Anyone Else's Feet and Legs Absolutely KILL Them?

[famsen]

Ok, I've had enough of this. We just returned from 6 great nights at WDW. DH and I are in our early 40s and this has been our second trip to WDW in a little over a month. Every time I go, my feet and legs hurt something fierce! We do much more walking in the parks and around WDW in general than we do in our regular, daily lives. For these last two trips I found a great pair of Sketchers and at least for the first time EVER on any vacation, I had absolutely no blisters.
The downside is that my feet and legs are still aching and painful and we have been back for 3 days.
Is this normal? Am I just getting older? Now grant it, I am not in great shape as I am overweight(but have been working on that and lost 20 pounds since January 1st) and I do not exercise regularly but I get around just fine working, cleaning and shopping and doing my usual errands. I remember that my legs and feet always got sore during our WDW trips. I even remember about 15 years ago just coming back from the parks and filling up the bathtub in our room with hot water just to let my leg muscles relax because they were aching so badly.
But really, is it just me? Does anyone else have this problem? Is there any way to combat this problem other than working out and getting in super great shape to get through all the walking? I can't even begin to imagine how many miles a day one person walks during a 6 day visit to the WDW parks but it HAS to be a lot.

 

[BamaTigger]

Im only 37 and I used to be like that. The pain was awful during and after a WDW trip. My ankles and legs would swell and it was just really bad. I remember one morning, waking up (the day of check out) and i couldnt walk. It took me about 30 minutes of trying to get out of the bed to get up and walk. I was so scared. But I muddled thru and thank gosh we were going home that day. I couldnt of taken another day in WDW with my aches.

But here recently, I was diagnosed with Psoratic arthritis and now Im on 4 meds which require a weekly shot of Enbrel. I have been to WDW 3x since the meds and now I dont hurt.

So the whole time I just chalked it up to having really bad arthritis and not knowing it. Unfortunately, its not curable, but I do have meds.

Maybe you should tell you doc about it...you never know. But I do feel your pain. Its really awful and I hope you feel better!

 

[twokids0204]

Ok, I've had enough of this. We just returned from 6 great nights at WDW. DH and I are in our early 40s and this has been our second trip to WDW in a little over a month. Every time I go, my feet and legs hurt something fierce! We do much more walking in the parks and around WDW in general than we do in our regular, daily lives. For these last two trips I found a great pair of Sketchers and at least for the first time EVER on any vacation, I had absolutely no blisters.
The downside is that my feet and legs are still aching and painful and we have been back for 3 days.
Is this normal? Am I just getting older? Now grant it, I am not in great shape as I am overweight(but have been working on that and lost 20 pounds since January 1st) and I do not exercise regularly but I get around just fine working, cleaning and shopping and doing my usual errands. I remember that my legs and feet always got sore during our WDW trips. I even remember about 15 years ago just coming back from the parks and filling up the bathtub in our room with hot water just to let my leg muscles relax because they were aching so badly.
But really, is it just me? Does anyone else have this problem? Is there any way to combat this problem other than working out and getting in super great shape to get through all the walking? I can't even begin to imagine how many miles a day one person walks during a 6 day visit to the WDW parks but it HAS to be a lot.

I read on here in the past that the average person walks about 12 - 15 miles a day at WDW. That may have something to do with it...

 

[Yngpreacherman]

Ok, I've had enough of this. We just returned from 6 great nights at WDW. DH and I are in our early 40s and this has been our second trip to WDW in a little over a month. Every time I go, my feet and legs hurt something fierce! We do much more walking in the parks and around WDW in general than we do in our regular, daily lives. For these last two trips I found a great pair of Sketchers and at least for the first time EVER on any vacation, I had absolutely no blisters.
The downside is that my feet and legs are still aching and painful and we have been back for 3 days.
Is this normal? Am I just getting older? Now grant it, I am not in great shape as I am overweight(but have been working on that and lost 20 pounds since January 1st) and I do not exercise regularly but I get around just fine working, cleaning and shopping and doing my usual errands. I remember that my legs and feet always got sore during our WDW trips. I even remember about 15 years ago just coming back from the parks and filling up the bathtub in our room with hot water just to let my leg muscles relax because they were aching so badly.
But really, is it just me? Does anyone else have this problem? Is there any way to combat this problem other than working out and getting in super great shape to get through all the walking? I can't even begin to imagine how many miles a day one person walks during a 6 day visit to the WDW parks but it HAS to be a lot.

As much as people talk about daily exercise, truth is, a lot of people do not do it (including myself-trying to change on that more). However, most are very active in their lives (as you seem to be). The amount of walking one does one day at Disney is incredible. This varies a lot, but most will walk at least 5 -8 miles if not more. This is a lot, especially is you are not use to it. One thing I am going to do is about a month or so before I go again start walking everyday to build up endurance.

 

[BLTLDZ]

Might I suggest you try these? My 62 year old aunt with a TERRIBLE back recently went through a relatively painless seven days at the world doing LOTS of walking in these, at the urging of yours truly.

I have always suffered from blisters while at the world, until my last two trips when I was wearing these.

http://www.fitflop.com/

 

[linskypens]

I usually have the bottom of the feet pain associated with pounding on the pavement for 5 miles a day, but this year also experienced pain in my shins so bad that i was going "ow, ow , ow , ow" with every step i took.

 

[Melodious]

Unfortunately you're not alone. My last trip to WDW was in 2006 and I was 22 yo at the time. I have always been athletic and usually walk, bike, and lift weights to stay in shape. EVERY DAY at WDW, my legs and feet hurt fiercely. For me, some of it is standing in line, as the way that a person stands can often be a source of discomfort besides all the walking. I was there with my mom and I can't imagine how she felt when I felt that bad I don't know if there's anything that can be done, unless you want to take up that much walking in your daily life.

 

[SDSorority]

I massage my feet with peppermint lotion at the end of each day (after showering, of course ). It's so cooling and it helps a lot. OH and this trip we're bringing 2 pairs of shoes to mix it up a little bit.

We also train about a month ahead of time to get our 'fast walking' legs revved and ready to go.

 

[famsen]

I usually have the bottom of the feet pain associated with pounding on the pavement for 5 miles a day, but this year also experienced pain in my shins so bad that i was going "ow, ow , ow , ow" with every step i took.

That was exactly my problem this time around. It was (and is still actually) the bottoms of my feet that got the worst of it. I know that carrying around extra body weight for all those miles each day really puts too much stress on all those tiny foot bones and muscles. But I also had the front of the shin muscle aches and pains too.
Even right now as I sit here typing, the bottoms of my feet are having little muscles spasms. My poor tootsies!
I will bring it up to my doctor when I see her in two weeks but I know what she will say; "take off the excess weight and exercise more".

 

[famsen]

I massage my feet with peppermint lotion at the end of each day (after showering, of course ). It's so cooling and it helps a lot. .

We stayed at the Boardwalk and I came thisclose to coughing up the $100 for a reflexology foot massage at the fitness center.
I hate the thought of a stranger touching my feet but I was that desperate for relief!

 

[PIRATEGIRL007]

I dont know if its age or not but mine gets worse most years. Last year we finally found a little more acceptable solution.

I have been going since I was 21 and my feet have killed me every year. About 25 I quit working a part time 10 hour a week job in retail and after that it got worse. I sit all day in my cushy desk chair typing away in the nice cool A/C and my feet just are not used to me being on them all day anymore. I have funny toes that scrunch together and get blisters on my pinkie toe and next to pinkie toe from the scrunching, I didn't have those problems with this rotation. I also found these toe seperater cushion things at walmart you get 2 for $1.50 or so and you put them around your problem toe before putting on your socks. They helped me alot, they are washable and reusable. Last year I started walking in the mid day sun about 30 days before the trip for 30+ minutes at a time. I did it about 3 times a week. It helped a bit. I also started swapping between tennis shoes and foam fit flip flops from adidas. I wore one in the morning and the other in the evening. This gave me support from the tennis shoes and let my poor little toes breath with the flip flops. I also try to stretch out my legs and especially my calves at night for just a few minutes. This was the first time that taking steps on the last day of the trip didn't make me want to scream.

This trip I started a little more agressive walking everyday (ok well 5 out of 7 when its cold I don't go) and started about 60 days out. I need to shape up and lose weight anyway so it works 2 fold. Get endurance for Disney and lose a few lbs. BUT around the first of the year (right as my health insurance took a change for the worst and I turned one year shy of 30) I have started to have knee problems (bad knees run in my family along with a degenerative joint disorder) so I am a little leary of how the whole trip is going to go leg wise. I will (and do) fight thru the pain and keep going but am planning on taking heating pad, ice pack, etc for the room if it starts to flair up & swell. It does seem to help when I walk in the mornings I dont have as bad knee pain so I am hoping that still works when I add another 12+ miles of walking a day.

 

[Chellymouse]

We do a few things to "train" for our vacations, especially since DH and I are both in our 30's and we are in the 12-15 mile a day club when we are at WDW.
We start walking at home at least 3 months before a trip and if the weather is bad, then we go to the local gym that has an indoor track. The last 3 weeks before our trip we spend 2-3 hours an evening (usually 6-8 miles) walking, which could be time better spent doing other things, but it has cut down on the "owies" at WDW. We also spend a small fortune on proper shoes. I hate paying $100 for a good pair of shoes, but it's worth it. We also usually take 2 pairs of shoes apiece and change out when our legs and feet start to tire during the day. We always get a locker, so it's not anything extra to lug around, but not everyone likes to get a locker or lug around extra shoes. I do the peppermint at night after my shower or soak too and that has helped. To prevent blisters, I use the Johnson and Johnson blister pads as prevention. others have used the nu-skin and since I've starting doing that, I haven't had a single blister.

 

[mariepapa]

Oh God yes! Last August the neuroma in my left foot was bothering me so bad in Epcot I could barely move. This time I was much better though. I am overweight, very tall and can outwalk my whole family somehow. But my frickin' feet kill me at the end of the day. I went and soaked them in the jacuzzi at CBR and that helped.

Of course, we get back and I break my leg...luckily it was after the trip!

 

[MHSweb79]

My legs & shins do fine but I do spend every night at WDW with my feet in the hot tub, up against the jets. Aaah
I agree that it's not just the walking, it's the standing that really kills my feet. I also rotate two pairs of shoes (good walking sneakers and a pair of fake Fit-Flops (regular Fit-Flops are way too narrow for my feet) and that helped a lot. Some people recommend popping a couple of Advil at night but I haven't tried this.

 

[lroger01]

A trip to Disney is a great incentive to get into better shape. It doesn't matter if you're regular weight or Pooh weight. Leg strength is leg strength. Get them legs strong enough to carry you! Only at Disney do I envy those that whose job requires them to be on their feet. In fact I suggested to my 16 year old daughter that it might be a good idea to get a fast food job for the summer so she'll be ready for Disney in August! Also consider doing your walk-prep in a pair of those new fitness shoes. They teach you to walk correctly (heel to toe) and the slight instablity is great exercise for your feet and ankles. When you can walk 3 miles in these with no soreness either after the walk or the next day, then they've done their job!

Here are my foot-saving rules when I'm at Disney:

• Don't stand when you can lean on something
• Don't lean when you can sit
• Don't sit when you can sit with your feet up
• Don't sit with your feet up when you can lie down

I'm not an expert, but I heard feet hurt partly due to blood pooling in the legs and feet. So getting your feet up or lying down helps redistribute that blood.

Early in your trip, avoid touring so long that your feet are killing you. There just isn't enough time to recover and the problem will just get worse. Sit as soon as you start "trudging" - when walking becomes an effort. Stay seated until you feel no pain when you get up.

If sitting on the ground/curb bothers you, bring something to sit on (a small traditional mouse pad works) so you can sit anywhere. Take turns waiting in lines so EVERYONE isn't standing. This works best at turnstiles at opening, waiting for ropedrop, buses, food lines, saving parade spots, etc. (or sit in line on your trusty mouse pad).

Use the thin moleskin on hotspots. The padded stuff comes off too easy. If you think a sandle strap will give you trouble, put thin moleskin on the inside of the strap.

Wear two different pairs of shoes. Take your "I bought these just for vacation" new(er) shoes and the pair that they replaced. Switch off daily (if you take a break) or every other day (if you don't). Each pair will shift your weight slightly and put pressure on different spots.

Keep some pain killer with you - whatever kind works best when you have muscle aches. Use it if your feet hurt and you're at the back of a park and need to get "home". DON'T use it so you can get in 2 more rides! You'll pay for that later.

I hope this gives you some ideas for keeping your feet pain-free, it sure has helped me.

 

[autumnpalm]

Fit Flops. Seriously. They're a little pricey but they absolutely save my feet at WDW. I can't tour without them.

 

[happybratpack]

I've had this problem for years, I'd literally be in tears by the end of the night. I wore my Skechers Shape-Ups on Spring Break and they made a world of difference, I think because they have such a huge amount of cushioning.

ITA with the pain meds, take them with you and use them throughout the day.

I'm sure if I dropped some weight and trained for long distance walking more it would help too.

 

[karajeboo]

Same issue here UNTIL I started wearing crocs. My DH fought me so hard when I bought him a pair too but they are the ONLY shoes I can wear and NOT wake up in the morning barely able to stand on my feet. I know they are ugly and I've heard they are not really good for your feet, but they work. I used to buy expensive tennis shoes and wear nice thick socks with them, but every night and the next morning, the bottoms of my feet hurt so bad. Now DH and I both have several pairs just for WDW and any long walking days (theme parks, zoos, etc).

 

[Lowell317]

It makes me happy to read i'm not the only one who "trains" for a DW vacation. My wife and I started training a month ago for our October trip. we start off with 2 miles a day and work our way up to 5-6 a day pre disney. Like others I finally spent the money on new shoes. A nice pair of Merrells have had my crazy flat feet very happy

 

[Zippa D Doodah]

I'm 45 and do OK with the walking at WDW, but sometimes have to pop a couple of Tylenol in the evening. Years ago I wore a pedometer and measured 10+ miles each day at WDW; I'm sure the typical day of walking is pretty much the same still. I walk 4 miles on a treadmill most days here at home so I'm sure that helps.