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

[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!

<font color=#FF9900 font face="Comic Sans MS">Disney World: <font color=purple>12/71 12/72 12/73
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Leaving 5/26/01
All off site

Teresa's Page

 

[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!!!)

 

[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!

Many times as a child
CBR '90 - Honeymoon!
DxL '95
Off Site '96
PO Riverside 5/18- 5/26/01 - Can't Wait

 

[Judy from Boise]

once again Good for all of you !

 

[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.


DDD


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!

'75 off-site
'84 D.D.
'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!!!!

 

[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.