Shoe policy for babies

[SheilaHeartsDisney]

Can anyone confirm what the shoe policy is for babies on rides? I've read both that they are required for all including infants and that if under 3 and not walking they don't need them in the ride.

While on the subject of shoes. My 11 month olds aren't walking yet but I hope they are by the time we go to Disney in 4 months. My son's foot is extremely fat and wide and I can't seem to find a shoe I can get on him. Any suggestions on shoes that may work?

 

[Momof3WDW]

I have taken non walking infants and was never told they needed shoes. Though if they were standing or pulling themselves up I would put shoes on anyways to help with balance and learning.
As for shoes for your son, I am not sure. You could always just went up in size to fit wider feet, but my kids feet weren't ever to wide for shoes.

 

[Kae]

try Stride Rite for shoes

 

[HopperFan]

I don't know about policy and as far as mine, they wore shoes since they were infants (cloth when very small).

Stride Rite is your best bet. Find one of their stores or one that sells them. http://www.striderite.com/en/home

 

[lanejudy]

I agree with the Stride Rite recommendation -- if you have a physical location anywhere in your vicinity, go in and have them measure. Their sales staff is very good at getting the right fit. They carry shoes in wide sizes as well, while most other stores only have regular width.

As to policy, I also have never heard of a particular shoe policy and assume if the child is young enough to constantly be held, it's a non-issue. If the child might stand while you put him/her down for a minute, you'll want some kind of foot protection.

Enjoy your vacation!

 

[njmom76]

Stride Rite is good for feet like his (my son's were the same) or the brand Tsukihoshi - fit my son's wide & fat feet very well.

 

[Cinderella70]

I had some friends go to disney in January of 2015. They had the Memory Maker photo package. They ran into photographers that refused to take their picture because their 10 month old daughter did not have shoes on. She was not even close to walking at the time. They had to go to customer service to complain. Customer service told her it is technically in the policies, but some photographers are stricter than others when following it. I plan on bringing easy throw on shoes for my infant just in case. Better safe than sorry!!

 

[unrequited23]

I'd recommend Robeez or something like them. Just a simple soft soled shoe with some stretch around the ankle. Great to keep socks on and offer protection from the elements, but not a true walking shoe. My ped said the little ones should only wear shoes outside once they were steady walkers and that bare foot was best for learning...but who knows what they are recommending today.

 

[Lilliputian]

I've been not allowed on rides when my non-walking baby had taken his socks off. Socks have always been enough, but a few times ride operators have called my babies out for being barefoot. I take extra socks with me because little ones are prone to removing shoes and socks with no one realizing it.

I agree that Stride Rite is good for babies with wide feet. The soft shoes like Robeez are also good, but once the little one begins to walk, sometimes they aren't enough (like on playgrounds with gravel).

 

[missbrooke06]

I had some friends go to disney in January of 2015. They had the Memory Maker photo package. They ran into photographers that refused to take their picture because their 10 month old daughter did not have shoes on. She was not even close to walking at the time. They had to go to customer service to complain. Customer service told her it is technically in the policies, but some photographers are stricter than others when following it. I plan on bringing easy throw on shoes for my infant just in case. Better safe than sorry!!

Wait, what? Why on earth would a photographer care? I can see them claiming safety on rides but for the life of me, the photo rule makes no sense.

 

[ruthies12]

I once had a cm (very rudely I might add) not allow my 10-month-old dd to play in the dumbo tent play area because she only had cloth-like shoes on which the cm decided were only socks and not real shoes. She wasn't a walker yet and was just pulling herself up on one of the things in the middle circle and I was told to pick her up and not allow her back down or we would have to leave.

 

[happymommy]

I've never heard of any policy on babies with shoes. My son was born in Hawaii; he had slippahs, then when he was 15 months I bought him his first pair of Stride Rites (real sneakers) only for the flight to the mainland. I don't care if kids have shoes or not, but babies learn to walk better barefoot for sure. You do need to protect their feet for travel or anything that could hurt them, but that should be left to the parents.

 

[Shanna-like-Banana]

I also recommend Stride rite.

Not only were my boys feet extra wide, fat, but also very thick. Most shoes the inner was not tall enough to put their little chubby feet in.

They new sell some super thick socks that are almost shoe like, that have rubber grippers on the bottom

 

[gatormom2tots]

After having 4 children, I quickly learned that they don't NEED shoes until they are actually walking! Prior to that its for style only! That being said, we were there in September with my then 7 month old and I know for a fact she never once wore shoes simply because she didn't own them- no socks either because it was hotter than Hades!

We also went when my 3rd was about 9 months old and same situation....the child didn't own a pair until she started walking at about 13-14 months. She might have had socks on because it was an April trip but I honestly don't remember.

Now if they are walking that might be a different situation. But as babies, mine were in carriers and shoeless on any ride they rode!

 

[SheilaHeartsDisney]

Thanks for all the responses. I tried stride rite about two months ago and they couldn't find any shoes that fit his foot. Hopefully we can try again In A month or so when his foot is longer and they may have more options.

Sounds like we are leaning more towards shoes being a requirement at their age. They will definitely be put on the ground in at least a standing position so hopefully I can get is kid some shoes.

 

[jsantini]

My son was standing some but not walking on our trip last fall. During a character meet and greet, a cast member told me I had to pick him up because he wasn't wearing shoes. He was wearing socks. Totally ruined the Mickey interaction that was going on with Mickey kneeling down to his level :/. So yes, shoes.

 

[FrozenDuck]

We went last fall with a 6 month old (obviously non-walking) baby, no shoes or socks. Most of the time he was in the stroller or I wore him. Never had any problems or comments, even on attractions & shows.

 

[Tod&CopperFan]

Holy cow! I would have never even imagined a shoe policy for infants! My "baby" is 7 years old now, so those days are long over for me, but when he was that size I loved Robeez for shoes. I just went over to the Robeez website for nostalgia's sake and discovered that they have a Disney Baby line!! So stinking cute! I hope you are able to find some suitable shoes for your baby!

 

[maxiesmom]

To me the shoes rule makes perfect sense. You never know what might have been spilled or broken on the ground.

 

[Paigesmom2013]

We brought our 4 month old two years ago and she never had shoes. We even had our picture with Cindy in the castle and no one said anything. That's really weird about the photos saying something.