Water sandals or flip flops?

[3 Hartleys]

We are going to Disney in August with our extended family. My little fam has water shoes - think Teva, etc. - for when we get on Splash Mountain. Wet socks and sneakers are a deal breaker for me. My SIL asked though if flip flops were allowed. We've never worn them at Disney or Universal but I don't really remember seeing them either. Are they ok on the various water rides?

 

[22Tink]

We are going to Disney in August with our extended family. My little fam has water shoes - think Teva, etc. - for when we get on Splash Mountain. Wet socks and sneakers are a deal breaker for me. My SIL asked though if flip flops were allowed. We've never worn them at Disney or Universal but I don't really remember seeing them either. Are they ok on the various water rides?

They’re definitely allowed! I often wear flip flops to the parks and I always carry a pair of cheap little flip flops in my bag to wear on the wet rides so my park shoes stay dry.

 

[bigbabyblues]

I usually just wear Keen sandals most of the trip but I have worn my Teva flip flops on an occasional evening in the parks.

 

[texasroni75]

When it rains heavy I found that flip flops make me slip and slide. I prefer my water shoes that have buckles (Skechers Reggaes). But I've seen lots of people with regular flip flops..

 

[NYCgrrl]

Footwear dries quite fast after the parks' water rides (AK and MK) generally within a half an hour so we just wear our walking shoes and have done. I don't like carrying or paying attention to extra stuff so keep park accessories to the bare minimum which doesn't include extra footwear or clothing. Never done Disney with infants or toddlers though and I'm sure their needs are different.

I have seen people walking around the parks with flip flops though. We keep them for pool visits and the water parks.

 

[raraavis]

yes, flip flops are allowed

 

[NYCgrrl]

I just thought about something. When we went to Blizzard Beach last trip (first time and we went 2 days in a row it was so much fun) no one wore flip flops to get on the ski lift to access the slide rides and raft water slide. The lift is still moving when you get off it which is probably why flip flops aren't used and same for the slides. We went barefoot but if you have water shoes I'm sure they'd be fine. So far at Typhoon Lagoon I've only done the lazy river and wave pool but again seen many people w/ water shoes heading to the more thrillist rides.

 

[SG131]

Flip flops are definitely allowed, but if she’s over 30ish I certainly wouldn’t recommend them! Even my Birkenstock’s that I live in at home get uncomfortable walking so far at Disney. I bought Tevas specifically for the parks because I do 10+ miles a day when I’m there.

 

[Timhags]

Yup I wear slides, but go barefoot and proud in the rain. I know it's weird but I do I NY too.

 

[pixiedustedme]

Foot support needs to be considered. She can wear flip flops, but her feet might hurt a lot in them after a long day in the parks. Supportive waterproof sandals such as Tevas are better.

 

[lovewdwdvc]

Flip flops are everywhere. I prefer something with more support.

 

[YawningDodo]

As others have said, flip flops are fine at WDW--and if she plans to change into them for water rides, support doesn't matter.

Also, I used to agree with others that flip flops don't offer support until I got my first pair of Sanuk flip-flops. I switched from my Keen sandals (theoretically better/more supportive since they've got more structure) to the Sanuks mid-trip in Disneyland because my feet were dying, and those flip flops are among the most comfortable shoes I've ever owned, and my top pick for long park days.

The one caveat I will give re: flip-flops is that I wouldn't advise wearing them at Universal as an all-day shoe--on my Universal day I plan to wear shoes that strap around the back of the foot and can't fall off when your feet are dangling. I can't think of many (or any?) rides at WDW where your feet dangle, but at Universal there are several. The one time I wore backless Birkenstocks there I ended up having to take my shoes off and sit on them for Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey, among others, because there was no way they'd stay on my feet through the ride.

Edit: Thought of one--Soarin'! But it's fewer and farther between, so I've found it to be less of an issue at Disney than at Universal.

 

[Sue M]

I wear croc sandals or Birks in the park that have arch support. Can’t imagine going around with shoes and socks in the hot months. But if you do I’d definitely bring a cheap pair of flip flops to change into for water rides.
In the water parks I wear water shoes because pavement can get quite hot but on some slides you have to take them off and carry them on slide.

 

[MudQueen22]

Flip-flops are definitely allowed. I wouldn't wear them, however. A lady got part of a toenail torn off by a scooter on our most recent trip, and it cemented my decision to wear only close-toed keen or teva sandals.

 

[MrsPete]

1. I wouldn't choose flip-flops for all-day wear.
2. I wouldn't burden myself with flip-flops just for the few water rides.

Personally, I opt for simple Keds or canvas boat shoes. I have no memory of wet feet after water rides, so it must not've been a very big deal. Alternately, I'd be fine with good walking sandals like Chacos (unlike flat flip-flops, they have great support).

 

[Scubadaddy32]

If you are really worried about wet shoes and don't want to bring flip flops, there is always silicone shoe covers. They may look a little crazy but they don't take up much room in a back pack and they do the trick. ha
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07MCCF1X9/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o07_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1