Mickey and Minnie Mouse sightings, of course. Fun rides and sticky sweet treats, absolutely. But while Walt Disney World Resort in Florida is beloved for all this and more, there’s a healthy underbelly to the parks that’s steadily adding to the magic. 

Earlier this month Disney World hosted its Wine and Dine Half Marathon Weekend, the latest runDisney event, featuring a 5K, 10K and half marathon race along with a two course challenge that brought out 40,000 Disney character-costumed runners. During the weekend, the parks also took the opportunity to put their Fit-cation options on display, touting just how healthy a trip to Disney World can be. 

“Disney Family Wellness came from some of the feedback we’ve been getting from our guests over the years, saying ‘We love all of the fun stuff we do but we have wellness at home as a focus for our family’,” says Hotel and Resorts Manager of Recreation, Phil Baum. “So we said ‘Hey how do we do that and let you focus on that in a fun way here at Disney while you’re on vacation’.”

Here are some of the little known health and wellness opportunities to check out when heading to Disney World Resort.

You can walk Disney and runDisney

Fans of Disney World know they’ll naturally get their steps in when hitting the parks to enjoy the attractions, but what does all that movement equate to? According to Disney World Resorts, the average guest walking around the parks, including Magic Kingdom, Hollywood Studios, Epcot and Animal Kingdom, burns an estimated 1000 calories per day of their vacation, or 5 Mickey ice cream bars, to put it in perspective. 

For those with a need for speed and a more intense burn, there’s runDisney. Established in 1994, it’s “one of the largest race organizers in the United States, with as many 170,000 runners participating each race season,” according to Disney Parks.

The yearly 6 event weekends, including the newest Halloween Half Marathon Weekend kicking off in September of 2024, offers runners young and old an opportunity to take to courses throughout the parks before or after they are open to the public. For this month’s Wine & Dine race weekend, new sponsors Echelon Fitness had state of the art exercise equipment and instructors on hand while Mission cooling products provided racers with apparel proven to help beat the heat.

Pickleball Has Hit the Parks

Disney World Resort has gotten in on the newest sports craze. Across their resort properties there are now 10 pickleball courts; some tennis courts have been recently converted to embrace the new fitness trend. During the Fit-cation events instructors were on hand, guiding guests through the rules and requirements of the sport that’s sweeping the nation. 

Other outdoor activities available across Disney World properties include Disney movie-themed family fitness classes, 6 basketball courts, 12 fitness centers, 17 jogging trails and more than 20 scavenger hunts. 

Relaxation Is Around the Corner

Disney World might not seem like the go-to place to rest and re-set, but that doesn’t mean the opportunity to fully unwind isn’t there. The Grand Floridian Resort houses Disney World Resort’s only full-service spa where guests ages 14 and up are greeted with calming stones and aromatics of their choice prior to receiving services like the Tired Feet Rejuvenation massage or the Pumpkin Spice Honey Manicure. 

Additional offerings include the Mandara Spa at the Dolphin Hotel and Zahanati Massage and Fitness Center at Animal Kingdom Lodge. 

It’s Getting Easier to Find Fresh (Non-Fried!) Foods

Fan favorite foods like savory smoked turkey legs, crunchy mac and cheese balls, creamy Dole whip soft serve and crispy churros aren’t going anywhere. That said Disney World has a whole host of dining options on the healthier side. 

Says the resort, “whether you are fueling up for one of our run Disney races or for a fun-filled day at our parks, you will be able to find nourishing options. Our restaurants utilize a variety of cooking techniques and fresh ingredients to provide a range of options for all tastes and appetites.” 

Options include dishes like sustainable fish over bok choy, lotus root, bell peppers and shiitake mushrooms served in a ginger-lemon broth. Served up at Magic Kingdom’s Jungle Navigation Co. LTD Skipper Canteen restaurant, it’s one of many meals highlighted during Disney World Resort’s recent Fit-cation event. 

It’s all in the parks’ plan to give guests more of what they want. “It’s about wellness all encompassing,” adds Baum. “It’s not only about fitness, it’s about your mind, being out in nature and about being together as a family.”