Our Disney Vacation - What Footwear to Bring?

[mjaclyn]

Hi all,
We're planning our next Disney vacation for this September and I'm thinking about getting some of those 'Crocs' shoes. I've never worn them but everything I read about them is very positive. Several Disney books have said they are great shoes to use in Disney. To those of you who own Crocs - are they really that comfortable? Would they be a good choice?

Thanks!!

[mouseketeer mom]

You either love them or you hate them! Having heard so much about them, and seeing them all over Disneyworld on our trips, I ordered some for our trip last month...needless to say, I never wore them, and ended up sending them back!:blush: I just couldn't bring myself to put those things on!!! I stuck with my tried and true cozy sneaks and other cozy slip ons for dressier dinners and such. I couldn't quite pull off the crocs without feeling goofy;) , but as I said, people love them! So decide and happy feet to you!

[SBETigg]

I'm wary of Crocs because for every person who loves them, I've heard of a person who got horrible blisters from them. I find that a good pair(or two, alternate) of athletic shoes works best for me. I wear mine with padded white socks, like I wear to the gym. I pack a lot of socks. I'm always shocked to see women walking around parks in high heels. I don't know how they do it.

[Christine]

I just got back last week. After a few days in tennis shoes, my feet were killing me. I decided I had nothing to lose and bought a pair of Disney crocs from the Emporium.

It was the difference between night and day! No blisters, no sweating or sliding, total comfort. I don't think they are the prettiest things, but they sure saved my feet!!

[AuntDJ]

I too was wary of the Crocs...but I took the plunge and bought some....during my previous 3 trips, my feet hurt by then end of day 1..for this trip, my feet did not hurt until day 3 even then never as bad as before...usually by the end of the day, I could barely walk to my room, but I wore Crocs everyday for this trip and never had a problem making back to the room in the evenings.

I wore them prior to the trip for a few weeks only on the weekend and never had any blisters. My niece did develop a blister prior to the trip, but did fine during our visit.

DJ

[mamacatnv]

I took a pair of Croc Caymens and Croc Athens. I did not like the Caymens at all, my feet ached at the end of the 1st day and I found that I needed socks with them I didn't like the way they "stuck" to my skin. (I had worn them to work to "break them in" before we left.) I don't see what the deal with them is, my Asics Gel's athletic shoes are much more comfy than those Caymens were.

Now my Athens (flip flops) are a whole nother story - They have thicker padding than the Caymens or Beach style. They are the most comfortable things I have ever put on my feet and I wore them for the remaining 8 days of our trip. My DD also chose to wear her Athens every day after day 1.

I would suggest with the Athens that they are broken in since the foot strap sits high up and it took my foot a little while to get used to it.

[Melanie]

I wore Crocs at Disneyland last year, and hate to say that my feet did indeed sweat in them. I didn't care for that at all. I only wear them around home now when it rains. :unsure:

I'll be sticking with my Teva's for park touring from now on! They've never given me any problems through the years. Tried and true!

[Sean Riley Taylor's Mom]

We bring our Crocs for after the parks (going to the pool) or DTD.

We all wear really comfy socks and a good pair of running style sneakers during the day. No blisters or achy feet.

Too scared to try anything other then what works so well. :mickey:

[merlinmagic4]

I've worn Tevas and been very comfortable but I, too, have been considering Crocs. I might try those Athens that were mentioned.....

[Jenemmy]

I wore Crocs at Disneyland last year, and hate to say that my feet did indeed sweat in them. I didn't care for that at all. I only wear them around home now when it rains. :unsure:

I'll be sticking with my Teva's for park touring from now on! They've never given me any problems through the years. Tried and true!

I'm with you. My same pair of teva's have comfortably taken me through 3 trips to the world! And, they are still in great shape. I am not a big tennis shoe fan and i find the Teva's to be perfect

[RescueRanger23]

Comfortable, comfortable shoes. Try to have them worn in and bring some bandages for potential blisters. You don't want to let uncomfortable shoes or a blister ruin your vacation.

[starrmomof2]

When we went last fall, I took two pair of athletic shoes and a pair of Crocs. For the most part, I alternated between the athletic shoes, but I wore my Crocs to the pool and to the Animal Kingdom (anticipating wet feet on Kali River Rapids) so I wouldn't have to be in wet socks and shoes. During the hottest part of the day they did slip a little, but I just switched the strap from the "clogs" position to sit on my heel and that solved the problem. I think that regardless of your choice, it helps to have at least two pair of shoes to switch around.

[magicofdisney]

I have the Crocs and while they're ok, I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE my Birki Beach Sandals the most. I have them in pink and white. They are, oh so comfortable. :mickey: I got them from QVC.

http://www.qvc.com/qic/qvcapp.aspx/main.detail.tpl.DETAIL.item.A19700/.ref.GBA//aol_refer.false/msn_refer.false/ref.GBA/?cm_ven=GOOGLEBASE&cm_cat=ACCESSORIES%20%26%20SHOES&cm_pla=SHOES&cm_ite=A19700

[scooterca42]

'Nother Crocs vote here. Though I haven't subjected them to the World, I did do an entire day in Ontario Place in the height of summer (in Southern Ontario, this is basically summer Florida weather - hot sun and the humidity is like breathing in a wet cloth) with no blisters or aches. They have basically the same surfaces as Disney - concrete, brick, some grass - and we were there from 9 AM to well after 10 PM, went everywhere, did everything...

I was a bit concerned because we spent a couple hours in the waterpark as well as doing the amusements and the Chinese Lantern festival - waterparks leave my feet soft and liable to blister, so I had extra socks and tennies, but I didn't need them. Seriously, I'm buying another pair to go to Disney with, and will have a set of more "normal" shoes just in case we go somewhere dressy.

[JohnnyJayhawk]

I usually alternate my Adidas Climacool sneakers with a pair of Keens. Both keep the feet cool and are very comfortable. My wife had those Croc flip flops last trip and really liked them.

[sillyolbear]

I alternate two different pairs of ASICS running shoes with good thick socks with a little Body Glide on the places that I have blistered in the past. Body Glide is a great product.

I second having the bandages on hand. Nothing worse than having a blister with all the walking at WDW.

Most important thing is to make sure you've broken in whatever feels/works best for you.

[kakn7294]

I wear my crocs everyday - I don't even wear sneakers anymore and I have a really comfy pair. I work 12 hr shifts as a nurse and love them for work since I'm on my feet more than I sit. I do like them better with socks although I can wear mine both ways. I intend to get a pair or 2 of the flip-flop styles since I love flip-flops for the warmer weather. If you decide you want crocs, I suggest that you definately try them out all day - a marathon shopping day at the mall or something - to be sure that they are not going to bother you. Try them both with and without socks. The Payless Shoes brand is cheaper and has nearly the same feel as "real" crocs but the Walmart knock-offs are much stiffer and not nearly as comfy.

[homeschool mom]

I would suggest you wear whatever is most comfortable for you. For this family, we choose to wear our comfortable well worn tennis shoes with a pair of padded athletic socks (the ankle kind not the knee type :thumbsup: ) My DDs always take their favorite flip-flops from Old Navy. They say they are the most comfortable flip-flops you can buy. :cool: I have some trouble with my feet and I always have worn my New Balance tennis shoes and make it back to the room each day with no foot pain at all. Tired feet, yes, sore feet, no. Whatever you choose, make sure they are broken in real good before you go. By the way, we have never had trouble with blisters either! :thumbsup:

[King Triton]

This is a very individual question.

If I'm there any length of time, I like to bring two pairs of light sneakers to alternate. It takes more than overnight to really dry them out. I also bring a pair of water shoes or Teva's for days I anticipate rain, or for riding Kali, etc. Also good to have the water shoes for waterparks

[terri.m]

i got a pair of Reef flips, the nice cushy thick ones, and my feet didn't hurt once during the week of walking! I swear by them!:cloud9:

[slt21]

Crocs vote here. I haven't worn them in the World (yet), but I wore them for a very, very long day involving a football game and 4 miles of walking with a banged up ankle. I did just fine with them; no blisters and hardly any discomfort (except for general tiredness).

Have fun!

[thejens]

I agree that it is a good idea to bring bandages and mole skin. They are available in the gift shops for about a million dollars. I also second the statement about breaking in shoes well! Last year I had sneakers that were about 6 weeks old and I thought they'd be fine since they were so comfy - not for the park marathon! Alternating two pairs of shoes is a really good idea. Both my shoes irritated my feet in different ways so taking turns helped. Still had a great time though, such is the magic of Disney!!! What feet?

[tink2006]

I am in the same boat. You hear so many good things about crocs. I recently purchassed a pair. I have been wearing them with socks primarily because of the weather. It is now staring to warm up a little and I plan on trying them without the socks. If they pass the comfort test, I will take them with me (along with other comfy shoes).

[hawkshoe]

Personally, I have found that the most comfortable thing for me (I can't bring myself to wear crocks because I think they are ugly...lol) is plain old flip flops. Might not be right for everyone, but they are comfy for me.

Whatever you do, make sure that the shoes you bring and ones that are proven comfy, Disney is not the place to be trying out new shoes :)

[momof3boysinTN]

Last year for 8 days all I wore were croc flip flops:cloud9: . Our 9 yr old wore crocs and so did our 2 yr old!! I have found that my feet and legs feel better when I wear my croc flip flops even just around the house. Whatever you decided to wear you will have a great time!! Tonya B:mickey:

[jacknsally02]

I went to disney last september and brought my most comfortable sandals, and I was in agony eventually. Thank God my husband brought his crocs, two pair and we are the same size foot( they are really unisex anyway) and I was in heaven, NO problems, no blisters, no sweating. Just get youself a pair first and get used to them. I will always take mine now.

[Donald A]

As a podiatrist, in general, a stiff sole supportive running shoe with a good thick cotton sock is best hands down. However, different strokes for different folks. I really can't recommend Crocs for the parks but so many people out there seem to like them and who am I to argue with what works for people. I had a little 11 year old girl in my office today who doesn't even own a sneaker and only wears flimsy flat shoes. It was no surprise to me her feet hurt. I was actually able to talk her into looking for a pair of Crocs. She thinks sneakers are ugly but will try Crocs. Go figure. Is the Croc company an intercot sponsor? If not they should be.