Pooh sized, need some Disney walking help

[Minniekins]

Hi! Well, I've got a couple things I'm wondering if some of you can help with. I hope this is an appropriate place to put this thread, I wasn't sure where else to post.

To start off, I'm Pooh sized, 50 yrs oldscared1: ) and definitely feeling it!. I'm going to Disney again with my DD18 in just over 3 weeks! Yay!! But, I'm getting worried again about all the walking! I'm wondering what I can do (in addition to losing weight, which I'm slowly working on again, but I've had zero will power and as always I need more time!) to help with the wear and tear this takes on my feet, ankles and knees. I need something to relieve it, and of course ibuprofen or doesn't really help. By the end of the day I can hardly get up and walk once I finally get to sit on my bed back at the resort, though it's hard throughout the day. My feet usually hurt quite a bit and my ankles usually swell and hurt, and my knees get very stiff. After half a day my knees hurt a lot and when I stand they are stiff and slow to get me moving, which is bad for steps, sitting on a curb, rides, etc. Sometimes I dread every step when I know I have a long way to walk which is really anywhere at WDW, lol! Sometimes I just pray that I can get from one place to another, which is a sad way to walk around my favorite place. I try to stop and sit or at least rest my feet almost anytime I see a spot to do so, lean on something, etc. That is probably the only thing that really saves me. My DD18 does get frustrated with me because I'm so slow walking sometimes or stopping to rest again, though I don't think she understands really as, of course, her feet don't ever seem to hurt or get tired.

I know shoes are important of course, so suggestions would be good. I bring some sneakers and sandals. I have wide feet so that limits choices. The sandals are old and ugly but really most comfy. They are thick soled which really works best at giving support, they are what I wear most of the time at disney and at home except the coldest months. Sneakers are okay sometimes, but I always go back to the sandals. We bought some cute pink Mickey crocs at disney last Nov but after a few hours I started feeling like I would get a blister so I switched back, I don't think they are the answer for me. I'd love to find some new light weight sneakers with a thick sole but don't feel clunky. I've had some new balance and propet(?) but they aren't as great as I thought they might be though I can't expect miracles with shoes I guess, but my sandals really are comfy.

Anyway, anyone else have these problems and been able to find some real answers that really do help a lot? I'd appreciate any answers or suggestions anyone has to help me on our upcoming trip!

 

[IlliniMouse]

I have ankle issues, and my prescription anti inflammatories save me many times. Of course the one day we were at Disney we walked and walked and walked and the next morning no matter what I did, my ankles did not want to bend. I looked like Frankenstein walking around. Luckily for us, that was the day we had planned to go to the water park, so Dh and DS did their thing and I found a place to sit and wait. I think that was the only thinkg that helped that day...sitting it out and stretching my ankles so they would work again. Could you call your doctor and talk about anti inflammatories before you leave?

Band-aid Blister Block (by the band-aids) also saved me. Even with well broken in sandals, I ended up with raw spots. I kept applying the blister block and that worked like a dream.

Do you have any type if itinerary worked out? I'd try to work something out so you're maximizing the time on your feet-not backtracking for something you forgot. Also toss some sit down attraction in there, and that should help.

If all else fails, rent one of the electic scooters. Don't be embarrased by it either. I'd much rather see someone enjoying Disney (cause that's what everyone is there for! ) than being in pain and not being able to soak up the magic. Good luck!

 

[NeverlandClub23]

My Dad is 59, overweight, and for the past 10 years has had knee/ankle problems. I suggested he buy a pair of Merrell walking shoes for our last trip (as that's all I wear when I'm there, they make sandals and sneakers) and he LOVED them. He used to be so tired and sore by 5-6 p.m. but with these shoes and starting to walk before Disney he had zero problems and was able to stay out with the rest of us until 10-11 p.m. and not be cranky He started walking a few months before Disney about 2-3 miles per day. I don't think he lost any weight (which I'm sure would've helped even more) but between the shoes and walking before the trip he was able to handle all of the walking at Disney.

Merrell shoes can be expensive (check on www.shoebuy.com for good prices, they usually have a discount coupon). My Dad is usually the biggest tightwad but he bought a pair and thought they were worth more then he spent (and that's something coming from him! ).

 

[Minniekins]

Thanks very much! I'll have to think about the anti inflamatory drugs, maybe that's a thought. As far as blisters go, last year was the first I didn't get even one blister and I usually get several! I used blister block and Band-aid Advanced Healing Blister. It says at the band-aid site:
"Cushioning gel pad relieves pain while protecting the blister. Waterproof, superior adhesive stays in place for multi-day use. Flexible form conforms to skin for greater fit and comfort. Seals out water, dirt, and germs that can cause infection." The band-aids are sort of oval, like the pressed pennies at disney! I used them to prevent band-aids in the spots I would always get them and they worked great and were even comfy to wear!

I did go to the Merrell shoes site, so thanks for that! There were so many shoes to look at so wasn't sure what to pick, but just started picking some and not any shoes I found were offered in wide size so that won't really work.

Anyone have any more ideas to add?

 

[Raenstoirm]

I live for my Earth Lazars. Whenever I will be walking for long distances I wear those. Since you have odd sized feet, maybe go to earth.us and find a retailer so you can actually try them on. They supposedly burn extra calories, but I just think they prevent pain from the way they are built.

 

[corinnak]

An easy thing to try would be the Dr. Scholl's Gel inserts for your shoes. They can help with the cushioning. Not sure how they'd work with your sandals - probably depends on the model. I always wear walking or running shoes in the parks - we are talking about the potential of walking 10 miles a day, depending on how one tours. I, for one, wouldn't survive in something not designed for an endurance event!

Another thing that has made a huge difference for me between my first WDW trip and my most recent is that I have become regularly active and so it's not such a shock to the system when we are at WDW and suddenly walking miles each day. You don't have a lot of time to build up a base, but even now, it couldhelp you to start a regular walking program or increase the amount you are already walking in preparation for the trip so it's not such a shock to the system that first day.

This is going to sound like a crazy suggestion, but it really will help at the end of a long day. An Ice Bath can work miracles. When you are back in your hotel room, get a bucket of ice. Run yourself a comfortably cool but not cold, shallow bath - enough to cover your legs. Climb in and then add the ice. Soak for maybe 10-15 minutes. It's not super comfortable, but it's not as bad as it sounds either, and it really can take away a lot of the inflammation.

Biofreeze is also amazing for sore feet and muscles.

 

[Minniekins]

I'll have to check out earth lazars, thanks! Never heard of them before, but I'll be looking them up for sure! Okay, well actually I went and checked for earth lazars just now and no wide sizes, though some say they run larger. They look really comfy. How is the arch? I have flat feet and don't like when they put a high arch in, it just makes my feet ache and feel stretched and really tired.

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I've used gel inserts in sneakers, they work ok, though not the miracle workers I wish they were, but they are comfy! Not sure how they would work in the sandals, will have to check it out.

Of course more walking would be a good start, but I'm a bit limited on time right now so I'll have to see how it goes. We do not ever tour commando style at all, usually only one park per day, we stay there with out hopping, or going back and forth to our resort, limiting at least some of the walking. In the past we've only hopped one or two days per nine/ten day trip usually, so this trip we decided to save the money and not hop at all. It is nice to have the option to upgrade if we change our minds, though.

I'll have to think about the ice bath, it does sound bad and can't imagine sitting with my naked butt in tub of ice water, lol! On the other hand it doesn't sound to off the wall as far as effectiveness, to tell you the truth! But, otoh, when it's cold out, my knees stiffen up and hurt and I have to rub them to try to warm them up. This won't make that worse? Also, what's Biofreeze?

Thanks again, guys!

 

[donac]

I found out in June that I have tendinitis in my left ankle due to bunion forming. It was too late plan the bunion surgery for this past summer since we had a 10 day vacation planned that included snorkeling and DW. I did have some heavy duty anti inflamatories from my foot doctor. I also brought a few ziplock bags. If we went back to the hotel to rest I would go to the ice machine and fill up two bags and go back to the room and sit and watch tv while I iced my ankle. It helped that the olympics were on and I could sit and watch that.

Good luck

 

[Minniekins]

Thanks for the luck, I'll need it! I worry a little more each day.I've been losing some weight everyday, maybe by the time we get there it will be between ten and fifteen pounds, but that probably help much. Obviously I should have started much, much sooner and always planned to but just couldn't seem to start myself.

Do you think icing with ziploc ice bags or ice and water bags will work as well as an ice bath I sit in? Visit before last to wdw, I would soak in a hot bath. It worked for the night and a short time the next day, but is that the wrong thing to do, should I not do the hot soak? The ice will do better and last longer?

Btw, I love the olympics and that would have been good for me to sit and watch, too!