The over 40 Disney Crowd

[RedHeadedFairy]

I can't agree enough with YOGA YOGA YOGA!

Like another poster mentioned, even just a couple of classes can make a big difference - especially for all of the standing around.

I had DD at 30 and had horrid pain in my back after getting my epidural during delivery..... 6 months later I joined a basic yoga class just on a whim & in 4 classes the pain disappeared & never returned. I was SOLD on the practice & it's been a part of my everyday life ever since.

 

[Duchie]

We went last month, which was the first time we'd been back in 2 years. I have to say that right now, I"m more fit than I've been in years (regularly work out 4-5 days per week, lost a bunch of weight, etc.) We were walking at night as a family, as often as school and work schedules would allow.

And with all of that - my legs, feet and back were killing me.

The culprit I believe was my shoes. I wanted to try sandals for the first time, rather than the sneakers I normally wear. I made sure to buy a brand reported to be very supportive, people wear them all day long with no problem, etc. And they were good for that before we left. But they just didn't work for all the walking there. I switched to my sneakers after the first day but it took a couple of days to recover. I will say that beers in the hot tub helped tremendously!

DH also had issues. His shoes were were starting to wear out but he thought they'd be fine for the trip. Well, they weren't. He was MISERABLE. I finally went and picked him up a new pair and he was fine for the rest of the trip.

So I think it all comes down to shoes- get the right ones and you'll be good. I like the idea of the inserts, might have to try that the next time.

 

[powellrj]

I am reading this with envy, I wish I could do even part of the things I use to do 20 years ago! I know when people look at me they think if she would just exercise more she could be more active, get out and walk, do cardio... What they don't see is the head-on collision that has left me almost in a wheelchair most times. I can use a cane for a short distance, but to be honest, most times it easier to just not go anymore. While I do know many people who do just need to move more, but for many of us, its not that easy!

 

[ToyStory3]

We've been going since we were little and there was a strict rule in our family. Before we left for the parks our parents checked to make sure every one of us had on good tennis shoes and socks. There were no other options. My dad's a Chiropractor and he refused to let us wear any type of sandals or flip flops. Now I still have the same rule for my family. I'm always stunned to see some of the shoes and sandals that people wear. I don't know how they can walk out of the parks at night. However, I've heard that crocs are very easy on your feet. I've never had a pair but would be interested in trying them.

 

[LMN]

We've been going since we were little and there was a strict rule in our family. Before we left for the parks our parents checked to make sure every one of us had on good tennis shoes and socks. There were no other options. My dad's a Chiropractor and he refused to let us wear any type of sandals or flip flops. Now I still have the same rule for my family. I'm always stunned to see some of the shoes and sandals that people wear. I don't know how they can walk out of the parks at night. However, I've heard that crocs are very easy on your feet. I've never had a pair but would be interested in trying them.

ToyStory- definitely try out crocs! I have a pair of croc flip flops that are the most comfortable shoe that I have ever worn! I wear them all the time- especially at DisneyWorld! I can walk as much as I want and do not get blisters or have foot/back pain. And I am 100lbs overweight! (Am working on getting down to my ideal weight- joined my gym's weight loss program w/trainer and learning to eat healthy and get the nutrition I need instead of filling up on mostly junk). My first trip to WDW I wore my everyday tennis shoes and my feet and back were hurting by end of day 2. Plus, I find that my feet are cooler in the crocs and that helps too.

 

[BuckeyeBama]

We've been going since we were little and there was a strict rule in our family. Before we left for the parks our parents checked to make sure every one of us had on good tennis shoes and socks. There were no other options. My dad's a Chiropractor and he refused to let us wear any type of sandals or flip flops. Now I still have the same rule for my family. I'm always stunned to see some of the shoes and sandals that people wear. I don't know how they can walk out of the parks at night. However, I've heard that crocs are very easy on your feet. I've never had a pair but would be interested in trying them.

We did this when our children were small, but they are both teens now. My philosophy for older children is simply - your decision, but you deal with the consequences. If my boys want to wear sandals to MK, be my guest - but I don't want to hear about their feet hurting. Not a word.

 

[lustergirl]

For me I believe it has to do with two things:

Stamina and a great pair of shoes.

I am overweight but have been working on that. I exercise all the time and walk alot as well. Also I love to wear crocs in the parks and I find that this helps alot!! My feet and legs become exhausted after a day in the parks.

Not set plans currently but I am thinking of going this fall. I have already started to up my walking to help my leg muscles tone up. Couple that with a great pair of shoes and I am all set for my disney trip

 

[DizBelle]

I don't know if this is the right place to post this; I do know there is an Disney World thread for adults, but I'm not really talking about activities, I'm talking about pain! LOL

My first trip to WDW I was 26 it was a breeze. This trip I'm 43. I went to WDW 2 years ago when I was 41 and it almost killed me! Throw in the fact that I was out of shape. Not really over-weight by much, but definitely out of shape.

To prepare for this trip, over the last few weeks, I've been trying SEVERAL pairs of shoes. So far I have them narrowed down to Brooks Glycerin and New Balance 880. Good lightweight shoes that have decent cushioning. Also, I've been wearing Wright socks for about a decade. Those socks are double lined so as to cut down on blisters.

Anyway, last trip, no blisters but my feet and back were killing me! I guess it's the downside to getting older. It's funny, I have now become what I used to make fun of when I was young.... "Ain't no way I'm going to be like my parents"! - "Wow, look at that old guy... I'm NEVER going to be that old!". I wish I could travel back in time and slap myself upside the head.

Anyway, does anyone have good tips for people going to Disney that are over 40? I've thought about grabbing some Epsom salt and soaking my feet every night. I've never done that, so I don't know if it works that great.

I have been walking 3 miles a day in my neighborhood for the last couple of weeks (I have 2 more weeks until we leave for the Mouse House), I'm hoping that walking in the evening helps, but I don't know how much it will. I just got back from my walk a few minutes ago and I'm beat! Maybe I should've started walking last December.

Also, with walking in the evenings (about a month out), I know isn't representative of how my days will be spent at WDW. After all, the time will be longer, the distance will be farther, and we'll spend a lot of time standing.

Anyone start walking in preparation for the trip? And did it help?

I figure advil will help, but any other tips would be appreciated!

#1 tip I can offer - get in shape.....

I went to WDW in my 20s and have been going every year. I am now 43 and I could say that I am actually in no more pain now than I was in my 20s.

This is not a result of your age (in your 40s which is still pretty young). It's a result of how you take care of yourself.

 

[Gamegrl1]

Re: the OP...I feel ya...age catches up to us all even when you're like me and exercise regularly and eat right (I'm talking daily walks, gym, bike riding as well as other activities like occasional hiking, skiing, kayaking, etc.)

I'm not 40 yet but will be when we go next January! (if that gives you a hint!) I've taken very good care of myself but the doc told me I have degenerative arthritis in my back...he said it's just a sign of aging (deep sigh). Plus I had bunion surgery 9 months ago and had to do crutches and then a cane. That was genetic...not the fault of wearing high heels (which I barely ever do, being 6ft tall!).

So I agree with the post about using shoe orthotics and having good, supportive shoes! I also agree with the yoga (I do a "beginner" yoga video a couple times a week when I'm not walking or riding my bike). Also for those with back issues - find some back exercises on the internet (or better yet, from your health care provider). You don't want to be riding bumpy rides with those kind of problems. Last time we went to DLR I sat out one coaster because of my back...figured it was safest.

The activity has to be built up gradually, though. I'm training for WDW but for those whose trips are a ways off and you're out of shape, just train slowly and carefully so as not to injure yourself.

I heard on another thread that you can expect to walk an *average* of 8-10 miles a day and sometimes more. That poster included an actual itinerary of their trip and what they'd done each day, where they'd gone, etc., with mileage and it sounded reasonable. So I'm working up to walking that distance and am planning to do that nearly daily (with rest days to let the bod recover, of course!) in the run-up to the trip. I've waited and saved too long to get to WDW and be too tired to enjoy just a basic day (not talking about commando-gotta-see-and-do-everything...that's not my style or plan).

Thanks for the reminder about the ibuprofen. Hmm...sounds like I need to go shoe shopping to have a pair to "swap" on alternate days.

 

[TxRabbit]

I heard on another thread that you can expect to walk an *average* of 8-10 miles a day and sometimes more. That poster included an actual itinerary of their trip and what they'd done each day, where they'd gone, etc., with mileage and it sounded reasonable.

DH and I both wear pedometers as part of a program through his work to earn funds for a health care spending account. We've been on two fast weekend trips to WDW this year and visited 3 parks. The accuracy of the pedometers isn't absolute, but here's what I recorded:

April 7, 2013...Magic Kingdom: 28,412 steps. 12.4 miles
We arrived shortly after park opening and left at park closing.

June 30, 2013...Hollywood Studios: 13,529 steps. 5.9 miles
We arrived shortly after park opening and left in the late afternoon/early evening due to severe storms.

July 1, 2013...Animal Kingdom: 20,890 steps. 9.1 miles.
We arrived for AM EMH and left in the late afternoon/early evening and went to Downtown Disney for dinner.