There’s no place like Disney World for a family vacation. It’s got FOUR theme parks, incredible resorts, pools, shopping, dining and it is HUGE! Unlimited possibilities for fun, all in one place. People who are planning their first visit to this most magical of vacation destinations often have a hard time imagining just how enormous Disney’s Florida property is and how much walking will be involved. There’s an awful lot of walking! Last October, Raymond and I were celebrating our 25th anniversary at Walt Disney World with lots of special activities and events during the Epcot International Food & Wine Festival and we still managed to average over 8 miles per day with much less walking than usual. Easily, it’s not unusual for Disney World’s guests to walk 10 or more miles on any day spent in the parks.
The point of all this walk talk? Your feet! If your feet hurt, you cannot fully enjoy the Disney vacation experience to its fullest. If you’re not careful, you may not enjoy it much at all. The right shoes, proper socks, and some inexpensive, minor preparation can save you a lot of heart (and foot) ache.
Going to Walt Disney World? Mind Your Feet!
SO cute, but oh, so uncomfortable!
Poor footwear can hurt more than your feet – your legs and back may also suffer from poor shoe choices. Limping, whining, hobbling along…think about the horror! If you’re like me and you cringe at the words “sensible shoes”, do not despair. You can look and feel great while keeping your feet happy and comfortable.
Good old Nikes – my favorites!
I’m going to recommend you pack at least three types of shoes: Sneakers (aka: tennis shoes, running shoes, trainers) that are well-broken in and provide good support, slip-on shoes, and sandals (or flip-flops) that have arch support and are not completely flat. Beware of any straps that might rub your foot and leave blisters. Let me note that the shoes in these pictures look well-broken-in because they are – tried and true, successfully worn at Walt Disney World! Proven to be pain-free to me.
The padded insoles of these Reef flats are SO comfy!
During the summer months, it’s very important to be well prepared for rain in the form of shoe-soaking torrential downpours. Afternoon thunderstorms are more the norm than the exception, so keep that in mind when packing a day bag. 
Rubber flip-flops may become extremely hazardous when wet – nearly impossible to walk in and very slippery! Damp sneakers and socks can quickly lead to hot-spots and mega-painful blisters. While I wouldn’t recommend a full park day in Crocs, they sure do come in handy when it rains. (I love the ballet flats!)
Croc ballet flats – perfect in the rain!
Responsible foot-wear choices are the best defense against sore feet, legs and back. You also may want to bring a supply of anti-chafing balm (we use Body Glide), moleskin, and Band-Aids. Synthetic, well fitting socks (no cotton tube socks!) are the safest, most comfortable choice.
Not a bad choice…unless it rains.
Please don’t let the wrong shoes detract from the fun of your Disney vacation!
Seasoned Disney fans: What’s your favorite footwear at Walt Disney World?
new balance.!!! they measure your feet for the best fit
I wish I could wear New Balance! I’ve tried many brands over the years & Nikes are always the most comfortable in the long run (see what I did there?). When my running shoes get too many miles on them, they become casual footwear.
Sneakers! I won’t allow my family to wear anything else on park days. Disney World definitely has a lot of ground to cover, and I don’t want anyone’s trip ruined because their feet are hurting. We all get a new pair usually about a month before a Disney trip, which provides plenty of time to break them in. Everyone also packs their next most recent pair just in case. As we usually go during the cooler months, we don’t normally hit a lot of water rides, but flip-flops or the like are carried in a day bag for that. We always carry moleskin, but I don’t recall ever having to use it.
Great advice, Alex! I find the older I get, the easier my feet hurt. Unless it’s raining or going to rain, sneakers are my best bet. I wear heels to work everyday & am a firm believer in the importance of cute and stylish footwear…until I’m on vacation!