The Best Shoes for Walt Disney World that Are Cute and Comfy
A Disney World vacation is always magical, full of fun rides, good food, and nostalgia. What isn’t magical is sore feet and blisters. This list of the best shoes for Walt Disney World includes comfortable and cute sandals and sneakers that are perfect for a Disney Vacation.
I’ve limped out of Disney World with bloody feet because I needed to wear the perfect shoe to match my outfit – and completely regret it. Being in pain is an easy way to overshadow the fun of a trip.
After some trial and error, and dozens of Disney trips, I’ve learned the best shoes to wear. Rotate between comfortable running shoes like Hokas, fashionable sneakers like Nike Dunks, and walking sandals like Tevas to keep your feet comfy and your outfits on point.
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The Best Close Toed Shoes For Disney
1. Hoka Clifton 9
Price: $145
My Hokas are the most comfortable walking shoes I own, by far. These are the #1 choice on this list if you plan to walk far, struggle with joint pain, or have sensitive feet.
These shoes will ensure you can stay in the park from open to close, without wasting time on breaks.
| What I Like | What I Don’t Like |
|---|---|
| Extremely comfortable, cushy soles | Look a little clunky |
| Lightweight for easy packing | Not quick drying |
| Come in a ton of fun colors |
2. Cloudswift 3 Running Shoe
Price: $160
On Clouds are also great running /walking shoes. The soles are made to be light and springy to take the stress off your body.
I also love the sleek look of these Cloudswifts, which go great with leggings, bike shorts, or other athletic clothes.
| What I Like | What I Don’t Like |
|---|---|
| Supportive soles | Basic color options |
| Cute, slim design | Not quick drying |
| Breathable material |
3. Nike Dunks
Price: $115
My Nike Panda (black and white) Dunks are one of my most-worn pair of shoes. I love how the color and style goes with any outfit.
When I decided to wear them to Disney, I was skeptical of how comfortable they would be. I was pleasantly surprised that I had zero blisters and zero pain after a full day in the parks.
| What I Like | What I Don’t Like |
|---|---|
| Versatile style that goes with any outfit | Leather is not breathable |
| Less cushion in the sole compared to running shoes |
4. Adidas Gazelles
Price: $120
Like my Dunks, I wear my Adidas Gazelles all the time in normal life. They were also super comfortable for Disney and the platform sole provided a ton of cushion.
These shoes area great way to do the current Adidas Sambas trend, but way more comfortable since Sambas are very flat and hard.
| What I Like | What I Don’t Like |
|---|---|
| Trendy design | Leather is not very breathable |
| Fun colors | Slow to dry if they get wet |
| Platform adds height without sacrificing comfort |
Comfortable Walking Sandals for Walt Disney World
1. Birkenstock
Price: $160
Birkenstocks are the most comfortable slip-on sandals, which is why they’ve been popular for decades.
Once they are broken in, the cork sole will form to your foot which is vey comfortable for all day wear. These are also very breathable which is nice for hot summer days in Orlando.
| What I Like | What I Don’t Like |
|---|---|
| Sole molds to your feet | Can take a while to break in |
| Very breathable | |
| Quick drying |
2. Chacos
Price: $105
Chacos are the most supportive sandal. The soles are thick and contour to provide arch support.
The straps will hold the shoes securely to your foot so it doesn’t slide around or fall off.
The only thing I don’t like about Chacos is adjusting the straps. To avoid this, I recommend choosing a pair without the toe strap which gets tight very easily.
| What I Like | What I Don’t Like |
|---|---|
| Straps hold the shoe to your foot so it doesn’t fall off on rides or make you trip | A little heavy |
| Sole has a ton of support and cushion | Straps are difficult to adjust |
3. Tevas
Price: $70
Tevas are very similar to Chacos, but less expensive, lower weight, and a little less supportive.
They lack arch support, so only choose this if you don’t require it. I personally sometimes get sore from too much arch support, so I like to keep these in rotation.
| What I Like | What I Don’t Like |
|---|---|
| Lightweight | Soles are not cushioned |
| Breathable | Lacks arch support |
| Quick Drying | |
| Cute Design |
Disney Themed Shoes
This list of the best shoes to wear to Disney World would be incomplete if I didn’t include something with Mickey’s head on it. The below collage has some cute Disney-themed footwear.
However, I cannot personally vouch for the comfort of these shoes because I have not personally tried them out. If you like them (they are super cute), then I recommend ordering them ahead of time and wearing them around to gauge the comfort before committing to them for the parks.
What Footwear to Avoid for the Parks
- Brand New Shoes – One of the biggest mistakes you can make is wearing a pair of shoes for the first time to Disney. You want them to be well broken in and formed to your foot.
- Anything with a Heel – This is an obvious one, but leave the heels at home or maybe wear them to downtown Disney for a dinner. Remember, comfort is key!
- Flat Sneakers – I’ve noticed that really flat sneakers like converse leave me with a sore back and sore feet due to the lack of cushion or arch support.
- Flimsy Flip Flops – Similar to above, if you are going to wear flip flops, be sure they have some support. Flat and flimsy ones like Havianas will leave you in pain after a day of walking.
- Boots – Another obvious one, but boots are not necessary in the warm and humid Florida weather. Your feet would be sweating and swelling, which is not comfortable.
Important Considerations When Choosing a Shoe
Comfort: As a millennial, I am all about dressing to a theme and looking cute. But when it comes to footwear for Disney, comfort comes first. Luckily, there are plenty of options above that are both cute and comfortable. Don’t be tempted to wear shoes that you know will leave you sore or with blisters.
Support: One of the best ways to ensure your shoes are comfortable for Disney is making sure they have support. This means a cushy sole and arch support, even in sandals. This will take the pressure off your joints standing on hard ground all day.
Quick-Drying: Some water rides like Splash Mountain can leave your feet soaked. Be sure your shoes are quick drying so you don’t have to walk around in a swamp all day. Packing a pair of extra dry socks also helps.
Breathability: Florida can be so hot and humid, so breathable shoes are a must. This will help keep your whole body cooler.
Style: Finally, the look of shoes is important, at least to me. As long as your shoes are comfy, get them in a fun color, trending style, or Disney design to express yourself. This is why I like Nike Dunks – they are cute, trendy, and comfortable to wear all day long.
Other Tips Keep Your Feet Comfy
On a typical Disney World vacation, I’ll walk 8-10 miles per day, all on hard cement. In addition, I’ll stand in line for a collective 2-3 hours, also on hard ground.
Even though I’m in my 20’s, this takes a toll on my body, feet, and joints. While having good shoes is the most important, here are some other tips for keeping your body comfortable after a full day in the theme parks.
1. Get Insoles for Arch Support – As I mentioned above, support is a key feature of your shoes. In addition to built in arch support, I like insoles to add to my sneakers for extra support.
These insoles are made for high-impact and can be cut down to fit any shoe size.
2. Wear Moisture-Wicking Socks to Prevent Blisters – I am super blister-prone. I get them on my toes, heels, and even the bottoms of my feet. I’ve found that high-quality moisture-wicking socks help a ton to reduce friction and therefore minimize blisters.
3. Pack Moleskin for Blisters – Even with the best shoes that are broken in, blisters can still happen. I’ve found that moleskin works 100 times better than Band-Aids when dealing with open wounds.
4. Rotate Shoes Each Day – I like bring different shoe options so I can rotate each day. This helps avoid blisters and sore spots by changing where your shoes hit you on your feet. Even better, rotate between sandals and running shoes for even more variety.
5. Break in Your Shoes Ahead of Time – Do yourself a favor and break in your shoes heavily before the trip. Having your shoes broken in will help avoid any stiff spots that can rub. It will also help you identify any issues ahead of your trip.
Summary of the Best Shoes for Disney
Picking the right shoes for your Disney World trip is super important to make sure you have a great time without any sore feet or blisters.
From the super comfy Hoka Clifton 9s to the cool Nike Dunks, the key is to find shoes that are comfy, look good, dry fast if you hit those water rides, and let your feet breathe in that Florida heat.
The right shoes will let you explore every part of Disney from opening to closing time.
Now that you’ve got your shoe game sorted, why not take your Disney outfit to the next level? Check out our post on outfit ideas for Disney World to find the perfect look that’s both stylish and practical for your vacation.
FAQ – The Best Disney World Shoes
Flip flops are not good for wearing to the Walt Disney World parks because they are flat, not supportive, and prone to blisters. But flip flops are a great thing to pack for around the resort or to the pool.
Pack 1 pair of shoes for each day you visit Disney World, so you can rotate each day. If you are staying a week or longer, three pairs of shoes is sufficient. Pack at least one pair of sneakers and one pair of sandals.
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- What To Wear To Disney World In December: Winter Outfit Ideas
- Outfit Ideas For Disney World For Men – Complete Guide To What To Wear
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