Attn: Runners. Where to run at WDW resorts?

[fairymom]

We will be staying at POFQ next month--the week before my high school son will have his state X-country meet. It will be important that he keeps training while we are there. Where are good places to run at the different resorts or around WDW? We'll have a car so we can drive to other resorts? Is POFQ good for running?

Are the paths around the resorts too crowded for serious running? We've stayed in the EPCOT resort area before and as I recall the sidewalks are usually pretty crowded with walkers, strollers, and bikers. We'd like to find him a safe place where he won't be a menace to others and where he won't be dodging too much foot traffic. He will mostly be running mornings and evenings.

Thanks for your suggestions.

 

[spiceycat]

POFQ and POR are sister resorts and share - so there is plenty of room to run - the path around the lake is nice - but if he feels that is too crowded - then the area behind the resort - close to where you park you cars along those paths

you can take him over to FW for a non-paved surface (they have paved too) - there is plenty of room to run over there - if he is not happy at POFQ.

 

[Disneydenise]

Wwhen you check in to any resort they will give you that resorts running paths. If they are not long enough I would talk to someone at the guest service desk. DH is a mrathon runner and he needs to do distance and we stay at the Poly most times. He has to get a special trail to run on because it is distance he is after.

 

[catheren]

This site should help you.
http://www.wdwig.com/running.htm

 

[GaDisneyDad]

I don't run, but I do walk. I was at the Swan for a conference in June and every morning walked from the Swan to the IG entrance of Epcot and then down to the front entrance of MGM and back to the Swan. It's one big loop and a beautiful view along the water. I don't recall the actual distances, but it seems like it was something around a 45 minute walk for the entire loop, if that gives you any idea.

The path around the river at POR and POFQ is nice too, but a little shorter. I'd recommend early in the morning - it's cooler and less crowded.

 

[2vets]

Hi-

My last trip to WDW, I was about 1/3 way into training for a marathon. I had worked it out so that I only had 2 shorter runs to do while in WDW (3 and 5 miles). I used the paved running path between FW and WL early in the morning (around 6:45 - 7). It was pleasant, shaded, and not crowded at all. One drawback - the path was only about 3/4 mile each way, so I wound up doing a lot of back-and-forth. Funny - I saw many others doing the same thing!! I highly recommend this path - really, there was NO ONE on it!!

Allison

 

[ducklite]

Your in luck. My DH is a marathoner who trains year round. PO is one of his favorite places to run. he particularly likes the path taht runs along the back of the resorts along the canal.

When you check in, ask for a running map (hopefully they still have them). It gives you the running options at the resort with the approximate milage of each.

The other good places to run on property are the path between the poly and the GF, and the BW area (but only in the wee hours of the morning, it gets too crowded after about 8:00am.)

There is no good place to run at the AKL

Anne

 

[princess angel]

HI there!

I am a runner. I ran the WDW marathon last year, and am doing it again this year. Dh and I go to WDW about 4 times a year, so I always run while I am there.
my favorite place to run is at the Epcot resorts. Especially in the early morning, the sunrise, it is just beautiful!! and it isnt crowded at all, just other fellow runners out there!

also, if you're brave enough to go running during the afternoon florida heat, the BW is not crowded duirng the day. you can also go up the MGM walkway, it is wonderful! and never crowded!


have a great time!

Laura

7 days til cruisin on Disney's Magic! 7 night Eastern Caribbean crusie!

 

[Luv2Roam]

on running at WDW:
http://hollyt.customer.jump.net/disneydeads.html

 

[Chip 'n Dale Express]

One thing I would like to add to all the great comments everyone else has had to say...

Please, above all, use common sense when walking, jogging, or running around Property. Please do not use the roadways, as they can be quite dangerous. If you must cross a road, please look both ways, and use a designated cross walk if available. Please be safe, folks!

The reason I state the obvious, is because sometimes people are oblivious to the obvious.

A while ago, I saw a middle-aged couple jogging on Buena Vista Drive, in front of the Caribbean. In fact, I nearly ran them over. For those of you who might not be familliar, BVD is a 45mph highly congested 3+3 lane divided highway type road. VERY busy. I was approaching the corner by the RCES station, and all of a sudden two joggers come jogging around the corner, in the middle of the road! Remember, this is a VERY busy road, and the speed limit is 45, however, I was only going 40. Even still, you can't stop a fully loaded 40ft bus on a dime. My bus screeched to a halt, giving my passengers quite a jolt. What really gets me, is that the man had the audacity to give me a non-Disney gesture, and then hit my bus with his fist, as if to say that I got in *his* way.

Thankfully, no accident was caused, and all my passengers were okay. They witnessed what had happened, and a few jokers in the back commented that I should have run them over.

So once again, folks... walk, jog, run, whatever... have fun, but just please be safe.

 

[Disneydenise]

Iam going to copy the last post. My DH runs in DW and I know that he use to run on the roadways. I made the comment as the years and traffic have increased that the bus drivers must be thrilled to see this little skinny guy stopping traffic. It really is dangerous and distracting to have a person on aa busy highway. That is why they have jogging trails.

 

[2vets]

Laura -

I am JEALOUS!!! I wanna run the WDW marathon!! I am still getting over a nasty stress fracture (bone is healed, but I still have soft tissue pain) from earlier this year, though, so I think I am out of any distance runs in the near future. I am getting to be really good friends with the elliptical trainer at my gym, LOL!

Hope you have a great time in January - maybe I can aim for the 1/2 in 2004!!

Allison

 

[princess angel]

Hi Allison,

don't be too jealous! I ran the WDW marathon last January with a stress fracture in my foot!!!!!!
every step was pain, but I think it made me run faster cause I had to try harder! LOL!
currently, I have shin splints! this has been going on since June! unreal, after 10 yrs of running I get shin splints! and they are BAD!!! worse than the stress fracture!
I rested for a while, but it got ridiculous, now I run through it!
I'm nuts, I know. but being a runner is an addiction, I cant help it!

I'm hoping it gets better, I'm in the middle of finding a new Sports Doctor, and hopefully I'll be good as new for the marathon this Jan. or else I'll be popping about 4 Motrin before the marathon!

Laura

6 days til Dsiney Magic, 7 nigth Eastern Caribbean Cruise!!

 

[2vets]

At least you got your fracture in a NORMAL place!! Mine was distal tibia (near my ankle), almost all the way across. I pronate pretty badly, but I am not heavy, so this was REALLY weird. The doctors kept telling me it was soft tissue...meanwhile, my ankle was the size of a cantaloupe, and I couln't bear weight (much less run) on it. 2 weeks after it happened, someone FINALLY ordered an MRI...then I spent 10 weeks in a cast (including a weeklong cruise vacation). It was so painful that now I am too scared to run - SLOWLY - more than 2.5 miles, which is just not enough for me to feel like I've really done anything! I had to renew my gym membership - BOO!

Poor girl - shin splints are supposed to be AWFUL!!! What in the heck IS it about running? Oh, yeah...endorphins... the worst thing is - my husband just does it to spend time with me, and he NEVER gets hurt or tired. That really gets my goat.

OK, so we'll meet up in 2004...and break ourselves TOGETHER!! Our mantra will be..."I like pain...I LIKE pain...Pain is good..."