Flip-flops?

[AuroraBorealis]

Hey everyone!

I'm 23 and will be taking my very first trip to WDW this July with my family. We will be celebrating my parent's 35th, my graduation from grad school (MLS) and my brother's graduation from college. (Quite honestly, my parents are much more excited about this trip than my brother and I are.)

Since I've been a college student for the past six years, I pretty much live in flip-flops. I wanted an honest opinion from people close to my age. Will flip-flops be okay for walking around the park?

I used to live near DL and wore flip-flops all the time with no problem. However, DL is much smaller than WDW.

I figure old navy flip-flops probably won't cut it (everything I've read says we'll be walking 5-8 miles at day) but my reefs, rainbows, and havianas seem much sturdier.

Has anyone survived WDW in flip-flops? Or should I not even attempt it and just suck it up and wear some old running shoes?

Any advice is appreciated. TIA!

 

[DisneyFan06]

I love Flops. I, like you, asked around the board for suggestions and most are pointing me in the direction of Crocs. Athens is a type of Flip Flop created by the company. I am seriously thinking about purchasing Athens or Caymans. I am 20 and I think going to Disney this summer in closed toe shoes isn't going to cut it because of the heat. So - this may be my only option.

 

[C.C.H.M.]

Now, I don't wear flops, but I've been to WDW and seen plenty of them. And everyone who wears them seems to be fine with them and has no trouble. My only suggestions would be, make sure your flops are comfortable and broken in. Other wise you could end up with some blisters. And two, if you're really really really worried about it, and have some spare room in you luggage, take a pair of running/walking shoes. But like I've said, I've never known someone to have a problem with walking around the world in flops.

 

[azgal81]

I think the people that get blisters are the ones who never really wear flip flops but say hey I'm on vacation lets wear them and then end up with sore feet all day.

I wear my cheap 5 dollar target flip flops everywhere. I have had no problems wearing them in the parks and walking ten miles in them. I think as long as you are used to them you shouldn't have a problem!

 

[monarchsfan16]

I've heard that Reefs are great for the parks.

 

[ksparrow]

i agree with worn in flops. NEVER EVER wear new shoes to the park,
ur asking for it.
all that walking is gonna make ur feet hurt a little if ur not used to it.
i live in flops and have never worn tennis shoes to the parks. so you should be great.

 

[teh fish]

I've walked around in my Birks all the time around the parks and no problem. Well, except for a sandal tan...

 

[vhoffman]

If your feet sweat a lot on the bottom you could get blisters on your heels from the rubbing. I would take a back-up pair of closed shoes and good quality socks, just in case.

 

[CPer'sMom]

My daughter was a Friendship boat captain for 8 months on the CP and the only time she ever wore shoes was at work. The rest of the time she wore (one of her 4 pairs of) Reefs -- never had a problem!

 

[Missy Mouse]

I have worn Old Navy flip flops on all three Disney trips in the past year. I survived but this last time my legs almost didn't. We're going again in August and I'm bringing sneakers this time. I wished I had every other trip, then when it was finally time to go I thought nahhh I'll be fine. I always get cut up and blistered pretty bad, but I'm stubborn! I'd honestly really recommend not wearing flip flops every day.

Has anyone survived WDW in flip-flops? Or should I not even attempt it and just suck it up and wear some old running shoes?

Any advice is appreciated. TIA!

 

[DaisieJ225]

I've worn Old Navy flip flops while on vacation and they have been fine. I'm very picky about the flip flops I wear in fear of tearing up my feet while down there and so I only take Old Navy flip flops with me. I don't think you'll have a problem with them. But just wear what you feel is most suitable for walking i guess.

 

[Blueeyes101817]

i wore old navy flip flops---i didnt wear them every day, but didnt hurt my feet at all--i am used to wearing them at home all of the time too

 

[LVSWL]

I have worn my Teva flip flops to WDW numerous times with no problem. My DS has worn his rainbows and also been just fine. Just be sure that you wear a pair that doesn't rub between the toes. That seems to be where most people might have trouble. I just don't like hot feet. I like to let my toes wiggle!

 

[MEG&MINNIE]

Yes... wore my Reef Flip Flops for just about my entire trip last August....only time I didn't was when I switched to black sandels for dinner @ Ohana's.

 

[singingpixie]

if you're used to them, my concern wouldn't be blisters, but make sure you wear a pair with some support- some flip flops I have are pretty thin, and you're basically walking around barefoot on un-cushioned concrete all day as far as your feet are concerned. If they're broken in and have some beef to them, you should be ok.

 

[safetymom]

I live in Teva flip flops and wear them to the parks all the time. They are much more comfortable than running shoes.

 

[527DiSnEyBelle]

Ive been to WDW more times than I can count and have worn Old Navy flip flops all of the time.....HOWEVER, since you are going in July you have to be aware of shower hour (this is the time during the day, usually around 3pm, when it rains for a little while due to the humidity). I have made the mistake of wearing flip flops during the park right after shower hour and slid all over the place! I dont think I took one step without slipping all over the place since the bottom of the flip flops are totally flat. So if youre gonna be in the park in the morning or later on in the night, go with the flip flops....but if youre going to be in the park during shower hour, stick with sneakers or something that has grips on the bottom!

 

[FSUDisneyGirl]

Wear flip flops!

i always used to wear sneakers, cause my mom would get on me about how much my feet would hurt..

then i went to disney with some of my college friends last month, wore my reefs....

and i was SOOO happy! they were totally comfortable and my feet stayed cool....and if i was ever hot, i could just splash some water on my feet and my whole body felt cooler. i definitely recommend the flip flops, just maybe make sure you are used to them and that they have support.

 

[getfuzzy77]

I bought a pair of Speedo flip flops at TJMaxx for about $10 and they are the most comfortable "shoes" I have ever worn. Obviously, they are made for walking around pools, so they would be good for "shower hour", but they have some beef to them so they are quite comfortable.

You could try sandals instead of flip flops. Try Nike or other sports sandals. They are made for maybe kayaking or some sort of outdoors-y activities. They would provide support, be comfortable, and allow your feet to breathe.

 

[LiLIrishChick63]

i wore flip-flops the last time i was in DW the whole trip and the only problem i had with them was when they got soaked when it rained! i was pretty comfortable in them, but i also had some that had a small bit of a lift on them, so it's not quite so hard on your feet.

i know they have those Crocs shoes, but they look uncomforable to me. i know that if you go to www.avon.com they have a whole section dedicated to the women's fitness club Curves, and they have a really nice pair of flip-flops on there that are supposed to be really great for you to walk in. the soles have sort of a massaging effect on your feet(can you tell i'm an Avon Representative!? lol)