what to shoe: disney world
05. Jan, 2010 by Teresa Morisco 
12 Comments
Reader Question of the Week:
I’m going to Disney World in February and I’m wondering about shoes. I want to be comfortable because I will be on my feet for 12 hours at a stretch and nothing can ruin a good time like aching feet. But I’d also like it to look a step or two above a sneaker. Is there a shoe I can wear that will be comfortable AND stylish?
Wardrobe 911’s Style Prescription:
Finding great shoes to wear that will last you 12 hours is fairly easy. Finding the stamina to stand for 12 hours straight may be a bit more difficult — especially on Day 2! To make it a bit easier, I pulled together a few shoes that I know are comfortable AND stylish.
First off, I can’t tell you how many times I see a client’s eyes light up when she tries on the Tory Burch flat. At first, they are “No way. I’m not wearing that logo on my foot.” But…the shoe is really comfortable. It’s certainly a contender and the Snake Print Reva Flats are a nice style to have for everyday, and they go up to 11.
Another shoe I love for comfort is Gentle Souls by Kenneth Cole. The sole probably has about a half inch of padding. They are really comfy and the black Buckle Bay flat is super versatile. It goes up to 11 but there are limited sizes online.
If you are more price conscious, then the more casual but still fun Skechers Sassies are great ($55, up to 11.) If you plan on hitting the water parks, then you want to wear a sandal. I love the padded soles on the Corso Como Santorini Sandal — it’s a stylish shoe and really dresses up shorts, capris, and dresses. ($90 up to 10.5)
For what to wear, try channeling Audrey Hepburn with a boat-neck tee (tons of colors at Old Navy) and these adorable Skimmer pants from J.Crew. The pants go up to size 16 and are the perfect alternative to the ever-present shorts. Add a simple accessory like this animal print scarf – you can wear it long tied just once loosely, or in your hair as a headband (bobby pins not included.)
And, since you’re headed to Disney, did you know you can get one of your days comped by them? This year, they’re running a great program called “Give and Get a Day at Disney.” You need to sign up to volunteer for a day and then once your service is completed, you get a volunteer voucher for a day at Disney. You can sign up the whole family and make a wonderful day of it. They didn’t pay me to say this, I just thought it was a brilliant way of promoting volunteerism.
These flats do look stylish and relatively comfy, but still, I can’t imagine being comfortable all day in anything but a tie shoe — I’ve had foot surgery and wear orthotics. Any recommendations for those of us with really, really bad feet, short of a sneaker?
TOMS ‘Aira’ Sneaker for women is a stylish but comfortable shoe. It can be worn with or without laces and it’s made for long periods of walking time! Disney here I come:) It’s not a full on sneaker and it comes in a very nice beige color with trim. Nordstrom carries it and you can find it under shoes and then sneakers. Enjoy!
The Ecco “Yarrah” shoe works well with orthotics and it is really comfortable. I also wear them and I was able to take the insole out and replace them with the orthotics. I do think the Sketchers Sassies are cuter. http://www.wardrobe911.com/6gs
The New Balance 760 Walking Shoe may give you the most support and accommodates orthotics. http://www.wardrobe911.com/x7v
And Teresa is right about the Gentle Souls! They are gentle on your feet if you need a dressier shoe.
There are several styles of Merrells my mom is able to wear with her orthotics (some are cuter and more stylish than others….) Good luck! I love the Privo ballet flats – the massaging/nubby insole is comfortable to me; I wear them a great deal when travelling and doing a lot of walking.
I’ve been to Disney World twice in the past few years and I own the Revas myself, but I absolutely can not imagine wearing them there! I only stayed in the park 1/2 days and I still think they would have been very uncomfortable. I think I wore Privo flats on my last trip and they worked well. I wanted to be a little cuter than wearing athletic shoes, but I have to say that I could have easily worn athletic shoes and looked just fine; the majority of people there were wearing crocs, LOL.
@Margaret — let us know if you try out the Merrills or Privos – both are comfy.
@Kelly — yes, Merrills are great and glad to hear your Privo’s work. I feel like I always recommend them so I didn’t this time but they are stylish and cute.
@Annie — yikes! Crocs? I always think of gardening when I see those. Glad to hear your Privo’s worked — interesting point on the Revas!
Teresa — I took a look at the Merrills website and the shoes look great. I haven’t gotten to the shoe store to try any yet, but it’s on my list of things to do.
Born and Dansko offer many styles that are very comfortable, too.
Thanks Dionne! And Margaret let us know when you hit the shoe store!
I lived in Florida for 13 years, and visited Disney around 40 times while I lived there. Let me enlighten you a bit.
No one cares what you look like in the park. It is full of screaming, sticky six year olds and their screaming parents. Athletic shoes are the best option. Your feet will be killing you after just two hours with any kind of flat or sandal on.
Take it from the local and dont be one of the visible “tourists” who dont know how to dress right for a day of fun at a theme park.
LMAO because this is so true. Just got back from our 3rd trip to Disney–took kids 1, 5, and 7–and we all wore athletic shoes.
thanks Avery for setting us straight! okay then, my suggestion would be converse. I love mine and they are still stylish. LOL