Calories Burned at Disney World Parks

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I, along with about half the US, am so excited about our Disney trip planned this summer! Every year we try to plan a day trip to Disney World on our way back from Michigan, and every year we end up not doing it. That is, until this year. Business will be taking us down the mid-line of the state and it just makes sense to stop in along the way... Especially since it will give me so many possibilities for healthy Disney blog posts in the future!

In the past I have done totals on calories burned at Magic Kingdom, EPCOT, Animal Kingdom, and Hollywood Studios. Although the information has been hecka useful in the past, it has never been condescend into one simple post talking about where we burn the most Calories at Disney and why.

There have been rumors that one walks the most in EPCOT and therefore burns the most calories. I am happy to say this myth is completely untrue. In fact, the park that will burn the most calories is Magic Kingdom- the place almost all of us go on every trip to Disney World. This is partially due to all the back and forth walking and partially due to the inclines you have no idea you are hiking. Next after Magic Kingdom is EPCOT since it is just so big. This is followed by Animal Kingdom. Then, way in the back is Hollywood Studios. This really cannot be much of a surprise since Hollywood Studios is just so darn small.

Below is a handy dandy chart showing my averages for all parks over 8-hours of time. Of course, your steps and calorie burn could be way different than mine depending what you do and how you get there. In almost every situation we drive or take the bus. Then, we tend to go on 3-8 rides in 8-hours and sit down for 1-3 shows, depending on the park. There is also eating time that we are not walking and lots of back-and-forth time for things like Sorcerers of the Magic Kingdom or the Pirate Quest in Adventureland.

It is also good to take into consideration that there are very few people who will spend a whole 8-hours in either Animal Kingdom or Hollywood Studios. Although the calories burned is for 8-hours in each park, these two parks are more likely to be 4-6 hours, tops.

Fun Things to Check Out at Disney World This Summer

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Gaahh!! I knew that looking at Disney things over the summer would be bad. My obsessive personality and inability to understand anything but [nearly] instant gratification is not a good combination when we are away from things I love/want/do not know how to live without. Yes, Disney World would be one of those things and, yes, I am ready to hop on a plane for a quick trip and Disney fix. Really, we could be back in two days and in the scheme of things what is two days?! Thankfully, I have not looked at any of the info for the Harry Potter expansion at Universal Studios. That could lead to some very impulsive buying and some pretty guild ridden buyer's remorse. 

Ok, get it together Jenni. We can go more than two months without visiting Disney or Universal Studios. For any of you who are able to visit Disney World over summer vacations, these are some little extras that I would not pass up doing

Fast Pass+ for Anna and Elsa 

If you have children YOU MUST DO THIS. Anna and Elsa are a pretty big deal right now and lines to meet them range from 2-4 hours at both EPCOT and Magic Kingdom. Fast Passes for this means that you will be able to meet them with only waiting 20 minutes. Then, you meet them, your children talk with them, pictures are taken, and you may even cry with happiness at seeing how in awe your kiddos are of these characters. Don't laugh, it has happen many a time before.

If, you are not able to log on to your Disney experience and get Fast Pass+ for this event (they sell out like months in advance), my best advice would either be to not tell your kids they could meet these characters, or, bring an iPad with some movies and games pre-loaded. Perhaps Frozen for some pre-meet and greet fun! 

Downtown Disney Co-Op

Go here, go here, go here. This new Downtown Disney store is one of the first stores to open under the new Disney Springs reconstruction. I have not yet been here, but from everything I have been hearing, we will be going when we get back, for sure. 

The store is separated into multiple mini stores that change depending on what is popular at that time. Right now there is a tech area with self customized phone covers called D-tech (I need this), accessories at Cherry Tree Lane, (I need this), a clothing area focusing on cute clothing for teen girls called Zoe and Pickles, Beautiful Disney with exclusive Disney make-up, sports memorabilia at The Trophy Room, and theme park themed kitchenware in the center. A family could easily spend all night here or just long enough for your table to be ready at a nearby restaurant. 

LeFou's Brew

Let's face it, Orlando gets H-O-T over the summer, it also has torrential downpours that can last anywhere for 2-minutes to 45+. If you are stuck at Magic Kingdom during this time and are either too hot to bear it or ducking from rain drops as big as your fist, stop by Gaston's Tavern in New Fantasyland. LeFou's brew can be found here and is, pretty much, an iced apple cider with mango frosting on the top. I am not personally a fan of the mango bit, but the iced cider is fantastic! 

The tavern is also a great place to sit and relax, cool down, and enjoy some off time before hitting the parks all over again. 

EPCOT Late Nights

Why EPCOT did not think of this sooner, I simply do not know. Now, instead of heading home promptly at 9:00 PM when the park closes, you can pay a little extra and stay in the parks visiting the different restaurants in the World Showcase. There will be four lounges open in the World Showcase for this Late Night Wind Down. The cost is $35 per person and can be reserved in advance by calling the Disney reservations line.

If you are wanting to go to this, I would highly recommend getting reservations ahead. This EPCOT addition is not super popular yet, but chances are that it will start selling out quite soon. Those who are not crazy interested in alcoholic beverages would probably not get too much out of the extra price since most lounges are catered around drinks. That being said, having the kiddos along would not be super advisable either. 

Festival of The Lion King

The Festival of The Lion King show was recently closed down so it could move from the Camp Minnie Mickey location to it's new spot in Animal Kingdom's Africa. Although the show is the same, the theater is different and the setting seems much more fitting. This is also a free show that is ridiculously fun for every age range. Really, what those acrobats do will leave more than your two-year-old awe struck. Be sure to watch the monkeys a bit extra during this show, they are my favorite!