How do you "train" for WDW? Here's what we do...

[cdet]

My family and I have been walking several times a week to increase our stamina while at WDW. We'll be there in 11 day! I'm hoping this will help the kids (7 & 10) to be able to keep up with the walking. Our walks have been something everyone looks forward to even though at first there was resistance from the "troops". Part of the fun is having mini races around the block. We also have fun with follow the leader. We have some silly moves. Hopefully the neighbors aren't looking out the window! I'm hoping this will help the kids and dh and I enjoy our touring with a minimum of piggy back rides.

[DisneyJedi]

My fiance and I are 'training' also for our honeymoon Disney-world getaway. We've been walking around the mall about every day. We figure something of a sale might catch our eye for something we could use anyway, so it serves a dual purpose. Additionally I am doing squat thrusts and other excercises from those woman's magazines that my wife-to-be leaves around. They are harder than they look. I hope to be in good shape by early May and ready to walk all day without killing myself. :)

[bigmickeymike]

It's a good idea to get into shape to visit WDW.

Here's my WDW Workout plan:

First I must say that training for a WDW vacation can not be done overnight. You MUST begin several YEARS in advance of your visit, in order to get the most enjoyment from your visit.

It is essential that your training incorporates both cardio-vascular and strenght training.
A general "wellness" modular will also benefit your trip.

1) My wellness training focuses on yoga & meditation. Your ability to center your focus in your mind, and close off your surrounding environment will prove valuable as you spend countless hours waiting in lines to see attractions and jump on rides. Avoid "fastpass", this is a shallow and short sighted distraction to experiencing WDW in it's completeness.

2) Strenght Training is vital to enjoying your holiday at Disney. First, it will require significant upper body strenght to consistently, repeatedly throughtout the day remove your wallet and swipe your credit card at all the various shops & resteraunts. This should not be underestimated. I suggest your exerices for this should included shugs & lateral rows.

3) Cardio-vasular Training. This is perhaps the most important, particilarly if you are staying on property. Not only is ALOT of walking required within the parks, but, only the healthiest of heart muscles can endure seeing the bill when you go to check-out!


Seriously, doing what your doing is a great idea!
Have a great vacation! ;)

[DebbieP]

Just getting out there and walking is good in general but probably gets everyone in the Disney spirit as well.

DebbieP
"

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[Judy from Boise]

I so admire you and your family ! It breaks my heart when parents don't use a trip to WDW to promote healthy exercise. I am holding my tongue even though i want to go into my stroller rant ;)

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[MaryT]

My friends make fun of me for my pre-Disney trip 'get in shape walks'! Now I feel better that I am not the only one!

[worm761]

i am planning to get my son, 5 yrs old, to start walking with me just so he is used to walking more when we go. my boyfriend thinks i am nuts. i just dont want to put him in a stroller, i think he is too old for them. i am just glad to see i am NOT crazy!!

angela

7/01-offsite

[padams]

I can hardly wait to tell DH that we're not the only ones who physically "prepare" for WDW. We take the DSs 3 and 5 for "hikes" around our hilly neighborhood.

[ChisJo]

I am pretty lucky I guess. I am a waitress in a very busy place, so I guess I work out everyday at work for at least 8 hours. It's also a great way to save change!!

Joline

[DeDixie]

What a fresh thread !

We also prepare for our grand Disney adventures by walking. It especially helped when our girls were 5 and 7. They we so used to walking that we never had to rent a stroller. The only time my dh carried my 5 yr old was coming out from Illuminations with the hugh crowd -- oh, and once we went running for a bus.

At the end of the vacation we had a special ice cream treat to celebrate the money we saved not renting a stroller. The 5yr old was so proud - we told her it was her treat to the family. I never thought our walks would matter as much as they did.

As for training for your honeymoom --hmm. LOL

DeDixie

[mrbig129_2000]

We live upstate New York,Cold and snowy. We are going to Disney in May. Started to walk almost everyday after Christmas. Cold or snow we do our best. Only thing we can't do is get use to the heat. We walk 2 miles a day,Our 4 yr. old walks part of the way and wife and I take turns pushing her in the stroller.(Should a breeze pushing the stroller in florida after pushing it in the snow)LOL

[sneetch]

After my workout at the gym I sit in the sauna for about 20 minutes. I figured that this is a good way to prepare myself for the florida weather in may/june.

[wvjules]

My trip to Disney is planned for June. My employer's wellness program just started "Walk 100 miles in a 100 days". So that's what me and my 6 year old are doing. It happened to be great timing. The 100 days ends when we're on vacation.

[TSI_Fan]

I consider my job in retail management to be adequate training. I must walk 5 miles a day dispersed out from walking from various parts of the store to the front, to the stockroom, to a phone, etc.. Also I get my stair-climbing exercise going up and down from the upstairs stockroom.

The only exercise I recommend would be patience.

TSI_Fan
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I miss my Christi-bear. :(

[mummajea]

We just bought a new treadmill to help get us in shape...and we need it. I like that walk 100 miles in 100 days thing. Can you tell me more??? Is it sponsored by someone or just at your work??

Also that suana thing has some apeal since we are going in July!!! I must really love WDW since I REALLY hate heat!!!

[wvjules]

is a program offered each spring by my employer's Wellness Program. You join a team and report your miles weekly with a max of 12/week. If you complete 100 miles you get a t-shirt and if the whole team does it successfully, the we are entered into a drawing for some sort of prize.

I think some larger employers have wellness programs. I work for a hospital so the wellness program here is a big deal. We have a gym, smoking cessation programs, yoga, aerobics, etc. It's either free or minimal cost.

My 6yo old is doing it this year and I told her there are no excuses for me not to walk every evening and she keeps me to it. She says "Mommy, we have to walk, I want a t-shirt"

[Buzzz]

WE live near busch Gardens / Water Country USA in Williamsburg so we get seasons passes. We will go 2 or three time a week as our trip gets closer and make 2 + laps around the park just to get ready for the walking and crowds we are only about 20 min from the park so after work is easy to do. i work 4 day weeks ( 10 Hr days ) so i go every Friday for 4 - 6 hours this works so well that when we took our 16 yr old god daughter last year she ran out of gas way before us HA HA HA. If you have a amusement park near you give this a try

[Emy'sMom]

And when you go on your walks make sure to wear a good pair of walking shoes that will be all broken in by the time of your visit! I did that last year and saved my tooties!

Debbie

[diznegrl]

But remember...no matter how much training you do, the real thing is always different. But there is always a nice escape from the heat and to rest your feet. For instance, if you cant stand your feet anymore, try going into a show or a long boat or train ride. This will give you a little relaxation time and air conditioning or shade. And also, I beilive you do more standing (in line for an attraction) than you do walking. So practice some standing up techniques. Also, it is a good idea to bring a cooler fan. It looks like a waterbottle with a fan at the end. You turn it on and it lightly mists you as it fans you. Great for those hot afternoons!

[jennymouse]

My idea of training is lying in the tanning bed several times before I go!

I've got Vioxx for the pain and agony! :D

jennymouse

[teresajoy]

Pretty funny thread really! I didn't know anyone else tried to get in shape for their Disney trips too! I have been doing stari climbing for about three months. My whole family is going this year, and we are trying to get my sister-in-law to start walking around the block so she won't get tired out. The last time we went, she and my brother actually rented wheelchairs becasue they got so tired! (They were 27 and 29 years old at the time! <IMG WIDTH="15" HEIGHT="15" SRC="/infopop/emoticons/icon_redface.gif" alt="red face"> ) I really wouldn't suggest the wheelchairs!

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[jrgutknecht]

I'm so glad I'm not the only one doing this. We started walking 4 weeks ago for our trip in May. We haven't been doing as much as I'd like because of the persitent SNOW still on the ground until a couple weeks ago.

We're up to 45 minutes (about 2.5 miles)every day and next week start 60 minutes a day.

Hopefully we'll keep it up after the trip too! Maybe I'll just have to schedule another trip for next fall as an incentive!! :)

Wilderness Lodge May '01 (can't WAIT!!!)

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[mattman2k]

We've been talking daily walks around our neighborhood. Every 4th house we stand at neighbors door for 30-45 minutes. When they finally come to the door we yell "Hi Mickey" and leave. I've been getting up early each say trying to get Early Entry into the bathroom.

1996 Bought New House
1997 Local Theme Park
1998 Watched Disney Videos
1999 Painted House
2000 Tent in Backyard
2001 ASMovies !!!

[zoe dog]

Any thoughts on how to "train" for these? We live in a small town in a northern state. The closest mall is an hour away, and it's not even a particularly big one. I'm thinking that it's going to be the heat/humidity and sensory overload that will get us -- any thoughts? (we're going in June and are planning mid-day pool breaks every day)

[bweagle]

We've started taking laps around our local zoo. Nice scenery and a lot of great exercise!

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<center>"I only hope that we don't lose sight of one thing -
that it was all started by a mouse."

[Chicklet]

I have started walking - or chasing - the kids as they ride on their bikes. It gets them the exercise and they don't get bored. They keep me walking very briskly trying to keep up with them. Fringe benefit - lost about 8 lbs. in 2 weeks!! Hope to look good in that bathing suit I haven't had on since last summer - ugh! :eek:

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Many times as a child
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DxL '95
Off Site '96
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[Judy from Boise]

:D once again Good for all of you ! :D

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[dddad]

I'm giving my kids one Disney Dollar for each day they take their "Disney Walk". We started two months before our trip. First month, we're walking one mile each day and 2 or 3 one day per week. Second months, it's two each day and 4 or 5 once a week. I'm not big on bribes, but they want the money for souvenirs.

:cool:
DDD
:cool:

CBR - July 1990
AS Sport - May 2001

[Coll0610]

We try to go walking each day to get ready too. To keep it exciting for my 5 year old, I tell him to walk the way he would walk if we were going to Buzz Lightyear (that's really fast) or to the Haunted Mansion (not his favorite, so it's slower). Sometimes he brings his lightsaber and looks for "icky guys" to defeat. Other times we let him ride his bike.

[wdwnutze]

We've also been walking here. Try for abaout 2 miles a day. I have been oushing the 2y.o. so she'll get used to being in the carriage for extended periods too. I have my 8y.o. rollerblading. It's a good excuse to get the excercise we should be getting anyway! :cool:

'75 off-site
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'89 off-site
'96 CBR
'97 off-site
'99 Poly
next rip 8/01 at Beach Club

[suevee]

We started walking a few weeks ago to prepare for our June trip. I already got blisters!!! Better here than there. I am not giving up!!! Side effect has been I have lost 14 pounds. Disney is healthy!!!

suevee

[SunnyDey]

Walking for me is key! I walk three to five miles a day around my neighborhood in preparation for my trip. I usually start a couple months before my trip. This works great for me!!! Plus, it helps me lose a few extra pounds, which is good, because at WDW I always seem to eat a lot! ;)

[cdet]

We returned yesterday from 8 days at the World. Our kids never complained about all the walking. We did take mid day breaks and that helped revive us all. However last night I slept 10 hours. It's good to be back in my own bed. An added plus, I only gained 1 pound and boy did I eat!

[tink2dw]

GET good shoes! 2 pair,so you can trade off!!! wear them for 3 to 4 months before you leave. I bought Curcuit sandles by Teva, 3 weeks before we left. They were like walking on clouds,which was weird,since I'm use to a thud with each step.But they were too new and rubbed a sore on my ankle bone. SO, get those shoes broken in. The kids,too.
Do endurence walking. YOU don't just walk around the park[in one circle] you walk 3/4 of the one way, then back to do your fastpass, then back to what you were doing,then someone will want to cross to the furthest edge to do their favorite one more time. and when you think your done,It's a mile from the ticket stile's to the front of the parks to catch the tram's, then another long walk to the car.

And get those arms in shape for pushing, you didn't mention your childrens ages,But we saw children as old as ten riding in the big double stollers,with younger siblings. it's best to prepare for it. After running their sox off,THEY get CRANKY. And it's not just the walking!!! the heat and humidity are oppressive!!! And after swimming our DD got swimmers ear,and needed to be pushed in a wheelchair for 2 days.

Now,before that endurence walk drink 2 gallons of water,and 2 big cokes. You will need to strengthen those muscules too,Bathrooms are not in convient areas.

Don't forget to strap on ten pounds of extra weight,to simulate the fanny pack you will need to wear,plus all the kids suveniers,hats,sun screen,wet rain pounchos,water bottles[you can't drink the water in the parks,it's full of sulfer]and cokes,and ice creams you will be juggling!

All the guide books tell you to go LEFT!!
You better practice walking to your LEFT!! Everything in Florida is on the LEFT,practice your Left turns in the car too!!!

You Had better have Family whine practices. So you can steel yourself to the sound your husband whining and the kids whines will go up 2 octives. But don't forget that you will be a whiner,too,so you must practice!!

Snorers will need surgery before you go!! Remember you will be sharing one room[more or less] and after a day in the parks. You will need a full nights rest!!!

Start now telling your no for no appearent reason! this will become clear when you are in the parks.

Start the kids saving all the change in yours and Dad's pockets, this will be training for all the money the kids will drain from your your pockets in the the Magic Kingdom!!

Have a Magical Time!!!!

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[cdet]

are a must. I couldn't believe the footwear I saw last week. Maybe my age is showing but wearing slides, thongs, platform shoes and flimsy sandals just aren't comfortable for all the walking that is done. Bud then I always chose comfort over fashion especially at WDW. And I'm not limping out of the park. I saw one mother wearing flimsy canvas slip ons. She had pushed down the back of the shoe to walk and had very large red raw blisters on the back of her foot. Ouch! I saw other women limping and walking in pain. My $50 walking shoes were all I wore and did a nice job

[KTex]

If you are normally not on your feet all day, then just one full day at The World will just about kill you if you haven't prepared. It only took us one trip to realize that we MUST prepare before going again. The first time out, my feet hurt all the way to my knees. Really, they did. The second trip was so much better because we walked before going.