How do you prepare for Disneyland/

mickey+minnie91

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May 29, 2007
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Having a desk job, I sit most of the day. Im not used to walking alot and have definitely become pooh sized. I have 5 weeks before my upcoming trip. I was wondering what you guys do to help prepare yourself for your vacation!
 
I would start by taking walks in the evening after work or make a point of going for a walk during lunch time (depends on the weather). If you have a step tracker, I would make a step-count-goal and try to meet it every day for the next five weeks.
 
I haven't done it yet but I was thinking along the same lines for our next trip. I'm on my feet a lot during the day but no where near as much walking and, though I don't get sore for the most part from the walking I was thinking it would be easier on me (and even for my son who is very thin and not athletic and tires easily) if we tried out doing a gradually increasing nightly walk. The heat is what makes me want to wait to get started but soon enough I'll start with a nightly half mile and hopefully work up to 2 miles (which is still nothing compared to the amount of walking we do as DL but better than nothing at all).
 
walk walk walk !!! i have my 7 and 5 year old up to walking 5KM with very little complaining !! want them to go more since neither of them get a stroller on our next trip !!!
 

I also have a desk job, I feel you. Bring a pair of sneakers with you to work and walk on lunch breaks if at all possible. Taking a long walk before or after work, or even just on weekends will go a long way to helping build some park stamina as well! Make it a family affair on those after work or weekend walks to get everyone used to walking lots.
 
For me, it's not so much the walking but the standing in lines that gets to me. It's that slow shuffling along, like museum fatigue. I find that I'm OK when I'm actually walking with purpose. Maybe some strength training would also help?
 
For me it's the heat. Last couple of times even though I was used to walking 12K steps a day by the time I left, the heat just wiped me out. Not much you can do to prepare for that.
 
For me it's the heat. Last couple of times even though I was used to walking 12K steps a day by the time I left, the heat just wiped me out. Not much you can do to prepare for that.

Walking is so powerful it adds up quickly :)

For the heat as someone who hates it , Frogg Togg cooling towels saved us this weekend !! Seriously they work and made 100 degree temps bearable with breaks , water and utilizing FP as much as possible. I'm pooh sized too and it was so much better.

Also get good shoes and break them in well before !
 
Everyone has great advice. I just wanted to add that in February on a Saturday at DLR my dd and I walked 32,710 steps so prepare the best that you can.
 
I Have a desk job too and am also Pooh sized. I walk on lunch and also try bringing my lunch like weight watchers smart ones, salads or lean cuisine just to eat lighter before so I don't feel so bad eating all of them Mickey bars :mickeybaror candy from the candy store plus it helps that I don't feel bad after gaining 5 lbs since I just lost 5lbs...lol but I definitely walk every lunch hour.
 
As others have suggested try to get some walking in before your vacation, however if you are unable to just take breaks when you are at the parks (I enjoy people watching at Disneyland). Look for those rides that don't have long wait times and are slow moving rides such as Jungle Cruise, Pirates, Haunted Mansion, etc. Enjoy your trip!
 
In addition to walking and making sure you have comfortable shoes I would do some core strengthening exercises, and stretch your hamstrings, too. It is the standing in line that always gets my lower back.

I would suggest switching out your shoes every so often as well. It helps keep my feet from feeling fatigued. I always bring two comfortable pairs. For me it's Asics and Keen sandals.
 
I'm also a guy who works a lot behind a desk, though not Pooh sized. Ha, that was funny. Anyway, at least 2-3 weeks before our trip, I'll take my kids with me on a mile long walk in the evenings and maybe increase it a bit more after a week. Then about 4-5 days before the trip, I won't do any walking just to let our feet and legs rest a bit before the long trip.

I also start eating smaller breakfasts because I know I'll just be having a breakfast bar or something puny in once I'm at the hotel (which doesn't have breakfast).
 
Thanks everyone for all your suggestions. I have been walking im up to a mile a day thanks to my daughter. I see to lack in motivation. Im trying to figure out what combo of shoes hurt my PF the least. The standing in line is going to be the worst for me unfortunately.
 
Thanks everyone for all your suggestions. I have been walking im up to a mile a day thanks to my daughter. I see to lack in motivation. Im trying to figure out what combo of shoes hurt my PF the least. The standing in line is going to be the worst for me unfortunately.

I have PF as well. As I sit here at the computer, I'm rolling a tennis ball under my foot, stretching out my arches and massaging my heels. I've found that keeping it under the desk and just being in the habit of rolling is helping my PF, as well as the usual stretches recommended by physical therapy.

My podiatrist recommended Abeo walking shoes. They really helped my PF.
 
Having a desk job, I sit most of the day. Im not used to walking alot and have definitely become pooh sized. I have 5 weeks before my upcoming trip. I was wondering what you guys do to help prepare yourself for your vacation!
Pooh size. So cute! We try to increase the # of our walks. But we usually go in winter so that's challenging.
 
I actually don't do anything, and we all still do pretty well. Of course, I live in Phoenix, where daytime walking in the summer is a concept so beyond reality that I can't even comprehend it. We'll be at DLR starting Sunday. I'm not worried.
 
I like to walk with my ipod and play parade and fireworks soundtracks. That might help motivation. I recommend Keens or Vionics for shoes. Awesome arch support!
 








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