How do You get in "shape" for WDW?

[Dawson'sMom]

We will be going down in September. I am currently walking 4 miles a day 6 days a week. Last time we were there I had bad leg cramps on day three. I reallt want to enjoy our time at the parks this year. Just wondering what everybody eles does to prepare for all the walking. Is there any special seceret that will help with legs being so tired?

 

[ZipaDeeDooDah]

Great question, I'm curious too

 

[calena]

I would walk about 30-40 minutes a day. Alternate walk and jog. Also we never did Disney days in a row. We would do a Disney day, pool/relax day, Disney day, pool/relax day. Both times we've gone have been in the winter when my walking here (in Canada) is usualy laxer but I've felt quite unsore both times. Love WDW!
Deb

 

[huey578]

We will be going down in September. I am currently walking 4 miles a day 6 days a week. Last time we were there I had bad leg cramps on day three. I reallt want to enjoy our time at the parks this year. Just wondering what everybody eles does to prepare for all the walking. Is there any special seceret that will help with legs being so tired?

We start walking for about a mile about 90 days prior to our trip. This helps alot once we get to WDW

 

[Dawson'sMom]

Bump!

 

[Laurajean1014]

4 miles, 6 times a week is too much to start. You want to build up to that. Tearing a ligament or muscle will not get you where you want to be.

Try walking 20 minutes for the first week (5 times a week). Then 25 minutes the week thereafter, then 30, 35, 40. When you are standing in line or sitting down, point and flex your feet (which exercises the calf muscles - where pain is usually present when over-doing it).

Don't worry about the mileage, just the minutes. Your building endurance and that will get you far in WDW. There's about 8 weeks between now and your trip. You could be walking for one hour, 5 days a week by then. Now, that's not to say that you should, but you could. An hour of continuous walking will give you 6-7 hours at WDW, easily.

 

[familydisney]

For about two weeks before I leave, I stay up until 5 am, drink a 12-pack of beer every night and get up around noon everyday.

Oops -- I'm sorry that's what I do before I go to Vegas!

For WDW, we walk with our boys (4&7) for 1/2 hour every night. IT'S IMPORTANT FOR THEM TO BUILD UP STAMINA TOO! We are lucky though, because we live at 8,500 feet altitude, so when in Florida, it feels like the air is wet with O2! (wow that's a lot of comma splices)

Other than that, how do you prepare for 16-18 hours of walking, standing, waiting, eating, laughing, loving and joy?

 

[ryley26]

I started running a mile a day to get into shape for an 03 trip. Now 110 lb's later i run 7 miles a day and am training for a marathon. I told my DW look what Mickey's done for me. We usually start walking 1 mile with the kids a day about two months out and work up to four miles by the end.

 

[kath1210]

I don't do anything different. "Round" is a shape, right? Just kidding!

 

[stacy6552]

You sound prepaired to me!

 

[Dawson'sMom]

I did start with one mile on June 5, and now this week I have been able to build up to 4 miles in one hour. I am using the Walk Away the Pounds DVD's. A side note is that I have already lost 17 pounds. I really just want to be able to enjoy the parks without thinking about how many steps is it back to the bus stop. LOL! I have read a few post that talks about a mint leg cream or gel that really helps. Has anyone used these and how did they work for you?

 

[SpectroMagic*o*]

The only thing I do to prepare is break in my sneakers that I'll be wearing well in advance. Then as long as my feet are comfy, I dont mind the walking. Partly because I'm not focused on the "workout" aspect of it. I just think of it as a way to get from this fabulous attraction to that fabulous attraction. Thats all I can think about. As far as my feet hurting, when you walk that much in one day, no matter how comfy your shoes are, your feet are bound to hurt at some point. There's no harm in sitting down and taking a breather. It's almost impossible not to, you gotta relax those tootsies!

 

[MagicMe]

So cool! I used the walk away the pounds videos last year before my trip and I am using them again now (kind of got away from them a little inbetween). It really helped!!! I was able to handle all the walking without any need to sit all the time and no cramps!!! Best time I had since I was in my 20's!

 

[Dawson'sMom]

That makes me feel much better MagicMe I had planned to get up to walking 6 miles a day. This was the amount listed in the unoffical guide that you should aim for. I really hope that it works for me!

 

[Dawson'sMom]

bump!

 

[Mickey&Donald]

Gearing up for the parks is a good idea, but remember to STRETCH once you are there! Stretching every evening before you go to bed will help the achy muscles SO much, and really help energize you for the next day's activities.

 

[MinnieM21]

I don't do anything different. In Portland, OR we walk everywhere so I'm used to walking a lot.

My only advice would be that you take a break in the middle of the day and just relax. Even though I'm used to walking a lot, I would get leg cramps too. Then I decided to start taking a break in the middle of the day and I felt so much better. I put on my pajamas and take a nap. I feel so much better after a short nap.

 

[Glendamax]

Currently, I walk about 30mins/3 days a week on the treadmill. I wish that I could walk more days a week like some of you, but I can't seem to squeeze in more days. Between work, and keeping up the house, I can't find the time.

I hope that I will be able to increase the length of time I walk (if not the amount of days) before I go. Any tips are TRULLY welcomed!

I forgot to add that this weekend I bought some tennis shoes from the Nike Factory Outlet in Perryville, MD I have a horrible time finding shoes, so it was great having a variety of styles to choose from. Hopefully I've gotten them in time to broken in before the trip!

 

[Grumpylittlesis]

I have read a few post that talks about a mint leg cream or gel that really helps. Has anyone used these and how did they work for you?

I've used the Dr Scholls cooling peppermint foot lotion, and after a long day on your feet, it really does make your tootsies feel better. It doesn't take away the pain or tiredness completely, but it is very soothing and gives your feet a nice tingly feeling.

 

[PoohGal05]

Does a day long marathon shopping-for-Disney-trip count?