As with most theme parks, going to Disney World is a lot of walking. The average Disney World visitor walks 35 miles over 5 days. The whole property is about 40 square miles-or 27,250 acres. Having the right shoes can be the difference between a magical and miserable time on your vacation.
One tip I suggest is to never wear new shoes on a Disney vacation. I did this on a trip a year ago, and I regret it to this day. Keep in mind that my family always starts our park days early, then we normally park hop and end our day in Disney Springs. By the end of the day I had massive blisters and my feet ached. I had a much better experience with my FILA sneakers, which were worn in.
So, what is the proper footwear for Disney World? There are lots of options, but the shoes need to be comfortable and supportive. I’ve got a few awesome suggestions for you.
1. Skechers Women’s Hands Free Slip In Sneaker
The first shoe I want to talk about is Skechers Women’s Summit’s Dazzling Haze sneakers. They have a 4.6 star rating on Amazon. The sole material for these shoes is rubber, and the outer material is jersey knit. They have an exclusive heel pillow that holds your foot securely in place. They also have air-cooled memory foam for a cushion comfort insole, and a shock-absorbing midsole. They’re also lightweight and flexible. If all that weren’t enough, they’re slip-ons! Customers liked the ease of use, quality, weight, and appearance of the shoes. One comment even said that they “feel like you’re walking on a cloud”. I also noticed that a few of the comments mentioned that these are good for people with wide feet. For color, you can choose from black and white, navy purple, and gray mint.
These babies can be all yours for about $60 on Amazon.
2. New Balance Men’s Casual Comfort Cross Trainer
For men, I recommend New Balance Men’s 608 V5 Casual Comfort Cross Trainer. They have a 4.5 star rating on Amazon. These shoes are 100% leather, and are made in the US! They have ‘ABZORB’ cushioning in the heel for exceptional shock absorption and a polyurethane midsole for stable cushioning. They are also lightweight and machine washable. One comment mentioned that these are good for elderly folk who like to work out as well. They can also be worn with business casual outfits. One review claims that the shoes “has good toe room, good support and wears well”.
They can be yours for around $60.
3. Unisex Crocs
An option for both men and women is Crocs. They are comfortable, come in a plethora of colors, and dry out quickly. You can also jazz them up with charms! A really great option are is Unisex Adult Baya clogs. They are 100% croslite, which makes them very comfortable. The sole material is rubber. They provide additional ventilation and durability and are lightweight. These Crocs are also water-friendly and buoyant. It is suggested to buy a size down to the next whole size, because the Crocs are roomy.
Price varies by color but you’re generally looking at $40 for a pair of these ankle biters.
4. Clarks Women’s Mira Bay
Comfortable sandals are also a good option for walking in Disney. For the women, Clark’s Mira Bay flat sandals are a great choice. These have a 4.6 rating on Amazon. The sole material is thermoplastic rubber and the outer material is nylon. These have a platform heel, breathable textile and a 10 mm and a super soft9 EVA for shock absorption. They are available in a denim textile, a stone textile, a black textile, and a Flint textile. Customers were happy with the comfort, color, and quality of the sneakers. They also pair great with jeans. One customer said to themselves that they wore them to Disney and had a great experience!
These cost about $42 on Amazon.
5. Comfortable Sandals for Men
For the men, I suggest KIIU Men’s Thong sandals. They have a 4.3 star rating on Amazon. The sole material is polyvinyl chloride. The outer material is synthetic. They are water-friendly, and comfortable. They also dry quickly. The material doesn’t smell and is easy to wipe down. Customers were pleased with the appearance, traction, support, durability and value of the sandals . Many of the review’s claimed that the sandals are very comfortable and have good arch support. These are great for the beach if you plan on going during your vacation! They’re also versatile and can go with most outfits.
6. Pack a Pair of Water Shoes!
It is wise to pack a pair of water shoes for your Disney vacation.They’re great for rainy days in the parks. If you plan on having a pool day at your resort, they protect your feet from hot pavement and cuts from the pool bottom. I recommend UBFEN Water Hiking Shoes. They have a 4.5 star rating on Amazon. The fabric type is a combination of mesh, polyester, and rubber. The sole material is rubber and the shaft height is 2 inches. These are flexible, comfortable and skin-friendly. They wrap perfectly around your feet. The insole is made of a breathable honeycomb foam, which helps with ventilation and water flow out, while also providing good cushioning for your feet. They also have a high elasticity smooth designed neck that prevents chafing. The laces are easily adjustable, and easy to take on and off.
These water shoes are currently around $30 a pair.
Shoes to Avoid
What kind of shoes should you avoid wearing in the parks? Ballet flats are not a good option. They don’t offer support or ventilation. They also lack the arch that is needed to absorb the pressure. Although they may look cute with your outfit, you’ll thank yourself for not wearing them.
Cheap flip-flops are also a big no-no. You want something with proper support like what I recommended above. They offer no cushioning between your heel and the ground, which means your heel takes the brunt of the pressure, causing them to ache. They can also break easily. This actually happened to me at Disney’s boardwalk. Thankfully I was able to purchase a new pair at the gift shop.
As I said before, proper footwear is key to having the best experience possible. I mentioned that the average Disney guest walks 35 miles over 5 days, that’s 7 miles a day! If you’re going to buy new shoes, make sure they’re broken in before your trip. Look for something lightweight, durable, comfortable, and has proper ventilation. I hope this helped you find the perfect shoes for your trip!
Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate and other affiliate programs, I earn from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you. Thank you ♡
