Ask anyone who has ever visited Disney for advice about your pending visit and they will tell you to wear comfortable shoes.
Undoubtedly, you will walk more than you typically walk, but how many steps does it take per day to do the parks?
On average, you can expect to take anywhere from 15,000-18,000 steps every day when visiting Walt Disney World. When you break that down, it is around 8 or 9 miles daily, which is a considerable amount of walking to do.
Of course, the number of steps that you take may differ, depending upon how much of the park you’re trying to see and whether you’re spending most of the time walking or standing in a queue.
One thing to not about the image above is that on some of these days I visited the Water parks first and did not have my cell phone so it’s actually more than shown!
Regardless of what you do at Disney, you are going to be on your feet. Even the time when you are only standing still can really wear on your feet, your legs, and your back.
One other thing to mention is the fact that you will also have the walk to enter and exit the park. This can add a lot of steps to your journey, regardless of which park you visit.
It’s a good idea to know what you’re getting into before you go to Disney. Wearing comfortable shoes is one suggestion, but there are many other things you can do to help your legs and your feet to make it throughout the entire vacation.
Some of this comes in the planning, such as choosing the park you will visit. Is there one that requires more walking than the others?
Which Disney Park Requires The Most Walking?
There are many things to consider when trying to decide which of the parks to visit. One of those might be the number of steps you will be taking. Which park requires the most?
If you’re trying to make a full day inside a signal park at Walt Disney World, then Epcot is likely to put more wear and tear on your feet. You will find yourself wandering all day long from one country to another, trying to take in as much of each world as possible.
It isn’t just the distance that you will be traveling because there are more walkways, it actually has to do with the number of attractions you will be visiting while at the park.
Considering the fact that Epcot has about 40 attractions, it’s going to take a lot of footwork to get from one to the other. Even if you don’t see them all, you will likely try to see more because there are more available.
You can limit the amount of walking that you do at Epcot by being strategic with the way you enter the park. Going in through the back entrance drops you between the UK and France pavilions.
You can start your journey halfway around and if you leave using Disney transportation from the front entrance, you really lose about half of the park.
Which Disney Park Requires The Least Walking?
Just as Epcot is the park that requires the most amount of walking, there is also a park that generally requires the least amount of walking. Which is it?
Hollywood Studios is the park at Walt Disney World that will likely put the least wear and tear on your feet. There are less than half of the attractions you will find at Epcot and fewer walkways than any other Disney Park in Orlando.
Consider the fact that it isn’t just about the number of steps you are taking, it’s also about the experience. Hollywood Studios is a completely different theme park compared to Epcot, the Magic Kingdom, or anything else offered by Disney.
If you go to Hollywood studios because it is less likely to require as much walking as Epcot, then you may be missing out on something that you really want to see.
You would be better off going to Epcot and only walking where you wanted to go rather than wandering around Disney’s Hollywood Studios and not enjoying it so much.
How Do I Stop My Feet From Hurting At Disney?
Disney may be The Happiest Place on Earth, but how can you also keep your feet happy while visiting the parks? Try the following tips on for size, because they can keep you stepping lively all day long.
Consider Your Shoes – Obviously, you would want to wear comfortable shoes when visiting Disney. You should also buy them in advance and break them in so you aren’t doing it at the park. This can really save you a blister or two.
Consider your Socks – Don’t buy the cheapest socks available. Buy an expensive pair of socks to wear every day and then pack an extra pair of socks to change in the middle of the day. You’ll thank me later.
Take a Break – We understand that everybody wants to get through Disney and do everything at the park. Give your feet a break every once in a while, even if you have to schedule it.
Prepare in Advance – One of the big problems that many people have is that they don’t do many steps at home and then suddenly they are doing 20,000 steps at Disney. Why not work your way up to a higher number so your feet can take it?
Keep Your Feet Dry- On my most recent trip, I got wet feet and had to spend the entire day in wet socks and sneakers, the next day I had terrible blisters. Seriously avoid this as it can really ruin a few days of your vacation.
Your feet are one of your most valuable commodities when visiting any of Disney’s parks. Take care of them and they will make sure you have a great day.
How Do You Get Around Disney Without Walking?
There are times when walking is not an option. There are also times when it is just an option we don’t want to consider. How do we get around Disney without walking?
One easy way to get from one place to another at Disney without walking is to take Disney transportation.
You can even take multiple forms of transportation, including buses, boats, monorails, the Skyliner, and even the trams from the back parking lot.
Once you are actually inside one of the parks, you will have few options but to walk from one place to another. That is, of course, unless you make plans to ride.
There are wheelchairs available at Disney, and you can rent one if you like. You don’t have to show proof that you’re disabled but you do need to give an explanation to the cast member so they can set you up properly.
This would include providing you with a Disability Access Services card in some cases. Or in other cases, they may recommend that you rent a scooter.
If they do want you to rent a scooter, you will pay around $12 per day. If you have to rent one for more than a day, you get a discount that essentially makes it $10 per day.
Walking is going to be a part of your visit to Disney in some way or another. By being prepared and taking the appropriate steps, you can keep your feet happy and still make the magic happen.
