Answering an Age Old Question

[CapEldano2]

Well first of all.. I hope you all would welcome me to this board. I am a daily poster on the VMK section of the DIS and decided to spread my reach to this section . As my first thread on this board, I thought that i could answer an age old question for people going to WDW or DLR in the summer. The notorious question of which I speak is this: Sandals or Sneakers in the parks during the summer? Of course sneakers would be more comfortable and provide more support for your feet, but in the middle of summer, it's easier to wear sandals that would properly ventilate your feet. However.. I have a happy medium. In April of 2004, my first trip to WDW was with my grandparents. My grandfather wore his well.. I don't know if they were clogs or what, but I call them old people shoes and his shoes were giving him blistering/sweaty feet. So we looked around and found him a pair of WDW water shoes. These shoes were a blue material that felt like material that diving suits are made of, with rubber soles. I tried these on and they were extremely comfortable.. a happy cross between sandals and sneakers in my opinion. These shoes were only a mere $15.. a great value seeing as how he still wears them to the beach and such. Sure he looked a little goofy in them, but since we all wear fanny packs and mouse ears in the parks.. it's not really an issue. I'm not entirely sure if they even still sell these, but i though i would just throw this out there to try and get my feet wet in this board

-CapElDano

 

[MomofCKJ]

My answer to that question is Crocs! I and all my kids will be wearing them on our December trip. DH still refuses but he won't know what he is missing. They are SO comfy!

Allyson

 

[CapEldano2]

My answer to that question is Crocs! I and all my kids will be wearing them on our December trip. DH still refuses but he won't know what he is missing. They are SO comfy!

Allyson

the only reason i didn't mention those is that:
1. Many men won't wear crocs
2. Crocs weren't available in '04 (that i know of)

but that too is a very good alternative

 

[Narnian_Princess]

Welcome to the Attractions board, Cap! Good to see you over here too!

I never had a problem with wearing sneakers, but then I never particularly wanted to smell my feet after a day in the parks, either. As of right now I wouldn't be caught dead in Crocs, but that may change once the Disney styles come out. I've never tried them myself, but a few people in my family have and they took them back because they hated them. But I've never tried them, so how should I know? Maybe one day...

 

[maelstrom]

Sandals! They give your feet room to swell which cuts down on the pain at the end of day. It also helps to eliminate blisters.

I recommend the Earth Shoes brand you can find at Wal-Mart in the $12-$15 neighbourhood. If you can fit into Birkenstocks (I can't as my feet are too narrow) they'd be good as well.

 

[AJKMOM]

Some DIS'ers swear by sandals in the summer, or year 'round with socks. Teva, Keen and Nike are 3 brands I've seen recommended.

Personally, I need my running shoes with my orthotic, darn this fat, flat feet!

 

[STEAMBOAT209]

No Crocs here, checked them out once I saw and heard of them, didn't like the look, and they look very uncomfortable to me. I never wore them, but I don't even ware sandles, so I know they would do my feet in. I prefer sneakers year round, my feet don't sweat in them, and i love the support for walking around the parks from opening to closing, without having a problem, so no changing here .

 

[goofy4tink]

I made an interesting observation last week at WDW. I have worn Crocs for my last 4 trips to WDW. I suffer from that affliction where your feet swell, your legs get a nasty 'rash' type thing on them. Some say it's from being over 50, white, female and pudgy, others say it's from the asphalt at WDW. My doctor says it's eczema!!! Ah, no Doc!!!! It's not a rash but looks more like a bruising. So......every time I've been to WDW for my last 4 trips, this has happened. I put on major sunscreen on my lower legs, makes no difference, I wear jeans, no difference. Last week, I wore my Crocs every day, except for one day. The day we went to Universal, I wore my Mephisto sandals. I had no issues at all!!! The next day, after wearing my Crocs, the feet swelled, the bruising came. I think that the Crocs don't give my high arch enough support, so the circulation suffers. That makes my feet/ankles swell big time. (I look like I have sauages for feet!!!) The major swelling shuts off a lot of the blood flow so the blood backs up, so to speak, and causes that bruising effect. As soon as I get off my feet or start wearing regular shoes, it gets better. I have to think it's the Crocs...major bummer since I love wearing them in the parks.

 

[disneygal33]

Personally I think I good pair of broken in sneakers are the way to go no matter when you go to WDW. But then I have bunions and wearing sandals hurts my feet. I also didn't like the way the crocs look.

 

[Captain_Hook]

Our last trip was ten days. Everyday but 1 (the day we did the segway), I wore my Birkenstocks. I love them. They support my feet so well!