Flip Flops at WDW

[ellenmiele]

This was the first time I let my DD's wear flipflops around the parks - in the past I"d always insist on crocs or sneakers - and DH has an obsession with "sensible footwear". Personally I wear Teva sandals or crocs (maryjane style) but after enough pleading I said"ok" to the flipflops for my girls. One of them had a blister by day 2 and reverted to crocs (which I insisted get packed as a back-up) but the others were fine in the flip flops. No blisters, no complaints, no problems (and DH and I were watching). DS ended up wearing flipflops most of the time as well and it worked out fine for him to. I looked around at other tween and teen aged girls and most had flipflops on. Never had any trouble on rides either.

 

[2littlez'sandme]

After 2 trips to Disney in Sketcher flip-flops, I highly recommend them. Very comfy

 

[X_Mickeys_Pal_X]

I find flip-flops to be very comfy. I wear them everytrip and have never had no trouble , the best part is you can get some air to your feet

 

[meghanlea]

i wear flip flops like every single day i can, except to work where there not allowed. I have even wore them in the snow to get the mail, run to the store, etc. I LOVE them . I took like 4 pair last time and some nikes, the nikes never got touched. I had some reef brand, crocs, and old navy. My DD who was 4 at the time wore them every day and complained when I made her wear her nikes. She will more than likely wear them again this year, as so will I. I think if your use to them then long hours and miles won't matter to you.

 

[FLDisneyFan]

I always wear flip flops to Disney. What's really cool on Soarin' is leaving them on the ground when you take off, and coming right back to the same spot to put them back on.

 

[steph73]

I wear flip flops at home all the time, for most of the year.

However, I tried to wear flip flops one day to Epcot. They were well broken in and very comfortable and I wear them regularly at home. I generally wear tennis shoes (sneakers, whatever you call them) in the parks, but I decided to just go with the flip flops that day.

It was a huge mistake. After only a few hours, I was buying a pair of overpriced Mickey Crocs in Future World. I managed to get through the day in the Crocs, then I went back to my trusty tennis shoes.

I recently bought a pair of Lands End Mary Jane sneaker type shoes I am hoping to be able to wear on this trip. I'm going to try to break them in good before. But I'm definitely bringing a pair of just plain old tennis shoes, just in case.

 

[bellebookworm9]

Last time we went it was February and very cold, so the complaint of "sneakers make my feet too hot" was not even a factor! This time my mom and I will both definitely be wearing sneakers, except to the water parks and Kali River Rapids. We both have problems with our feet rolling in, and we both have orthotics-I actually just got mine a few days ago. I go to a college where I'm constantly walking up hill, and even wearing good athletic shoes I was getting bad shin splints and my arches just hurt. So, as long as your daughter doesn't have foot problems and has practiced walking in flip flops all day, I'd say go for it. Bring back up shoes just in case, though!

 

[Eljay]

I have read every post in this thread and I am surprised that nobody mentioned that some flipflops get very slippery when they get wet. I don't mean slipping on the ground, I mean your foot slipping off the side of the flipflop! I have a pair of Rocket Dogs that are very comfortable for the parks, but one rainy day, I almost broke my neck sliding off of them! So, just be sure to do a wet test run on any flipflops you might be planning to wear to the parks. I do best with the contoured footbed. They stay put. FitFlops also work well, because the straps are tight, high up on the instep.

 

[LuvLuvLuv]

i'm shocked no one has mentioned the Sanuk Yoga Mat flip flops. they are quite possibly the most comfortable footwear i've ever owned. i bought them in black and brown because i love them so much... and i didn't think $29 was awful for what i liked better than nike air max 360's at $160.

i also have several reefs, tevas and bongos... and these are the clear winner.

 

[Eljay]

i'm shocked no one has mentioned the Sanuk Yoga Mat flip flops. they are quite possibly the most comfortable footwear i've ever owned. i bought them in black and brown because i love them so much... and i didn't think $29 was awful for what i liked better than nike air max 360's at $160.

i also have several reefs, tevas and bongos... and these are the clear winner.

I just read a zillion glowing reviews of the Sanuk Yoga Mat flipflops!
How did I not know about these?
I would love to try them on before buying. Does anybody know what retail stores sell them?

 

[rainydayplay]

On our last trip, I took my "trusty" athletic shoes. I usually wear them everywhere I go (other than work, where I can only get away with them on Fridays most of the time). By the 5th day, I was practically crawling across the park...I was sitting on the ground in lines for rides just so I could get off my feet, they hurt so badly. I wound up in the Emporium on Main Street, buying my first pair of Croc flops. I still remember hobbling up with the flops in one hand and the athletic shoe that I'd removed to try on the flops in the other. "I want these..and I do NOT need a bag."

I went the rest of the trip in those flip flops...and wear them most opportunities home now.

A couple of notes, though...
Absolutely trust what a PP said about some flops being slippery when wet. Mine definitely are!
I've never taken the advice about brining multiple shoes....and that may have been my downfall on the last trip.
Any shoes taken on a trip that involves astronomical amounts of walking/standing should involve broken-in shoes.

Plenty of other good advice...but truly the only ones who will know if your DD can handle it is you and your DD. I wouldn't let me DD wear flip flops, but she's 5 and doesn't wear them very often...and tends to get awful blisters between her toes when she tries to.

 

[DebbieB]

One time I saw a girl lose her shoe getting on Space Mountain. It fell off and went between the car and the platform and landed under the car. Be careful.

 

[RachaelA]

Flip flops due get wet and slippy which sucks, but I still couldn't wear tennis shoes every day in 100 degree heat. I wear flip flops daily and my feet are fine.

I just need to make sure my feet are flip flop ready (hard to do in the winter here in Ohio!) or else I get blisters!

 

[2DisPrincesses]

I always were flip flops in the Parks and have never had a problem. I do wear them all of the time at home too. Last November, my DH was the one with the "good" sandals and the sore feet .

 

[luvindis]

flip flop girl here I always were them and have a pair that matches every outfit I wear. Then I bring a couple extras (in case I change my mind) In total I probably bring around 8-10 pair for our weekly trip
What can I say I like shoes especially flip flops

 

[sPaRkLeSpAz]

I usually wear my croc flip flops when I'm at Disney, and I've never really had a problem. I get more blisters from tennis shoes then I do flip flops.

 

[BelleChick]

I always wear my flip flops at disney...especially in the summer. I always feel like at stay much cooler when I do.

 

[raidermatt]

Flip flops work fine provided:

1- You are used to walking a lot in them.
2- As others have mentioned, they don't get slippery when wet. Some do and some don't so you just have to try them out before hand.

The big drawback to socks and shoes is getting soggy socks and shoes. This can happen on water rides or in one of those summer afternoon rain showers. Just note that the slippery issue applies whether you go on water rides or not as you might encounter wet pavement at anytime due to those rain showers, water play areas or even a spilled drink.

 

[2manypets]

I can't stand to wear tennis shoes anywhere, especially while walking miles a day at WDW. My feet get scorching hot. Last year was the first time to wear flips (Crocs) at the park and they were so comfortable and cool. I'll still bring a pair of tennies, flips and flats just so my feet won't get tired of just one kind of shoe, but I'll be mostly in the flips.

 

[Karibeth19]

One time I saw a girl lose her shoe getting on Space Mountain. It fell off and went between the car and the platform and landed under the car. Be careful.

We once saw a young girl lose her shoe getting on to the boat at Pirates. The CM's tried to fish around for it, but couldn't find it. After the girl was gone, the CM told us that they looked just to make the mom happy; they knew they wouldn't find it because current right there is too swift, and the water too deep. So, yes, I would definitely suggest being careful boarding rides in flip flops.

However, that being said, I love wearing flips at Disney! You should see me unpacking at the resort...I must unload about 10 pairs of Teva Mush, in every color and design! They are so cool and comfortable, and I love taking them off in Soarin' and sticking my hot feet in the splash pads to cool them off (I don't have a problem with wet shoes for a while...). I hate wearing sneakers unless I'm working out, and even then I don't find them comfortable. I would be miserable wearing them all day at Disney.

I just bought a pair of Yellow Box flip flops, and I almost think they are softer and more comfortable than Teva Mush. I'm looking forward to trying them out at Disney in May.