Look, we understand the flip-flop argument. It’s Florida. It’s hot. They’re easy. If it rains, you don’t have to spend the next six hours wondering whether your sneakers will ever know dryness again. But Disney World is also a place where you can casually walk 20,000 steps while insisting you “didn’t really do that much today.”

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A flimsy pair of flip-flops may feel perfectly fine walking from your hotel room to the pool. Magic Kingdom to EPCOT to dinner to “let’s just pop into one more shop” is a different assignment entirely. And nothing ruins the evening quite like realizing your feet resigned three hours ago and neglected to tell you.

Instead of sacrificing your feet, we suggest you grab these supportive sandals! The key word here is supportive. These comfy sandals give you a warm-weather option without relying on a paper-thin piece of foam and optimism to carry you around EPCOT.

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They’re a particularly good compromise if you want something cooler and more open than a sneaker but still plan on spending a full day in the parks.

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High Heels

We respect the commitment to your fashion. Truly. But when we see someone crossing EPCOT in a pair of towering heels, our first thought is usually, “How?” Our second is, “HOW?”

Hey there, Daisy!

Disney pavement does not care how great those shoes looked with the outfit back in the hotel room. Between uneven surfaces, long attraction queues, standing around waiting for transportation, and the sheer acreage involved in a Disney day, heels can turn into an extremely glamorous form of self-sabotage.

There are plenty of ways to look cute at Disney World without sacrificing your feet for fashion. And since criticizing without providing solutions is just rude, we have some alternatives. This recommendation comes with a six-year backlog of proof.

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One member of our team has bought a new pair of these shoes whenever she needs replacements for the past five or six years. Not tried once. Not “these were pretty good on one trip.” Five or six YEARS. They’re her favorites, and when you find a shoe that reliably gets you through Disney World days without your feet waving a white flag in surrender, you tend to become loyal. If you’re looking for a new park shoe, this is the kind of endorsement we pay attention to.

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We love Brooks

There’s a reason you’ll see plenty of serious walking and running shoes wandering around Disney World. You are doing some serious walking. These Brooks are another option for anyone who wants to prioritize comfort and support over discovering exactly how many blisters one human foot can produce.

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And yes, we know sneakers take up more suitcase space than flip-flops. Your feet do not care about your packing efficiency.

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Your Feet Have to Make It to Day Four

We’re not saying you can’t wear flip-flops or heels to Disney World. Some people can conquer an entire park day in shoes that would have us calling for medical transport somewhere around the Germany pavilion. We have questions, but also respect.

Brooks Ghost 17

For the rest of us, comfortable and supportive shoes are among the least exciting Disney purchases, yet they can have the BIGGEST impact on a trip. Because your park outfit may be adorable, but there is nothing particularly magical about hobbling back to your hotel room at the end of the night. Choose wisely. 

We’re always on the hunt for the latest and greatest Disney souvenirs and essentials, so don’t forget to stay tuned to the Disney Food Blog for more!