How many pairs of park shoes?

seashell724 · Mar 29, 2016

I have always heard to take 2 pairs of comfy shoes so that you can switch them out day by day. I am thinking of taking my broken in Sketchers Go Walks and a pair of Nike Runners for park days. Does this seem like a good choice? I really don't want to over pack as I have 2 kids and a husband as well. However, I also really don't want to regret not taking/needing more shoes. We have 7 day passes and one day at Sea World. There will be a bit of downtime in between but not tons.
Thank you!

mjdis17 · Mar 29, 2016

Personally I no longer switch out shoes on my vacation because I've found that my legs/feet ache regardless of what I'm wearing if there is a lot of walking involved over many days. What I do think is important, though, is bringing some form of a sandal or something that will take virtually no time to dry. My family members have had horrible times on various Disney and general Florida vacations after getting soaking wet sneakers (rain, water ride, etc) that were unable to dry in a timely fashion due to the humidity. The driers in the resort laundry areas even have signs about not drying shoes so that can't help you. I would say that regardless of if you bring one or two pairs of regular shoes, you should throw in a comfortable sandal (I wear a pair of Nike flip flops on every single Disney trip or anything that involves a lot of walking) or something else similar that will dry in no time. Not to mention I think that sandals are key in cooling yourself down in the heat. Just my opinion!

seashell724 · Mar 29, 2016

mjdis17 said:
Personally I no longer switch out shoes on my vacation because I've found that my legs/feet ache regardless of what I'm wearing if there is a lot of walking involved over many days. What I do think is important, though, is bringing some form of a sandal or something that will take virtually no time to dry. My family members have had horrible times on various Disney and general Florida vacations after getting soaking wet sneakers (rain, water ride, etc) that were unable to dry in a timely fashion due to the humidity. The driers in the resort laundry areas even have signs about not drying shoes so that can't help you. I would say that regardless of if you bring one or two pairs of regular shoes, you should throw in a comfortable sandal (I wear a pair of Nike flip flops on every single Disney trip or anything that involves a lot of walking) or something else similar that will dry in no time. Not to mention I think that sandals are key in cooling yourself down in the heat. Just my opinion!

Do you take the flip flops to the park as well as your regular shoes you are wearing then?

disney world dreamer · Mar 29, 2016

go walks would not be my choice but thats just me.

i assume your real question is should you or should you not take 2 pairs of sneakers.

and to that i say yes take two pairs!
HOWEVER... i don't suggest it because you should switch up. instead i suggest it in case one pair gets soaked.
then you can let it dry out for a day and wear the other pair.
if you have one type of sneaker that you wear regularly and is very comfortable for you to walk miles and miles in each day then stick with that specific type.

if i am checking luggage i always...
-wear a pair of sneakers
-take a pair of sneakers
-take a pair of comfy supportive sandals
-take a pair of slip flops just for the pool

when i have only taken carry on i just wear a pair of sneakers and bring a pair of comfy sandals and forgo the other pair of sneakers and the flip flops.
as much as i like having the second pair of sneakers i find that i just don't have enough room when bringing carry on only.

mjdis17 · Mar 29, 2016

seashell724 said:
Do you take the flip flops to the park as well as your regular shoes you are wearing then?

I actually only wear the flip flops and don't take anything else. I used to bring sneakers as a back up but never wore them so I stopped bringing them. The sandals I bring are Nike Celso Flip Flops which I have never ever gotten a blister or anything from in the 6+ vacations I've worn them on. I have even forced the men's pair onto my boyfriend because they are so reliable and such a great price. Splash Mountain and rain storms are a breeze when I can get soaked and splash through puddles without a worry in the world about drying time.

I think it really all comes down to your feet and your shoes getting wet. If you prefer sneakers the most, then bring two pairs so you can try and alternate if one gets wet. If you like sneakers and sandals, bring one of each. If you think you can handle only sandals then I highly recommend just taking a pair of sandals that you know you're comfortable in (but I'm also a little bias, clearly

).

BudgieMama · Mar 30, 2016

I take two different comfortable pairs of sandals (we go in August!) AND a comfortable pair of trainers. For my feet, I need to be able to switch and change as different parts require more support/less pressure/whatever!

PaintsWindColors · Mar 30, 2016

I usually take 4 or 5 pairs of shoes (I might be...high maintenance...gulp). I wear a different pair of shoes each day but I always make sure to pack 2 sneaker-types and at least one comfy sandal.

samsteele · Mar 30, 2016

In the past, I have only had the pr of well broken in supportive runners that I flew down in but I will now be packing 1 extra pr of sneakers plus 1 pr of supportive sport sandals. I have always had blisters (done everything to avoid them including moleskin, runners wicking socks, etc) but find that I walk fast 8-12 miles/day often to try to burn calories consumed during the free Fall DP. Last fall, I lost a baby toenail to blisters so will need to make a change. I think the extra pr of broken in sneakers will help with the same seam rub issue and the sport sandals will give my feet a big break from being confined in runners. I'm not a flip flops fan as I've seen too many people wipe out badly in the parks wearing flippies. Generally, you know if you have a tendency for feet problems. Blow that up by 1000 when dealing with the extra walking and hard, unforgiving pavement and cobblestones at WDW. I'd follow the PPs advice and pack at least 1 extra pr of well-broken in supportive runners. Good luck!

seashell724 · Mar 30, 2016

My problem is that I would want to take way too many pairs of shoes but I need to make sure I keep it at a manageable level! I do have regular flip flops like Havaianas bu I guess I should look for ones with a bit more support as well.

katt789 · Apr 29, 2016

I usually only take 2 pairs of Toms, wear one on the plane, pack the other, this way if one isn't as broken in I can switch between the two, or if one pair gets wet I have a back up.
If I'm going to be having more relaxing days, or a resort/pool/dtd day, I might throw in a pair of flip flops (they don't take up much space anyways). I also find it super nice to have something more breathable for after a long park day, you take off your shoes/socks and then realize you have to/want to run down to the lobby/food court, and don't want to squeeze your feet back into shoes, sandals come in handy here, or if you'll be at the pool at all
If I'm staying somewhere with a gym, I'll wear my runners on the plane & pack the 2 pairs of toms, of whatever I'm bringing.

I'd say 2 pairs would be fine, wear the bigger pair, stuff the smaller pair with socks/underwear when you pack them!

kwdw · Apr 30, 2016

seashell724 said:
My problem is that I would want to take way too many pairs of shoes but I need to make sure I keep it at a manageable level! I do have regular flip flops like Havaianas bu I guess I should look for ones with a bit more support as well.

For what sounds like 8 days of park touring - I think two pairs of sneakers and a pair of sandals/flip flops you could wear all day is not too many. That's what I would take. I don't always switch sneakers each day, but some days I do, or I might switch if I come back to the room during the day and switch to the other ones. You need the sandal alternative (I struggle finding sandals I can wear ALL day for MULTIPLE days) in case a pair of sneakers gets wet and you need to let it dry or if you get a blister unexpectedly.

With a couple real issues with my right foot, I NEED the sneaker most days - and I probably wear one particular pair 70% of the time over a 7-10 day trip. This is always the "known best walking shoe I have at the time pair." But on a rainy day - I'll head out in my sandals that dry quickly. And if I'm just sick of the one pair of sneakers, I'll swap to the other ones (which are usually the "second favorite, but my feet want something different pair." I also typically switch to the sandals in the evening if I am back at the resort early and just headed to the pool/gift shop/food court.

roycemi · May 1, 2016

Keens are a good option to wear when it's rainy during the summer. They're quite comfortable.

ludari · May 2, 2016

I like to bring two pairs of shoes. Well actually I bring my tennis shoes and sandals and carry my sandals in my backpack that I carry around with me. I do this just in case it starts raining then I switch into my sandals so my tennis shoes don't get soaked.

loves to dive · May 2, 2016

I usually bring 3 pairs of sandals, a pair of Clarks flip flops and two pairs of generic sandals that are similar to Tevas. I also bring a pair of running shoes but that is just for my morning walks/jogs, I don't wear them in the parks. I stopped wearing any kind of non sandal years ago, I like my feet to breath. I do switch out every day and never wear the same pair two days in a row but that is usually because I'm there during rainy season and even with sandals it takes them a day to dry out. (might be because I like to splash in puddles and get them extra wet)

Dis703 · May 2, 2016

I've never taken more than 1-2 pair of shoes. I also never bring sneakers as it's way too hot for me to wear them in Florida even in the spring. Usually I have one more casual and one slightly dressy flip flop/sandal. These days I only wear Vionics as they are the only shoe I've found that I can wear since developing Plantar Fasciitis.

Grumpy247365 · May 3, 2016

I usually bring two, but only if one pair gets wet. I can't stand wearing wet shoes the entire trip.

WDWNY · May 4, 2016

I usually bring 2 pairs of shoes for the park in case one gets wet and a pair of flip flops to wear in the hotel room/ by the pool.

robinb · May 4, 2016

I usually take:

1 pair of sneakers/gym shoes/running shoes
1 pair of Birkenstocks
1 pair of supportive flip flops

I will usually wear the Birks unless it gets cold and then I'll wear the sneakers. I will also sometimes wear the flip flops into the parks depending on how my feet feel. I wear orthopedic insoles because I have plantar fasciitis and sometimes I just need to wear my sneakers.

LuciMarie · May 4, 2016

Previously I've always taken
1 pair of sneakers (for the park, long distance visits)
1 pair of flip flops (for pool and around the hotel)
1 pair of nice sandals (Disney Springs/night of nice dining)
Occasionally I'll pack my Chucks just because when I fly down they really are the easiest.

verleniahall · May 4, 2016

2 pairs of sandals - plus i bring a travel sized bottle of gold bond foot powder and power my feet and sandals when we are stopped and in the room.

How many pairs of park shoes?

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