Questions for Pooh size & out of shape people at DW

[dorisdvu]

I am very Pooh size and out of shape (not to mention recovering from a broken shoulder--broke 3 wks ago). I keep being told that I'm going to be miserable at DW and will probably spend most of the vacation in the hotel room because I'm so out of shape. I'll be the first to admit that I'm overweight and out of shape and I know I won't be running a marathon at DW and I don't plan to spend all day long at the parks, but will it really be that bad? Advice..comments?

 

[olena]

It could be. You really do a lot of walking and if it's hot, it can zap your strength. Don't let the worry ruin your trip before you even make it though. Just enjoy WDW at your own pace.....

 

[pumba]

just say to yourself.......today I want to do splash mt......and then do it.....if you need a wheelchair ....rent one .....it is not that bad.....keep yourself well hydrated and covered with sun screen......and you know what.........go to the water.....to the pools or lounge in the waters of the water parks......you will never see these people again and you are going to have a good time......just one step at a time and one day at a time.....you can have a good time

 

[SoonerKate]

If you've still got 26 days before your trip, I would start getting out and walking every day now. It's amazing how much you walk at WDW, and the better prepared you are for it, the better you'll feel when you're down there.

Really, it won't be too much of an issue, but it's always good to have a little head start, right?

 

[TheOtherVillainess]

I was going to say the same thng...start walking now. Even if it's just trekking around the local mall, walk walk walk.

Plus..with all that walking you do pre-trip, you'll lose a few pounds and feel better about yourself.


TOV

 

[Dan Murphy]

As said above, Doris, start walking a bit. You do walk a lot at WDW, but it is a fun walk, LOL. This might be of help also. http://allearsnet.com/tp/ridsiz.htm

 

[CookieGVB]

It's a lot of walking, but there are plenty of places to rest along the way (including the rides)

Don't let someone else defeat you before you even get there. Do try and start walking a bit before you leave - make sure you have comfortable shoes/walking sandals (I swear by my Tevas). March shouldn't be all that hot, so it should be very manageable for you.

Enjoy your trip.

 

[KathyTX]

Doris,

You'll have a great time, even if you wind up having to take things a little slower that some would!

Another place where you can get some great ideas would be the WISH board here on the DIS.

WISH is We're Inspired to Stay Healthy... we have lots of folks who have visited WDW while Pooh sized, and I know they'll have lots of tips for you. And they'll tell you how much FUN you can have at any size!

 

[hercamore]

Hi, you can do it. Be sure you have some good walking shoes and break them in now. lGet your leg muscles in shape by walking every day now. Figure out how to keep stress off your shoulder At DW while carrying around your essentials. Maybe a waistpack would work.the best. Carry water. Eat lightly. Heavy meals at WDW can sap your energy.

You willl have lotsa fun.

herc..

 

[Lewski709]

I'm carrying an extra 50lbs from a baby a year ago. Hello, time for me to get going. Please, go and enjoy. Take a rest if you need to, but for God's sake, don't let those people keep you in the room. In fact, maybe you shouldn't go with them at all and go on your own so you can enjoy it at your own pace. I did fine. You can too and the only ride I was uncomfortable on was in Dinoland USA at Animal Kingdom. They crammed 4 adults in the swirling roller coaster type deal. We were all uncomfortable and two sit next to one another before it divides. None of us were huge either, but I am 70lbs overweight and 50lbs over my comfort area.

 

[dorisdvu]

Thanks for the advice guys. I plan to start walking. I actually had planned to do this at the beginning of the year, but I had a bout of sciatica and by the time I got over that, I broke my shoulder and hurt my knee. Knee is finally better.

 

[pirateofthecarolinas]

Doris, you are going to have a great time at WDW. I can't believe someone actually told you that you will be miserable. When I was overweight I got some very good advice from someone. She said, "don't stop living your life because you are heavy. Think of yourself as an average size person." This gave me the courage to be more active with my children. If they went swimming, I went in the water too. I started doing things that I had given up when I had gained weight from having children.

Do like everyone said and start walking. Every little bit will help. Do WDW at your own pace. ENJOY YOURSELF, YOU DESERVE IT!

Lori

 

[WDWLVR]

The wonderful thing about WDW is you will see people of all shapes and sizes. All there to have fun!

I agree with starting to walk now because there is a lot of walking involved!

Don't try to do everything! We usually head out to the parks early, then back to the hotel mid-day, and then to a different park for late afternoon or evening.

Pick 4-5 things which are a must do for you in each park and let that be your main focus. If you have the time and energy then do more!

Most of all don't let others ruin your good time. The link Dan gave you is a great one.

Enjoy!

 

[Micca]

WDW is for everybody, so don't sweat that. I also recommend doing some walking before your trip. It doesn't have to be power walking, just getting outside and moving around. Long walks are unavoidable at WDW(unless you're in a wheelchair). Sometimes it's a hike just to get to your room at the resort. Anything you can do to limber up just a bit will work in your favor. You WILL have a good time. It's a vacation, not an endurance test

 

[2bemarried]

I completely agree with everyone else. Walk, walk, walk. My husband and I are very out of shape too. I have bad ankles that turn in and they were aching by the end of the first day but the more I walked..the easier it got. Felt more alive and healthy that whole week than any other time. Just remember to wear comfortable shoes and take breaks when you need them. You'll have a fabulous time!!!

 

[noel]

As someone who is also Pooh sized, I will be honest with you about my last trip to WDW in November 2003.

I did have an absoultely wonderful time and still would have gone knowing what I know now - after all it is Disney World!!!


DH and I have been to WDW 9 times and as the years have gone by, I've been a heavier size on each trip and we were both at are largest on this last one.

With that said, I was still very uncomfortable after the first 2 of my 8 days at WDW. I got more blisters than usual, was tired and very sore - more so than on any other trip. Besides it being unseasonably hot for November, I can only attribute my discomfort mostly to my weight, especially since my shoes hadn't ever given me blisters before. (although wearing a 2nd pair of socks did help prevent more blisters) I did spend more time resting than usual, but then again we were there for 8 days and could take our time in the theme parks.

Towards the end of our trip DH and I both agreed that for our 10th Anniversary trip to WDW in Jan of '05 we'd both like to be the same weight we were on our hunnymoon, or at least a lot closer to it. As you can see from my clipart - I'm already well on my way to my goal!

I am not trying to scare you Doris, I just wanted to be honest since I've shared your same concerns before.
You still will have a great time, I just wanted to share what happened on my last trip so you know what might happen.

Take your time in the parks if you can, drink lots of water or liquids, if you haven't already started - break in your shoes NOW, buy moleskin for blisters and have some sort of anti inflammatory on hand like Advil in case you get achy.

Have a magical time!

 

[gdulaney]

Doris,
I agree...start walking now. If you have a nearby mall, you may be able to walk indoors (many malls having "walking clubs" that enable you to enter the mall before it officially opens). You'd be surprised at how far you'll really walk while at Disney.

Here are a few tips:
- Take extra socks! If your feet start sweating or get wet, you'll be happy for the dry socks, which will help minimize blisters.

- Pack a very small first aid kit... something as simple as band-aids and antibacterial ointment. While you can visit the nurse, it's usually more convenient to sit down and take care of blisters asap.

- Don't laugh...but if your legs rub, be careful of chafing!!! You may want to wear longer shorts than normal, or take some gauze pads. If you're sweating and doing a lot of walking, you could get blisters between your thighs)...now, quit laughing!! I know folks who've had this happen and apparently is quite painful (and who wants to ask the nurse to put band-aids there?).

- Make sure you carry a water bottle! The stands are great about giving you ice and you'll enjoy the lovely icy cold water (it tastes great and feels good to splash on your face)...speaking of drinking...you may want to steer clear of sodas.

- Wear a hat... just keeping a cool head (tempature-wise and otherwise ) is a big help.

- If you're staying at the Park, don't feel bad about taking a noon-day break...head to a water park, the hotel pool, or back to the room. A quick, cool shower does wonders! You'll be refreshed for round two.

- Remember that the folks who are telling you that you're gonna fail are probably just green with envy (who is going and who is staying home???).

I hope you and your family have a wonderful time!!!

Ginny

 

[SeaSpray]

I'm somewhat out of shape and, overweight, yet when I get to Disney World, the adrenaline flows and I could run ALL day through the parks Same thing when DH and I went on a cruise last summer. You don't want to over do it and hurt yourself or get dehydrated or anything like that, but you WILL have a great time. I can't believe someone told you that you'd have spend most of your time in your hotel room Unless you can't get around now in your everyday life, you will be just fine at Disney World!!

P.S. Before our trip in May 2001 I had read a good tip on these boards. It said to change your socks half way through the day. I made ALL of us do this, including DH and DSs, and none of us got blisters at all.

I hope you have a wonderful trip!!!

 

[Boots]

I think you will have a wonderful time! I am a Pooh and so is my son in law and we have had great times. I can't wait until my grand daughter is a little older than 10 days to make her a WDW baby!!! I actually have fewer blisters with sandals than I do with tennis shoes. I am extremely clumsy and have more trouble with the rides that don't stop to let you get on than I do anything else. But actually I don't think it would matter how much I weighed! I would still have a problem with rides that don't stop!!!

 

[hockeymom7691]

Doris,

Don't let anyone discourage you and ruin your trip. My mother & I are both Pooh size and we went to WDW in December. We had an absolute blast! I never felt uncomfortable about my weight there and that's a new one for me!

I got a good pair of walking sneakers (mine are Nike) and broke them in a couple of weeks before hand and was just fine.

There are many places to rest along the way, so take your time, relax on a ride and have fun!!!

It you get there and it's too much walking you can always rent a ECV. My mom did that and it worked out well.

Enjoy!