These feet were made for walking; not WDW.

[ILOVEDISNEY]

Being so scarily close to the big 60, I was wondering how far the average person walks at WDW per day. I think I read it was like 3.5 miles. Has anyone used a pedometer at WDW at all the parks?

Epcot really kills my feet and it is my favorite park. I guess going back to the room (Is it my imagination that the value folks like me have to walk further to catch a bus?)at mid-day and coming back for Illuminations puts on the miles. I've learned my lesson to get preferred room location because the CM's at the desk usually put older folks in more quiet areas which means far, far, away from the food court and busses.

Also, does anyone have suggestions about preventing foot blisters. I've tried the stuff that looks like a deodorant stick and it works OK, but still get hot spots. I've heard there are some new kinds of socks that help prevent blisters. Where can you get them? I've asked at Wal-Mart and they give you a look like you're crazy, which is not too far from the truth.

 

[Ringo8n24]

I am not sure about the walking distance people have racked up at the parks. I am with you...it has to be a very high number if you count the bus stop to the bus to the park to the ride, etc.... About the blisters and the socks, there were some new socks at WalMart that my husband and I saw last week from Fruit of the Loom that were some kind of new technology type item. They had less material in certain part of your foot and more material in others. I bought a pair of the women's and I think these will be my new best friend at WDW in September. I am prone to blisters on my feet as well, but I bring my trusty sneakers and good socks. If WalMart fails you on this, check out such sporting good stores such as Academy Sports. They had lots of things that could be helpful for someone doing lots of walking.

 

[LadyDarling]

My husband and I rack up about 10 miles a day, but then, we refer to ourselves as "Theme Park Commandos"! We rent a car and usually walk to and from our parking spots and things like that (walking from Boardwalk to Epcot a couple times, etc), and that always adds up (we don't stay at the Boardwalk, but like to visit it).

What's helped me out is wearing men's socks, but other than that, you can go to a sport specific shop and get running or joggers specific socks. They highly reduce rub. I think LLBean catalogs and Eddie Baurer might offer them as well. Hiking socks are another great idea. They tend to get warm, but often you can find a type that pulls away sweat away too.

 

[ILOVEDISNEY]

Thanx for the tips. Will try Wal-mart again.

 

[stitchlvr]

I purchased some moleskin (made by Dr Scholls, found in the department with all the other foot stuff at Walmart..cost about $2 for 2 sheets, each about 4x6" or so). It's sticky on one side and soft like felt on the other. I cut it into strips and put it on my feet where I'm prone to blisters (on the balls of my feet and my heels). It just gives an extra layer of protection and yet its thin enough you don't really notice it. It helped a lot, but you just have to remember to do this before the blisters start.

We took a pedometer, out of curiosity, but my 6 year old son wanted to carry it, and he had more fun resetting it than anything else, so we never found out how much we walked. It did come in handy a few times while waiting in lines, since my son would use it to count how many times he jumped up and down...it kept him occupied :hammer:

 

[Woody13]

To prevent blisters, you need to do several things. Wear double layer socks. They're expensive but worth every penny. You can buy these at K-Mart, Wal-Mart, Target, etc. Many companies make double layer socks. Here are a few examples:

http://www.wrightsock.com/

http://www.comforthouse.com/comfort/doublaysoc.html

The next thing you need is good shoes. I prefer New Balance cross trainers such as the MX608WN:

http://www.newbalance.com/productbrowser/product_details.html;jsessionid=aaafTbyazmB-RP?g11n.enc=ISO-8859-1&feature=Workout&gender=Men&product=MX608WN&product_type=shoe&sport=Cross-Training

The last thing is you need to make sure your toenails are clipped properly! Do these things and you'll never have to use moleskin. We do ten miles a day in the parks. We enjoy walking.:wave:

 

[Legacy]

Army tip... go with the double layer socks. If blisters do start developing, cut off a bit slightly bigger than the hot spot and tape it. The moleskin will prevent it from developing too much more. Also, use foot powder before putting on your shoes and socks to keep your feet dry. And carry another pair of socks for when the ones you are wearing get sweaty. Dry off your feet and repowder before you change though.

Just what soldiers do.

 

[barnum42]

Fortunately I do a lot of walking on a daily basis so the parks are not the struggle for may they may be to others.

My Mother found a great way to reduce blisters and fatigue - get me to push her in a wheelchair :lol:

For those who normally only walk from their front door to the car a good tip was posted a while back on another thread - get in training before you go. Go for daily walks before you leave on holiday to build up your stamina. This may also help build up resistance against blisters. If your feet are not used to walking then the skin will not be harded enough to the extra pressures.

I wear comfortable trainers / sneakers and socks and have had no problems. I tried sandles once, but they were no good for the milage I clocked up in the parks.

 

[BlizzardCP]

Shin Splints

Always stretch too! The walking is fun and easy for me while I am out in the parks... but when I get back to my room I feel it! So I try to stretch whenever I can. I just reach as far to the ground as I can and touch my toes... I do it in line mostly... it really helps.

To prevent or treat shin splints (the aching in your shins) just sit in a chair or lay down and hold up one leg at a time... with your leg held in the air trace an imaginary alaphabet with your toes... then switch to the next one.
YOu can also try this one... stand up with a small towel laid out before your feet. With your bare toes scrunch the towel up.. you can use both feet at once... scrunch it up as small as you can get it and then try it again.

I would do these shin exercises before you even go! It will help prevent shin splints and they are the WORST!!!

 

[TTA Traveller]

I thought of bringing a pedometer with me on my trip, but it was a cheap one and I figure would have counted every little bump on the rides so I didn't bother.

My family has problems with blisters, though we don't seem to do anything to prevent them :veryconfu All we do is if we notice one starting we slap a band-aid on there. Worked fine for me. Also, since it's only my running shoes that give me blisters, I wore sandals most of the time. If you can find a really good pair (like the Nike sporty type ones) they work great. And no soggy socks if (ha...if..) it rains

 

[Miss Bell]

Sounds icky, but it works

Put deodorant on the bottom of your feet. I know someone mentioned a product specifically for this purpose, but my husband read this in a magazine somewhere. We've done on several different trips, and it has ended my WDW blister problem.

I also rub my feet with peppermint foot lotion when I get back to the hotel, that seems to relieve some of the ache.

 

[Ringo8n24]

I thought of bringing a pedometer with me on my trip, but it was a cheap one and I figure would have counted every little bump on the rides so I didn't bother.

Don't they still have them in the adult happy meals at McDonald's?

 

[Kadee]

I don't know exactly how far we walk at WDW, but I do know it is a lot. I lose weight every time we go even with eating all that wonderful food. I tried everything to prevent blisters...well, I thought I did...I've never tried the deoderent on the feet...didn't know about that one. But I did find some great socks that are ultra thin that do not hold the sweat on your feet. Nike makes them. I actually bought my first 2 pair at WDW in DTD at the store that sells all the sports stuff. The fit tight around your arch, so it makes your feet feel SO much better. I found some more at a Nike Outlet store. My daughter wears them for soccer. She used to get blisters all the time during games. But, I finally figured out that Birkenstocks work best for me. No blisters, no hot, sweaty smelly feet, and I was not as tired when we got back to the room. And I know, I know....some people have a problem looking at other peoples feet. I'm not a foot fan either, but I prefer sandals.


AND..VERY IMPORTANT!! as someone posted above....Stretching at the end of the day is VERY important. Stretch before you start out for the day AND when you get back to your room. It will alleviate most of the soreness. Hope this helps

 

[WDWhumanmap]

i can tell you what i do i get a shoe that is made for walking or running that is what my grandmother did and she is around 80.
wheelchairs defeat the purpose of a healthy walk.
also another thing is to try and rest somewhere at the parks at epcot we always call it our beverage stop in the countries.
hope this helps :wave:

 

[OliveMcFly]

I have heard that World Showcase is a 1 mile walk itself. If I am wrong, please correct me guys. I'm surprised how much a person walks a day in WDW.

 

[WDWScottieBoy]

I have heard that World Showcase is a 1 mile walk itself. If I am wrong, please correct me guys. I'm surprised how much a person walks a day in WDW.

You are right, it is approximately 1 mile from one end of World Showcase to the other side. There was a thread about how much a CM walks on HM and it's like 3.5 miles a day. I've never figured out how much I walk when I'm at WDW because I don't care, I'm there to have fun and not worry about exercise. Does anyone know how much they walked in one day?

 

[disneydummy125]

I've never had that much of a problem with blisters in WDW. But it always helps to have a good pair of walking shoes.

 

[TTA Traveller]

Don't they still have them in the adult happy meals at McDonald's?

I think so, not too sure. But I got the one I have out of a box of Special K :slurp:

 

[patelaine1953]

I bought some of the Nike socks at our local outlet. They are designated for walking -- double layers for your feet and ribbed for a tighter fit around the arch. I also buy Nike Air Walks walking sneakers. They're cushioned on the bottom so are more comfortable than the average sneaker. I'be been wearing them for several years. I already have my new pair to start wearing at the end of summer to give them time to break in before my trip in Sept. Building up stamina for the walks is a great idea as well. I've been walking for 1 - 2 hours at a good pace for the past few weeks. Great exercise and I find I'm not tired when I'm done. It must be doing something for me.

 

[barnum42]

I'm reading about all these high-tech Nike socks and sneakers. I wear some Adsa supermarket socks, pack of five for £2 and a pair of cheap but very comfortable sneakers I bought at Walmart on 192 about three or four years ago for maybe $15.

I have never had a blister in three two week vacations I have been on whilst wearing these. I guess comfort over label and lots of walking practice to toughen up my feet have worked wonders in my experience.