How Much Walking Per Day

[Killnme]

Ok I will be in EPCOT next Sat. and will track it.

 

[rufio]

You're missing the point. No one said it was a 10 mile discrepancy. (My guess is it's about a 5 mile discrepancy.) Your personal stride according to your device indicates that 10,000 of your normal steps equals 5 miles. For the sake of simplicity (and because I'm too lazy to do the actual calculation right now), lets say that your calibrated stride according to your device is 2.5 ft. Your device can accurately tell you that your took 30,000 strides in a period of time. Based on what it calibrated for you as a *NORMAL* uninhibited, unfatigued stride, the device calculates that you have walked 15 miles using that 2.5 ft. "ideal" stride measurement. What your device can't tell you is how many of those 30,000 strides were actually at 2.5 ft and how many were 12". Unless you're walking through an empty park with no one in any of the queues and everyone of those queues is a straight line that doesn't require you to take smaller steps to navigate the switchbacks/corners, and there is no fatigue involved, there's no way a person can take 100% normal (2.5 ft.) strides in a day at Disney World. Walking around a track or down a sidewalk, maybe (assuming there's no other traffic, but fatigue would probably reduce the size of the strides before the end of 15 miles); walking through thousands of people -- never. Based on my experiences and observations over the years at Disney, most people do not walk at a full stride at the parks all day. The days are filled with walking behind groups of people and walking through queues. So while I'm sure your device accurately counted your steps, it did not measure each individual step so it can not give you an accurate distance that you walked. If you want to do that, you need to use a GPS device or go to a mapping website and map out your walk for the day. You need to measure actual distance and not number of steps. Measuring only the number of steps taken involves too many variables to get an accurate distance calculation.

I said 30,000+, so sometimes it was 30k, sometimes 30,500, sometimes 30,900. I'm not sure how you "do" Disney, but different people have different habits and some walk more than others. For example, we stayed at BLT and walked to MK when we went instead of taking a bus. One day we stopped in at Boardwalk Bakery after walking through from the front of Epcot, and then walked past the Swan and Dolphin to Fantasia Gardens and back to Beaches and Cream after a game of mini golf. After that we went back to Epcot for a while and then walked back to the entrance and got on the monorail. The staff there seemed appalled that we would walk to Fantasia Gardens rather than taking a cab. We're an active couple. We walk wherever we can, never taking trams from the parking lot or taking elevators (unless we have suitcases). So it is possible that we just walk more than you do (or more than you seem to believe people walk). We both walk around 5 miles per day at home, so 15 per day at Disney isn't outlandish.

 

[retroeric]

I said 30,000+, so sometimes it was 30k, sometimes 30,500, sometimes 30,900. I'm not sure how you "do" Disney, but different people have different habits and some walk more than others. For example, we stayed at BLT and walked to MK when we went instead of taking a bus. One day we stopped in at Boardwalk Bakery after walking through from the front of Epcot, and then walked past the Swan and Dolphin and back to Beaches and Cream after a game of mini golf. After that we went back to Epcot for a while and then walked back to the entrance and got on the monorail. The staff there seemed appalled that we would walk to Fantasia Gardens rather than taking a cab. We're an active couple. We walk wherever we can, never taking trams from the parking lot or taking elevators (unless we have suitcases). So it is possible that we just walk more than you do (or more than you seem to believe people walk). We both walk around 5 miles per day at home, so 15 per day at Disney isn't outlandish.

It's not outlandish, but it certainly isn't normal either. We are talking what the average guest does. You walk FAR more than a typical visitor. Next time you are at Epcot find a bench in World Showcase to sit on and just do a little people watching for ten minutes. You're going to see mostly tired, sweaty people lumbering and stopping way more than you're going to see people walking with long strides with any sense of direction/urgency.

 

[allgiggles]

I said 30,000+, so sometimes it was 30k, sometimes 30,500, sometimes 30,900. I'm not sure how you "do" Disney, but different people have different habits and some walk more than others. For example, we stayed at BLT and walked to MK when we went instead of taking a bus. One day we stopped in at Boardwalk Bakery after walking through from the front of Epcot, and then walked past the Swan and Dolphin to Fantasia Gardens and back to Beaches and Cream after a game of mini golf. After that we went back to Epcot for a while and then walked back to the entrance and got on the monorail. The staff there seemed appalled that we would walk to Fantasia Gardens rather than taking a cab. We're an active couple. We walk wherever we can, never taking trams from the parking lot or taking elevators (unless we have suitcases). So it is possible that we just walk more than you do (or more than you seem to believe people walk). We both walk around 5 miles per day at home, so 15 per day at Disney isn't outlandish.

And that's not going to account for a 10 mile difference either (referring to your post about standing in line accounting for 10 miles). Like retroeric said, we're talking about the "average" visitor here. If you truly believe you walk 15 miles per day several days in a row while you're at Disney, that's fine. More power to ya. I'm pretty active, too, so I know what it's like to walk long distances. And we pretty much walk everywhere when we're at Disney as well, but despite my cardiologist, endocrinologist, primary care physician, and personal trainer telling me I'm in fabulous shape, I'm' obviously not in as good of shape as you are because I couldn't walk fast enough or have enough energy (after the first day anyway) to have enough hours in the day to eat, do attractions, and stop to smell the roses if I was walking 15 miles a day for days on end at Disney World. You are free to do all that walking while you're there -- like you said, we all tour differently. Our family just tries to be efficient and do the least amount of "walking out of our way" to accomplish everything we want to do -- we plan efficient routes. We spend 10-12 hours a day in the parks when we're there, but I guess we spend more time "doing things" than walking since we're only covering about 6 or 7 miles in a 12 hour day (but still doing ~15 attractions in MK & Epcot during that time).

I'll continue to stand my by statement: The AVERAGE person walks about 5-7 miles at Epcot (and probably less at other parks). In order for that number to be AVERAGE, some people will walk more and some people will walk less. And I will also stand by my statement that something that measures steps only, does not provide an accurate calculation of distance in locations with as many variables as a theme/amusement park. Period.

 

[rufio]

And that's not going to account for a 10 mile difference either (referring to your post about standing in line accounting for 10 miles). Like retroeric said, we're talking about the "average" visitor here. If you truly believe you walk 15 miles per day several days in a row while you're at Disney, that's fine. More power to ya. I'm pretty active, too, so I know what it's like to walk long distances. And we pretty much walk everywhere when we're at Disney as well, but despite my cardiologist, endocrinologist, primary care physician, and personal trainer telling me I'm in fabulous shape, I'm' obviously not in as good of shape as you are because I couldn't walk fast enough or have enough energy (after the first day anyway) to have enough hours in the day to eat, do attractions, and stop to smell the roses if I was walking 15 miles a day for days on end at Disney World. You are free to do all that walking while you're there -- like you said, we all tour differently. Our family just tries to be efficient and do the least amount of "walking out of our way" to accomplish everything we want to do -- we plan efficient routes. We spend 10-12 hours a day in the parks when we're there, but I guess we spend more time "doing things" than walking since we're only covering about 6 or 7 miles in a 12 hour day (but still doing ~15 attractions in MK & Epcot during that time).

I'll continue to stand my by statement: The AVERAGE person walks about 5-7 miles at Epcot (and probably less at other parks). In order for that number to be AVERAGE, some people will walk more and some people will walk less. And I will also stand by my statement that something that measures steps only, does not provide an accurate calculation of distance in locations with as many variables as a theme/amusement park. Period.

But I am not talking about the AVERAGE person. I am talking about ME. I'm sorry if you're in denial about other people and the amount of walking they're capable of. In fact, you brought up something else. You said Your family does things a certain way, so I'm assuming you have children. I do not. It is my husband and me so we are capable of doing different things than a larger family with children. For the record, here is the original post:

I was wondering or more like justifying what I eat on vacation, about how many miles/kms do you think you walk during a day in any one of the parks. I imagine doing a lap around Epcot has got to be a pretty big distance.

OP asked what each person does, not what the AVERAGE person does.

 

[LivFreeorDisney]

I've never thought about how much I walk during a park day. Seeing that people are saying that they walk anywhere from 5 to 15 miles is awesome. I won't feel bad the next time I eat something from goofies candy company, not one bit at all.

On a funny note, no matter how much people walk all day at the parks it's the last tenth of a mile to their rooms that breaks the camels back.

 

[allgiggles]

But I am not talking about the AVERAGE person. I am talking about ME. I'm sorry if you're in denial about other people and the amount of walking they're capable of. In fact, you brought up something else. You said Your family does things a certain way, so I'm assuming you have children. I do not. It is my husband and me so we are capable of doing different things than a larger family with children.

Yes, I have children -- 5 of them. All but one are teenagers or in their mid 20's so none of them slow us down and the 8.5 year old is usually the one we're all keeping up with since she seems to have the most energy out of the bunch. I'm not in denial about anything. I'm not sure what you're getting so upset about. I didn't say you didn't walk 15 miles a day. I said that the AVERAGE person doesn't walk that far in a day at Disney because that's what the conversation had turned to in the body of this thread. Everyone tours differently. Some people walk less than 5 miles to do it; most people walk 5-7 miles to do it; some people walk 10-12 miles to do it; and an infinitesimally small number of people walk 12+ miles to do it. It really doesn't matter. I'm certainly capable (as is my family) of walking 15 miles a day at Disney, we just choose not to walk that far as it doesn't allow us enough time to stop and do all the things we like to do in a day while we're there. We can -- if we choose -- take the time to walk 15 miles a day at home and not really miss out on anything. At Disney, we prefer to do the least amount of walking needed to accomplish our "to do" list each day so that we have more time to enjoy the attractions, shows, etc. You, and everyone else, are free to walk as far as you want to at Disney World or anywhere.

I really don't have anything more to offer to this specific conversation because it just feels like having a discussion with one of my kids when they think they need to get in the last word to prove something that really doesn't matter. Different people tour Disney World differently. Apparently those of us who don't walk 10+ miles a day while we're there are somehow not doing something right and don't believe that anyone can possibly walk that far. Again, I never said that you didn't walk 15 miles. I said a device that counts step only doesn't give an accurate measure of distance due to variables. I said that I know *I* wouldn't have enough hours in a day to walk 15 miles AND do all the things I enjoy doing at Disney. You're taking my comments personally and twisting things I'm saying (one of the draw backs of reading words rather than hearing them) and acting like I'm attacking you personally. So be it. I have enough of a bruise on my forehead from this conversation....and now I need to fix the dent in my wall.

 

[rufio]

Yes, I have children -- 5 of them. All but one are teenagers or in their mid 20's so none of them slow us down and the 8.5 year old is usually the one we're all keeping up with since she seems to have the most energy out of the bunch. I'm not in denial about anything. I'm not sure what you're getting so upset about. I didn't say you didn't walk 15 miles a day. I said that the AVERAGE person doesn't walk that far in a day at Disney because that's what the conversation had turned to in the body of this thread. Everyone tours differently. Some people walk less than 5 miles to do it; most people walk 5-7 miles to do it; some people walk 10-12 miles to do it; and an infinitesimally small number of people walk 12+ miles to do it. It really doesn't matter. I'm certainly capable (as is my family) of walking 15 miles a day at Disney, we just choose not to walk that far as it doesn't allow us enough time to stop and do all the things we like to do in a day while we're there. We can -- if we choose -- take the time to walk 15 miles a day at home and not really miss out on anything. At Disney, we prefer to do the least amount of walking needed to accomplish our "to do" list each day so that we have more time to enjoy the attractions, shows, etc. You, and everyone else, are free to walk as far as you want to at Disney World or anywhere.

I really don't have anything more to offer to this specific conversation because it just feels like having a discussion with one of my kids when they think they need to get in the last word to prove something that really doesn't matter. Different people tour Disney World differently. Apparently those of us who don't walk 10+ miles a day while we're there are somehow not doing something right and don't believe that anyone can possibly walk that far. Again, I never said that you didn't walk 15 miles. I said a device that counts step only doesn't give an accurate measure of distance due to variables. I said that I know *I* wouldn't have enough hours in a day to walk 15 miles AND do all the things I enjoy doing at Disney. You're taking my comments personally and twisting things I'm saying (one of the draw backs of reading words rather than hearing them) and acting like I'm attacking you personally. So be it. I have enough of a bruise on my forehead from this conversation....and now I need to fix the dent in my wall.

I don't believe I ever said you weren't doing things right. If I recall correctly, you came in telling me that I was obviously mistaken (which would imply that you were telling me that I was the one doing things wrong) and I am telling you that I don't think so. I came into a thread asking how much walking per day, said that I took about 30,000 which Google said equaled 15 miles. I'm not a math major, I'm not a fitness guru. I'm just telling you the data and you can do with it what you will. I'm not sure that I AM walking 15 miles at Disney, but why would you make it your mission to tell me I'm not?

 

[franksharonri]

My DH wore a borrowed gadget from the gym at his work a few years ago. We walked anywhere from 7-13 miles a day. That is from the time we left the room in the morning to we went to bed that night. The only time he did not wear it was going to the pool. So IMO it is very easy to put on 15 miles a day.

 

[rufio]

I've never thought about how much I walk during a park day. Seeing that people are saying that they walk anywhere from 5 to 15 miles is awesome. I won't feel bad the next time I eat something from goofies candy company, not one bit at all.

On a funny note, no matter how much people walk all day at the parks it's the last tenth of a mile to their rooms that breaks the camels back.

Haha! Absolutely don't feel bad about eating anything! At home I keep a pretty close eye on how many calories I eat every day and that's how I've maintained my weight for the last 8 years. If I go over even a little at home, I'll gain a pound. At Disney I eat WHATEVER I want and I've never gained even a pound! In fact, I lost three the last time I was there!

 

[donaldtoo]

I've never thought about how much I walk during a park day. Seeing that people are saying that they walk anywhere from 5 to 15 miles is awesome. I won't feel bad the next time I eat something from goofies candy company, not one bit at all.

On a funny note, no matter how much people walk all day at the parks it's the last tenth of a mile to their rooms that breaks the camels back.

Yea, I really have no clue just how many miles we walk on any given day at WDW, when all is factored in.
All I know is, we've been on the DDP the last 2 trips (July of '12 and just last month) and I ate like a spring sow and didn't gain a pound, so it must be A LOT...!

And, yep. I hear ya' on that back to the room at the end of the day part...
After sittin' on the bus back to the resort for a good 20-30 minutes or so, after bein' on the go all day, those last several steps can be a bit rough, sometimes.
But, that's nothin' a few malted adult beverages (yes, even after a very late EMH ) can't fix...!

 

[The Empress Lilly]

Wimps! The lot of you!

I powerwalk my way through two parks a day, then at night I get off the bus the hotel before mine to jog to my room. Then I go for a midnight swim just to release some energy. I destroy those fifteen miles of airforce-wusses like @vitani88


Serious reporters asked themselves the same question. The result is astonishing:

And there it was: 36,098 steps, or 22 1/2 miles.

http://www.sfgate.com/travel/articl...r-the-faint-of-foot-A-walk-2610582.php#page-1

 

[rufio]

Wimps! The lot of you!

I powerwalk my way through two parks a day, then at night I get off the bus the hotel before mine to jog to my room. Then I go for a midnight swim just to release some energy. I destroy those fifteen miles of airforce-wusses like @vitani88


Serious reporters asked themselves the same question. The result is astonishing:

HA! I knew it!

 

[Runmyhorse]

I have to agree. We get the dining plan. I clean my plate and then the kids to. I hate wasting food and I never gain weight. I actually lost. It could be all the walking and sweating . We are there from park opening to park closing.

 

[allgiggles]

Wimps! The lot of you!

I powerwalk my way through two parks a day, then at night I get off the bus the hotel before mine to jog to my room. Then I go for a midnight swim just to release some energy. I destroy those fifteen miles of airforce-wusses like @vitani88


Serious reporters asked themselves the same question. The result is astonishing:

I remember reading this before. I never doubted it could be achieved, it's just not an every-day occurrence. I'm sure there are plenty of people who can do it if they choose to. The writer did make sure to point out that this is not how the typical person/family tours the World and that he was exhausted by the end of the end of the day. I'd love to see the writer replicate the day using a GPS tracker just to compare the mileage (since this article is 7 years old and pedometers were even more prone to variables and "adding extra steps" than they are now). Maybe I should write to him and see if he'd do it again using a GPS device.

 

[draybook]

I've walked 22/23 miles with 100 pounds on my back with a river crossing thrown in there. I've also done multiple 15 milers with the same weight and at no time have I ever felt the same sense of distance when visiting WDW. I'd venture a guess that at most we're humping 8-10 miles MAX.

 

[SMS55]

Trying to avoid giving out too much info that people don't care to read, but I go to the bathroom several times a day. While at Disney I rarely have to go. You have to walk several miles a day. Also remember that you are on vacation, the diet should not be the focus.

 

[retroeric]

I remember reading this before. I never doubted it could be achieved, it's just not an every-day occurrence. I'm sure there are plenty of people who can do it if they choose to. The writer did make sure to point out that this is not how the typical person/family tours the World and that he was exhausted by the end of the end of the day. I'd love to see the writer replicate the day using a GPS tracker just to compare the mileage (since this article is 7 years old and pedometers were even more prone to variables and "adding extra steps" than they are now). Maybe I should write to him and see if he do it again using a GPS device.

I agree and I think the writer's numbers are VERY off. For instance, he says the pedometer was at "just under 8 miles" when he started at DHS, and somehow after only entering the park and riding Tower of Terror, it got up to 11 miles?? Sorry but from the DHS gate to Tower of Terror is not over 3 miles lol. Even funnier, his short stay at DHS was somehow 8 full miles long, despite only seeing half the park. Sorry but that's basically impossible. I could probably walk around the entire park 5 times in a row and it wouldn't be 8 miles.

It's a funny, well written article. But I absolutely guarantee you his numbers are WAY off and that he was indeed using a step pedometer. In fact even a step pedometer shouldn't get those numbers. Was he just marching in place whenever he stopped? Kinda like when you have to pee really bad??

 

[allgiggles]

I agree and I think the writer's numbers are VERY off. For instance, he says the pedometer was at "just under 8 miles" when he started at DHS, and somehow after only entering the park and riding Tower of Terror, it got up to 11 miles?? Sorry but from the DHS gate to Tower of Terror is not over 3 miles lol. Even funnier, his short stay at DHS was somehow 8 full miles long, despite only seeing half the park. Sorry but that's basically impossible. I could probably walk around the entire park 5 times in a row and it wouldn't be 8 miles.

It's a funny, well written article. But I absolutely guarantee you his numbers are WAY off and that he was indeed using a step pedometer. In fact even a step pedometer shouldn't get those numbers. Was he just marching in place whenever he stopped? Kinda like when you have to pee really bad??

Maybe he's a really nervous type of guy and taps his foot a lot while waiting in lines -- or just has a very jumpy leg. I can remember my old pedometer "clicking" even when I was sitting down and tapping my foot. When we all had to wear the pedometers at the office we would try to see how many "steps" we could take without even standing up.

 

[The Empress Lilly]

I remember reading this before. I never doubted it could be achieved, it's just not an every-day occurrence. I'm sure there are plenty of people who can do it if they choose to. The writer did make sure to point out that this is not how the typical person/family tours the World and that he was exhausted by the end of the end of the day. I'd love to see the writer replicate the day using a GPS tracker just to compare the mileage (since this article is 7 years old and pedometers were even more prone to variables and "adding extra steps" than they are now). Maybe I should write to him and see if he'd do it again using a GPS device.

Well he is kinda trying to see how much he can walk. It's fun to see at what number you might arrive at if you go all park commando.


Google revealed no definitive study, but the serious sources I found estimated around 7 to 9 miles a day. Which feels about right. I guess when I go solo I might make that fifteen , when I'm with the slow or little people I might do as little as six or seven.