Preparing the ol' body for a Disney vacation

[marabusybee]

In the month leading up to my trip I try to make sure I walk at least 15,000 steps. That's the minimum number I'll do each day on a Disney trip. This past trip I was averaging 20,000 a day so I'll up my prep for my December trip. And I try to get most of those steps from a walk, not a workout, since I find at Disney it is the constant, slow pace and the standing that does me in more than the activity.

 

[andiraye]

We live in NYC and walk pretty much everywhere - we only take our car out if we leave the city. I recently got a pedometer app and discovered that on a typical day I walk between 9000 and 15,000 steps. And NYC in late summer is as hot, humid and airless as it gets! So I'm not worried about the walking for us. If the kids conk out I'll rent a disney stroller.

I am, however, very curious to see how my dad fares! The heat and walking used to get to him back in the 1980s. Maybe I'll suggest he start increasing his walking now! I have a feeling he will be taking more frequent rests than the rest of us. But that's fine with all is us. As long as we are there together.

 

[kmoore7]

Months before WDW last time we started walking everywhere with the kids, well I wheeled. Strength, stamina, and patience are all needed at Disney to keep it an enjoyable trip. We did 5-7 miles per day walking/rolling, and will do similar for this trip. We're not really used to heat though so I'm a bit unsure how to prepare for that part of it.

I have worked outside all my life, and I don't think "preparing for the heat" is possible. You just roll with it. No pun intended

 

[Tomh]

I'm 45, and pooh sized lol. We travel in August. Generally around the end of the school year (late June here) I make DS start going on daily walks with me, often 2 miles or more, and we try to fit in some bike riding too. Usually, that gets me about as ready as my fat but is capable of for the trip

 

[Glittercat]

My doc recently recommended vitamin D for fatigue. She said there is increasingly more research citing D deficiency as a cause of fatigue

Worth looking into for sure, for bringing this up. D deficiency is common up here in the Pacific Northwest.

Maybe I'll suggest he start increasing his walking now! I have a feeling he will be taking more frequent rests than the rest of us. But that's fine with all is us. As long as we are there together.

What a terrific attitude you have!

I don't think "preparing for the heat" is possible. You just roll with it. No pun intended

Good point, and it still made me laugh!

 

[DisneyGuy]

Walk as much as you can....our last trip was 7 days, and in that time we walked 71 miles. I wore my tracker because I was curious to see exactly how much we walk. Of course, I'm crazy when I'm at Disney - i don't stop much.

 

[dkrauss]

Months before WDW last time we started walking everywhere with the kids, well I wheeled. Strength, stamina, and patience are all needed at Disney to keep it an enjoyable trip. We did 5-7 miles per day walking/rolling, and will do similar for this trip. We're not really used to heat though so I'm a bit unsure how to prepare for that part of it.

The 3 words I've highlighted are the key........strength and stamina are a must.......you will walk...and walk.....and walk........and walk. Prepare for that............new shoes? Only if they can be broken in by trip time.......otherwise go with what you've got. Hydrate.......get use to drinking water! Rest........make sure you get your rest before the trip.........and be sure to rest during the trip, especially if you're older My wife and I are 50+ and we always take an afternoon break..........its a way to be ready for the 2nd half of the day!

Patience is the key to all successful WDW vacations. Put yourself in the best position to do what you want. Don't try to do it all............that's a sure fire way to make the trip stressful.........and stress with wear you out!!! The best thing we can do is not let the small stuff get to us. Make your daily plan manageable. Take your time and your Disney vacation will be MAGICAL!!!

Have a great trip

Doug

 

[Glittercat]

you will walk...and walk.....and walk........and walk.

Well I'm a wheeled mermaid so I won't be walking. My family are Walkers though!

My wife and I are 50+ and we always take an afternoon break..........its a way to be ready for the 2nd half of the day!

This seems a very sound idea! I think we may try this a least a few days for our next trip!

Patience is the key to all successful WDW vacations. Put yourself in the best position to do what you want. Don't try to do it all

Have to say I really like your perspective!

Take your time and your Disney vacation will be MAGICAL!!!

Well said!

 

[Parker Clan]

We've done Disney in mid August four years in a row, this August is our fifth so we feel like we got the heat thing down. In addition to my regular work outs, we take walks in the summer and we have some really hilly roads here so it definitely builds stamina! Bringing two pairs of sneaks at least. Once there.. We always take a mid afternoon break by the pool/nap. For the parks we bring plenty of water and at least one gatorade, plus some salty snacks. There's been a couple times I felt like I was going to pass out so I've learned the drinks/snacks are key! And because we always do Universal too for 2 days we scheduled a "break day" this year in between Universal & Dis & are staying at the Hilton Orlando with a lazy river!! I'll be hanging there alllll day resting my legs/feet for Disney!

 

[abarriger]

Before our first trip, I was very worried about Disney fitness (we schedule every second-- breaks are for the weak in my view!) In the weeks leading up to the trip, I convinced my gf we had to build up "Disney legs." We practiced by walking super long distances in the heat, at my urging.

But on the actual trip... It was fine. I wear a Fitbit, and on a good day for me (meaning an active day at work playing with my students and working out) I hit 24,000 steps easily. On our day of crazy insanity at the Magic kingdom- from morning EMH to park close-- we only walked 19,000 steps. So an active day, but nothing extreme. There's a lot of walking, sure, but also lots of sitting on attractions in between. I'm not making us "train" this year. Just a good night's sleep before we start.

 

[Aerinha]

The most important thing I should do and often neglect is to stretch before I leave my room and when I get back at night. I really should at night too, before the frigid AC makes my overused muscles tighten up even more.

I also only wear FitFlops in the parks. They have great support for my flat feet and when the heat makes me swell (I am a champion sweller), they stretch to still fit. My feet get way too hot and too puffy to stand having sneakers on.

 

[ArwenMarie]

However, I wasn't prepared for how much necessary walking there was. Just the walk from the buses to the entrance to the parks was a struggle after a while. Getting to World Showcase from Epcot's entrance was far worse. I wore myself out very quickly. It was my 10th trip there, but I just didn't remember how long it took to get from place to place.

Epcot can be brutal. It's just huge or it feels huge or something. I can be doing great all week and then Epcot is the park that almost kills me.

I have worked outside all my life, and I don't think "preparing for the heat" is possible. You just roll with it. No pun intended

Probably the reason that so much of the world developed the afternoon break!

 

[Superchikk]

We take extra vitamin D and C. Vitamin D plays an important part in your immune system - and is as important as vitamin C. I get proper dosages for my kids from our pediatrician (usually by age/weight), and she helps me decide what my husband and I should take. She's a fellow Disney lover, so she knows how important it is to stay healthy while there!

We also try to fit in family walks, etc. to help build stamina, mostly for the kids. (They're 4 and almost 8.) I also take them all kinds of places beforehand and we "practice" walking together in different formations - side-by-side, single file, etc. It's one thing to navigate through a store together, but something completely different to manage to get out of MK after fireworks!

We also practice what to do if they get separated from my husband or me. They have ID bracelets and I remind them how to find a CM to help them get back to us. We also go over other safety measures so they're fresh in their minds.

Also, things like wearing shoes that are well broken in. And I make sure the kids aren't just about to grow out of those shoes! Remember that their feet will swell with walking & heat too, so if they're close to growing out of them, I'll go ahead and buy new shoes for them in enough time to get them broken in.

I agree with another poster about soaking your feet in cold water in the evenings. I didn't go as far as putting ice in the tub, but putting my feet in cold water for 5-10 minutes made me (and my feet) feel SO much better at the end of a long, hot day in the parks.

 

[Simba's Girl]

I have been walking the dog daily. Usually around 3 or so hilly miles.

I practice yoga weekly and find Tadasana (Mountain pose) wonderful for standing and used it constantly when we were there last (2 years ago August) here is a link http://www.yogaoutlet.com/guides/how-to-do-mountain-pose-in-yoga/

I WILL be napping daily on the trip if we plan on being out at night. My RA makes me fatigued and hopefully this will help. Not sure what my family is going to do about napping, can't really make my kids nap at 8,12 and 15 DH might want to nap but I have a feeling he will be hanging with the kids and I'll meet them later.

I am trying to up my water intake...and I'll have to remember to bring some flavor shot things for my kiddos who hate drinking "plain" water.

 

[Xennia]

Do you do anything to prepare yourself physically for a trip to WDW?

I just realized that I have pretty much scheduled myself to be going from 6:30 am until midnight just about every day of our trip. When I was younger, this was no problem. Now, however, I suppose The Old Gray Mare- She Ain't What She Used to Be.

What do you do to get yourself ready to go go go from sunup 'til well after sundown, walking miles and miles every day?

-take multi-vitamins daily
-additional vitamin D
- work out at gym at least 3 days per week
- daily walks

What else?

If you are already on a weekly fitness routine you are set. The only thing is the excitement. It can mentally wear you down. I recommend an afternoon nap to keep up day of.

Relax your feet bring Epsom salt and take a relaxing bath every night.

 

[Dreamscome2ru]

Thank you all for inspiring me. I've finally reached the point where fitness is a priority in my life. "Training for Disney" is a fun way to keep me motivated to step it up a level. I would love to enjoy a vacation without the distraction of pushing past sciatic and bursitis pain.

 

[csm101]

Just keep on swimming, Honest there's nothing really you can do. Dont over do it the first few days, get rest and sleep. Listen to your body, stay hydrated!!!!

Enjoy!!

 

[kj2mom]

Curious why the Vitamin D as a Disney prep?

My doc recently recommended vitamin D for fatigue. She said there is increasingly more research citing D deficiency as a cause of fatigue.

Yes, helps with energy level and also important for the immune system! Many people are deficient and do not know it!