#Advertisement I received compensation from Dr. Scholl’s® to write this post. All opinions are entirely my own. #CustomFitRelief #DrScholls
Whether my family drove or flew to Central Florida, the second I saw those famous theme park gates I wanted to hit the ground running! After a couple of days, I started to think maybe that wasn’t a good idea. At the end of the vacation, I DEFINITELY knew we should have slowed our pace a bit. It took only a couple of visits to realize that pacing ourselves was the way to tour the parks wisely. From when to visit to how to take care of yourself, here’s how to pace yourself in the Central Florida theme parks!
Visit During Off Season
Ok, stick with me for a moment, I swear there’s a method to my madness. On high crowd level days, you’re going to find yourself in standby queues for longer, that’s a fact. And, I’ve noticed that the more I’m standing or walking, the more my feet start yelling at me compliments of that tired, achy feeling.
Shorter lines equals a shorter amount of time standing which equals less discomfort in those legs, feet, and back. So, if you can swing visiting during off-season, do it. Not only does my body thank you, smaller crowds means a happier me.
When it comes to off season, the best times to visit are when the kids just go back to school, the week after major holidays, and my favorite, fall. Not only is the weather moderate but the crowds have calmed and the decorations are stunning. Just think of all of those photo opportunities with the gorgeous, autumn displays. Ahh…
Keep Yourself Hydrated
Dehydration, especially in warmer climates, can happen before you can say sunshine. The hot, Central Florida sun, paired with sweating, can wreak havoc on your body’s fluid levels and that havoc can rear its ugly head in the form of lethargy, headaches, and even dizziness. To combat dehydration, drink way more fluids than you think you should. Truth? If you feel thirsty, you’re already getting dehydrated. Trying to not feel thirsty is key.
Happily, you don’t have to spend upwards of $3 for a bottle of water every time you turn around – any restaurant or cart selling fountain drinks will give you as many cups of ice and water as you’d like for free as many times as you ask. No kidding.
If you’re not fond of Florida water, there is an alternative to spending $3 per bottle. Driving in? Grab a case of water and leave it in the backseat for drinking and emergencies. If you’re flying in, order a case or two from Walmart.com and have it shipped to your resort. Just remember to make sure to add the proper resort and check-in date to the shipping label info.
Take Some Down Time Everyday
My family and I used to tour the theme parks with fervor everyday of our visit. By that last day, I was seriously ready to cry from exhaustion. But I understand the dilemma; I wanted to see as much of the parks in those first couple of visits as possible. Heck, on the last day of our visit Mr. Locke fell asleep on the carousel!
Once I realized there was no possible way to see everything in the theme parks in a single visit, I calmed my pace down. We began to take mid-afternoon breaks. Not only do we avoid the hot, afternoon sun, we give our bodies a rest by heading back to our resort and taking a nap or swimming. You’d be surprised at how much two or three hours of downtime can help.
Wear the Right Shoes
I get it, I want to look fashionable in the Central Florida theme parks, but there comes a time when I choose function over fashion. That time is wearing the right shoes. When my family visits the theme parks, we generally visit for a week or more. The best thing I can do is make sure I wear sturdy tennis shoes or walking shoes that have been broken in. Not only will your feet thank you, you’ll notice your back and legs will, too.
Yep, I used to hobble around the parks complete with blisters on every toe, but no more. I swap shoes every other day (it really does help) and, should I get a blister, I make sure to wrap it immediately.
Take Care of Your Legs and Feet
While we’re talking about legs and feet, I have to give you my backstory just in case you don’t know. For a decade, I was an Irish Step Dance teacher. Yes, just like Riverdance. Before that, I was a dancer. I used to spend hours practicing each day, banging and pounding the hardwood floors.
I’ve found an affordable way to keep my tired, achy feet feel happy again: Dr. Scholl’s® Custom Fit® Orthotic Inserts. Using Footmapping® technology, my selected orthotics have kept me moving this fall. No kidding, I noticed a measurable difference from the first wear.
How does Footmapping® technology work, you ask? Once you’ve narrowed down which Walmart locations offer it (I got lucky; my local Walmart already had a Custom Fit® kiosk), it only takes around two minutes for the completed assessment. I needed to take off my shoes for a proper measurement, so make sure you have socks when you visit. It uses 2,200 pressure sensors to create a Custom Footmap to identify arch type, foot length and unique pressure points.
Honestly, the two-minute session was fun. I was able to watch the interactive screen and learn about my foot care needs including my super low arches. The process was super easy, too: measurements were taken by standing on both feet and then one at a time. I finally found an effective and affordable way to keep my feet, legs, and back in check when touring the park for 12+ hours a day.
Two Big Pluses for Trying Dr. Scholl’s® Custom Fit® Orthotic Inserts
In a nutshell, you can try Custom Fit® Orthotics risk-free, with the Dr. Scholl’s® Money Back Guarantee. If you don’t dig your new Custom Fit® Orthotics, you can receive a full refund.
If you do dig them and still want to save (mine cost just under $50), Dr. Scholl’s® is offering a $10 rebate on your purchase. It’s super easy to sign up, too.
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