How to Stay Fit During Your Walt Disney World Vacation

There are plenty of ways in which you can stay fit (or even get fitter) while visiting the Walt Disney World Resort. Want to know how? Here are 10 ideas for you to consider:

10. Walk Every Chance You Can

It may sound like the most general suggestion, but the benefits for getting in more steps really do go a long way. And the reality is that you will be doing a lot more walking while out and about Walt Disney World. For example, if you are staying onsite at a Disney resort you will no doubt be walking from your room to various highlights around your specific resort.

Of course, there is all that walking around you’re likely to be doing while visiting multiple Disney theme parks. Even making your rounds in Disney Springs is an excellent and diverting way to get those steps in. For a little extra encouragement, we suggest that when you are presented with the opportunity to walk rather than take an easy out (such as an elevator or a designated mode of transportation).

Perhaps you’re staying at one of several resorts that are in walking range of one of the parks. We advise you to take the trail over the monorail, boat, bus, or Disney Skyliner options in such cases as these. Even if you aren’t staying at such a resort, you can take delight in wherever it is you are staying at, as each resort offers adequate walking trails or pathways for you to stretch your legs along.

Related: Best Places To Stroll or Jog At The Resorts – Disney World Jogging Trails

9. Go on a Tour

During normal operations Disney offers a wide range of special tours. From behind-the-scenes exclusives to specially customized or personally led engagements you may reserve for your family or group, opportunities for getting in a little extra magic often result in getting in a little more physical activity as well. So, depending on what is available at the time of your vacation, you may want to consider such opportunities. But even if you forego a formal tour or extra offer, you can still carve out an opportunity to go on your own self-guided tour of sorts.

Several Disney parks have unique hotspots designed for strolling. Consider a world tour within EPCOT’s World Showcase for instance, or perhaps you’d like to trek through the myriad wild venues awaiting you at Animal Kingdom Park. Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge is another great place to stroll about on an observational wild-life laden tour, even if this isn’t the place you are staying at. Likewise, you will find a whole host of pursuits over at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort, particularly at their Tri-Circle-D Ranch.

Related: 10 Disney Experiences That Are Worth The Extra Money

8. Enjoy Resort-Wide Recreations

While some do have admittedly more to enjoy than others, every Disney resort boasts its own share of bountiful recreational pastimes right onsite, all of which are perfect for getting your energy levels up and your system into full swing. Pools are featured at each and every resort location, and swimming is one of the very best forms of exercise you can partake in.

You’ll also find various other recreational endeavors at most resorts, including a number of different sports-based formats like volleyball nets, tennis courts, and so on. Many also offer bike rentals, making for another excellent way to work up some momentum. For those with or near a marina location, boating can be beneficial as well, particularly if you opt for more labor-intensive endeavors, like paddling or rowing.

Credit: Disney

Related: 5 Best Pools at Walt Disney World Resorts

7. Hit the Gym

Yes, working out in a gym is a very conventional suggestion, but it’s one we cannot leave off our list, especially seeing how some Disney resorts feature the very best of the best. We’re talking about state-of-the-art equipment, around-the-clock operations, and a host of complimentary amenities in most cases. It’s true the offerings differ from location to location, but if you want to know the best fitness centers to work out at among Disney resorts, here is the lineup:

• Zahanti Fitness Center at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge – Jambo House
• Survival of the Fittest Fitness Center at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge – Kidani Village
• Muscles & Bustles Health Club at Disney’s BoardWalk Inn & Villas
• Olympiad Fitness Center at Disney’s Contemporary Resort
• La Vida Fitness Center at Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort
• The Fitness Center at Gran Destino Tower at Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort
• Grand Floridian Spa & Health Club at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort
• R.E.S.T. Exercise Room at Disney’s Old Key West Resort
• Athlétique Fitness Center at Disney’s Riviera Resort
• Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa Fitness Center at Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort
• Sturdy Branches Health Club at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge & Villas
• Ship Shape Health Club at Disney’s Yacht Club

6. Join Up With a Fitness Class

While working out at the gym on your own is fine for some, others like that motivational kick that comes with the guidance of a personal instructor or coach. And there are others who like taking it easy in a serene congregate setting with yoga, pilates, or other calming antics. Well, believe it or not, you’ll find the likes of these around various Disney Resort locations as well. You’ll find weight training, complimentary fitness classes, or private sessions, at most of the previously profiled fitness centers. Check with each one for details. As for calmer pursuits, like the aforementioned yoga, you’ll find such at such locations as Disney’s All-Star Movies Resort, the BoardWalk Inn, Saratoga Springs, the Grand Floridian, the Contemporary, the Coronado, the Yacht & Beach Club, Wilderness Lodge, and others.

Related: Top 5 Amazing Guest Services People Overlook at Disney

5. Running Events

Did you know that there are ongoing running events held at Walt Disney World on a regular basis? You may have heard about the various runDisney marathon happenings that take place at certain times of the year. But we’re not saying you have to sign up for one of these events (unless, of course you want to). You can just decide to attend one of Disney’s weekly morning fun runs. In short, fun runs are held at certain resorts one day a week. It’s an opportunity for guests to join in for a fulfilling run around a given resort’s path, which ends by rewarding runners somehow.

Yes, sometimes the reward is presented as treat that can be admittedly counterproductive! While we are still navigating these unprecedented times, scheduled events are forever changing. But here’s the most comprehensive list of successful fun runs we’ve found to give you an indication of what you may expect:

• The Running of the Coronado at Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort on Sundays
• The Beignet Dash at Port Orleans French Quarter on Sundays
• All-Stars and Icons Fun Run at All-Star Movies, every other Tuesday
• The Southernmost Point at Old Key West on Wednesdays
• The Derby Dash at Saratoga Springs Resort on Thursdays
• The Regatta Run at Yacht/Beach Club on Thursdays
• Seaside Sprint Fun Run at Disney’s Boardwalk Resort on Fridays
• Southern Most Point Fun Run at Old Key West on Wednesdays
• Topolino Trot at the Riviera Resort on Sundays
• Derby Dash Family Fun Run at Saratoga Springs on Thursdays
• Fort Wilderness (seasonally)
• The Pineapple Dash at the Polynesian Village Resort (seasonally)

4. Get Golfing

While miniature golf is all fine and dandy, you can really flex your muscles and walk from hole to hole on a vast area of space when you head to one of Disney’s own champion golf courses. All under operation by Arnold Palmer Golf Management, you have four exceptional options to choose from—Disney’s Palm, Magnolia, the Lake Buena Vista, and Oak Trail. Even though these are all “professional” courses, you can get a lot out of them even if you aren’t a golfer per se. And for those looking for a novel spin on traditional golf with even more physical activity involved consider FootGolf. Offered at the Oak Trail Course, it’s an innovative combination of golf and soccer in one. And we suggest you try it out!

Related: 5 Reasons Why Disney World Is For Golfers

3. Wipeout Workouts at Disney Waterparks

You can really burn some serious calories by planning an all-day experience at one of Disney’s famed waterparks. From riding waves to scaling the top of and then zipping down some wildly rushing water slides, both Blizzard Beach and Typhoon Lagoon alike have so much to offer. Typhoon Lagoon offered three-hour Hang 10 private surf sessions are also back and make for an excellent, watery way to work out.

2. Find Something to Dance About

Sometimes the best way to get moving is to get up and dance. And you already have a lot to dance about if you’re lucky enough to be on vacation at Walt Disney World Resort. Consider joining in with your kids for special dance party events happening within the Parks or around your resort at a given time. The more movement the better! Or perhaps you may consider a night on the town at the famed Atlantic Dance Hall night club over at Disney’s BoardWalk. There’s also Disney Springs—another renowned favorite for clubbing pursuits in particular.

1. Look to Healthier Alternatives When Eating

Even for a vacation destination, it’s easy to eat healthy at Walt Disney World. Choose a Minute Maid Lemonade, frozen fruit bar, or Dole Whip over that Premium Mickey Ice Cream Bar, for instance. Disney chefs are excellent at accommodating special dietary requests. So, if you want to omit the oil and butter, or take it easy on the salt, just speak with a chef directly. In most cases, it is best to notify Disney of your special requests when you are making any and all reservations. You can learn more about doing so by clicking here.

Note that either way Disney offers up a vast array of alternative options at almost every food location. From plant-based vegan to gluten free, dairy free, sugar free, and more, they have everyone covered. They even have Mickey Check Meals for children, perfect for parents looking to provide kids with well-balanced better-for-you options while vacationing here. And remember, you can always do those little things, like substituting a side of chips or fries for a fresh fruit or vegetable component, or snacking on fresh produce at one of many in-park kiosks. When all is said and done, the answer is yes, it is absolutely doable to enjoy the Disney World food scene even if you happen to be on a diet.

Related: Is It Possible to Eat Healthy at Walt Disney World?

Staying fit doesn’t mean having to sacrifice your plans to visit Walt Disney World Resort. As you can see, there are many fun and innovative ways to carry on with a fantastic vacation experience regardless. If ever there was a testament to the undeniable truth that Disney World is a magical place made for everyone to enjoy!