Tips for happy feet in the parks? (posted my results on pg. 6)

[nancipants]

I swear by Skechers Go Walks. I wear them all the time in the parks and all day long at conventions.

 

[lroger01]

Before your June trip, stand as much as possible. If you're not used to being on your feet the muscles around the soles are weak and stiff. Standing for long periods stretches out those muscles. A lot of the initial foot pain is the arch stretching out. So stand. Set your laptop on a counter, bar height table, or even an ironing board and stand up to use it. Stand in sneakers and barefeet. Put a tennis ball under your bare foot and role it around. Try and get to where you can put most of your weight on the ball. Get your feet in shape for the abuse!

When you get to the parks, avoid going commando to the point where your feet hurt excessively. If you sit to rest and your feet still hurt even though you aren't on them, take that as a warning sign you're overdoing.

Back at the resort, soak your feet in ice water for 10 min, hot water for 10 min, then ice water for 10 min (bring gallon ziplock bags to hold the ice). This last tip comes straight from my podiatrist.

 

[loveyb72]

I've make it through several trips in my croc flip flops but by new choice is Fitflops. My DH can't believe that I walk the parks all week in flops but it's too hot to wear tennis shoes. When I get back to the hotel I use peppermint lotion on them.

 

[aubriee]

I'm a flip flop diva. My go to flip flop for WDW always used to be the older version of the Teva Mush (not a fan of the Teva Mush II). I also used to love the Nike Celso, Sanuk Yoga Mats, and Reefs. Since developing plantar fasciitis a few years ago my favorite shoe for WDW are the OluKai Ohana flip flops. I also like the Cobian braided leather bounce (alot like the old style Teva Mush, but cushier with an even better arch support). The OluKai Ohana and Cobian Bounce are all I wear down there now. Also I never leave the room without using the Body Glide another poster mentioned. It's fantastic for preventing blisters.

No way could I ever wear tennis shoes down there for a week. I did try years ago and thought my feet were going to die, they were so sore. I switched mid trip to a pair of flip flops and my feet felt wonderful for the rest of the week.

 

[BuzzandAriel'smom]

Saucony grid running shoes. They are lightweight, great support and mesh upper makes them not hot. I hate hot feet and sore feet these are perfect. I have foot issues and knee issues and these saved the day last trip.

 

[thewilderness3]

On our 10 day trip last summer, I wore Toms around the parks. Not a blister. No soreness at all. Those simple shoes are quite deceiving.

Whatever shoe you decide to wear, I'd spend some time on a treadmill testing them out. Enjoy your trip!

 

[Luv2Run]

I alternate between my Saucony running shoes and my Spenco sandals. They're like flip-flops, but made from insoles, so they offer a lot more support.

One I get back to the resort after a day in the parks, I'll lie on my back with my legs up on the wall, and that really helps alleviate the pain from walking around all day. I'll also go to the pool and sit on the edge to let my legs soak in the cool water. And I've been known to soak my legs in a cool bath with epsom salts back at the room. I have a little travel jar of lavender scented bath salts that I got from Aveda, and it works amazing for just this purpose, but if you forget to bring your own, you can always pick some up at Basin in DTD.

 

[Heluvsme]

I second Saucony Grid. Great shoes! I'm a florist and stand on concrete all day when I'm working---no sitting down at all--- and the Saucony's are fantastic! The are 2 other ladies at work who swear by them as well. Then we have the group that swear by their Skechers. They have a really thick sole and tend to support their arches really well.

Shoes are so personal... what works for one won't work for another. I struggle with my choices each year we go.... I always try to bring one broken in pair of athletic shoes, and then a supportive pair of sandals... I alternate between them. I've always worn a Croc in the past, Keen's a year or two, I think I may go back to Keen for my sandal this year...

 

[gabrielacsarti]

Hmm, last year I was in USA and bought a cream at Walmart named GoldBond foot pain relief (or something like that). It costs maybe 5 or 6 dollars... My foot pain vanished...

 

[Princess Serendipity]

Anyone have any recommendation for insoles for walking all day in the parks? I tend to get pain mostly in my heels and some in the metatarsal region.

I'm still trying to find a nice quasi-dressy-looking mary jane in off-white/cream/ivory that is comfortable for park use and comes in wide sizes. I've already sent three pair back for being hideous. I don't even think that King Arthur had to look this hard for his Holy Grail.

At this point I'm just ready to buy another couple of pairs of my favourite brown mary janes and try to dye them the colours I need.

 

[Ryansdad0727]

I would say the best thing you can do is wear at least 2 different pairs of shoes. That way the pressure points on your feet are different as you alternate shoes.

 

[Karbase8]

I have bad feet. Flat feet with pain. I definitely can understand how you are feeling. I got a good pair of New Balance for my first trip and they bothered me and got a blister. I got orthoheel I believe tide fllip flops which run about 60 bucks on Amazon. I have a few colors. It takes a few weeks to break in put I got no blisters I still get fatiqued but I take Advil, go in the pool or hot tub when I get back to the hotel, I got this peppermint lotion from Dr. Scholl's I prop my feet up at night. I also switch off shoes too. I have a pair of Merrell Sandals that are pretty good. It may be trial and error.

 

[sazzifrazz]

I had two trip close to ruined due to feet. This last trip I did everything possible and my feet did amazingly well. I bought special walking socks: thorlo, good feets etc. some were thick, some were thin. I changed socks mid day. If I started the day in thin socks I switched to thick and vice versa. Mi put on glide. I covered my feet, especially toes, in the glide stuff. It looks like deodorant. I wore sneakers that I had previously broken in. I wore loose crocs a couple of evenings that we just hung around the resorts. I did Epsom salt soaks in the evenings if my feet were tired. A few days I even did Epsom bath before leaving in the morning.

 

[minnie1012]

The bottom of my feet always hurt because I don't have much of arch, so maybe you need more support? I recently bought more expensive sneakers (Brooks) with more support and they seem to help but I haven't tried them in Disney yet. I'm also looking for better socks, I read moisture wicking makes a big difference.

I follow a lot of these "feet" boards because my feet always hurt not just at Disney. I see many recommendations for the Sketchers Go Walks and Ortha heels then a lot people like the Teva's, Keens etc.

When I'm not in Disney Crocs are very comfortable (not the traditional ones)for me but they make my feet sweat a lot and then I get blisters so I don't wear them to Disney. I have a pair of Merrell shoes for winter that are great my feet never hurt in them but I have never tried their "summer" shoes.

Good luck!

 

[Chuckers]

Go to a store with Runner's supplies and look for runner socks. They are a thin, 2 ply sock. They REALLY help with blister elimination as the two layers of sock rub together instead of your skin rubbing the sock or show.

As mentioned earlier, Band Aid makes a product called 'Friction Block'. It's cheaper than Body Glide and comes in a small stick that will fit in a pocket if you want to take it in the park with you.

I also have used Keens and Crocs when walking around and they make a big difference. I would never have been caught dead in Crocs until I was forced to buy a pair at Disney to help with blistered feet. I now own 5 pairs.

 

[Kellykins1218]

I usually wear my comfy sandals but last Spring Break it was cold and I wore my tennis shoes. After 2 days I had blisters on my little toes & could barely walk. I sprang for the Disney Crocs in the gift shop and they were fabulous. I could wear them with socks and jeans and they were so comfortable! I'll be taking them back as a backup on all future trips.

 

[Mrs. Bradbury]

I slathered my feet in Body Glide and wore the original (ugly) Crocs, and I have to say I've never had blisters, and my feet/legs do not ache too much either. And we used to be park commandos.

I also took an NSAID at bedtime, just in case. Walking so much for days in a row catches up to you, even if you've trained some for it.

 

[Tasmen]

I was sooo anti-croc until I got some and wore them on my first trip to WDW. I am a huge fan of the comfort they offer AND that I can get them wet.

I tend to alternate shoes between my teva flip flops and crocs. This year I'm throwing a pair of tennis shoes in the mix as well.

 

[downtownbrown]

If you are already having foot soreness issues I would stay away from flip flops. Also running shoes are designed with "running" in mind, not standing in line on your feet all day and walking multiple miles. They are usually built to be incredibly light weight and this can sacrifice support. When you are in the parks your feet are performing more of a hiking function than a running function so I would recommend a pair of shoes designed with hiking in mind, they will have far more cushion and support. I would highly suggest Merrel's or Keen's.

 

[atp]

My favorite is the Teva Mush flip flop. I have the Mush II but I'm sure the orginal Mush is just as good, if not better.

I started out loving CROCS. They were the best shoes for Disney or walking long distances (or so I thought). Even though they were comfortable, they did cause pain after a while. After a few days my feet were in pain and I felt like I was walking on fire. My legs hurt too.

I decided to try some Nike flip flops one trip and then I thought those were amazing. The memory foam was great. But again, it eventually started hurting my feet too. Less than the Crocs, but still. It didn't absorb impact as much as I had hoped and no arch support. I figured I would be in pain no matter what with all the walking I usually do at Disney.

Then on another trip I decided to try the Teva Mush flip flops. OMG. It's the most amazing flip flop ever. It absorbs impact, has arch support. Doesn't rub the bottom of your feet. I used to alternate between two kinds of shoes, but after trying the Tevas, the Crocs felt really uncomfortable. I can't even wear them anymore.

The Nikes were still fine, but not enough support. Now I think I'll just stick to the Teva flip flop. Maybe get another one and alternate.