sandals or tennis shoes?

[isabellarenee23]

Hello, this will be our first vacation to disney world. My question is what does everyone do about shoes. i mean it's going to be very hot in May so we would have to wear shorts. and tennis shoes wouldn't look good with shorts, but would walking around in sandals all day be comffy? And also are you aloud to ride rides with sandals or do you have to have closed toe shoes. This might be a silly question, but i would rather come prepared. thanks

 

[jennifer293]

I would bring both with you and on the first day try one and try one the next day. I haven't been to WDW yet but I have walked around at Six Flags from open to close and one time I wore Tevas and one time I wore tennis shoes. Both had their ups and downs. Tennis shoes were great until they got wet on the water rides then it not only felt gross but the socks rubbed the rest of the day.

Tevas were great until my feet got sweaty then they rubbed on the heel and by the end of the day my skin was peeling off the bottom of my feet.

SOOOOOOO in saying that I should go barefoot huh???LOL

I am taking both again this trip and rotating them out!!!

 

[JoannaOhio]

I think it depends on what is the most comfortable for your feet. The only shoes I have worn in the past 15-20 years are Birkenstock sandals. In the wintertime I wear 2 or 3 pair of socks with them. When there's a small amount of snow I pull on a pair of men's Tote rubbers. The only time I wear boots is to shovel the driveway, or walk through deeper snow till I get to the car. If the parking lots are cleared wherever I'm going, I switch back into my Birkenstocks. I realize that won't work for everyone, but I haven't found a pair of sneakers or closed toe shoes in years that I could tolerate.

Be sure whatever shoes you take have been well broken in, and I think it's a good idea to have more than one pair of comfortable walking shoes, and to alternate wearing them on consecutive days. BTW, I don't think you should worry about whether sneakers would look odd with your summer clothes. IMHO, comfort is far more important than making a fashion statement at WDW. And - no matter what you wear, you'll see other people in outfits you wouldn't be caught dead in.

 

[goofytime2000]

I save have both with you at WDW. In the end it does come down to whatever you are the most comfortable with. I don't know of any ride at Disney that would require actual shoes, or that would make you take off slip on style shoes (however I havn't been there in a few years). I take both with me. I agree that tennis shoes can look dorky, but after a couple of days your feet may be screaming for them. Listen to what your feet tell you. Nothing can ruin a trip more than foot problems.

 

[AKbabe]

I would say what ever you are most comfortable in, as long as they are well broken in, and you take more than one pair. I take my running shoes, my Mephistos and my Tevas. I generally start off with the tennies since the mornings are cooler. Then later when we return to the room I switch to the sandals cause it's so stinkin' hot! Not only that, but your shoes need time to air out. Some days I wear only the sandals to give my tennies a break.

 

[Alice Sr.]

I usually wear tennies at MK because it seems more crowded than the other parks and I don't want my toes to get stepped on or ran over (by a stroller). If it's really hot I will wear sandals at the other parks.

 

[eeyore kelly]

I swear by Reebok DMX tennis shoes

 

[beattyfamily]

It really does depend on you and your feet. What are you most comfortable shoes at home for walking ALL DAY?

I've gone 7 times now and for only the last 3 trips I got no blisters. For me, the answer was Teva Pretty Rugged sandals. Sneakers, even special walking ones, coolmax socks (to avoid moisture), special foot powders, anti-persperant, were not the answer for me.

Now I bring my sandals and moleskins (just in case I start to feel a hot spot) and Bodyglide and I never have a blister again.

Moleskins is something that protects an area that might be a 'hot' spot for blisters. Bodyglide is a product that prevents friction and prevents blisters and chafing (between your legs).

Good luck!

 

[princess-rn]

FOr our last trip (which was 8 days in the parks) I wore tennies religiously...by about the 6th day i started to develop blisters...by day 8 I could hardly walk in my tennies..so I switched to flip flops and it was GREAT!!!! I would say bring both and just "feel" out your feet before leaving your hotel room.

 

[Christine]

I've always worn sandals. 10 hours in tennis shoes does not work for me and I have very nice tennis shoes that I use for walking/jogging. They are not good for standing in the hot sun for hours.

My best luck has been to go out and buy a good, supportive sandal. I get a pair especially for Disney. They are always my "Disney sandals". They are never fashionable, but ALWAYS comfortable. Try Teva's, Chaco's, Merrill, etc. Look for a good, thick supportive sole and fabric on the sandal that is soft and padded.

 

[juliesue]

I cannot wear anything in the parks but tennis shoes. With all the walking, I have to have something with support. I guess I must be a dork, because I always wear tennis shoes with shorts, even at home.

I am also not comfortable in sandals on many of the rides. Just better for all of us if we wear tennies!!!

But, I 100% agree with the OP who said make sure they are broken in. The worst thing you can do is buy new shoes for WDW!! I usually buy ours 2-3 months before the trip and we start wearing them right away. By the time we go, everyone has adjusted to them and are comfortable.

 

[rachael95]

I wear tennis shoes. I don't think they look weird with shorts. Though I'm the first to admit I'm not very fashionable. But for comfort, I have to go with tennis shoes. At least 2 pair so you can let one air out for 24 hours. I also take breaks where I'll slip the shoes off for a few minutes during the day.

For me, the best shoes are Rockports. They seem to hold up better than any other shoe.

 

[etwinchester]

I wear tennis shoes but I never have a problem with sore feet. My mom does but I give her my Mary Kay mint bliss (lotion for tired acheing feet) and she loves it!

I purchased a pair of Mickey Tennis Shoes and I can't wait to wear them.

 

[Jess]

We were there all last week. I wore these new Earthshoe sandals from Walmart (paid less than $20), never broken in, and never had a prob. Had to cut a tiny sliver of moleskin to cover a little abrasion on one part of one foot, but that was it. Not a single blister.

I don't like the way tennis shoes look with shorts (on me) so I didn't wear sneakers. But DH, DS, and MIL wore theirs and equally had no blister issues. Comfortwise, I really vouch for these Earthshoes because I had my doubts until I read what other DIS members said about them. They are totally comfortable, and believe me, I have rheum. arthritis, so everything bothers me more. I saw lots of people in flipflops, though. I might suggest you wear those for water rides (which I avoided this time). Or do Tevas as Earthshoes are not water repellant.

 

[goofy4tink]

Another one with foot issues. I have a really high arch, so I need a lot of support if I'm going to be on my feet a long time. I wear my sneakers first part of the day, then after swimming/lunch I change over to my all weather type sandals. I got them from Lands End (or LL Bean,can't remember which). They can get wet and they don't make my feet hurt. This year I am including my Crocs. I'm loving them so far. Just be sure to change out your shoes during the day. It does give your feet a breather. And if you are wearing sneakers/tennies...bring an extra pair of socks in your fanny pack. If you feet get hot/sweaty/or wet from an attraction...you can change your socks and your feet will thank-you!

 

[wicket2005]

Just wear my trainers and have never had any problems, though have only been in February, going in July this year so the trainers may prove too hot for my feet but they are comfortable which is the main thing.

 

[Amom2five]

JulieSue, like you, I too must be a dork! I always wear tennis shoes with my shorts. I've never heard anyone say sneakers can't be worn with shorts. But anyway, we'll have the kids wear tennis shoes b/c it just seems much more comfortable to me. I guess you need to stick with whatever is more "comfty" (as my kids say).

 

[LegoMom3]

... i mean it's going to be very hot in May so we would have to wear shorts. and tennis shoes wouldn't look good with shorts, but would walking around in sandals all day be comffy? ...

Ok, this is scaring me...! But since the OP is from Kentucky, I have to know: It must be a "part of the country" type thing, but up here in New England we see tennis shoes with shorts ALL the time! I know plenty of folks who of course wear shorts in the summer but won't touch a pair of sandals. Now, what worries me is that we are in the midst of planning a relocation to KY next year with DH's work...Will I stick out like a sore thumb (or ignorant Yankee!) if I wear tennis shoes with my shorts once we get there?!? These are important things to know!

 

[LisaS]

Hello, this will be our first vacation to disney world. My question is what does everyone do about shoes. i mean it's going to be very hot in May so we would have to wear shorts. and tennis shoes wouldn't look good with shorts, but would walking around in sandals all day be comffy?

The most important thing is to wear footwear that is comfortable and broken in. As you will see when you get to WDW, most people there are dressed for comfort and are not worried about being stylish. If you're wearing stylish shoes and other park visitors seem to be looking at them, believe me it's not because people are admiring your taste in shoes -- they are thinking "What was she thinking? She's never going to make it through the day in those things!"

I wear shorts and running shoes with ankle-length socks and I see lots of others dressed the same way. I couldn't care less whether it looks good or not -- it gets me through the miles and miles of walking we do at the parks. The last thing you want is to have your stylish shoes giving you blisters and causing you to have to leave the park earlier than planned.

Sandals are fine, too, provided they are the kind that won't give you blisters. You can wear them on the rides. I like to wear Tevas (or other waterproof sandals) when we go to Animal Kingdom since we like to go on the Kali River Rapids ride and always get soaked. But I can't wear the Tevas every day because I really need the support of a running/walking shoe.

Like a lot of folks on these boards, I recently bought a pair of Crocs since they seem to be both comfortable and waterproof. I plan to wear them a lot before going to WDW to be sure they will be comfortable enough for my feet. I also bought a pair of Keen Newport H2s -- a cross between a running shoe and a sandal that I think will help to keep my feet cool but provide the support my feet need for all that walking. And I just may wear them with my ankle-length Coolmax socks. Will it look dorky? Probably. Do I care? Absolutely not! I will be comfortable all day and that's all I care about!

 

[wicket2005]

I think the majority of people just wear trainers so no one looks dorky because that is the norm, you would look dorky if you wore unsuitable shoes around Disney, etc.