearances by Mickey and Minnie Mouse and this year's CHOC Walk ambassador family.

Watch CHOC Walk 2026 opening ceremony at Disneyland:

Earlier that morning around 4:00 AM, spotlights lit up the sky above Disneyland as CHOC Walk participants waited to enter the park.

At 4:45 AM, our media group was led into the park and down Main Street, USA toward the Hub, where the CHOC Walk opening ceremony was set to take place.

Then at 5:00 AM, the CHOC Walk participants were allowed access into Disneyland and flooded down Main Street to grab their spots for the opening ceremony.

Here's a quick video of Mickey and Minnie Mouse celebrating the kickoff of CHOC Walk 2026 after the opening ceremony.

After entering into Adventureland for the first leg of the 5K walk, the first character we encountered was Jasmine from Disney's Aladdin, perched on the second level of the Jungle Cruise queue structure.

Next we spotted Captain Jack Sparrow and Pirate Redd outside of Pirates of the Caribbean in New Orleans Square.

There was a group photo spot along the Rivers of America.

Posing in The Haunted Mansion queue was Sally Slater, AKA Tightrope Girl.

Along the route we passed by live band performances, including at Bayou Country's Country Bear Barbecue Jamboree and Carthay Circle later on when we crossed over into Disney California Adventure.

As we passed through Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge we saw the Mandalorian and Grogu outside Ronto Roasters, plus Rey on the catwalk above Black Spire Station.

Another group photo spot was available in front of Droid Depot on Batuu.

Heading back into Frontierland, we saw Pocahontas next to Big Thunder Mountain Railroad and Woody from Toy Story next to a fiddler on the balcony of the Golden Horseshoe Saloon.

Next our path took us through Sleeping Beauty Castle, and in the social media videos below you can also see our encounter with the JAMMitors in DCA and crossing the finish line later on in Downtown Disney District.

In Fantasyland we saw Peter Pan and Captain Hook next to the King Arthur Carrousel, Pluto on a Disneyland 70th anniversary cavalcade float, and the whole gang from Alice in Wonderland next to the Mad Tea Party.

Then we encountered Stitch outside of the former Innoventions / Star Wars Launch Bay building in Tomorrowland.

As we made our way toward Disneyland's exit, we passed by a water station sponsored by Dasani in Town Square.

The final character we spotted in Disneyland was Minnie Mouse, still wearing her jogging suit, on the ramp that leads up to the Main Street railroad station.

Next it was time to cross over into Disney California Adventure, where we saw Oswald the Lucky Rabbit's girlfriend Ortensia on Buena Vista Street.

Goofy was posing for photos on the Hollywood Backlot Stage in Hollywood Land.

There was another group photo spot next to the Hyperion Theater marquee.

As we passed through Avengers Campus, we spotted Captain America (Steve Rogers), Black Widow, Shang-Chi, and Thor on the balcony of Avengers HQ.

Lightning McQueen, Tow Mater, and Cruz Ramirez were out on the streets in Cars Land.

Here's another group photo spot on Paradise Bay.

In Pixar Pier, Anger from Inside Out was posing in the Pixar Promenade bandshell, but sadly Miguel was not out waiting for the Coco ride to be built. Thankfully we were cheered on by some friendly Disney VoluntEARS in that spot.

There was a special photo spot for Disneyland Resort Magic Key holders next to the Seaside Souvenirs gift shop.

The Disney California Adventure custodial staff added to the fun by drawing Goofy and pluto on the pavement.

Chip 'n' Dale in their Rescue Rangers gear showed up in Grizzly Peak Airfield.

Once we exited Disney California Adventure and made our way through Downtown Disney District, we reached the finish line for the 5K walk at the Downtown Disney LIVE! Stage.

Here are some of the signs that were posted near the finish line. You'll notice Laughing Place on the list of Bronze Sponsors, and our website is always proud to be listed among the supporters of this event.

There were also photo op backdrops available and Choco Bear was on hand to pose for photos with CHOC Walk participants.

The next CHOC Walk in the Park will be held in the summer of 2027. For additional information, be sure to visit CHOC Walk's official website.