Crocs or sneakers and any other tips

[mattmom]

Hi All,
I am fairly new here, and have gotten great advice in the past. So, asking for more help from those who know. Although, I have been to DL twice in past 3 yrs and DW 4 times in my life, last trip there was 11 yrs ago. I have been reading about Crocs here, went to the store to try them on, and found the bumps against my foot uncomfortable. If they are so comfy thinking of getting for myself and my 7 yo son. And, since it's been 11 years any other tips would be great. We are going 9/15-9/21 to the POP. Thanks, in advance and have a great day.

 

[Mousema]

You just have to try different shoes and go with what's comfortable. I usually wear a pair of Easy Spirit walking shoes that I have worn for a while before going. I have a pair of crocs, but I can't wear them all day. Right now, I'm leaning towards a pair of earth sandles for my October trip. I got them this summer and they are super comfortable, even when I wear for long periods of time. Also, always take an extra pair, so that you can switch off.

 

[Heluvsme]

I did both. We were there last week and walked a total of 46.3 miles (I wore my pedometer). My dh and I both get very sore feet if we walk too much, my dh has Plantar Fascitis even. What we did was to start the day in one pair of shoes----either Crocs or sneakers, and then we'd switch mid-day and the change would be so nice!! For my sneakers I have 2 pairs I alternated between, a pair of Nike Air Zoom's (I think that's the name) and a pair of Easy Spirits. My Crocs were great for the 2nd half of the day because it felt like I was putting my slippers on, they were so squishy and soft, yet still supporting my feet. Plus, the heat of my feet helped them to mold to me even more than they already had. My dh wore his Nike's and then would switch to his Crocs (he has the Endeavor's) and he had ZERO pain all week long. Seriously. He'd take an Aleve in the morning and at night and switch up his shoes mid-day and he was fine.

I paid a lot of attention to how our feet were holding up, I kept thinking that I'd hate for a trip to be ruined (and several thousand $$$'s wasted) just because of sore feet.

Whatever you wear, just break them in really well!!

 

[the john]

Crocs are extremely comfortable so, if you can get past the fact that their kinda sorta UGLY then, you should wear them.

 

[ckay87]

Pricey, but ridiculously comfortable, were the Keene sandals I picked up for my recent trip. They are waterproof, but with a sole that is as supportive as good sneakers. Also have full toe protection.

www.keenfootwear.com

I purchased mine from zappos.com, but they are available at sporting goods stores as well.

I did WDW completely unaware that I was wearing shoes at all!

 

[SuperSteelerFan]

I love my Crocs. However, when I got my Crocs Capri flip-flops, I was very disappointed because the little bumps hurt my feet! I never had this problem with the regular Crocs but I usually wear those with socks so I may have just not noticed. I wore the flip-flops around for a few days anyway and the little bumps are now much more comfortable. They have now softened and molded to my feet (which is what they are supposed to do) after a couple of days of wear. My advice to you is to wear whatever is most comfortable for you which may or may not be Crocs.

 

[Ragetti]

My family are now big beleivers in Crocs. I wore them my whole trip and did great. DD got some the frst day (though she's 5, so we got 'em for her) and DW got some by Day 3 and became a believer.

 

[LISAMWDW]

For me personally, Crocs just don't have the support and comfyness (yeah, i made that word up) that I like and need. I wear Keens and Tevas. Just be sure whatever you wear, is well broken in. I also don't wear the same shoes every day. I give my feet a break for wearing and rubbing in the same places. I'm a real shoe comfort freak.

Other tips, I would say is to research the new stuff since you have last been to WDW on www.allearsnet.com or www.disney.com. So you can plan on checking out the new stuff that interests you.

Most important tip! So down and smell the magic, oh I mean roses! hehe

 

[my3disneygirls]

For me personally Crocs are just to unattractive for me to even consider. We usually wear Tevas, I may check out the Keens that others have mentioned. Whenever I have tried to wear sneakers it just didn't work out for me. I can't stand having my foot stuffed in a shoe for hours.

 

[cinderella_mom]

I wore Crocs Niles and Beach for our trip last year and I was fine. I think my feet would have been too hot in sneakers and socks, plus you don't have to worry about Crocs getting soggy in the rain or on water rides.

 

[crazee4disney]

I think it's really personal preference and what feels comfortable to you.

DD8 LOVES her Crocs and wears them all the time and never complains about her feet hurting or blisters. DH always wears his Nikes when we go (broken in, not brand new) and I always wear my Reef flip flops. Not much on Crocs, but I could live in my flops.

DH lives in his flip flops, but about died the first day at DW from shin splints, so sneakers were a go the rest of the week for him.

Moleskin is a great helper too!!

 

[FutureCinderella88]

My mom and I find sneakers way too HOT for a full day in FL, granted we always go in July and August.... my mom looks for teva types of sandals and I enjoy Rainbow brand sandals, (they take a while to break in though).....

 

[Dchef]

It really is a personal choice--everyone does well with different things. Personally I am a fan of Crocs, they serve me well. I can't wear flip flops because I might as well be barefooted (sorry, I neve understood the flip flop frenzy) Sneakers can get wet and very hot, but could be comfortable if you are used to walking in them a lot. I like Teva's but they start to hurt after awhile. Keene's for me are a bit to binding and I that little hump bothers me some. Crocs still are the best for me personally and I think you will find that the bumps that bother you now, you won't mind at all later or even notice. I thought after awhile I kind of liked the feeling and then after a day or two I didn't notice at all--GOOD LUCK.
Some people think they are ugly--but most important to me is that they are comfortable. I could care less what they look like or if anyone has a problem with what they look like, afterall I am not dining at the Ritz while wearing them.

 

[PrincessSuzanne]

I absolutely love my Disney Crocs, but for the hot summer, they aren't great for very long. I handle sneakers much better. The socks absorb moisture where Crocs don't and I had some nice blisters on the arch of my foot. I might enjoy them more for the parks if I wore socks with them, but I would only do that if I was wearing long pants (socks with flip flops/sandals comes to mind). But as anoter poster advised, I would break in whatever shoes you are going to wear long before you leave home.

Suzanne

 

[SuperSteelerFan]

I can't wear flip flops because I might as well be barefooted (sorry, I neve understood the flip flop frenzy)

Exactly! That's why I wear them! I hate wearing shoes (but I love to shop for them - go figure!) and these are the closest thing to being barefoot out in public! I think that's why I like Crocs so much too - they're not confining like regular shoes.

 

[Dchef]

I like the freedom of Crocs too, Flip Flops are just not comfortable over a long period of time for me--like going barefoot, after a while your feet are going to hurt...Plus my Podiatrist says they are the main reason people get heel spurs, plantar fascitis and even stress fractures. I guess in my younger years I might not have cared much, as I get older I find I need to take care of my feet more and more. Crocs aren't always the best things to wear either-I certainly wouldn't go hiking with them on. But they are comfortable when comfort is needed in deed.

 

[hardingk]

How long does it take to break in a pair of crocs????

 

[Unregistered]

i find that my sketcher sports are the best sneakers to wear to WDW.
flip flops for around the pool and water parks but i am a sneaker person my slef. i wear Crocs all day at work seeing i am a nurse

 

[Tink3Belle]

I have a paid of slip on keds that are mush and very airy and comfortable I used them last year and wil bleach them again for the trip this year.

 

[trueblue]

How long does it take to break in a pair of crocs????

I wore a brand new pair when we went earlier this month...no problems at all. I don't think you need to break them in...the problem with crocs is when they are older...they lose some of whatever makes them so comfortable when they are new..maybe the rubber wears down or something.