Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Start by taking short walks around the neighborhood, walking on pavement, and
increasing the distance about a quarter of a mile on each outing. Older children will
shape up quickly. Younger children should build endurance more slowly and incre-
mentally.Increasedistance untilyoucanmanagea6-or7-milehikewithoutrequiring
CPR. And remember, you're not training to be able to walk 6 or 7 miles just once; at
Walt Disney World you will be hiking 5-9 miles or more almost
every day
. So unless
you plan to crash after the first day, you've got to prepare your feet to walk long dis-
tances for three to five consecutive days.
Let's be honest and admit up front that not all feet are created equal. Some folks
are blessed with really tough feet, whereas the feet ofothers sprout blisters if youlook
at them sideways. Assuming that there's nothing wrong with either shoes or socks, a
few brisk walks will clue you in to what kind of feet your family have. If you have
a tenderfoot in your family, walks of incrementally increased distances will usually
toughenuphisorherfeettosomeextent.Forthosewhosefeetrefusetotoughen,your
only alternative is preventive care. After several walks, you will know where your
tenderfoot tends to develop blisters. If you can anticipate where blisters will develop,
you can cover sensitive spots in advance with moleskin (a friction-resistant adhesive
dressing) or a blister bandage.
When you initiate your walking program, teach your children to tell you if they
feel a hot spot on their feet. This is the warning that a blister is developing. If your
kids are too young, too oblivious, too preoccupied, or don't understand the concept,
your best bet is to make regular foot checks. Have your children remove their shoes
and socks and present their feet for inspection. Look for red spots and blisters, and
ask if they have any places on their feet that hurt.
LILIANE
If you have a child who will physically fit in a stroller, rent one,
no matter how well conditioned your family is.
During your conditioning, and also at Walt Disney World, carry a foot emergency
kit in your day pack or hip pack. The kit should contain gauze, Betadine antibiotic
ointment, an assortment of Band-Aid Advanced Healing Blister Bandages, a sewing
