gentle reminder about footwear

[Andrewsminustwo]

I have been to WDW on many occasions, but, for some reason I didn't wear my sneakers the first day deciding to wear a cute new pair of sandals I just bought. We went to HS, planning on only being there a few hours. We were having a blast and decided to stay for Fantasmic! I started to develop a blister on the ball of my foot near the toes. So, I was walking on the side of my foot and twisted my knee! Moral of the story is it affected me for the rest of my trip. If I can save one person from having this happen, my job is done.

 

[DWillowBay]

My family has all learned this lesson the hard way. Sorry we didn't warn you! Just like Cinderella....it's all about the shoes!

 

[SheilaHeartsDisney]

That happend to me once. I wore my flip flops on the plane but left my sneakers in my checked luggage. I went to Epcot for like 3 hours while waiting for my room to be ready and bags to be delivered. Big mistake. I could barley walk for the rest of the trip and ended up with plantar fasciitis. I had it for about 3 more years after that. Never again have I worn flip flops on a plane.

 

[stinkpickle]

Good reminder! I only take well broken-in tennis shoes anymore.

 

[DebbieB]

I just got back tonight from 7 days at the world. On the advice of a friend, I got a pair of Sketchers Go Walks. Granted, not the cutest but I felt great the whole trip, no sore legs or feet like before.

 

[TBGOES2DISNEY]

I made that mistake our first trip. I knew I would need sneakers, but our first park day was just going to be an evening in the MK. Well, it was my first trip ever, and I didn't realize how much walking you could do in just a few hours. I wore a pair of flip flop type sandals with a thicker cushioned sole - perfectly comfortable for normal life - but not for Disney. I've had knee issues off and on since I was a kid. Well, that night, my knee was so swollen, I hobbled out of the MK in pain and could barely walk! I had to ice my knee all night, and the next day, I was in so much pain that my DH forced me to ride around in a wheelchair when we weren't waiting in lines! It was that bad! Fortunately after taking it easy on the walking that day, a knee brace did the trick the rest of the trip. Now I always bring a great pair of running shoes or my Keens sandals.

 

[Disney Khaleesi]

I always encourage taking that trusty pair of tennis shoes

 

[Shanti]

I wear athletic waterproof sandals (thick sole) so that getting my feet wet in a sudden rain shower doesn't ruin things for me. Much more practical than tennis shoes in the summer.

 

[randynmelissa1109]

Just some advice fromexperience, if this happens to you you're better off shelling out the $60 (like my dh did) for the Mickey crocs. Saved my hubbys feet for the trip and the shoes r still in great condition after 2 years!

 

[CassieF]

On the footwear note...what do you reccomend for those afternoon summer rainstorms? I have rainbows (thick soled, good, comfortable flip flops) that I can do 10k steps/ 6 hr days here at Disneyland but I'm afraid those won't hold up for 20-30k step, 16 hr WDW days... I was thinking of carrying the sandals and using them in case of rain but they are kind of bulky to be carrying around.... What do you guys do?

 

[Dreamport]

Only "liking" your post as a thank you for the reminder. I'm sorry it happened and hope you heal up soon. I've taken a pair of comfy sandals from home that give me an inch in height but they weren't so comfy after walking a whole day around the Magic Kingdom. DSis wore an "old familiar pair" and they broke (something poking into her heel and everything) halfway through our HS day. Definitely test run your shoes before you go.

 

[momtotaryn]

So sorry that happened to you!

I have foot issues and have never found any shoes that are comfortable for me to walk in over a long period of time. However, I do have sandals that I've used on prior trips (not WDW, though) that involved LOTS of walking, so I plan to use those for the most part. I will be interchanging footwear, because I find that to help me the most. OK...that said...I did purchase shoes recently that feel pretty comfy, while doing some "test walks" back home. I am crossing my fingers that they will be the first pair that will actually work for me on our upcoming trip.

 

[SplashMo]

On the footwear note...what do you reccomend for those afternoon summer rainstorms? I have rainbows (thick soled, good, comfortable flip flops) that I can do 10k steps/ 6 hr days here at Disneyland but I'm afraid those won't hold up for 20-30k step, 16 hr WDW days... I was thinking of carrying the sandals and using them in case of rain but they are kind of bulky to be carrying around.... What do you guys do?

I use keen sandals (they are closed toe and very supportive) and they work great in the rain...

 

[ras1121]

On the footwear note...what do you reccomend for those afternoon summer rainstorms? I have rainbows (thick soled, good, comfortable flip flops) that I can do 10k steps/ 6 hr days here at Disneyland but I'm afraid those won't hold up for 20-30k step, 16 hr WDW days... I was thinking of carrying the sandals and using them in case of rain but they are kind of bulky to be carrying around.... What do you guys do?

I've used Rainbows for multiple trips. They've have been the only footwear I've brought. Great sandals!

 

[lovethattink]

Before I injured my toe, I lived in a pair of Sperry flip flops. They were my park shoes. Held up great in the rain and heat. Loved them so much, I bought several pairs and each pair lasted a year or so.

We go to the parks once a week, so I wore them a lot.

Breaking each pair in, before I ever considered wearing them to a park.

Since I injured my toe, New Balance Sneakers are my go to shoes. But even them, I've felt better wearing a broken in pair rather than brand new.

Moleskin helps blisters.

1st aid has a nice array of band aids. Best to go there at first sign of a blister to prevent further irritation.

 

[verleniahall]

I wear crocs sandles or flip flops - they are what I wear daily for work since I walk everywhere - they are comfortable and I have no problems at the end of the day

 

[PrincessWithABlaster]

On the footwear note...what do you reccomend for those afternoon summer rainstorms? I have rainbows (thick soled, good, comfortable flip flops) that I can do 10k steps/ 6 hr days here at Disneyland but I'm afraid those won't hold up for 20-30k step, 16 hr WDW days... I was thinking of carrying the sandals and using them in case of rain but they are kind of bulky to be carrying around.... What do you guys do?

I wore Teva Tirras on days that rain was expected. Mostly plastic and the straps dry pretty quickly even in FL (the land where nothing dries). I wore them the whole day though. They would not be good to carry around 'just in case' since they are also bulky.

 

[mshanson3121]

We bought all new footwear for our trip to Disney. And we made sure to break them in on the treadmill for a few weeks before we went to Disney.

 

[lovethattink]

I think the key is not wearing brand new shoes.

 

[TXAKDisneyFan]

That happend to me once. I wore my flip flops on the plane but left my sneakers in my checked luggage. I went to Epcot for like 3 hours while waiting for my room to be ready and bags to be delivered. Big mistake. I could barley walk for the rest of the trip and ended up with plantar fasciitis. I had it for about 3 more years after that. Never again have I worn flip flops on a plane.

Total opposite here. I've worn my Havaianas and wedge slingbacks on 14+ day (no down days) WDW trips and had no problems. Tried wearing tennis shoes (not new ones) one day and my feet were literally bleeding within minutes. (I've determined that I have weird Achilles that don't tolerate normal shoes well, so it's just backless sandals and slingbacks for me.) It really wasn't a good look wearing white tennis shoes covered in blood all day.