Preparing yourself physically...

[jory29]

I second switching your shoes in the middle of the day. We always go back so the kids can nap. I usually wear thongs/sandals during the day and tennis shoes in the evening. Soak your feet and then stretching is always benefical.

That sounds like a fantastic idea!!!

 

[jory29]

I would suggest investing in some Moleskin for blisters or corns ect. I had heard about it and got some 'just in case'. Well both my hubby and I ended up using it for blisters and it was wonderful. I just picked mine up from Walmart and really think we would have been in so much more pain foot wise without it. Our feet got much sorer than legs. Your walking should have toughened up your toes already. I think you'll be fine.

Here's a link to show what moleskin is. I had never seen it before.
http://www.drugstore.com/search/sea...n&aid=336064&aparam=moleskin&scinit1=moleskin

One of the reviewers stated to place a bandaid on first, then the moleskin, so the moleskin wouldn't stick soooo much to the skin - I like the idea of the moleskin but was concerned about the sticky factor, so the bandaid underneath it should be great! Thanks!!

 

[disney-inspired]

I have to give a shout out to roadrunner shoe store.

If you are serious about being prepared (and maybe even continue exercising after your trip) I suggest you check roadrunnersports.com

If you have one nearby, go and they will test your feet. They check where you place the most pressure, arch, gate and overall how your feet move when you walk.

I have always had problems with my feet and now that I've gotten serious about exercising I stopped by the roadrunner store over here in CA.

The shoes are pretty pricey but guaranteed, most, to last at least 500 miles. I bought my shoes ( I needed motion control, as my ankle would pull inwards causing pain) and I have had them for a couple weeks now and I am in LOVE LOVE LOVE.

Just a thought.

 

[mariezp]

You are one smart cookie!!! Thanks! I agree, I will try that (advil, etc.) the next time - I got shin splints on our last trip,(which was great when it had settled down for the last 2 days, sigh, wish it could have happened sooner but I didn't even think to take advil - DUH! ) and currently have plantar fasciitis so an really concerned!! My Dr. Scholl's heel insert for pain seems to help, though, so I will bring those along on next trip, as well as gel heel pads for heel pain.

One time in DL, I got blisters on the bottom of both of my feet. Ouch! (My shoes were too big, and my feet slid too much as I walked.) I had broken in my shoes, but, this long walking, all day, was just too much, in so many ways.

The next visit, I got shin splints first, and then a really, really bad pain in my feet that would hit moments after sitting. I remember being almost in tears during the POTC ride, as after about 5 min., the pain would start up... Getting off of the ride was hideous by the time my feet stopped throbbing, it was time to walk again, off of the ride.

The last vist to DL, my feet swelled up during the day, I think, or else my shoes were a tad small, and I ended up brusing both of my toenails, and a few months later they waved good-bye to me. Actually, I had listened to advice as to what kind of socks to wear as to not get blisters, and it appears the socks took up too much shoe room, as they were thick socks??

My strategy for the next trip will be:

1.) No cotton only socks - special wool type blend, natural fibres. BUT large enough shoes to accommodate that!
2.) BLISTER preventative pads - look like bandaids, but stay on feet for up to 5 days, and can prevent or help to heal painful blisters (luckily we have a 5 day park hopper pass ) AND Avon blister friction creme.
3.) ICE the feet at night, no matter what!! (The hotel has ice machines for all! )
4.) Take the iboprofren twice daily - excellent, excellent suggestion!!! Thanks!!
5.) Bring along 2 different pairs of shoes - when one pair starts doing serious damage, switch to another pair the next day! Better yet, alternate days.
6.) Heat rub (A535) and cooling gel rub for the feet, not to use both at the same time, of course, but use one or the other at the end of the day...

I am pooh sized - wear around size 16 for clothes - and really found the walks around the park all day long to be very painful. My husband and kids did not find it difficult at all. I am not in shape, as in, don't work out daily, but have been walking the kids to and from school daily to get my body used to more activity before our trip. I do think that pooh sized people will have more painful feet, etc. So hopefully some of these suggestions will be helpful to you guys, and if you have any more suggestions for anyone who suffers painful feet, etc., keep them coming, please! Thanks!!

Edited to add: Would not your toes bump into the front of the crocs?? Are they really that comfy? Can dollar store type substitutute crocs work o.k.? Do you get lots of static shocks for wearing them? My daughter and I were shocked a lot one day in store, and didn't know why - my husband told us it's because the soles of our shoes were NOT made of rubber - he was right!!

Also -where can one buy compression socks?? Are they healthy enough to use?

Sandals - OUCH!!! I've had too many people step on my toes (Literally, not figuratively, LOL!) while in a que - I think that would be dangerous for an almost ingrown toenail? Or even for a reg. toenail?)

Sciatic nerve pain can be soooo bad!!! DH has it from time to time and it takes a long time for it to settle down. Good luck with yours!

Yep. Advil, gel soles, moleskin been there and done all of those! It sounds like you have had your share of painful trips! I am about your size so I have to agree that I think carrying the extra load doesn't help our feet out very much. Oh, and make sure you don't trim your toe nails too short right before your trip either...just another source for painful feet!

My DH is the one who gets the blisters so bad. I convinced him to try a pair of crocs for our next trip so we will have to give his report when we get back. He's been wearing them around home and was very surprised by how comfy they are. Of course, he never wears them where anyone might actually see him here but when we are 1200 miles from home, I figure no one will know us or care anyway! Guess both of us will look stupid like the cat in your pic, JaneJetson, but at least we will still be able to walk.

My toes have never bumped. You just have to make sure you buy a large enough size that they have wiggle room since they are supposed to be worn loose anyway. I think the less expensive dollar store brand might work too but I didn't want to take any chance so I splurged on the "real" ones. Plus I got the Mickey ones which look a little cuter cuzz they have little Mickey cut outs instead of just plain holes. I've never noticed any shocking.

I got the compression socks online. I think it was a place called Dr. Leonards but I am not positive. I am sure you can pick them up on ebay or just do a search. I didn't get any that were super tight but they did just enough to make a huge difference from all the walking. I also got some that were just called a "sleeve" which fit onto just your calve without covering the foot. I really liked these for wet rides because then there was nothing to get wet on your foot, although the other ones dry out pretty fast.

 

[avalon451]

I'm about the same size as you, too. I also have problems with plantar fascieitis, because of my high arches. The podiatrist and physical therapist I had when I broke my foot, convinced me that stretching will go a long way toward relieving the plantar pain. Somebody posted that yoga stretch earlier, and that's the kind of thing I do a lot of, in addition to calf stretches, achilles' tendon, etc. Also, lying on my back on the floor, with one foot up in the air and a rubber exercise band or a folded towel held by the ends around the sole of my foot, stretching it out... it really made a difference in my feet's flexibility.

They were the ones who also convinced me that I should be wearing really good athletic shoes, with Super Feet insoles. Partly because of my size, because they said that if your heels and feet are not correctly supported, that will affect your hips, back and your entire balance. Crocs wouldn't do it for me, because they don't have enough support in the arch and heel, even though they have a deeply cupped heel. The podiatrist showed me that you should be able to pinch the base of the heel at the back of your athletic shoes (not the sole, but at the base of the uppers), and the top should barely bow in at all.

 

[Sherry E]

Can I sixth or seventh or 100th the New Balance suggestion? I did not realize before 2005 how good those shoes are. First of all, the ones I have are durable. I have one pair that is three years old and they only look slightly used on the outside. I have big ol' wide feet so there was lots of room for my toes! Then, when I realized how much I liked these shoes, I ordered more pairs exactly like the previous ones - same size and color - but they were not as wide. I think they started cutting them smaller or something. In any case, I have plantar fasciitis, as well as a bad disc problem in my back and occasionally painful knees, and the doctor suggested that New Balance are the best shoes for walking and orthopedic issues. I got NO blisters at DL year when I wore my NB's and my feet did not hurt because I was wearing arch support inserts. Sometimes what happens with me at DL is that the heat wears me down and makes me ill or tired rather than the walking. I don't even notice the physical exertion right away because I am used to a lot of walking anyway.

Then, the next day or two, I can really feel it in my body, how tired I am and I feel sore. But it is a good kind of discomfort! Oh and ditto the Bandaid protective blister prevent pads - those are excellent - and the gel (I use Synovium). I also bring a little talcum powder and some peppermint lotion for my sore feet.

 

[Judy from Boise]

Besides the arch, is the sole firm like Birks? I think I might need something softer.

Thanks everyone for the suggestion of NB's but I have a pair and tennis shoes just don't work for me with all that walking in nice weather. If it was cool and rainy, they would be great but not when it's warm. My feet need room and they need to breathe.

You have all been so helpful! Thank you!

Birks are firm because they have almost zero "shock " absorption....but excellent support.

Chacos are made of a super firm vibram (like a hiking boot) rubber, so there is no cushioning, but excellent support and lots of shock absorption. Chacos are a great deal more "out of the norm" than a teva or merrill, so a proper fitting in a store is essential. I love mine, but they are not for everyone.

I also agree with everyone who suggested stretching for fascitis, they rubber band idea is excellent.

For socks and insert ideas I reccomend this company http://www.footsmart.com/default.aspx

 

[Rainforest_Elf]

So I just bought a new pair of athletic shoes and some $70 orthotic inserts that I can move from shoe to shoe.

Has anyone ever tried to take out the insert in a converse shoe? I want to put my new fancy orthotics in there and they're like sewn in....I LOVE my chucks and want to walk around in them but they're so flat, there's no support... Suggestions??

 

[avalon451]

Rainforest, you said it... "they're so flat, there's no support." Even if you rip the insoles out and put in your fancy orthotics (whoa, $70? I thought my Superfeet insoles were pricey at $35!) they're not going to be that great for your feet for Disneyland. They might look great, but you need more heel and arch support, and shock absorption. The physical therapist showed me that your athletic shoes need to have the heel support at the back of the heel. You should be able to pinch the back of the heel and the top of the shoe (in the case of Chucks, about the level of just below your ankle) should hardly bow in at all. Chucks are canvas and have very little support in the upper foot and upper heel.

If you're going to spend that much on orthotics, I'd think about getting some running shoes like New Balance or Brooks or something.

Eh, just my opinion, though, I don't know everything.

 

[Rainforest_Elf]

Rainforest, you said it... "they're so flat, there's no support." Even if you rip the insoles out and put in your fancy orthotics (whoa, $70? I thought my Superfeet insoles were pricey at $35!) they're not going to be that great for your feet for Disneyland. They might look great, but you need more heel and arch support, and shock absorption. The physical therapist showed me that your athletic shoes need to have the heel support at the back of the heel. You should be able to pinch the back of the heel and the top of the shoe (in the case of Chucks, about the level of just below your ankle) should hardly bow in at all. Chucks are canvas and have very little support in the upper foot and upper heel.

If you're going to spend that much on orthotics, I'd think about getting some running shoes like New Balance or Brooks or something.

Eh, just my opinion, though, I don't know everything.

You're absolutely right. And I did buy a nice pair of athletic shoes when I bought my orthotics as well, so those are coming with me for sure!

But, I've got really wide feet, so it's hard to find shoes that will be comfortanle. Chucks are the only shoes that won't slide up and down on the back of my heel. Even my new walking shoes do this a little bit.

 

[PHXscuba]

Moleskin is great, just be sure to get it on securely. DH used some for toe blisters during our WDW trip a couple weeks ago and it kept sliding around. So bigger patches, or a bandaid wrapped around it to keep in place.

I also agree with the people who say it's the standing, not the walking that makes you sore. I try to stretch in line when I have a little room even if I look a little Goofy doing it.

I also want to add what to do AFTER your days at DL are done. I have found that if we drive 7 hours home the day after walking around DL (or similar) that I have leg aches that night and can't sleep. I think my legs tighten up too much going from heavy activity to no activity.

The times I have done some gentle walking around the day after DL, my legs have been fine. So even if you're a little sore, it will probably help to do some light walking the next day, even if you are traveling.

PHXscuba
"You can't have everything -- besides, where would you put it all?"