You’ve spent months dreaming and planning your Walt Disney World vacation. You want to do and see it all. With 4 theme parks, 2 water parks and Disney Springs, you will be doing a lot of walking. The average guest can easily walk 10 miles a day! My feet are tired just thinking about it! Here are 8 tips to help you go the distance and keep your feet happy at Walt Disney World.
Good Walking Shoes – Choose a pair of comfortable and supportive shoes. If you purchase new shoes for your vacation, take a few weeks to break them in before you go. It’s a good idea to prepare your feet for all the walking you will be doing. Start taking regular walks a month or two leading up to your trip to get yourself ready. Also, if you have children 5 and younger, I highly recommend bringing or renting a stroller. Even if they want to walk part of the time, they may tire out quickly and need a place to crash.
Stay at a Disney Resort Hotel – Staying on Disney property offers a convenience that off property guests don’t have. Depending on which resort you choose, you can easily hop on the monorail or grab the next bus back midday for a break. Relax by one of the pools or rest up in your room. With Extra Magic Hours, another perk for resort guests, you will have more time to enjoy the parks at the beginning or end of your day!
Stay Days – A day or two to hang out at your resort and relax is important. Being on the go at the parks every day of your vacation, can lead to exhaustion. Disney Resorts are an experience in themselves. Amazing pools, many activities and food options, it’s fun to spend some time enjoying where you are staying.
Table Service Dining – There’s a wide variety of wonderful places to choose for table service dining at the parks, resorts and Disney Springs. I suggest making advanced dining reservations to ensure you have your table secured. Making one table service reservation per day will give you a planned time to refuel and refresh.
Enjoy a Show or Parade – Disney has fabulous shows! They are worth taking time to see and the perfect answer when you need some downtime. About an hour before the parade, grab a snack and find a great viewing spot. Times will vary. Be sure to grab a Times Guide on your way into the park, to ensure you won’t miss out.
Choose Rides with Longer Durations – When I’m looking for a break for my tired feet, my favorite thing to do is keep the fun going and choose a ride that lasts longer.
Here are a few of my favorites:
Animal Kingdom – Kilimanjaro Safaris
Hollywood Studios – The Great Movie Ride
EPCOT – Spaceship Earth
Magic Kingdom – Tomorrowland Transit Authority PeopleMover
Transportation Tips
- Enjoy scenic views of Magic Kingdom on board the Walt Disney World Railroad. Take a 20-minute ride around the park. With 3 convenient stops at Frontierland, Fantasyland and Main Street, U.S.A, it’s a great way to save time and energy getting to different lands in the park.
- It’s a lengthy walk around the lagoon at EPCOT’s World Showcase. Fortunately, Friendship Boats will give you a ride back and forth. Travel from the Mexico Pavilion to the Germany Pavilion or the Canada Pavilion to the Morocco Pavilion. Did I mention the boats are air conditioned? Yes, even better!
- It’s fun to catch a ride on the monorail. It makes stops at Disney’s Contemporary Resort, Polynesian Resort and Grand Floridian Resort & Spa. This is a great opportunity to explore a few of the deluxe resorts or choose to stay on and it will bring you back to the Magic Kingdom entrance.
Great Itinerary Planning – This is so important! Having a solid plan will help you navigate the parks, saving you time and unnecessary walking. A great travel agent will help you plan out your days to maximize your vacation.
Is it time to take the first step and start planning your vacation? My services are free to those who book their travel with me. I would love to help you with planning your Walt Disney World vacation!
Melanie Gifford, Disney Vacation Planner affiliated with Travel with the Magic
The Magic is waiting, you’re just a click away!
Melanie@travelwiththemagic.com
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