What are the best shoes for Disney? Believe it or not, this is a pretty controversial topic! Some people are die hard sandal wearers, and others insist you HAVE to wear sneakers. Personally, I believe you should wear whatever is comfortable for YOU. For me, I am extremely flat footed, so I am fine wearing flip flops all day. I know that sometimes that isn’t the case, though.
Wearing the right shoes is extremely important to prevent you from getting burnout as well. Regardless of your favorite type of footwear, I’ve picked out some great picks for you to prepare for your next trip! Check out these top picks and find your perfect fit for YOUR foot, and enjoy yourself at Disney without worrying about your feet!
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Best Sandals – Birkenstocks
The reason I like Birkenstocks for Disney (and any theme park, really) is that they have a nice cork sole. It’s thicker than a flip flop but still provides a way to keep your feet cool. While the actual Birkenstock brand can be kind of expensive (although high quality and worth the cost!) Amazon has plenty of cheaper alternatives as well. My personal favorite pair is from Target!
Best Athletic Shoes – Nike
I’m a vet tech, which means I’m on my feet all day. Through this profession I’ve learned that Nike has some of the best athletic shoes out there! Nike is a rather high price point, but trust me when I say they last a LONG time and will get you through many days at the Magic Kingdom! They’re not too bulky, come in a variety of colors, and can be used when you’re not at the parks as an excellent workout shoe!
Best Sneakers – Keds
Looking for a more affordable – and slightly more fashionable – option for your feet? Check out Keds! These basic sneakers come in a whole rainbow of colors, so you can easily match your shoes to whatever Disneybound you’re planning! They aren’t as bulky as athletic shoes but still provide some good support for the long day. Knock off Keds can also be found on Amazon in a variety of different colors for a cheaper price point!
Shoes to AVOID – Flip Flops and Converse
Now, I will admit – I’m an avid flip flop wearing. Even at the parks! However, as I said above, I’m super flat footed so even though my feet hurt at the end of the day, I’m still usually ok. I wouldn’t recommend them to anyone, though – not only can they hurt your feet if you’re not used to them, but they expose your feet entirely. This could mean some very VERY dirty feet when you get back to your hotel room! Plus, if you wear flip flops with a hard sole – be prepared for blisters! No one wants blisters when they have a full day at Animal Kingdom the next day!
Another no no? Converse. As cute as they may be, have you actually tried wearing them for hours on end? Converse have no support and due to their shape, press on your feet at odd angles. My little toe almost ALWAYS loses feeling when I wear Converse. They may be disguised as athletic shoes, but they are more suited for small amounts of time – NOT a full day at Disney.
There you have it! Be sure you pick up a nice pair of shoes (and break them in) before heading to the parks!
Do you have a GO TO pair of shoes you HAVE to wear at the parks? Let me know in the comments below! If you love Disney content don’t forget to sign up for my newsletter while you’re here as well! As a thank you, you’ll get my FREE WDW Planning Checklist when you sign up!
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