What’s the number one planning tip I would give to anyone anticipating or planning a Disney trip? You need to start walking way before your feet ever hit Main Street, U.S.A, to run and grab a Fastpass at Space Mountain.

Walt Disney World is comprised of 92 miles of theme parks, resorts, restaurants, shopping, water parks, and mini-golf. Everything is spread out so that even when you take your own car, you’re still going to do a lot of walking. You’ll walk from the Disney bus to the restaurant to your room. You’ll walk from the monorail to the gate. You’ll walk mile after mile just to get to the rides. And on…and on…and on you walk, propelled sometimes only by Pixie Dust and cupcake sugar. If you go in the summer, the Florida heat and humidity can make each step feel like two, especially in direct sun, so you had better start training like you’re going to walk a marathon.

On my last Disney trip, I did walk a marathon. In fact, I walked the mileage equivalent of over 3 marathons: 110 miles in 11 days. Will you walk that much? Certainly not, but you can average upwards of five to seven miles a day. Are you really ready for that much physical activity on vacation?

About 2 months before you leave, start walking every day. You need to get your kids walking with you if they won’t have the privilege of riding in a stroller. Most children are not accustomed to walking 3-7 miles a day, and while they will not suffer as much as older adults, at least in my experience, all these miles can add up to tired, cranky kids.

Buy some socks with Wicking so you don’t develop blisters.

Drink lots of water if you’re there in the summer, because all that walking and the heat really take it right out of you.

Disney can be an absolute blast, and you’ll create memories that will last a lifetime. But you will enjoy your trip more if you starting some conditioning now. You can rest when you get back home and unpack, right after the depression sets in.

Love Disney World photography? Join Mouze Kateerz on Facebook, mouzekateerz.com, and Mouze Kateerz on Pinterest.  If you have some fabulous Disney photographs you’d like to share, send an email of your favorite Disney location to mouzekateerz@chipandco.com.

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