Shoes

[mal325]

When you went to Disney what kind of shoes did you wear? Tennis shoes, sandals, flip flops? Is there any rides that you could lose shoes that have an open back?

I ideally would like to wear sandals, they are pretty old (say 3 or 4 at least). They are in great shape for everything they have been through thus far. Rain storms, thunderstorms, mud puddles. You name it, these sandals have been through it. Tennis shoes make me feel more restricted, and wearing socks when it is hot drives me crazy. In your experience, would it be in my best interest to wear sandals or tennis shoes?

[PrincessKara22]

I always wear tennis shoes bc my ankles and feet would hurt if I was doing major walking for 15 hours day after day in flip flops. My feet DO get super hot in sneakers & socks at Disney but I think it's better than being in pain. But I guess if your sandals are super supportive and comfortable they could work? Maybe start out wearing one and carry the other to change into in case you need it? The parks have lockers you could rent if you don't want to carry them all day :)
As long as you aren't wearing crocs I'm a-okay with it!

[MickeyNicki]

I wear a nice flip flop with a wedge heel..not high ones but not flat to the ground either. I hate wearing sneakers and will only do so when it is really cold out

[goofypooh]

I usually wear tennis shoes because with all that walking my back & feet will hurt if I don't have a supportive shoe. This summer, I ordered a pair of Fit Flops......they are just like flip flops, but sooo comfortable. I have not worn them to WDW, but they are comfy enough that I probably will wear them on my next trip. :cool1:

[haveitall]

I'm wearing my crocs and Keen sandles.

I can't wear tennis shoes and socks right now. Too hot!!

Sylvia in MN

[ChelleinNC]

I spent years insisting the family wear gym shoes. Finally gave up on DD a couple of years when she insisted on wearing her Rainbows and she convinced DH this year to try them. Gotta say, even I finally gave in and wore flip flops this year. We all felt better and it sure made it easy on Kali River Rapids (get in the raft, flip-flops off & into the bin) :goodvibes

[Dressedinlovex]

I'm still contemplating on what to wear. I've got a pair of Roos that are pretty bouncy and comfy. I also have a pair of Etnies. They're not like the typical 'skater shoes', they look more like bowling shoes really and they're pretty comfy too. My whole deal is my shoes won't match my shirt! :rotfl: I know I'll probably bring flip-flops for the pool though!


I guess I suggest sneakers because they're probably going to be better on your feet!

[LAS321]

:wizard: We usually wear sneakers for the first part of the day. Then after we go back to the room in the afternoon for a swim and shower, we wear flip-flops in the evening. I couldn't stand either one all day and night long.

[lclark0621]

I always wear a sturdy pair of sneakers and/or my crocs.

[Tinkerbell424]

I always wear converse, or flip flops.
Very comfy! :thumbsup2

[Experiment_626]

My experience won't apply to most, but there is an alternative herein for a strategy I read elsewhere ...

I have four issues related to my feet. First, I have what the doctors call "a progressive deformation of the bones" in my feet. The way the bones fit together has become distorted, and since it is "progressive," it gets worse as I age. I first started having problems when I was about 19 and got a job where I was constantly on my feet. It got to the point that, 15 minutes after I'd stat my daily shift, I couldn't flex my feet.

Second (and related to the first), I have ridiculous arches. They're so high that I tend to walk on the outside edges of my feet. I wear custom orthotics that work to control this, and they work wonders -- to a point. For some reason, my right foot is much worse than my left.

Third, about 18 years ago I had a freak accident that essentially shredded the cartilege in my left knee. This still tends to hurt when I don't get enough sleep. There is bone-on-bone contact in the knee, and one day I may need a knee replacement. I have to be careful on stairs and take it slow -- if it is really quiet, you can hear my knee click and pop as I flex the joint! Freaky!

Fourth, a couple of years ago I was in a head-on collision at about 50 mph with a drunk driver. In addition to a broken rib, lacerated spleen, and deep bruises galore, I had a broken bone in the bottom of my left foot. It is healed, but apparently the pain is here to stay.

As a result of all this, every step I take is painful. The pain isn't excrutiating. However, imagine a very mild pinch. Not that big a deal, right? Now imagine that pinch being held every waking hour of every day. This has been true for the last 20 years, give or take, but these more recent events and the progressive nature of the bone problem means it is getting worse. Because of the orthotics I wear, I rarely go barefoot, even around the house. I have one pair of shoes I wear everyday. I have a pair of dress shoes I can wear when I need them, as well as some heavy boots, but I change them as soon as I can. Sandals, deck shoes, Crocs and other such things are completely out. On top of all that, I have to get very wide shoes for my everyday wear -- New Balance shoes that cost about $100 a pair.

So, all that to say this: I read in another thread someone say that they take two pairs of shoes to the parks and change in the middle of the day. The different shoes fit well but in different ways, which reduces stress on any one point of the feet. Well, I can't do that (at least not without buying two pairs of the same shoes), so I often bring a second pair of socks with me to the park. If I'm going to be there all day, I'll try to change socks in mid-afternoon. The fresh socks seem to really help refresh my feet.

SSB

[siskaren]

With regards to your question about losing shoes on a ride, you are asked to take off flip flops and open-back sandals on Soarin' since your feet are going to be dangling in mid-air. I always wear sneakers so it's not an issue for me, but I believe you're allowed to just leave them on the floor where the ride vehicle starts, since all it does is just lift in the air and then come down right where it started.

[FireDancer]

I wear the same shoes I run in. They are light and provide good support. Since my last two trips have been for Marathon weekend this also means less to pack. :thumbsup2

[tigger_03]

On any trip I've been on I've always taken two pair of shoes. One is always a pair of tennis shoes. The other pair are flip flops or sandals.

For our upcoming trip I plan on taking 3 pair of shoes, tennis shoes, flip flops or sandals and my pool shoes. For the kids they will both have two pairs as well (tennis shoes and sandals). DH doesn't like sandals so he'll wear his tennis shoes.

I usually feel more comfortable wearing my tennis shoes when I'm doing a bunch of walking but my feet also get warm/hot in them wearing them all day long. After we've been to the room to rest I might change shoes. Just depends upon what we are going to be doing afterwards. Most likely I'll just wear my tennis shoes though.

[squirrel]

I like 3 pairs of shoes: Sandles (like Birkenstock), running shoes, and a pair of fake crocs.

[LaNina72]

I'm planning on bringing a total of 3 pair of shoes for our week long trip. 2 pair of the LLBean water sneakers in the mary jane style... and another pair yet to be decided. I'm leaning towards a pair of flip-flops.

Fortunately DM and I wear the same size... so I will be doubling my options.:thumbsup2

[tink771]

I take sneakers, flip flops and Crocs. I usually wear the flip flops most of the time because it's usually too hot for sneakers.

[Maxamuus]

Columbia riptide sandals. :thumbsup2 Best pair of sandals i ever bought!

[Diane♥Disney]

I love to wear my Adidas flip flops, the kind with the memory foam. Very comfortable.

[seadd67]

Mattre of fact I bring two pairs.( I go back to the resort In the middle of the day and change into my second pair.) If you are like us we are out from sun up to when ever they decide to close the parks. I have to have comphertable shoes or my feet will fall off:rotfl2: , but my DS this past April for two days wore his flip flops through the parks, loved them, he ended up devoleping a blister In between his toes and had to go back to his tennis shoes.Short of It, there ok for a hafl day, but have a back up. Good luck

[MBELSANTI]

I have these black Clarke's sandals with the 3 straps across the top that are wonderful for park touring! I am on my second pair which I have had for a year or so. My last pair lasted about 6 years including many trips to WDW wearing nothing but them.

[KorieDWnut]

I am just bringing my flip flops and mickey crocs.
The kids have their flip flops and sketcher croc-type shoes. Dh is just bringing his sandals.

We used to do the whole sneaker thing for years but have all come to realize that they just make our feet sweat. I do so much walking and standing on my feet from waitressing 5 days a week, 9 hours a day, that I think my feet are just calloused or something because nothing is more comfortable to me than unrestrictive Nike flip flops.

I think I may bring my Keen sandal-type shoes too, just in case though, but no sneakers.

[selina4disney]

Crocs and Keens for me. I usually wear Beach crocs (the Mickey ones) at the parks but I also have Adaras, Scutes, Cleos, and Niles. The Scutes are the only ones that I have taken to the parks besides the Beaches.

I have a ton of Keens...Venice in a variety of colors, lime green (they ALWAYS go to Disney World!), Zerraports, Newports, Shantis...I pick and choose from them all so I can swap out every day. Keens and Crocs are the only two kinds of shoes I have ever worn to Disney without blisters. I'd tried Nikes, Reeboks, Sketchers, nothing worked until I found Crocs, and then I found Keens. No blisters, lots of support, and waterproof for thunderstorms. Can't ask for much more than that! :thumbsup2

[disneyfanUSA]

i always wear flip flops hey are most comfortable for me! I go every Disney ride pretty much and my flip flops never have fallen off!!

[ilovemyjj]

crocs all the way!!! 24/7!!!:thumbsup2

[summertime_girl]

I have awful feet, so always wear good sneakers, like Nike Shox.

[BabyPiglet]

I take my Nike running shoes, sandals, flip flops, and minnie crocs.

[mal325]

Thanks everyone for replying. I'm just wondering would crocs be okay to wear in the water parks, so my feet don't get burned/stung by a bee/cut up - Typhoon Lagoon and/or blizzard beach or would I need water shoes instead?

[Karnak]

New Balance.

:wizard: Karnak

[CraftyMouse]

Clarks sandals! I can walk all day and my feet never hurt. When I wear sneakers or tennis shoes I always get crampy/sore feet after the first day and then it wears off. With the Clarks I am good from the start. I can't recommend them highly enough. Personally, I love the Sunbeat style, but they have lots to choose from.

[JayhawkMomma]

I always wear my tragically unhip Teva sandals. Waterproof, comfy and they don't make your feet sweat.

They are not cute shoes though. But they work very well for amusement parks.

[CanadianGuy]

Tips about clothing, footwear and bags are kept on the Disney World Tips Board.

As such, I'll be moving this one there.

Thanks!

[seadd67]

I always wear tennis shoes bc my ankles and feet would hurt if I was doing major walking for 15 hours day after day in flip flops. My feet DO get super hot in sneakers & socks at Disney but I think it's better than being in pain. But I guess if your sandals are super supportive and comfortable they could work? Maybe start out wearing one and carry the other to change into in case you need it? The parks have lockers you could rent if you don't want to carry them all day :)
As long as you aren't wearing crocs I'm a-okay with it!

Ya my shoes and socks after a half day of walking are so hot!!, I never bother bringing the second pair with us, thats a good idea, would save a trip back to the room. I guess we just try to avoid staying in the bag check line, one less line to stand In:rotfl: I wonder If there is a certain typ of tennis shoe that airs out better then the others?, I wear nike airs, any one have a better typ of shoe to wear??

[Mrs. P. Charming]

Birkenstocks

[proteus]

Tennis shoes, we walk a lot (usually around 11 miles per day) and so lighter stuff like flip flops would get tiresome.

[Castle crazy]

Just returned yesterday. We averaged 11.6 miles of walking a day and we went back to the resort during the heat of the day and went swimming. Tennis shoes for our bunch but I have to say I couldn't believe the people that wore flip flops, absolutely tons of them. We did wear Keens the day we went to MK to ride the water rides but other than that tennis shoes and moisture wicking, padded sole socks.