Perfect Shoes to Wear to Disney About This Page:

[Sparks]

Hi everyone. Just wondering what are the best shoes to wear while at Disney World. I have a few pairs of Birkenstocks and wondering if they would be good to wear to Disney World. I wear them just out and about but not sure if they would be comfy for long periods of time. Thanks everyone for their imput.

[buckysmom]

Welcome to the boards!
I wear Tevas unless it's cold then my running shoes.
Can't really comment on Birks, although if you find them comfy to walk miles in (and don't mind getting wet) they should be fine.

[tinkerose]

Hi Sparks and Welcome to the boards.

I don't know about Birkenstocks because I've never tried them, maybe someone else will have experience with wearing them at the parks. My favorite for long days at the parks are Teva sandals. They're very comfortable and great for wet attractions. My second favorite is New Balance sneakers, but when the weather is hot they sometimes feel too heavy.

Definitely the most important thing to remember is that whatever shoes you decide to wear -- be sure they're broken in before you go to the parks. Nothing is worse than sore feet from new shoes.

[Joy J]

Although I've never worn Birkenstocks, my 22 year old daughter swears by them. She wore them all the time during our WDW vacation in Feb./03. We were on the go from dawn to dusk every day for a week and she said the Birks worked fabulously well. Her feet stayed comfortable and she didn't get even a hint of a blister.

Joy

[kaymeg]

Welcome to the boards!! Remember me?? The other day in the Disney Store I bought 3 of the Mickey Plush Anmails and the BIG POOH?? Welcome to the most awesome boards you can find!!
Glad to see you have a count down now!!

[mousestruck]

Before our last trip I bought the most comfy walking sneakers I could find. (I think they were Nike cross-trainers.) I got them a couple of weeks in advance so I had plenty of time to break them in. They were just the ticket for me. Even though it was hot, my feet never hurt or felt uncomfortable. No blisters or complaints!

[mom2my4dwarfs]

I am now a Teva fan. Bought my first pair for our trip in May and love them.

[graygables]

I wear Birks all the time (have heel spurs), but the most comfortable walking shoe I've ever worn was an Earth Shoe low hiker from *Wal Mart*! I think it was around $22, they had a men's style, too. DH and I both wore them and swear by them for comfort! They were also breathable, so if we got a bit damp, they dried out fairly quickly. I was afraid to try the Birks all day; after walking on concrete in them, my feet really start to ache.

[Colexis Mom]

I just bought Nike Straprunners for our 10 day trip in May. I didn't even break them in beforehand. That said, they were so comfortable, I didn't end up with any blisters whatsoever. I'll definitely be wearing those again when I go during the warmer weather

Welcome to the boards

[Fortissimo]

I used to be a Nike sandel fan. However, I just bought a pair of Merril sandels that make me feel like I'm walking on air. They are soooo comfortable.

I also take which ever two pairs of sneakers I happen to have at the time.

[Patrick & Nancy]

[ QUOTE ]

Can't really comment on Birks, although if you find them comfy to walk miles in (and don't mind getting wet) they should be fine.

[/ QUOTE ]

I think that is one of the most important facts. You will probably walk 6-10 miles per day. Alot of people don't realize that. So you need cushioning, support, and no friction (Friction=blisters). Each person is different as well. My wife only wears Dansko shoes. I've heard of people only wearing flip flops. I personally could never do that (not enough arch support).

I usually wear running shoes. I like the extra cushioning. The only problem is that they can be too warm in the hot months. I just picked up a pair of Adidas banshee. They are a cross between sneakers and sandles. All of the cushioning of a running shoe, but are made to be worn with out socks. they have big air vents on the sides and the top. I've worn them for a couple of weeks now in 90 degree weather and they have been great. I'll pack them and my running shoes for our vacation in September. It will be nice to change them back and forth.

"You will be on your feet alot! Make sure they are comfortable, broken in, and that you will be able to walk many miles in them." One of the best pieces of advice I have ever gotten about a WDW trip.

Good Luck

Patrick

[pigletsmom1]

We just got back from WDW and I have to recommend the Nike Straprunners-I think I got them for $45.00 and have never had such a comfortable shoe for walking around the parks in. I put lots of miles on them and ran or shine they were very comfortable-no wet shoes or socks after a huge rain. For our next trip I'll buy my daughter a pair too! I did have a hard time finding them in our shoe stores though-got my online.

[Joy J]

I have to add my recommendation for Nike straprunners too. Both my son and myself used them during our August trip and they worked beautifully. I also used my New Balance runners but some days, it was just too hot and humid to wear socks and sneakers. My daughter insisted on wearing her Birks and was fine with them. I think the big thing with the Birks would be to make sure they were really well broken in before attempting a full day at WDW with them.

Joy

[DopeyGirl]

My whole family SWEARS by our Birks!!! I have worn mine to WDW when it is warm out, but if it even looks like rain or if it is a little cooler out, I wear my running shoes. The only problrm I have had with my Birks is that the way mine rub on my feet in certain places, I have come out with blisters a few times . . . I haven't had a problem with my sneakers though. I got a brand new pair of K-Swiss trainers before my last trip and wore them brand new . . . didn't even need to break them in!!! They were really comfortable and very lightweight so it didn't feel like I was wearing bricks on my feet!!! Plus they managed to keep my feet cooler than my Reeboks . . . I don't know how, but they did!!!

[Sparks]

Hi everyone. I finally talked DH into getting some Nike Straprunners. I'm ordering them from Footlocker so I should have them soon. Thanks everyone , Can't wait to have comfy feet.