2 Things You NEED To Do Before Your Next Disney Trip

When most people think about planning a Walt Disney World vacation there are some topics that come to mind right away. Lots of discussions seem to be centered around when to plan a visit, where to stay, what to pack, how much money to bring, how to save money or which tickets to buy. Though these are all really great topics to discuss, there are a few others that tend to get put on the back burner; hydration and exercise.

Now I know what you’re thinking and no. . . . this isn’t a conversation that you’d think would pop up on a website about Walt Disney World. Fair enough! However, these 2 somewhat simple and easy to accomplish things can make all the difference. In fact, they’re so important [at least in our opinion] that we think they deserve some specific attention. So that’s why we’re taking some time to talk about them today!

Exercise

During my last trip to Walt Disney World I covered somewhere between 12 and 14 miles per day. I also spent most of my time on my feet and carried a backpack nearly everywhere I went. If you think that this sounds a bit more like an endurance challenge than a vacation, you’re not alone. . . . . and I wasn’t even pushing a wheelchair, carriage or carrying a toddler!

One of the things that many people overlook and don’t think too much about [until they’re lying in bed at night wondering what on earth they did to achieve this amount of sore] is how physical a visit to Walt Disney World can be. Though the goal might be to relax and take a break from day to day life, there’s no amount of pixie dust that can take away from the impact 14 miles will have on you. . . . . especially if you’re not prepared yourself. Fortunately, there are a few things you can do!

First and foremost, it’s a great idea to add a little bit of exercise into your daily routine in the weeks leading up to your Walt Disney World vacation. Now, I can sense some of you slipping away. . . . but I’m not suggesting anything drastic here! This could be as simple as taking a walk a few times a week or even every day if your schedule allows for it. I’m not suggesting that you cover vast distances either; a couple times around the block will do the job to get your body ready for being in the parks.

Personally, I like to use these walks to get myself ready for an upcoming Disney trip in a few different ways. Not only will I use the shoes I intend to bring [so that I can break them in, ‘cause you never want to bring new shoes to Disney. . . . more on that some other day], but I also will use this as an opportunity to talk with whomever I’m traveling with about our plans. This not only makes the walks more fun, but it also designates a time to chat about things like what we want to do, what we’re excited about or whatever else. This is also a good time to test out that new equipment you were planning on bringing with you to make sure it does the job. This could be a backpack, stroller or even a pair of shorts you’re not sure will be good for the parks. Take ‘em for a test drive and see how they make out!

Hydration

You’ve probably heard about how important it is to stay hydrated when visiting Walt Disney World in the past, but did you know that you should really consider getting started before you leave home? Though opinions vary on specifics, the general consensus is that you should be hydrating well before your physical activity to ensure that you stay properly hydrated throughout.

While most people will suggest that you drink the second that you feel thirsty or well before you see those first signs of dehydration [because by that point it’s already too late for prevention], I personally like to take another approach. My suggestion to people visiting Walt Disney World or any other hot climate, especially in the hottest months of the year, is to start hydrating no less than a week in advance.

Ok. . . . this is the part of the discussion where I tell you that I’m not a medical professional and everything I say here should be taken as nothing more than advice; maybe stories of what has worked for me. Got it? With that out of the way. . . . .

While opinions vary as to when exactly you should start to hydrate and with what, the real thing you’re trying to do when you start hydrating no less than a week before your visit to Walt Disney World is establish a habit. Rather than waiting until you arrive at your vacation destination, spend at least a week leading up to your trip taking swigs of your water bottle and refilling it multiple times a day. This will get you into the rhythm of staying hydrated before it becomes a true necessity and you’ll find it’s not as much of a production while you’re at Disney.

Side Note: It can also be really useful to decide on a water bottle that works best for you. I realize that this might sound silly, but if you have a bottle you’ll need to fuss with regularly then you’re less likely to drink as frequently. If you have a bottle you enjoy using and can carry easily. . . . . more likely to hydrate. Simply? Yes. Effective? Totally!

These 2 things might be simple, but they are very effective. This is especially the case if I’m traveling during the winter months, when I’m more sedentary and less likely to suck on a water bottle for most of my day, and when I’m traveling in the throws of summer. Of course, I’d love to know your thoughts and what works best for you. Is there anything that you think I should have included in this list? Let us know all about it by joining the jamboree! See you there!