Best shoes for walking the parks?!

[monkeybug]

We are getting Keens for our trip in April. This is our first trip to Disney, but we just recently moved from the Pacific Northwest where they seemed to be the footwear of choice. We had lots of friends who were big into hiking and they swore by them. If they are good enough for Mt. Hood they should be good enough for WDW!

 

[stego]

drum roll please...the flip-flop! Every now and then this question comes up in some form or shape and the answers are pretty similar. The last 3 week long vacations we've taken as a family, I've worn a pedometer (your results might vary). I personally walked 13 to 16 miles EACH day. What I have found is that my feet do get sore...no matter what I wear. I wear cushioned socks and my touring shoe of choice is the Rockport walker. I swap a pair out each day, black to white. I did spend some time observing the crowds at the MK one day while my family was window shopping in Adventureland. With a keen eye, it wasn't too hard to figure out: it's not what I saw, it's how one is seen. Showing off feet and other body parts was the tour de course; we're talking PHWB's (stego shakes his head at the youth culture). This seemed to overlap into the 30's and 40's...and quite frankly even I ran out of words to describe said observations. After 2 days, with 7 to go, my HM buzzer/indicator/siren was busted. Now is that anyway to go on vacation!!??

 

[snels]

Thanks for the advice...I was just going to ask about Keens sandals for my husband, and I found this thread.

 

[WalkingintheFog]

Bring all your comfortable footwear, and a few cushy pairs of socks for back in the room! And bring water shoes for the waterparks.
Also bring a roll of wide Adhesive tape (or, if you're a man, Duct Tape )

I ended up wearing my birkenstocks most of the time, and my mary jane crocs once in a while, and my new &*^%$ sneakers only once!
My comfy perfect sneakers got ruined 2 wks before my trip.

First visit to waterpark I went barefoot and the bottoms of my waterlogged feet became a bit tattered. I needed the adhesive tape after that!
Second visit to waterpark I wore a pair of water shoes for the first time...they were great: protected my feet, and I fit in with every body else wearing funny footwear!

My feet would be very tired at the end of the day and I could not bear to stand on the tiled bathroom floor! Cushy socks were great!

 

[WalkingintheFog]

And remember to wear quick drying shoes the day you go to Animal Kingdom.... or shoes that you can whip off discreetly and tuck into a plastic bag after you leave dock at Kali River! The CMs will tell you you must keep your footwear on if you take them off beforehand.

 

[AustinTink]

Shelly: Well, I am going in two days and I will be wearing my Sketchers d'lites with capris every day. I bought thin socks to wear with them, the kind that barely show. I am having a foot problem, and it is important that I wear something that I can walk in. As much as I would love to wear sandals or flip flops - I can't. So, if they look "silly" - oh well.........

I say just wear whatever you are comfortable with and don't worry about it!

I agree 100%. Nobody cares what you wear at Disney, they're too busy having fun. I never wear tennies with capris at home, but over there it's all about comfort.

 

[snarlingcoyote]

And what you wear depends on your foot too. I've got a big old wide foot with extra long toes, a strong arch, and the American Indian "bump" on top. At home, I wear Skechers a lot. At Disney, I find broken in, mid-range Nikes to be my best bet. (My high end Nikes have a little too much structure. . .) My New Balance, even the extra wide width, just don't cut it as well. I still get blisters, but get the least with those. (If I ever, ever find a shoe that fits my feet perfectly, I will buy out the entire store and then go online and stock up!)

I know people with completely different feet patterns who would be miserable in my shoe choices. I even have friends who ask me why I don't like their particular European shoe brand because they're certain it's perfect. Well it is. For THEIR feet.

So let your own feet be your judge.

 

[saratogadreamin09]

I wear crocs around the parks because I think there more comfortable but Id bring bothe sneakers and crocs if you have room because your fet may not be like my feet.

 

[eandesmom]

As my husband will attest, Keens, which are wonderful wonderful walking shoes, our feet do get a little hot and sweaty. Our trip is in Feb so it won't be an issue but in summer it annoys us a little. He's got the Newport, as does DS9 and I have a Venice (not quite as strappy). Now granted, we are usually wearing the newports on major hikes so maybe they wouldn't be so hot in Disney, not sure. It does make for some odd tan lines!

We love them and I'm sure he will wear his but I'll be wearing these instead.

http://www.zappos.com/n/p/p/7353817/c/222.html

I will probably also order another pair of Keen flip flops. Mine have gone missing. I actually hiked down part of the grand canyon in a pair of Keen flip flops although I don't see the exact pair I had, similar to the Waimea. I did get a blister by one toe but only b/c we got caught in a thunderstorm and when super wet and going up/down a steep incline there was some rubbing!

I will also be taking a pair of Teva or Reef flip flops (if I don't buy another Venice...I keep hoping they will show up!) and a pair of puma's and paul green's so that I have lots of options but, I expect to wear the floats most of the time unless its just too cold.

I cannot do the socks and sandals thing. Just can't. Can't do crocs or birks either (although both of the younger boys will be in crocs). BUT my feet are used to the no sock thing and should be fine. Personally I don't like tennis shoes and socks with Capri's. Hence the floats, the most magical, cute, flat but practical shoe ever. It's like a foot massage and they are SO light it's unbelievable. Light, yet with support and they are even cuter on. They go with everything!

And...comfy right out of the box!

Listen to your feet and bring more than one option.

 

[minniemouse440044]

Okay, I've been wondering, should I wear tennis shoes or my Converse in Disney World?

 

[BarbieWannabe]

I think what shoe you choose has a lot of variables. We were there last March and I read all the suggestions. Took my best, broken in, but still on the newer side Asic Sneakers. Wore the moisture absorbing socks suggested here. They chewed up my feet and I had horrible blisters for the duration. Going in March, (and living in the frozen North) I didn't have my "beach feet", so the tootsies were baby soft and did not go well with sneaks. For me crocs, sandals and flip-flops work the best. I had to laugh when you asked about what looks best with capris. I'm so that way and it doesn't matter how much anyone tells me it doesn't matter what I look like. The fact that you asked is very telling. If I think I look goofy, I'm not comfortable. My best suggestion is practice, practice, practice, before you go. ...and take a bit of a variety to change off.

 

[cindy74]

i wear my birkenstocks all the time

 

[Justsyd2]

I am a firm believer in these shoes. I'll also carry my tennis shoes, and a pair of flip flops.

 

[nikkers]

We just got back from a 9 day stay. I brought both Crocs and tennies, with intentions to alternate. I wore my Crocs every day, and never had a blister. I usually always get at least one blister. My kids also wore their Crocs everyday.
Have a great trip!

 

[lz1982]

I used New Balance cross trainers that had been broken in for a couple months. I was there six days and didn't get any major blisters.

 

[wdw71]

On our trip in April '08 I tried tennis shoes and my Teva sandals on various days. While the sandals did fine, I found that my feet were much happier on the days I wore my tennis shoes

 

[Dopey420]

I agree 100%. Nobody cares what you wear at Disney, they're too busy having fun. I never wear tennies with capris at home, but over there it's all about comfort.

I prefer to see the women wearing the 4 inch heels . Always entertaining!

 

[rcdreaming]

I where crocs when I go. I had worn tennis shoes up until our last trip, I bought a pair of crocs right before went. Two days into the trip got the biggest blister. Switched to my crocs and rarely take them off. I LOVE THEM!!!

 

[Inkmahm]

I bring Disney crocs, tennis shoes and Croc sandals. Then I alternate, sometimes two different pair in the same day if we take a break and stop back at the villa inbetween parks.

Shoes must be comfy and well broken in. Still, I find alternating to be the key.

 

[iheartdisneyxoxo]

So i've only been to WDW once but before I went I read so much about wearing the right kind of shoe in the parks because of all the walking you do.... but really I don't believe that you need a good runner to survive! I went with my sister and our friend and the three of us all wore flip flops the entire time even though everyone says not to wear them! I never got blisters or sore feet at all lol. So I would just say to bring whatever you always wear at home... whatever you're comfortable in!