Shoes for the parks maybe flats?UPDATE post 66

[JillianMarie]

I wore a pair of Banana Republic flats last year which served me pretty well (I admit that I took them off and put them into my bag on Splash Mountain so they didn't get wet though). Definitely worth looking into. Toms might work too - except they have ZERO arch support and very thin soles which make awesome airport shoes but maybe not so great for walking long distances in my opinion.

And there's nothing wrong with wanting to look put together at Disney. You can be casual and comfortable without being a slob.

 

[DLBDS]

My opinion is stop worrying about how your sneakers look with your skinny jeans! No one is going to be looking at your feet - they're going to be looking at all the magical things in Disneyworld and couldn't care less about your shoes!

You do so much walking in Disneyworld, just forget what it looks like and wear the most comfortable shoes you own

Says the person wearing socks with their Crocs.

 

[BadgerGirl84]

Personally, having comfortable shoes is my #1 priority in terms of what I wear in WDW, that if I didn't like how skinny jeans looked with my favorite walking shoes, I'd bring different pants to wear.

I have some Sketchers Go Walk shoes that look okay with skinny jeans. While they are light as a feather and very comfortable for just wearing around the house or running errands, they don't have enough support for me to wear all day in the parks.

Unless it's going to be really cold, I would recommend a good pair of sandals. I got mine at The Walking Store and they look nice with skirts, shorts or pants and they are more comfortable than Keens, Tevas, sneakers or Crocs in my opinion.

 

[kristin08]

Another vote for TOMS! They are super comfortable and cute. Go for the classic style though. I bought one pair of their flats (before they redesigned them, so maybe they are better now) and I can barely wear them for a few hours. They are soooo painful!!! But the classic style I have worn in Disney many times!

 

[jess1662]

Tom's get COLD when they're wet, though. Even in the unbearable heat of September. Inside, in restaurants and queues, I about froze. Other than that, they're super comfortable.

 

[smitch425]

I wear my Skechers Bobs in the parks. I love them! I haven't worn real tennis shoes in the parks in years. Too clunky and not cute. I prefer Skechers reggae rasta and sun fest sandals and my Bobs.

 

[Rebekkap]

Says the person wearing socks with their Crocs.

Um, I don't own any crocs!

 

[Runnergal]

I have Cole haan flats and they are great. Even better- buy dr scholls inserts- I put them in all my ballet flats. I am not a fan of running sneakers with jeans either. Are you familiar with supergas? They are sneakers and they look pretty cute with skinny jeans.

 

[Marthasor]

I've never worn them in the parks, but I've had good luck with Cole Haan shoes, etc. - comfortable and durable. Merrells makes a really cute flat, too and they are super comfortable! I've brought my Tom's, but they don't offer me enough support for walking in the parks.

 

[lucyem]

My vote is for comfortable. Both in how you feel mentally and physically.

Speaking of shoe options I have had amazing luck with the Merrell Barefoot shoes. They have sneakers and casual shoes including ballet flats. I have bad knees and ankles and my DS is similar. Both of us have no pain with these. Everyone is different and obviously what works for one person does not work for another.

 

[ellie05]

Thanks for all the comments.

Last month we were at DL and I wore a pair of these:

Minnetonka Moccasins Kilty Suede Mocs with a hardsole.

I tend to have problems with my feet if my shoes aren't right and I went all day long from 7:30am until 10pm wearing them with no problem. Lots of cute colors to pick from (they also have animal print ones too!)

I love those I have some I wear around the house all the time, but they are not as comfortable if I wear them with socks

It really depends on your feet, and probably how far you plan to walk in them.


At WDW, what is your priority? Is it to look good, for a few hours, then retreat. Or is it to ride as many attractions as you can.

Also, with skinny jeans, remember you are going to be getting in and out of rides all day. Some would be fine, others.Well, I hate to think about climbing into Space Mtn wearing very skinny jeans. And if you are wearing skinny jeans, you do NOT want to go on WET rides like Kali or Splash. You also don't want to wear a white t-shirt - if you catch my drift. It is a family park after all! you get attention for your looks, but probably not the kind you want !
Oh, I have seen folks rip their pants at WDW! Also not a pretty site!

Our priority is to enjoy our time. I don't understand why people think they have to pick one or the other? You can still match, look good and be comfortable. We usually do full days in the parks. I don't think I will have any problems wearing my jeans and jeggings, because if they fit right none of those issues you mention should be a problem. I also don't see any problems wearing skinny jeans and being wet (even though we aren't doing any water rides), that has never been an issue. Really skinny jeans are just a different cut of jeans, but still jeans. I seen plenty of people wearing white tshirts and they have bikini top on. It is just about being prepared.

Says the person wearing socks with their Crocs.

Tom's get COLD when they're wet, though. Even in the unbearable heat of September. Inside, in restaurants and queues, I about froze. Other than that, they're super comfortable.

Thank for letting me know this. I was about to goo buy some . I hate being cold.

 

[TerryGriffin]

I'm having the sameeee problem! I was thinking of maybe getting a pair of low converse, those are cute.

I totally care about what I'll be wearing in disney. You are going to be taking pictures that people look at for the rest of your life!! I care more about what I'll look like at disney then what I wear on a regular day.

You could get solid flats and get those gel inserts! That's another option I'm looking at.

 

[nancipants]

Skechers Go Walks are the most comfortable shoes I've ever worn. I have three pairs and I can go all day at the parks with them. And they're cute!

 

[fla4fun]

I'm having the sameeee problem! I was thinking of maybe getting a pair of low converse, those are cute.

I totally care about what I'll be wearing in disney. You are going to be taking pictures that people look at for the rest of your life!! I care more about what I'll look like at disney then what I wear on a regular day.

You could get solid flats and get those gel inserts! That's another option I'm looking at.

The first thing I thought of when I read your comment was all those '80s photos I've seen here at the DIS where you can tell people put a lot of thought into what they wore, but it was so trendy that it looks ridiculous to us now.

I agree with the poster who said pick the shoes first, then match up the outfits to the shoes. There is nothing, and I mean nothing, worse than sore feet at Disney. It doesn't matter if it's from blisters, or lack of support, or whatever. If you can't walk after the first day, it's not going to matter how cute you look sitting in your hotel room soaking your feet. Take your most comfortable walking shoes of whatever type, and outfits that look good with those shoes, and have a great time.

I don't have to worry so much about what I look like because most of my trips are solo so I'm the one taking the photos, not posing for them. But I take two pair of my most comfortable shoes - I've learned the painful foot lesson the hard way (stress fracture from lack of support - ouch!).

 

[dansyr2514]

My suggestion is sandals or flats with a somewhat supportive sole. I have Toms and love them ..but for alot of walking , my feet kill me. They have no cushioning at all. I do have a pair of crocs sandals that are cute and have some support. Most people don't even know they're crocs til I tell them.

 

[AThrillingChase]

I'm having the sameeee problem! I was thinking of maybe getting a pair of low converse, those are cute.

I totally care about what I'll be wearing in disney. You are going to be taking pictures that people look at for the rest of your life!! I care more about what I'll look like at disney then what I wear on a regular day.

You could get solid flats and get those gel inserts! That's another option I'm looking at.

I was thinking this same thing! I take so many pictures in disney, its almost like dressing up for a family christmas photo every year!

Now personally I plan cute outfits that are comfortable also, which is what OP is doing here. She just said she was used to sneakers, not that she tried others but discovered she has to have sneakers to be comfortable. I personally found my sneakers to be uncomfortable in the parks and much prefer my reef flip flops. I am currently wearing a new pair around my house at night to break them in for my march trip. They are like walking on pillows! I suggested them to my aunt with plantar fasciitus (sp?) and they are the only thing she has found that really help! I buy the "heartbreaker" reef flip flop because the straps are padded also, and the slightly raised sole is a cushioned arch. I also have a pair of reef cushioned flats i take. Try 6pm.com!

I suggest just wearing the flats around your house in the evening to break them in and maybe wear them when you go shopping next to see how they do long hauls.

 

[tcherjen]

Aw. Its hard to have fun and be comfortable when you're worried about how you look, so I don't agree that it doesn't matter what you wear because "no one is looking at your feet."

I JUST found some Skechers GoWalk shoes that are like ballet flats. They are just as comfy as my normal GoWalk sneakers (My FAVE shoes for Disney World), but they look a lot cuter with skinnies.

http://www.skechers.com/style/13655/skechers-on-the-go-infinity/gry

I have them in the silver color and I wear them with skinny jeans for work all the time. Super comfy but also cute.

I love those!!

 

[MissPrincess101]

I have some Crocs Springi flats - now I agree with PPs who have said that Crocs are ugly, especially the clog type ones, but I think these are quite cute - and they're super comfortable!!

They were perfect for the parks.....didn't hurt once - and I have had major issues with tendon pain in my heels, so anything that I can walk all day in is a blessing!! Nice and cool too! Got a new pair for my next visit in 3 months time!!

Sent from my iPad using DISBoards

 

[Disneybuckeye]

I'm having the sameeee problem! I was thinking of maybe getting a pair of low converse, those are cute.

I totally care about what I'll be wearing in disney. You are going to be taking pictures that people look at for the rest of your life!! I care more about what I'll look like at disney then what I wear on a regular day.

You could get solid flats and get those gel inserts! That's another option I'm looking at.

Let us know what you come up with for flats and how they work. I also would like to wear my skinny jeans on occasion but refrain as I also think they look stupid with tennis shoes.

I will never understand the I don't care what I look like at Disney. I always like to look my best and it really does not take much more time and effort. I believe if you are going to take the time to do something why not do it to the best of your ability be it in dress, work, or anything.

We also take lots of pictures. Who wants to look ugly in pictures if you can avoid it. Hence why I use a cute Dooney cross body bag or wristlet instead of an ugly fanny pack.

Have a great trip!

 

[siskaren]

We also take lots of pictures. Who wants to look ugly in pictures if you can avoid it. Hence why I use a cute Dooney cross body bag or wristlet instead of an ugly fanny pack.

But you're not going to be less comfortable carrying a cross body bag or wristlet instead of a fanny pack. Wearing shoes that are cute but not comfortable could lead to sore feet or worse, blisters, which makes for a miserable trip.