Question about flip flops and mules

[DisneyArk]

I have a question about wearing flip flops (or any other type of shoe that slips on) while walking around WDW. Do you have problems with the shoes falling off during the rides? What do you do when you ride Soaring?

On our past 2 trips I've worn tennis shoes and my feet were hot and extremely tired at the end of the day. I also got blisters on my heels even though I was wearing shoes that were broken in and had never caused blisters at home.

Thanks so much for any tips you can give me! Our trip is in May and I'm stressing out over what shoes to wear. If I'm going to buy new shoes then I need to start breaking them in.

 

[chamonix]

I wear slip on Birkenstocks most of the time in the parks. (I do alternate with tennis shoes on occasion) They never fall off on rides. On Soarin, you take them off when you sit down and can either place them in the net bag under your seat or just leave them on the floor in place under your feet as your seat returns to the exact same place you left from. That's what I do, it's easier than fiddling with the under seat mesh bag. The CMs will tell you to do this too.

 

[nursetink]

DisneyArk

I suggest going to a store that specializes in running shoes and the professional fitting of them. I went to the one in Little Rock 2 weeks ago, and I am still amazed at the difference in how they fit.

They have you walk/jog and analyse your stride. You then try on the differents types appropriate for your stride. I have always worn Nikes, but they placed me in an Aasics. I did not notice any problems with my feet in the Nikes, until I started walking/jogging in the new shoes. It has made a world of difference.

There is also a store in Conway. Let me know if you have any questions.

 

[DisneyArk]

DisneyArk

I suggest going to a store that specializes in running shoes and the professional fitting of them. I went to the one in Little Rock 2 weeks ago, and I am still amazed at the difference in how they fit.

They have you walk/jog and analyse your stride. You then try on the different types appropriate for your stride. I have always worn Nikes, but they placed me in an Aasics. I did not notice any problems with my feet in the Nikes, until I started walking/jogging in the new shoes. It has made a world of difference.

There is also a store in Conway. Let me know if you have any questions.

Thanks for the suggestion! Actually, last fall I bought some Brooks at a store here (in Fayetteville) that does the analysis. I felt nervous about jogging on the treadmill while being filmed, but afterwords it was interesting to watch how my foot hits the ground.

I feel more confident about these shoes fitting better. But I still want to bring comfortable flip flops or slip on shoes to alternate wearing.

chamonix,
Thank you!!
That information about Soaring makes me feel so much better! I had never read that before. Thank you for taking the time to post!

 

[bean]

I always wear my Reefs and have never had a problem with blisters or sore feet. I also take my shoes off and leave them on the ground during Soarin'.

 

[nursetink]

I would try Crocs Athens flip flops. They are very light weight, come in many colors, and mold to your foot. I love mine.

 

[nursetink]

I also forgot to suggest wearing non-cotton socks when in your running shoes. The microfiber socks actually wick away the sweat and help prevent blisters.

 

[nono]

If you wear sandals or flip-flops and walk a mile+ per day in them in your real life, , they would be OK to wear. I live at the beach and walk a few miles each day in either sandals or flip flops, so walking at WDW in them is "regular" for me. But, I know lots of other folks who have had BIG issues suddenly walking around WDW in flip flops, so caution is advised!

Good luck! Happy feet are a must!

 

[stacy6552]

While I havent riden Soarin' with my flipflops and haven'tt had any issue, at WDW. At other parks when I have had them on and riden suspended rollarcoasters, I sit on them (as directed). Works like a charm.

 

[cfrith]

I always wear my Reefs and have never had a problem with blisters or sore feet. I also take my shoes off and leave them on the ground during Soarin'.

Which style Reefs do you have?

 

[tink1978]

I always wear flip flops in the parks...I too get horrible blisters when I wear my tennis shoes. I have never had a problem with them falling off on rides. My heels may be sore toward the end of the day, but they still feel much better than my tennis shoes.

 

[ashleyl]

What are reefs? Where can you get them?

 

[ZoZo]

Several years ago due to foot problems, I switched 100% to "backless" shoes (mules, clogs, flip flops, etc.). I wear athletic mules to WDW (mine are Reebok). Very comfortable and less hot than regular tennies. Put them in the under-seat bins while on Soarin' - you're right, they could fall off!

My advice after my trip last fall: Be absolutely completely sure your shoes (whatever kind you choose) are very well broken in before you go. I brought my workout shoes (the ones I wear several times a week on the treadmill), thinking they were well broken in. They were not!! I got a terrible blister on the bottom of my little toe before I realized it. It was awful! I wished so much that I had brought my oldest, crummiest tennis shoes as a back-up (the ones I had worn to WDW four years ago and did fine with!). They're not pretty, but they're extremely comfortable!!

 

[NotUrsula]

Sports sandals with a backstrap. No coaster losses. We like Keens, Merrells, (and Nikes on the low end.)

 

[SueM in MN]

I bought these shoes from zappos.com: Salomon Techamphibian.
They were expensive at $83.95, but they are the most comfortable shoes I have ever worn, even without a breaking in period. They are mesh (made to get wet) and I mostly wore them without socks. My older DD got the same shoes in another color and also loved hers. The shoes have adjustable heel straps, so you can make the heels tighter. The biggest reason I've had sore heels in the past was that my shoes were too wide in the heel and every time I stepped, my shoes moved up and down over my heel. When you are wearing socks with too loose heels, the socks just become another layer to rub up and down.
DD and I were the only people out of 14 in our group who didn't have any foot problems.
Three people in our group wore flipflops at times. They were not used to wearing them all the time and ended up with the area between the toes getting sore. Also, they noticed the flatness and lack of cushioning in the soles.
My DH had real Crocs and wore them a few times. He found them comfortable, but not good for LONG days of walking. Several other people in our party bought non - Crocs look alikes (one family bought theirs at DTD, one bought them at Target). The main things they noticed that were different compared to the real Crocs was that the imitation ones were a bit less soft and the pattern of little "nubs" inside the shoes were different.

 

[Boncho]

I always wear flipflops but if you are going to, there are a couple of things you must realize - you cannot just start wearing them when you get to WDW, you have to start wearing them quite a while before you go or between your toes where the part fits is going to get very sore, also if you are going to wear the ones with the thinner sole you are going to have to take at least a couple of pairs and make sure they are soft and not as hard as a board.

 

[tolemommy]

My best friend and her family all wear Reef flip flops while staying at WDW I on the other hand wear a pair of comfty well worn tennis shoes but... like a few other posts your feet get hot and tired by the end of a long day. Looking for a comfortable sandal to wear so I am also very interested in trying out a cooler footwear option this year.

I love all the suggestions given here. Keep em comin'

 

[ashleyl]

are reefs flip-flops? Where can you get them?

 

[Grumpy's Wife]

Now I'm a flip flop kind of girl but I always wear tennis shoes at WDW. If you do plan on wearing them to the parks I would just make sure to bring tennis or some other shoe just in case you need them.

 

[tms295]

Reefs are a brand of sandals/flip-flops. You can buy them at various retailers, Surf and/or outdoor type stores usuaally carry them. You can find them online by going to "www (dot) shopping (dot) com" & seach "reef sandals"

I personally live in flip flops and do not have a problem wearing them in the parks. I did however end up with a blister on the top of my foot (where the flip flop strap connects by the arch of the foot) while walking around in las vegas for 3 days. I bought a roll of atheltic tape... the kinda a trainer uses (more like an ace bandage material) and put on loop around my foot and no more rubbing blister. Bandaids don't stick to sweaty feet!