walking all day

[Newtsry]

Hi
We are thinking of taking the 2 grandkids and their parents to Disneyland for 5 days. Kids are 8 & 10.
We are 55 & 65. Parents in their 30's.
Question is will we be able to handle all the walking?
I was excited to go until my daughter's friend said that I would probably find the walking a bit much. And would be so tired after walking all day that if we went back to our hotel in the late afternoon we probably would not feel like going back to the park later in the day. Would like to hear from some older tourist on how they felt there. Thanks in advance.

 

[nunzia]

Well..not quite that old yet, but unless you are in poor health it will be fine. You do walk ALOT, however, it is the standing that bothers me more. You aren't really hustle walking much, mainly sauntering and standing in lines. There are places to take breaks and sit. If you are feeling tired, head over to Tom Sawyers Island (whoops, Pirates Lair) and let the kids go nuts while you relax. Make sure and take in some long sitting things, Tiki, Pirates, Walt Disney Story. Yes, it's nice to go back to the hotel for an afternoon break (if you can afford it..stay on site. We love being able to bip over to the GC in a few minutes walk) Make sure you have good comfortable shoes as well. I certainly wouldn't let what others say deter me. You can always shift your pace if you need to. It's too great an opportunity for memories with your kids and grandkids to miss.

 

[mAlien13]

My DM is a bit older than you (I won't say by how much in order to preserve our beautiful Disney relationship!! ) and she opens and closes the parks with us on our trips. The key is to listen to your body, and when you need to sit, just sit!

One thing my DM also does on our trips, is if there is a ride that she is not interested in, as she doesn't spend time on the coasters, she will find a comfy, shady spot and rest with a bottle of water while we ride.

In the past, she has had to use a wheelchair, but it was not do to stamina as much as injury. She has had her knees replaced, and now she walks just fine through DLR. She has an easier time there than in WDW, because even though it is slightly more up and down, it is all pretty close together.

I would focus more on staying in a hotel that is VERY close, or plan on driving. The walking in the park is broken up so frequently, as you stop to get in a new line or to gaze at some magical nook or cranny, but the long stretch to a hotel after a busy day can really be daunting...and I mean for the 30's and the kids as well!!! Some of the hotels that are deemed 'close' might not seem that way late at night when you are tired.


It is the trip we take all the time, my kids are now 11 and 13, my DH and I in our 30's. I love the dynamic of the generations being there together. You will have a great time!

 

[jennilouwho]

We took my parents to WDW last year for 8 days of non stop action. My mom is 55 and has neuropathy in her feet. She managed to make it through without too many problems. We would do shows and stuff when my parents started tiring out. I think Disneyland is much more manageable walking wise than Disneyworld and I think you'll be fine.

 

[DL4my2kids]

it's the standing in line and just waiting.

Take lots of breaks. Plenty of places to do just that. Have a wonderful time

 

[ironpig70]

well i'm as old as your kids so this may or may not help. but we are taking 3 kids who will be 4, 4, 10 and several months before we go we start taking long walks to the park or thru the mall just to kinda get are legs used to it. and for myself i work as a mechanic and do 4 10 hour shifts so i'm standing on concrete all day and i find a good set of insoles for your shoes can make all the difference.

 

[blackjackdelta]

Well I am one of the "older" members(62) and have not had any problems. We usually go mid August and I am always accused of charging along ahead of the group. I think alot has to do with what kind of shape the person is in. I walk alot everyday carrying a certain amount of weight and for me DLR is mostly a walk in the park. Just becuase we get older does not mean that we fall apart.

Have a great trip and the best of times to you.

Jack

 

[avalon451]

You'll have a wonderful time! Just listen to your feet. Couple of suggestions:

Get really good, supportive shoes. My podiatrist suggested quality athletic shoes or even light hikers, with orthopedic insoles. She has me wearing Super Feet. It makes a lot of difference.

Get to the parks early. Be at gate before opening, to take advantage of the lighter crowds. Then, take a mid-day break back at the hotel (another good reason to stay either on property, or one of the close hotels on Harbor). When the parks get to capacity around 12 or 1, it's too crowded to really enjoy much, and also you just get visual and sensory overload. It's really good to go to the hotel, let the kids swim, take a nap, just relax... have some dinner, maybe in DTD, then head back in the early evening to enjoy the parks at night!

Have a plan, but go with the flow if things change. Sit and rest when you need to!

Hydroguy's tips (sticky thread at top of the page) gives more detail and advice along these lines. It's super helpful!

Have a great time!

 

[Dobie]

My DD17 has foot problems and I have knee issues, so these tips help, somewhat:

1. Get there early, use ridemax, use fastpass,avoid standing in lines. It's the standing that kills me.

2. Wear good shoes with gel soles in the am. Switch to quality sports sandals in the pm--your feet will be swollen, and it will be hard to get your shoes on after your break.

3. Stay on site or very close.

4. Take a break in the pm. We find that if we leave by the time it gets hot, say 2 ish, we do better. We always take a longish break, take a sleep nap, then hang by the pool until dinner time. Renter the parks after dinner. We save morning collected fastpasses for the evening.

5. If table service is in your budget, make dinner ps's for sure and lunch ps's if possible. You can always cancel if you want to spontaneously hop into a short or nonexistant line for counter service, but a nice, relaxed, airconditioned no wait in line meal can be a godsend.

 

[DisneyMomma81]

Not much advice ~ but my grandma (mid 70's) plans to come with us in Dec. We're considering renting a ECV for her, mostly for use when getting from land to land and from and to the hotel (HoJo's) which is close but not right across the street.

 

[Grumpy Pete]

When my feet have started complaining, I usually go to places where I can sit down a bit. The DL Train, Billy Hill & the Hill Billies, The tables next to Coke Corner & the Ragtime Piano. Anyplace where you can enjoy the DL atmosphere.
In April my DD(23 yrs.) and I were feeing tired, so we got on the train and got in a car where you can put your head back against the side and relaxed. On the second time around, we both fell asleep and had a nice little power nap. Totally missed the Grand Canyon & Primeval World. I was definately tired.
Hope that gives you some ideas.

 

[aprincess@mail.com]

my grandma loves DL, but we are constantly taking short breaks for her. a nice shady place does well. im sure you will have tons of fun!!

 

[bulldoggrl]

Like another poster said, make good use of the train. It can take you from land to land, and is an excellent 10 minute way to rest those feet!

Do you have/need a cane? If you use one occasionally, I would definitely recommend taking it with you.

Mostly, just take your time. If your kids and grandkids need to rush ahead to do something, catch up with them later. You'll have plenty of time to see and do everything you want in the time you are there.

 

[mariezp]

We go for 10 days at a time so while I am a little younger than OP I do end up doing more walking than I am accustomed to doing normally. Several of the years we went my poor feet and legs were in agony by the end of our trip. However, I have just about perfected bringing a few items that work well for me. Comfy shoes are essential, in my case crocs. My secret weapon to combating leg cramps is compression socks! Last year my feet and legs were pain free for the first trip in 7 years!

 

[bonita_babe232]

We went last october with my grandma who is 65, she got alittle tired sometimes but would just sit down and rest, we also had a 1 yr old with us so she would find a nice place to sit with him while we would go do rides with my older son! She is in the hospital now (nothing tooo tooo bad luckly) and my son was asking her if she will be able to go to disneyland with us again, and she was like OFCOURSE we just gotta go slow and grandma will rest with emily this time ( my daughter i'm sure with in sept.) I think you will be fine my grandma wasn't in the best health when we went but aslong as she had a rest and didn't push herself to hard she was fine. And if your finding it too bad you can rest a scooter and share it with your husband taking turns! We are gonna try to get my grandma one but she is convinced she doesn't need one