Best Park Shoes for Kids

[Crystal824]

We are going to WDW next month. Our family hasn't been to WDW in about two years. This will be the first trip that my daughter, 7, will not have a stroller. I haven't ever really worried about her footwear at WDW because she rode in the stroller a lot of the time.

What shoes do you recommend for kids? I've seen people mention Keens, Tevas, and of course Crocs (which is what I have bought her in the past). Which shoe does your kid like best? Which style do you buy?

 

[Childs1stTime2Disney]

We are going to get Sketchers Go walks for the trip. Very comfy.

 

[NYCgrrl]

We live in a city where walking is the norm so whatever sneakers the children already have are fine for vacations. I do try to ensure the children have 2 pairs so they can wear one pair on day 1 and another on day 2. Allows the shoes to rest in between wearing as well as being great back ups for when it rains.
As long as the shoes are well made I don't really care about the brand.

 

[jacknsally19]

I agree with the 2 pairs! We are fans of keens & sketchers. Honestly, crocs are super annoying IMHO.... at least with my kid. They fall off too easily which is such a hassle in the parks.

 

[DisneyOma]

Whatever they have should be broken in before the trip - don't bring new shoes!

 

[NYCgrrl]

I agree with the 2 pairs! We are fans of keens & sketchers. Honestly, crocs are super annoying IMHO.... at least with my kid. They fall off too easily which is such a hassle in the parks.

I agree that Crocs aren't good walking shoes although they are great for the pool, beach and short jaunts. Since flip flops are easier to pack that's what we take w/ us on water vacations.

 

[Kellina]

Sneakers or Croc sandals- the ones with Velcro! They stay on, fit better, and are super comfy!!!

 

[Fosteringaprincess]

Last year I bought my kiddos chacos. Not one blister! They have also had good luck with keens and a well broken in pair of Crocs. The key really is well broken in and waterproof. My husband and oldest son tried tennis shoes one year one day to the park and they were both miserable, but everyone is different. I have done chacos the last 2 years and very little foot pain after 6 days in the park each year. So that's my vote!

 

[jacknsally19]

I agree that Crocs aren't good walking shoes although they are great for the pool, beach and short jaunts. Since flip flops are easier to pack that's what we take w/ us on water vacations.

I am def doing flip flops on our next WDW vacation. My DD loves her crocs so we argued quite often on our last two trips about when she could wear them..... SMH

 

[DisneyOma]

I am def doing flip flops on our next WDW vacation. My DD loves her crocs so we argued quite often on our last two trips about when she could wear them..... SMH

JUst an FYI - flip flops with smooth soles can be dangerous to walk in when it is raining. The surfaces of WDW get very slippery when wet. Saw lots of people slide in flip flops on our last trip.

 

[Momto2minniemice]

1. Wear what they are use to wearing if not have them good and broken in before even going to Disney!
2. Extra shoes is a must as shoes do not dry out and the last thing you want is wet feet that just leads to bad things later on.
3. I would avoid flip flops or shoes that slip off and on as in the rain this might lead to falls when rushing to one place or another.
4. Not shoe related but make sure to have extra socks too!

 

[_Kristi_]

Broken in tennis shoes, Timberland sandals, and Sun San sandals. I always bring a backup pair in the stroller (even for myself) just in case someone gets uncomfortable.

 

[monorailsilver]

Mine wear flip flops or keens because they get wet. I won’t let them wear sneakers to the parks and then have to walk around with wet socks/shoes all day.

Note to self, I need to find my 14 yo ds shoes for the parks in August and for our April beach trip to break them in a bit.

 

[2019TripIdeas]

Natives are great. Same idea as Crocs (I think) but with better support (the sole seems better anyway). I think they're even making adult versions of Natives now though no idea how silly they might look. Also, they dry SO quick if you did go on a water ride.

 

[jacknsally19]

JUst an FYI - flip flops with smooth soles can be dangerous to walk in when it is raining. The surfaces of WDW get very slippery when wet. Saw lots of people slide in flip flops on our last trip.

Thoughts don't always translate well on message boards. I meant flip flops for the pool rather than crocs. We have always brought crocs for pool time but my DD wants to wear them all the time. (Because they are pretty and colorful and fun). But we end up arguing about wearing them to the parks - which as I mentioned are a hassle IMHO at the parks. I wouldn't let her wear flip flops at the parks because her feet would hurt and I know she would get stepped on / run over by a stroller. I think flip-flops are awful for the parks!

 

[AZMermaid]

My 5 and 6 year olds alternated between Crocs (traditional and my daughter had a pair of the sandals, not flip flops, but ones with straps) and Skechers sneakers. We didn't have a stroller and they never complained about their feet. I worried about it, but it wasn't an issue for them.

 

[NYCgrrl]

There is an article @ WebMd.com that discusses the best usage for croc type shoes and the disadvantages of wearing them for certain activities- Disneyland is specifically mentioned as a don't. You can read at this link:

https://www.webmd.com/diabetes/features/crocs-healthy-shoes-just-comfy#1

There are also links on articles quoting podiatrists and other foot specialists who disapprove of the use of crocs for daily walking at USA Today and the Wall Street Journal.

I understand your concern about wet feet and the medical problems they can bring on, monarailsilver, but a ride on Kali/Splash Mountain or even time in the cooling stations won't leave the average person with soaking wet feet or socks. They'll be dried out sooner than you wish in the heat of a FL summer. Of course your family might spend most of it's time at the water parks and resort pool which presents different needs.

As much as I like sandals during the summer I prefer the better protection enclosed sneakers give from stubbed toes and run over heels from runaway strollers @ amusement parks, LOL.

Finally.....well constructed sneakers don't need to be broken in before wearing. If they readily bend in half they are good to go.
No bending? No buying on this end.

 

[Crystal824]

Whatever they have should be broken in before the trip - don't bring new shoes!

I agree with that. She will definitely wear them before we get to WDW.

 

[Crystal824]

1. Wear what they are use to wearing if not have them good and broken in before even going to Disney!
2. Extra shoes is a must as shoes do not dry out and the last thing you want is wet feet that just leads to bad things later on.
3. I would avoid flip flops or shoes that slip off and on as in the rain this might lead to falls when rushing to one place or another.
4. Not shoe related but make sure to have extra socks too!

Because we live in PA, she has been wearing mostly boots and tennis shoes as of late. Her foot grew 2 sizes since last fall so she currently has no sandals. We have to get something for this trip. We will definitely bring her tennis shoes, but I wanted something else for her too. I actually just bought her a pair of crocs on Zuilly for $12.99. I'm leaning towards getting a pair of Keens too.

 

[Crystal824]

Last year I bought my kiddos chacos. Not one blister! They have also had good luck with keens and a well broken in pair of Crocs. The key really is well broken in and waterproof. My husband and oldest son tried tennis shoes one year one day to the park and they were both miserable, but everyone is different. I have done chacos the last 2 years and very little foot pain after 6 days in the park each year. So that's my vote!

I will check these out. Thanks.