Disney! I need new shoes. Help!
 

Well, it's been ages since I have been to Disney. Like 30+ years! I was there twice as a young child shortly after they opened, then a few times when my grandmother moved to Florida. The last time I was there, they were still building Epcot! In any case, we are going in November! Friends belong to the Disney Vacation Club, and are getting the accommodations. It will be an exhausting week. Our friends are celebrating their 25th wedding anniversary, and I just got married to my high school boyfriend in May. It's been crazy!

That being said, I need to get some good, comfortable shoes for the trip, and am looking for recommendations. I know we will be running around and on our feet A LOT. These people are like Energizer bunnies! In any case, I need good support. What brand do you love? Thinking of walking/running shoes.

Thanks, everyone!

I like both Brooks & Hoka One One. I can get the Brooks through Amazon but only after wearing & knowing what size works.
The Hoka One One I can wear a smaller size by getting mens. The toe box is more comfortable. Check out a specialty shoe store. They are more interested in helping you find what you need. Both of these are $$ but last a long time & I wear 1 or the other everyday.

I have a pair of Easy Spirit slip ons that I got for a trip to Europe. They are now well used and I will probably look for another pair to replace them. I also find shoes by Keen and Merrill are easy on the feet, but they are a little more clunky. My SIL calls looking for comfortable shoes akin to searching for the Holy Grail. Good luck - have fun!

Anything by Easy Spirit is great! I have their slip ons and their (what I call)"Tennis Shoes" made in leather. They both wear well and are very comfortable from the first day. I got on their email list and get their emails and coupons for mail ordering, which I do. The sizes run true to size for me.

I always have good luck with New Balance shoes.

You might want to go to one of the shoe stores that can check out how your arch supports you and then find the right shoe for your arch. I used Nike Air for the longest time because I have high arches and needed lots of support there but as my feet have aged, the Nike Airs were not working as well. Now I use Saucony. My father walks with Brooks. My mom used New Balance. It is all about your arches, I'm convinced! Have fun in Disney World and I wish for you lots of joy with your new husband.

My husband and I love Asics - they have extremely good arch support. He walks 4 miles every day (rain or shine) and I just wear mine. They last a long time.

My husband has very flat feet and he swears by Asics. If he wears them, he doesn't have to wear his arch supports. They're excellent shoes and do last a long time.

I have high arches and no real problems. For me it's Reeboks. I swear the last they use to develop Reeboks looks just like my foot. They fit me really well and because they are aerobic shoes, they have lots of cushioning without big thick soles. I avoid shoes with big soles like a lot of walking shoes have. I know they are supposed to be good and keep your feet in alignment, but if the sole extends beyond the shoe on the side, they seem to make me trip. I've already broken and ankle, I don't need that again!

Shoes are so personal! My BFF swears by Ecco shoes and sandals for walking trips. I can wear most anything. Some Skechers are good too. Depends on the foot and fit.

I really does. I had a friend who swore by Nikes. They just don't fit my feet that well. It a hard thing, but you really have to just try them out and see which ones work for you.

Asics is my favorite, I have 8 pairs of them, I do a lot of walking. I suggest you go into a store and try on all different brands, wear the socks you normally wear and walk around in the store a lot. After you buy a pair walk a few miles in them before you go to Disney to get them broken in.

I haven't been in many years, but my son and family go often. Believe it not, he and the family swear by Crocs! I'm not sure if you can wear them, but they are almost like you are barefoot. You could always take another pair of comfy shoes along and swap out if your feet start to ache.

My daughter likes Keen, my sister likes Merrell, and I've been faithfully buying SAS for 20+ years, following in my mother's footsteps;-). SAS also happens to be made in USA. I agree with others who advise going to a shoe store where they measure your feet and advise on fit. If you have a non-chain, local store, start there.

I can wear Keen shoes all day but they may be not right for you. I’ve heard adult feet increase a half size every 10 years so to echo others here, get measured up at the best shoe store around. It pays off in comfort.

Now I am using Birkenstocks' They did take a bit to get used to. I have had problems with planter fasciitis for more than 30 years. . I have tried so many different shoes, New Balance, Asics, Crocs, Hoka One One. But, I keep going back to Birkenstocks and that is what I have been wearing for about 10 years now. I have several pairs of them, sandals, rubber slip-ons, leather slip-ons, leather ties. I so wanted the Hoka One One to work cuz they felt so comfortable when I put them on....but it seems my feet need the hard support the Birkenstock's provide. One tip I have is that if you have a good running shoe store in your area where the workers are knowledgeable regarding running feet, they are really a good source of advice. My local store is owned by a marathon runner and he looked at my feet and gave me suggestions on what shoes would be good to try and which one's were a no go. He also looked at my old shoes to see how they were worn to see how my gait actually was. I have learned about shoes and feet. The Birkenstocks have very little difference in the height between the toe and the heel....I can not tolerate shoes where the heel is higher then the toes. No high heels for me.

I have had foot trouble for a long time and finally broke down and bought SAS shoes. They worked well when I was still working because I needed shoes that didn't look like running shoes. When I stopped working and wore more athletic shoes I went to Road Runner Sports. They have a machine that you stand on, it measures your foot and creates an orthotic that fits your foot. You take out the liner of the shoe and put that in. It has worked so well for me I no longer have the pain in my feet. It's a lot cheaper than having a podiatrist make an orthotic and you you can put it in other shoes.
We are going to Disney World in November so I planning to get a new one for our trip. My other one is about 3 years old if not older.

Birkenstocks!!!! i have several pair and ive had Hoka One (2 pair)
By far Birkenstocks are my favorite shoe. Even in the winter with wool socks they fit my foot perfectly and i also need firm support! However, wear them and walk a lot in them before your trip! Also they are still made in Germany so they are still well made!
Have fun!!!!

I like my Chaco sandals. I can walk or stand all day in them and my feet don’t hurt.

If you don't have Road Runner Sports in your area, look for Foot Solutions stores. I make an appointment and they spend all the time I need to get fitted correctly. Like Road Runner, they also make orthotics you can put into different shoes, as long as those shoes have a removable foot bed. I LOVE the Finn Comfort brand. Made in Germany. Regular shoes in many styles including dressy. But they all have the removeable foot bed so my orthotic goes in. I have never met anyone happy with the orthotic their podiatrist made. The orthotics are 400 dollars and last 5 to 7 years. The Finn Comforts are in the 150 to 200 dollar range but last at least five years and can be resoled.

I have high arches and need good arch support. I use NurseMates Align shoes. They are wonderful for my feet.

Hoka here, but you really need to have a authorized store help you choose your first pair. Mine came from Running Fit and are the Arahi - I have no arch. I needed a half size smaller than any other shoe. Except SOS, those are a half size smaller, too.

Best bet is to go try as many different manufacturers on as possible. I love New Balance, my husband hates them. I know a pair of crocs feel like walking on marshmallows after a long day in the park. Awesome. Since you are going with avid fans, start training now. You will be glad you did. It's not a sprint, it's a marathon.

I walk miles in an average workday and I wear Birkenstocks: I have 7 pairs total, 2 for work and five for home. I also wear Chacos all the time, I have 4 pairs, my feet never hurt. I don't own any sneaker type shoes, I can't find a brand that doesn't make my feet hurt after a couple hours so I do all my traveling with Birks or Chacos as well, I can walk forever without any issue.

Other great brands are Naot & Clarks, my daughter swears by Clarks.

Something I just thought of, be sure to buy your new shoes well ahead of time so you can walk in them and break them in. Nothing worse that being on vacation and finding out that those new shoes you bought aren't really that great.

i like wide sneakers. your feet will swell and you'll be glad you have the extra room.
I like Sketchers, and they sometimes have some cute embroidery on them.
Do yourself a favor. Start walking now. My son and i do about 5 miles a day at EPCOT.
It's the best park there and make sure you hit every exhibit. they all seem to have something
hidden inside. In The Land, they have soarin. it's a wonderful ride, and make sure you try it.
Just walking in the park from the lot can be a mile. bring water. ALL restaurants give out free water.
have fun.