Staying Fit in Walt Disney World
Many Deluxe resorts on property come with a fitness center, fully-equipped with cardio machines, strength circuits and free weights.
The perfect Walt Disney World vacation looks different for everyone.
Rope drop to fireworks? Sure!
Relax by the pool? Why not?
Become a regular at every buffet and snack cart? You do you. There’s nothing wrong with treating yourself on vacation, but what if you want to fit in some time to work off a few of those Dole Whips?
As a Walt Disney World resort guest, you have a lot of options when it comes to staying fit on property, including going about your day as normal.
Guests average between seven to ten miles of walking each day, just getting to, from and around the parks. In fact, you’ll earn more than a mile in just a single loop of the EPCOT World Showcase, and nearly a mile and a half just by walking the perimeter of the Magic Kingdom.
If you’re looking for a more intense workout, or want to pump some iron, we look to some of the many resort fitness centers on property. Most of the on-property gyms are limited to guests of Deluxe resorts, with the Moderate Coronado Springs as the exception.
- Animal Kingdom Lodge – Zahanati Fitness Center
- Boardwalk Villas – Muscles & Bustles Health Club
- Coronado Springs – La Vida Fitness Center & Gran Destino Tower Fitness Center
- Contemporary – Olympiad Fitness Center
- Grand Floridian – Grand Floridian Spa & Health Club
- Old Key West – Resort Exercise Room
- Saratoga Springs Resort – Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa Fitness Center
- Wilderness Lodge and Villas – Sturdy Branches Health Club
- Yacht & Beach Club – Ship Shape Health Club
*Note: As of July 2022, Spas and salons are still unavailable as part of Disney’s phased reopening. Fitness centers are operating under modified hours, posted to their respective web pages.
All of the fitness centers are well-equipped with cardio and strength machines to suit your needs, including ellipticals, treadmills, various bikes and weight machines. Some also include stair climbers and resistance equipment, and even televisions to keep your mind off of the clock.
On-site fitness centers have traditionally been open 24/7 to guests of their resorts, accessible using your MagicBand. As of now, they’re operating under modified hours – typically 6AM-9PM – that are posted to their respective web pages.
As a general rule, fitness centers are limited to guests 14 and up, but if you’re 17 or under, you’ll need to be accompanied by an adult or legal guardian.
Guests 16 and older at the Swan and Dolphin also have access to a full gym of cardio and strength equipment, resistance bands and balls, and even daily fitness classes, like Aqua HIIT, Zumba, Cardio Splash and Yoga, etc.
If you’re not staying at one of the resorts with on-site fitness centers, or if you’re looking to really get out and stretch your legs, check out some of the many walking and jogging paths sprinkled across Disney property. Choose from more than a dozen paths, from the Animal Kingdom, to EPCOT, to the Magic Kingdom and Disney Springs. Routes typically span just under a mile, to just over a 5k, and are appropriate for all ages.
Take advantage of more than a dozen walking paths on property. You’ll hit your step goals and discover a side of the resorts you can’t see anywhere else.
We love that you can explore areas of Disney that you may not have seen before, like the Sassagoula River along Port Orleans or the Wedding Pavilion at the Grand Floridian, all for the price of a few steps. Grab a map from your hotel lobby Concierge desk, lace up, and get moving (at your own pace!)
Another extra special treat we hope to see return to Disney soon are the Resort Fun Runs. These shorter races have historically been held on a weekly basis at various points on the Walt Disney World map. They’re a great way to get out solo, or with the whole family for a 1-3 mile morning run. Registration was available early or same-day, and typically ran about $15 per person.
Some of our past favorites include the Beignet Dash at Port Orleans French Quarter, Seaside Sprint at the Boardwalk, and the seasonal Pineapple Dash at the Polynesian. While they’re still on hold due to COVID restrictions, Disney has said the races will return at some point.
Of course, if you’re really looking to get your miles in while in Orlando, RunDisney hosts some of the most sought-after road races in the country. Keep an eye out for future posts and announcements about our favorite 5Ks, half- and full marathons in the most magical place on Earth!
