Walk training

[emij]

I just realized that our trip is in 3.5 weeks and I have done no "walk training" with my kids. DS 5.5 and DD 3 ride bikes/scooters every time we go on a walk and are not used to walking for lengths of time! They are fit kids, but not accustomed to walking.

We took our first forced WALK during the walk this afternoon, just 1/4 mile and they were not thrilled, even knowing they are practicing for Disneyland! I will be bringing just a single stroller, so I need at least one of them to be walking around!

My plan is to take at least a 1/4 mile WALK with them each day until we go, hopefully build that to longer distances.

Anyone have great ideas to build walking stamina in children in just 3 weeks

 

[sonnyjane]

No advice, but I will say that hopefully once they are actually running around DISNEYLAND, seeing all the sites, riding all the rides, smelling all the smells, and TASTING all the yummy tastes, they will have lots of energy

 

[aliceindisneyland]

I think you'll be ok. The only time you need to walk for more than a minute at a time will be to cross from DL to DCA and back. Since the fp enforcement we spend way less time walking between lands and parks; we generally get a fp in a land then ride the other rides in that land til fp time, ride that, then move to the next land....

 

[lalasmama]

My DD threw a fit about "training" as well, so I eventually gave up. With your children's ages, I'd really really consider a double stroller, or a "boogie board" on the back of your stroller, or a "sit and stand" type of double stroller. My 9yo can keep up pretty well, but by the evening, she's dragging! I think I heard the average person walks 8-13 miles a day at DL... which is a lot for anyone!

Have you tried walking the mall interspersed with time at the playground (assuming your mall has a playground). That was the easiest way to get DD to walk a little more.

 

[cmpeter]

Mine were always so excited to be at DL and there is so much to distract/entertain them that walking was never an issue for them. It never occurred to me to try and walk train them...we just took off and did our thing. A stroller at the end of the day was always welcome.

 

[mamaCta]

Since we have had 6 months of winter, my kids can't wait to get out and do some walking on the city trails. I was planning on starting this weekend if the weather holds up. We have a favorite section through the woods near our house that is over 2 miles if we do the length and back again. I always bring the stroller, but the strip is safe for letting the kids walk and run freely.

Go as far as you can get the 5yo to walk, letting the 3yo ride if it's too far. Then let the 5yo ride as well for the return to the house. Do the same route daily and challenge the kids to go further each day.

 

[TheLanes]

It's the standing in lines that is the hardest on them (and my back).

 

[tyffanidawn]

OMG... I've been walking for about 2 months now to get used to all the walking we'll be doing while in DL!!! But never considered that my kids might also benefit from it (after all they have more energy than me and my DH combined!!!) We have 3 weeks and 6 days until our trip and like you, we'll be bringing one single stroller into the park with us!!! Looks like starting tomorrow DS6 and DS(almost)3 will be starting some "walk training" of their own!!! 1/4 mile per day sounds good!!! Thanks for posting

 

[ImarriedGrumpy]

We've done walk training, too. It helps that DS's preschool is just about a mile away, so we walk there and back each day to get the feel for it. Sometimes we walk around downtown more to run errands and see how long he can go. DH took him hiking in the hills and they ended up hiking up both sides of the ridge - several miles of steep trails! DS was tired, but he bounced back really quickly. DH, on the other hand, was tired and sore for days! Poor guy...but I'm glad I stayed home that morning!

I've found that as long as DS is engaged with what's going on around him, he's fine. The minute he feels "bored", he's tired. So I predict standing in line will be the hardest part of our trip, not walking around.

 

[flightdave82]

It's the standing in lines that is the hardest on them (and my back).

OMG. You are just like me. I can walk and walk and even jog for long periods of time. It's just when I stand for periods of time my lower back starts to really hurt (old wrestling/football injury).

And even worse, sometimes I start to chaffe!
Last 10day WDW trip I manged to go 8 days of constantly walking and running (i was the FP collecter before the enforcement) until the 9th day when my inner thighs started to chaffe. That's the worst feeling. I can deal with tired feet or a hurting back but when your skin burns and you can barely walk, its the worst!!

Luckily with some creame I was good for the last day

 

[sherilaine]

I agree with the PP who said it's the standing that will kill you - not the walking. Kids love to move! Stand in line? Not so much.

Walking down your street or in the mall or along the beach or in a farmer's field is NOTHING for kids compared to walking in Disney. My kids used to complain, take them on a hike and it was the end.of.the.world for them, make them walk to the store, why are you torturing us. Walk at DLR? Why walk when you can run?

Seriously, it is completely different, kids have all the energy in the world when they want to - BUT, there does come a point, that is why taking breaks for kids that young would be key.

 

[emij]

I got a copy of the hidden mouse book to hopefully help engage the kids while in lines (I plan to only pull it out in emergencies). Hopefully their energy holds up for the walking, and the fast pass enforcement is a really good point to decreasing the walking. Thanks!