Tips for all the walking, Pooh sized...

[shaun&miranda]

I'm also a pooh-sized person, who struggles with the amount of walking at WDW.

I think there are some really good suggestions in this thread that come under 4 headings:

Footwear/Meds/Timings/Emergencies

For footwear, I know the first couple of times I went to WDW I took my most comfortable sandals and (haha) running shoes! (Which needless to say have never been run in - couldn't run if I tried!) I suffered a lot - I was in tears in Epcot trying to keep up with my DH.

Slowly I realised that my shoes were comfy but not that supportive. They were old, and shaped to my feet, but not giving me the support I needed. My lovely DH took me to the Premium Outlets the next morning to the sports stores (Nike/Reebok/Adidas) and found me some amazing wide-fit cross trainer shoes that had gel pads built into the heel and ball of the foot. They were unbelievably comfortable - and bounced each time I put my foot down, which eased the strain on my knees.

I really recommend getting some new cross trainers with gel insoles and wear them properly - fully laced. If you want to go the sandal route, then Ecco sandals (I think the previous poster is right - Reactor or somesuch) are the best - supportive and totally adjustable to fit even Winnie the Pooh himself

On the Meds, I am from the UK so have different ones to you, but I would take the advice offered by the pharmacists on here, or go to your local pharmacy and talk to the folks in there about what they can recommend. Certainly the pharmacist at my local place in the UK is really helplful and trained to advise people on what might work!

Knee braces (and possibly ankle braces) might also help, but you must get these in the right size - I have difficulty finding the right size sometimes and a badly sized one will only add to your struggles. Icing is really good as it reduces swelling - but it is uncomfortable at first, and may feel like it's getting worse as the ice takes hold, but you do have to stick with it for 20 mins at least to get the full effect. After a few minutes (5-10) it starts to feel numb and a bit better. You'll also need to do this each night as a minimum, maybe each morning too. It is really effective though and worth the discomfort!

On Timings, I think it really is worthwhile planning regular rest breaks, and being up front with your DD about your need to rest. You can be imaginitive about them - but a part of this is down to you talking to your DD. You and she need to understand that there are 2 choices - do EVERYTHING together - when you rest, she rests, in which case she needs to understand your needs and be very supportive of that. The second option is that you do some stuff separately - for example, you take a seat in Sunshine Seasons and rest up in the Land in Epcot, while she queues and goes on Soarin' (as an example - you might want to go on Soarin' too of course! )

I think you need a real heart to heart with her about whether she wants to spend her vacation as time with YOU, at Disney, or instead at DISNEY, with you (where is her emphasis?) You'll find that your body will not negotiate in this way and will be very demanding about when it needs rest!

I also think you do need to have a "backup plan" for what to do if you really are in pain, and I think that you just need to have in the back of your mind the idea you might need to have a full day off - by the pool for example, or to resort to an ECV.

I do wish you luck - I really have so much sympathy with you! For what it's worth, I wear Ecco sandals or my gel-filled cross trainers, I take ibuprofen each day, every third day we have a day resting by the pool, and take everything very, very slowly just ambling around.

Hope you have a wonderful vacation!

Miranda

 

[chrisw127]

Well, I'm getting a little desparate and decided to come to see if anyone has any miracle answers! Yeah, I know it's a little late, and the pounds I'm slowly losing right now won't help much. But I'm looking for some tips to help with all the walking. I tried posting this on another board, and got a couple responses, but still looking for more. We go to wdw next friday!! Yay!! but sometimes I almost am dreading my trip for the walking. Last year every step got to be torture sometimes and I know my DD18 gets annoyed with how slow I am or how often I want to stop to rest my feet/knees. So, I'm looking for tips to help with my feet, ankles, knees. On the other thread, posters suggested ice baths for my knees. Otoh, it sounds okay, but I'm not sure. Plus, cold weather makes my knees ache and get stiff, so it seems that idea may not work too well. I used to try soaking my knees in a hot bath each night, but it only helps for the night and a short time out the door the next day. My ankles swell, and my knees and ankles get very stiff, so hard to keep walking sometimes, or after resting hard to get going, though of course it definitely helps to rest. I wear some thick soled sandals that generally are pretty comfy. Last year I finally went the whole trip with no blisters which was great so got that figured out at least. As for crocs, I bought some of the cute pink mickey crocs at the little stand by Aloha Isle. I wore them a couple hours, but I could tell they were rubbing on my skin, and a bit tight across the foot, so figured blisters would come soon so I haven't worn them since. Plus I have flat feet and don't like shoes with arch cause it makes my feet really hurt. I've read of the tevas and other sandals too, but don't find anything in wide sizes for pooh sized people. And it's not that my shoes are bad, they're generally pretty comfy, but yes my feet sometimes still really hurt plus the ankles and knees are worse, but miracle shoes would be great! Obviously pooh size is the main problem, but my age doesn't help either. And, ecv use is not an option I want to take.

Okay, now that I've complained enough, and rambled on way too much, does anyone, especially pooh sized or know someone who is, have any miracle tips they've used? Thanks to anyone who can help, I'm hopeful some of you may have some great tips!

My good friend is a little big and she had some difficulties in the park, partly because she wasn't wearing the right shoes. Unfortunately, she bought Crocs while there and they bothered her feet even more. My advice, get some good shoes and break them in a little; I think Crocs aren't the best choice for walking all day for anyone. She also only did as much as she wanted to do and then went back to the hotel and rested. There were kids in the group, so we had plenty to do and weren't bothered at all when she decided to go and have a quiet dinner by herself.

Just as important as a good pair of shoes, I would explain your situation to your daughter before you go. She's old enough to understand that not everyone has the energy of an 18-year old and maybe you can find a quiet place to rest while she does something she wants to do. A little break from each other might be good for both of you, as much as you enjoy each other's company.

Have a wonderful time. How lucky you are to have a mother-daughter trip!

 

[chrisw127]

I too am really worried about all the walking on my December Disney trip. I will be 8 months pregant (first baby) and don't quite know what to expect or how my body is going to handle it at that time. This past weekend I was getting a little tired and sore after running errands all day Saturday. One suggestion I have for bad knees are these knee straps that my husband and I use all the time. We both have bad knees from too many years abusing them with sports. I know you can get standard size straps at stores like Dick's, but believe expanded sizes are available if needed. We wore them on our Disney trip last year, and they worked wonders. My knees would feel tired at the end of the day, but never painful or sore. You can see them in the picture below. We had lots of people stop us and ask about them...which was fun too as we made lots of friends and discovered that tons of people have bad knees too!!

Congrats on your first baby! 8 months can be hard, but you'll be fine. Drink lots of water even if you aren't thirsty and enjoy the rest. The GF is so beautiful and relaxing. It may be the last time for a while that you get to sit and just look out at the water, so take your time and enjoy it.

 

[TraceyDisney2008]

I am pooh sized and for our trip in September I used what the doctor calls a cocktail..2 tylenol for the pain and 2 motrin for the swelling, I broke both my feet about 10 years ago and have been taking this since then, the tylenol takes the edge off and the motrin takes care of the swelling...hope this helps.

 

[disneyohbear]

You've received lots of good suggestions but one I don't see mentioned is to alternate your shoes. Make sure both shoes are good supportive shoes that have been broke in before your trip and then wear one pair one day and the other pair the next day. That really helps me and also my mom when we go to Disney. I'm definitely pooh size and my mom use to be but has lost alot of weight but has feet issues. My mom wasn't as sold on the idea that alternating shoes would be helpful until we spent a week at Fort Wilderness in the summer one year and she "wore out" a pair of shoes and had to switch to her spare set. She had to go back and trade shoes in the morning because by the time she walked from the camper to the boat dock she said she couldn't feel the cushioned soles in her shoes anymore and there was no way she could walk feeling like she was on the hard pavement all day. (She had basically wore out the cushioned soles she has in all her shoes) Since then she regularly rotates her shoes and her feet feel much better at the end of the day.

We also do not use any sandals as we've never found a sandal that gave the support needed for a full day of walking at Disney. If we are doing a short day we might wear a sandal but mostly we just wear are good tennis shoes.

We've found 2 days of park touring followed by 1 day of nonpark touring is also very helpful to all in our party.

Good Luck and don't feel bad about asking your daughter to slow down. My mom has to remind us of that frequently. When we remember to slow down we actually enjoy our trip more as we take in the details and essence of Disney instead of rushing everywhere for the next ride or show.

 

[dyna]

This sounds kinda nasty but I do it with CLEAN feet I lay on bed with my butt as close to the headboard an feet on wall amazing what that does for a half hour more if needed for swelling.

I agree change shoes I usually change shoes mid day when back at the room for our break that helps as much if not more than changing daily. I've also found that 3 pairs are better than 2 even if all 3 pairs of shoes are same size same brand it's a BIG HELP.

I also invested in the diabetic socks with not seams an the cooling stuff in them pricey yes but I only use them at disney so they gonna last me for years.

Can you get out an walk daily at home now even go to mall an walk? Being able to walk a mile is a big help, the more you walk at home the easier disney will be.... GOT to get started on that soon for my Jan visit.

 

[BradyBz12]

I also invested in the diabetic socks with not seams an the cooling stuff in them

Ooh - where do you get these, or do you have a name/brand I can google?

 

[dyna]

Walmart and Kmart ect has them Dr schols makes a version of them as does Keds I think both brands very stretchy too easy to buy them to big they usually have their own little section in the socks department.

 

[Spear3909]

I swear by Crocs! Don't get the knock off brands, they are not the same. I have struggled every trip to Disney and this time I broke down and bought Crocs. What a difference!! My feet were still "tired" at the end of a long day but I didn't have the pain in my arch or heel. I know it is tacky (but who cares if you are comfortable), but wear socks with them to prevent rubbing.

 

[BradyBz12]

I swear by Crocs! Don't get the knock off brands, they are not the same...My feet were still "tired" at the end of a long day but I didn't have the pain in my arch or heel.

Agreed! Although the brand I prefer is Nothinz (http://www.nothinz.com/) - they're a little squishier than Crocs and I find them a bit more cushy on my heels. They're just as pricey, so not the super cheap knock offs.

Yeah they're not stylish, but DH and I swear by them and we've done two 2 week trips around the World with them so far.

 

[Oregon Duck]

I think Kevin mentioned it on the podcast, but there is a product called BODY GLIDE that I used for the first time on my feet...the product prevents blisters and it really worked....you will do lots of miles in the parks so it really helped. I also wore double layered socks that runners wear and I had no problem with my feet. You can buy both products at most sporting good stores or outdoor stores.

Please wear a good quality sneaker to the park....take care of your feet...SAY NO to flip flops and fashion when doing the parks....

 

[dyna]

I think it's vagasil that makes a smoothing cream stuff much cheaper than the body glide but does the same thing....I've used it several times at disney now an no blisters, it also helps with chafing lasts all day too.

 

[Stitchfans]

This is just a small way to help the aches and pains, but I will take ibuprofen first thing in the morning and then try to keep that going all day . For me, it stops the pain before it even begins! thumbsup2 Good Luck!

IBUPROFEN this is a life saver. Plus yes, take a break here and there. The way I look at it is if anyone gets upset with me because I have to rest once in a while it is there problem. Yes I am very heavy and yes I get out of breath if I have to run. Whatever. I do my best. I still have loads of fun and I hope I don't take away any fun from my family.