When we are out and about in Orlando sometimes it makes sense to slow down and take a look where we are. The local wildlife is beautiful, as are the views. We know as a holiday Orlando can be a pretty full on experience for some, but it doesn’t have to be.
We always take a morning to stroll around the local area, there are miles and miles of unspoilt tracks around lakes and woods, you will be astounded at the different views you will see in a short walk. Even on a busy park hopping day there are so many little strolls you can take, these work wonders for the stressed parent, kids with a bit too much steam to blow off after way too much candy!
A favourite walk of ours is the one from Epcot to Hollywood Studios. This is around a 30-ish minutes walk at a steady pace. Now we know you have been walking like you are getting ready for selection into the S.A.S. or Seals but this walk is something different. You start off at the International Gateway between the U.K. and the France Pavilions, from here you wander out in the general direction of the Boardwalk resort. This is a treat in itself, a wooden seaside boardwalk/pier with bars and restaurants along it and boat rides to other resorts and parks. It’s worth the stroll just to come here and get away from the hustle and bustle of Epcot, and it’s worth the 10 minutes or so it takes to get there.
You wander past the shops and bars and the superb Ample hills Creamery, a next level ice cream shop – a delicious reward for all that walking!! When you get to the end of the Boardwalk turn left and there is a lovely path that hugs the inland water ways that serve WDW. From here you can see the iconic Swan and Dolphin hotels. They have over 2000 rooms between them. You just simply follow this path all the way along past the rear of the Boardwalk villas, all the way along to Hollywood Studios. It’s quiet, peaceful (as peaceful as it can be in WDW) the lawns are manicured and most people love just to wander here and clear their heads before the next round of fun.
Another of our faves Is a walk around the town of Celebration, this town has so many walking trails and pretty shops just to dip in and out of. What can be better than having a meal at the diner at the corner (Rubens sandwich for Mr Oh, and ice tea) then strolling over to the lakeside so sit in the rocking chairs and natter to the locals who are always happy to chat and point out various points of interest. Then after your lunch has gone down take a walk around the lake. There are splash pools and running trails all over this pretty little town and in our opinion you cannot take a bad photograph here. Well worth a visit either on the way to or back from the WDW.
A more obvious walk is around the malls. You don’t really need to buy anything at all. It’s a really relaxing way of kicking about before or after a park. And not to forget the air conditioning is a blessed relief! Malls here are way ahead of ones in the U.K. customer service wise. There is always some sort of little show on or an event, and if you wanna chill you will be spoilt for choice with the comfy seating and charging points for you devices. There is something to be said for sitting and watching the world go by whilst on holiday…
If you are staying “on property” in the Mouses House then there are trails galore, these are running, walking and wildlife spotting delights. Most average about a mile long but some are a tad longer. Imagine staying at Wilderness lodge and having an evening stroll along the trail. It’s a lovely way to decompress after a day of full on running about. Even better is after your stroll you can visit one of the famous fire pits WDW have at most resorts and make some s’mores. Either bring your own stuff or you can buy it from a cast member. Then sit down with your treats and watch a film in the open air (a Disney film obviously!!)
Now, if you are “Fitbit-er” or an Apple Watch fan you WILL get all the steps you can count and more! An average park days mooching about will net you about 13000 easy. And it is no joke when we say at the end of the holiday you will be feeling it! This brings us onto shoes/trainers. As a rule we’d say wear your new holiday trainers in before hitting the parks and malls. The last thing you want is blisters or rubbing. If you’ve never been before you have no idea actually of just how long you are on your feet for, and when you factor the heat and humidity in as well, it sometimes takes its toll.
You don’t even need to walk around to see the sights either, there are companies such as Boggy Creek Airboat adventure that will whisk you over the Everglades, or people like Clear Kayak Rainbow Springs who take you in a clear Kayak along Florida’s water ways. So you’re not even standing up to see all the beautiful things Orlando has to offer! Simple.
Have fun folks. We have 192 days remaining till we go on our next adventure so see y’all soon!
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