Getting fit at Disney

Visit during a runDisney event for a fit and fun vacay. Photo: Courtesy Walt Disney World

Going on vacation can wreak havoc on your fitness routine. Between dining out for every meal and skipping your weekly cycle class, it’s easy to return from vacation a few pounds heavier than when you left.

Walt Disney World makes it easy to stay fit while enjoying your vacation.  Here are the top five ways you can work in your workout while at Walt Disney World:

Hit the ground running
Running around Walt Disney World is not only a great way to get fit, but it’s a great way to tour the resorts and property. Many of the Walt Disney World resorts offer jogging trails and maps of where to run nearby. My favorite jogging trail is between Disney’s Grand Floridian and Polynesian resorts; this jogging trail offers beautiful views of the Seven Seas Lagoon. Disney’s Coronado Springs offers a ¾-mile jogging trail around Lago Dorado. If you stay near the Boardwalk area, such as Disney’s Yacht and Beach Club, Boardwalk, Swan or Dolphin resorts, you can run on the boardwalk and Crescent Lake. Make sure to pick up a map of the jogging trails, which can be found on allears.net. Of course you can also plan your vacationaround a runDisney event to make fitness the main event.

Lap it up
Many of the Walt Disney World resorts have “Quiet Pools,” in addition to the main theme pool. The main pool has activities, slides, games and entertainment, while the quiet pool is designed for those who want to swim for fitness or leisure. The quiet pools allow guests to swim laps, although they don’t have divided swim lanes. My favorite is the Casitas Quiet Pool at Coronado Springs. This pool is located near the Health Club and its big enough to swim laps. If you visit early in the morning you have a great chance of being able to have the pool all to yourself.

Stay fit
Walt Disney World has some of the best state-of-the-art fitness centers around. I personally love the newly re-imagined fitness center at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort and Spa.  The fitnesscenter has everything you need to stay fit, including free weights, treadmills, elliptical trainers, strength training equipment and Pilates balls. The locker room is luxurious. You will want to work out here just so you can go to the locker room to shower, slip on a robe and relax. It’s that good.

Take a ride
Walt Disney World offers bicycle rentals for fitness or leisure. You can rent a surrey bike and tour the resort or hit the trails nearby. You can rent bikes at several Walt Disney World resorts, including Wilderness Lodge, Caribbean Beach Resort, BoardWalk Inn, Old Key West Resort, Port Orleans and Coronado Springs.

Make a splash
For those who are seeking adventure and fitness, consider some of the many water sports that Disney offers. From kayak rentals to tubing to parasailing, there is something for everyone.

Ready to head to Disney? Visit Orbitz’s Walt Disney World page for all your travel needs!

Stacy Cacciatore is a member of the 2013 Disney Parks Moms Panel. Panelists have received/will receive a Walt Disney World Resort, Disney Cruise Line, Adventures by Disney, Disneyland Resort or Disney Vacation Club vacation for panelist and up to three family members and/or park tickets for their participation on the Walt Disney World® Moms Panel. The views expressed in the Panel are those of the panelists, who are independent contractors. These views are not intended to reflect the opinions of Walt Disney Parks and Resorts Online, its affiliates, its management, its agents or its employees and have not been reviewed or approved by Walt Disney Parks and Resorts Online prior to posting.

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