Best Shoes to Wear to Theme Parks

In my opinion, shoes are probably the most important part of your outfit choice when visiting a theme park.

As someone who has made the mistake of wearing shoes that I thought were cute but weren’t ideal for comfort, you will regret picking the cute shoe over the sensible option every single time.

When you have a pair of shoes that you’ve worn before and think might be a good choice, wearing them for 8-12 hours walking around a theme park all day can make you completely rethink those shoes.

In this post, we will discuss the importance of picking a good choice for theme parks, what you should look for in a shoe and shoes to avoid, and provide some examples of options that we know and love. We’re confident that you will find the perfect shoe for your upcoming amusement park trip.

This post is part of our best family travel gear series

Important Factors When Choosing the Best Shoes for Theme Parks

There are many factors to consider when selecting the best shoe to spend your day walking around theme parks like Disney World. You will want to choose a stylish, comfortable, and realistic shoe for a day spent walking around an amusement park.

Consider various scenarios you may encounter, including rain, water rides, or rides where your feet may be dangling. Some things that you should look for when selecting your shoe include:

• Fashion/Style: I think any person who plans to wear a pair of shoes will likely want to consider the style when selecting. I think it extremely important to ensure that you don’t prioritize style over comfort and sustainability, but it can certainly be a factor. I know if I’m going to be visiting a theme park such as Disney World, I will likely want to select a pair of shoes that are Disney-themed or fit some sort of theme of my Disney outfit.

• Comfort: Comfort is a huge factor when making your selection, I always say that you are likely to find comfort in something like an athletic shoe or some sort of shoe with gel or memory foam cushioning compared to a basic sandal or high heel. Though you can always try replacing your shoe insoles with better ones. 

• Sustainability: While something may feel comfortable when you first put it on, you will want to think, “Is this shoe still going to be comfortable after a long day of walking around?” You will want to go for something that will remain comfortable throughout your day.

• Support: Support is extremely important when selecting a shoe. I know a lot of people like to wear basic flip-flops when the weather is hot outside, but those kinds of sandals have absolutely no support, and you’re likely to wear them down after wearing them while walking around a park all day. Instead, go for something that will provide you support throughout the day.

Scenarios You May Encounter During Your Day

You may encounter various scenarios throughout your day that you may want to keep in mind when selecting your shoes. You will want to pick something that can be versatile and wearable in various conditions. Some scenarios you may want to consider include:

• Rainy Weather: When it is raining outside, you will want shoes with good grip and support to ensure that you don’t slip and fall as you walk around in the rain. Something such as a secure sandal or lightweight athletic shoes that will dry quickly are a good option for this scenario.

• Water Rides: A lot of theme parks have water rides such as Splash Mountain at Disney World and when you ride something like this, your shoes are bound to get wet! I’m sure we have all been there and can agree that walking around with sopping wet shoes is not comfortable for anyone. Something like a sandal or a breathable mesh-type athletic shoe is likely the best to consider if you expect to ride something like that.

• Dangling Feet Rides: Again, another popular type of ride that you may encounter when visiting a theme park is a ride that your feet are dangling in the air. In this type of scenario, you will want to make sure that you have shoes that will stay on your feet as they dangle above the ground. Something such as an athletic shoe or a wraparound sandal may be a good option to consider.

Shoes to Avoid When Visiting a Theme Park

While a comfortable shoe may look different from person to person, there are a few types of shoes that most people will want to avoid when it comes to visiting a theme park. Some of those features to avoid include:

• High Heels – A heel of any height can be uncomfortable and difficult to walk in

• Boots – Boots can be very heavy, hot, and uncomfortable to spend a full day walking around

• Thin Sandals – Thin sandals such as rubber flip flops tend to have little to no support and are not a sustainable option for a full day of walking

• Sandals with No Strap – These types of shoes tend to have a high risk of falling off, which makes for a difficult choice at a theme park where your legs may be dangling or simply keeping these shoes on your feet as you walk around.

Now that we have laid down the basics of what to look for and what to avoid, let’s dig into some examples of good options for walking shoes at theme parks. Be sure to make a note (or add them to your wish list) of any options that you think may be a good fit for you or a member of your family.

We’re going to break down our top picks by category so that you can find the perfect shoes based on your favorite styles.

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Best Sandals for Theme Parks

If you are one that prefers to wear sandals, this is the list for you! I completely understand the desire to wear sandals to allow your feet to breathe and avoid getting sweaty feet due to the hot temperatures. You’re sure to find the perfect match in our list below:

Skechers Women’s On-The-Go 600-Brilliancy Sport Sandal

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Crocs Women’s Serena Flip Flops

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Clarks Women’s Arla Shaylie Sandal

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Skechers Men’s Louden Sandal

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Dr Scholl’s Men’s Gaston

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Dockers Men’s Searose Fisherman Sandal

Best Athletic Shoes for Theme Parks

If athletic shoes are your go-to, this next list is for you. Our list offers a variety of athletic shoes that cater to various needs but are all lightweight and will make for a comfortable option when walking around your theme park all day.

Orthofeet Orthopedic Walking Shoes

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Adidas Women’s QT Racer 2.0

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STQ Slip on Platform Loafers

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Under Armour Men’s Charged Assert 9 Running Shoe

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Skechers Men’s Go Walk Max

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Skechers Men’s Go Walk Max-athletic Mesh Slip On

Best Kids Shoes for Theme Parks

When it comes to making a good shoe choice for your little ones, there are a variety of options. We have included a number of options, including a mix of sandals, slip-ons, and athletic shoes – all of which will make a great choice for spending a day walking at a theme park.

Stride Rite Soft Motion Baby and Toddler Sneaker

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Keen Unisex Close Toe Sandal

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Hurley Kids Slip on Sneakers

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Skechers Unisex Child Litebeams

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Teva Unisex Hurricane 3 Sandal

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Choosing the right shoe for your visit to theme parks is so important and vital to an enjoyable experience. The last thing that you want to do is have to leave the park early or take breaks away from having fun because your feet are hurting so bad that you can’t possibly go on.

We hope that this guide has given you a variety of options to choose from and that your family can find the perfect choice for your trip! Do you have a go-to shoe that we didn’t include in our list? Feel free to share with us and other readers; we’re always open to trying out new shoes! After all, you can never have too many shoes…right?

More tips for Disney & Theme Park Vacations

Planning a theme park vacation, you may also be interested in:

• The best backpacks for Disney
• What we always pack in our theme park day bag
• Fun ways to pass the time while waiting in line
• The best strollers you’ll want for Disney trips (+ a detailed guide to the current Disney stroller rules)
• All the best theme parks in Orlando, Florida
• The best Disney parks in Florida for teens
• The best theme parks in Dubai, UAE
• Travel bloggers pick their favorite worldwide theme parks
• Top tips for a family day at a water park

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