Need a Comfortable Shoe for WDW!

[ZeonStar]

Hey all,

I hate to start another thread on this, but it was just easier for me.

Me and my WIFE (Wow... still not use to that) are about to leave on our Honeymoon...you can see below.

I need some good walking shoes, specifically for the WDW part of our trip. Last time my feet hurt so bad at the end of the day, particularly in the arch. We fully plan to take it ALOT easier this trip, but I still want some new comfy shoes.

The ones I keep thinking about are...CROCS. I've never worn them but always hear how comfortable they are. it also looks like they have alot more style now, including one called the Axle that kind of resembles a normal shoe.

Would the Crocs help me in my Arch not hurting so much? That's the one thing that just killed me from walking our last theme park trip.

What Croc model can you recommend to me? I don't at all care how they look, I just want comfort.

I see there is a Crocs store in MCO, but what about in WDW itself? Are there any actual stores like the one in MCO? (An actual CROCS store?) We have a Tiffany Towncar picking us up at the airport and I don't know if we would have time to stop in the Crocs store, and I certainly don't want to be rushed. If there is a Crocs store aside from the Airport one, that would help.

I ask all this because we are rushed today to get going and if I can skip getting my new shoes -- whatever they may be -- till we get to Orlando, it would save a ton of time. I'm pretty set on giving the Crocs a try, unless I find out they wouldn't help my Arch aching so much.

Sorry for all the tangents, but I appreciate the help!

 

[TIGGER1981]

I alternated between my Teva mush flip flops and these Adidas shoes http://www.zappos.com/n/p/dp/18387104/c/751.html...my feet didn't hurt at all! My fiance swears by his New Balance http://www.zappos.com/n/p/p/7206943/c/52576.html

 

[parrotheadlois]

Don't count on your new Crocs to be your most comfortable shoes. I have Crocs and I like them, but you're taking a chance expecting them to be your "go to" shoes.

At least bring a comfortable pair of athletic shoes, new balance shoes have good arch support. You can also buy arch support inserts in any drug store.

I also have arch problems and changed my shoes in the car on the way to the airport and left my orthodics in the shoes - in the car - aaargh!!!!

Be careful - blisters and hurting feet can ruin a perfect day!!

 

[KLL]

My wife and I just bought Reebok walking shoes in preparation for our trip to Disney. They are very comfortable - my wife says it is the best walking shoe she has ever worn.

 

[Tess'smom]

My vote is for crocs. I would recommend Beach or Cayman. That is what my husband broke down and bought. If you can, purchase them in advance and break them in a bit. Also, buy them a little big. Don't let your toes or heels touch the shoes. My arches always hurt until I bought Crocs. I wear mary janes but I don't think that would be a good recommendation for you .

 

[PurpleEars]

First off, congrats on your wedding!

I own a pair of crocs (beach). I love them but they don't have as much arch support as some other shoes do, so if you need arch support, they may not be the best bet for you.

Just out of curiousity, what type of shoes did you wear during the last trip?

At this point I think perhaps a pair of good running shoes would be a better choice for you, especially when it sounds like you won't have time to break in a new pair of shoes. Just a side note, I would be hesistant to throw in any hard arch supports in your shoes for this trip, like the Birkenstock blue inserts. Don't get me wrong, I have seen them do amazing things for people, but it takes a good 2 weeks to get used to having them in your shoes. (I worked in a specialty shoe store one summer, so I know a little bit about shoe inserts)

Just my 2 cents worth. Good luck!

 

[mom2ajd]

My personal favorites are Keens. I bought them originally for my Disney World trip, and I absolutely love them. I walked 5 miles every day this summer in my Keens. They have GREAT arch support. I wear an orthotic in my walking shoes, and my feet actually feel better in my Keens. I just saw that the company recently came out with a shoe on the same insole as their sandals. I am so tempted..... I have the Venice H2. Great for water rides, as they dry quickly.

http://www.keenfootwear.com/

 

[Elmo888]

And get some Body Glide. It can be found at sports or running stores. It can help prevent blisters.

And I second New Balance.

 

[5 for WDW]

Another vote for a good pair of running style sneakers. I also love New Balance, as does my DH and kids.

I own a pair of Cayman Crocs and I was really hoping they were as comfortable as everyone said they were. My kids live in theirs at home. But, they just did not work for me. I can wear them to the beach and in the yard but, they would never have been comfortable for walking around Disney. That is just me, though.

I hope you have a wonderful vacation and honeymoon!!

 

[llmurphy17]

I vote for running or walking sneakers.

I love my crocs but they will not give me the support for all the walking I do at the parks. I am bringing them for the pool.

 

[Swimnoid]

I have the same New Balance 992 that Tigger1981's fiance has. I got them last December in Orlando during our trip. They are the best, most comfortable shoes I have ever had. good support, lightweight, NO break in period....they were great right out of the box. In June, though, I wore Birkenstock sandals every day and they were great.

 

[Clubhouse Mickey]

We went to WDW over Thanksgiving. I have terrible feet, flat with no arch support. A few years back we did a trip to DC with walking all day long and my feet were killing me, so I wanted a good pair of shoes for this trip to WDW.

I went to a New Balance store in the DFW area this summer. They fitted my feet and suggested a pair of shoes. They have the absolute more support of any shoe I have ever seen. The shoe is also made of the mesh stuff that allows air to breathe. You can literally feel the cool air coming into your shoe when you have these on.

When I first got the shoes I worried I had made a mistake. They say there was no break in period but I did feel more comfortable after I wore them a few times. Probably I am not used to that much support.

These shoes were the best investment I could have made. They kept me going when my family was all ready to call it quits. My feet and legs were not near as sore and stiff each day as I remember from my prior trip to DC. They were worth every penny I paid (which was $97).

When you go to a New Balance store vs just buying that brand someplace else, they measure your foot and will recommend a shoe that is a 360 degree fit for your foot.

good luck!

 

[rt2dz]

I wear the smae pair of cross trainers that I work out in regularly. They are already broken in and very comfortable, offering lots of support. I would never wear a shoe that I don't regularly wear; breaking in a shoe at Disney is not ideal.

Get some mole skin in blister are a concern. Also, aersol deodorant/anti-perspirant helps a lot. You might also want to try a gel insole. Another thing I do to avoid aching feet is pick up a foot soak at Walmart/Target and soak my feet every night. I did that when I was pregnant with my third at WDW and it really saved me. It might be girly, but you'll be in the privacy of your own room.

 

[jennynoel]

Another vote for Crocs. I have trouble with my arches in nearly every other pair of shoes (including athletic shoes) but not in Crocs. It may be because they stimulate the circulation.

I also have a broken-in pair of leather sneakers with arch-support/gel insoles. They are a close second to the Crocs.

My advice is just to try different shoes for long periods before you go - shopping, local sightseeing, anytime you are walking for a long period. That will give you a good indication if the shoes are comfortable enough for WDW.

 

[Lamandpercy]

I would definitely vote crocs! Summer 2006 I moaned continually about my poor aching feet, I have a high instep and the ball of my foot was burning each evening. I couldnt wait to stick my feet in the pool. I wore my sketchers and sandals that are VERY well worn in and still was sore.

Summer 2007 with crocs on - no moaning! They were bliss and have the added advantage of wet feet being no problem. I would agree that breaking them in if you can would be a good idea as they do mould to your feet.

There is a shop at Orlando airport that sells them and the jibbitz to decorate them with. Disney ones only available in WDW. I bought a new pair on the way home so now I have 2 pairs, I just wish I was allowed to wear them for work. They do sell Crocs in WDW but obly the disney ones with mickey shaped holes in. Colours are limited as well (pink, blue, bright yellow or weird mottled red and black pirate ones).

Congrats on your wedding and have a great stay at WDW.

 

[WDW4ever]

We went to WDW over Thanksgiving. I have terrible feet, flat with no arch support. A few years back we did a trip to DC with walking all day long and my feet were killing me, so I wanted a good pair of shoes for this trip to WDW.

I went to a New Balance store in the DFW area this summer. They fitted my feet and suggested a pair of shoes. They have the absolute more support of any shoe I have ever seen.

I have the same issues you do. Flat feet, and my ankles, knees and hips always hurt. New Balance used to be my favorite shoe also until I tried MBT's. They are ungodly expensive and I never would have spent $240 on a pair of shoes before but my mother got a pair (I inherited my feet from her!) and she loved them so much she got me a pair for Christmas a couple years back. Since then I have bought my own pair.

They have literally change my life as far as walking goes. I was able to walk everyone into the ground at WDW in my party. My ankles and knees never bothered me, the bursitis in my hip only acted up once (aleve took care of that) and on the day where my feet actually hurt I realized I had walked all over the Magic Kingdom, plus Epcot AND the whole World Showcase in one day (we parked hopped). Never ever would I have been able to do that before. I'm almost 45 and I did better than I did even in my 20's. I waitressed when I was younger and I remember my feet literally throbbing. The sore feet were nothing like that.

I have the MBT sanadals, but it was the white sport I wore mostly at WDW. They have the most support. New Balance would be my next choice if someone took my MBTs away!