These important tips will help ensure you don’t end up with tired, sore, blistered “Disney feet!”
You’ll want to make sure you keep your feet happy at Disney World so you can enjoy your magical adventure!
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When you’re planning a trip to Disney World, chances are pretty good that you’re focusing on which resort to stay at, which parks to visit on what days, which character dining experience to book reservations for, and more.
Chances are also pretty good that you aren’t thinking about your feet! But “Disney Feet” are often tired, sore, and sometimes blistered feet…which is no fun at all.
If you want to be able to enjoy the resort, theme parks, and dining experiences that you’ve planned for, you’ll definitely want to make sure you keep your feet happy.
Walking at Disney World
If this is your first time going to Disney, you may be surprised that the average person walks 7-10 miles during a day in a Disney World theme park. That’s far more than most people walk on a regular basis.
In fact, some people even develop the Disney Rash from all of the walking during their park days!
With that amount of walking, it’s important to take care of your footsies, so they’ll be up to the challenge of getting you around to all of the fun.
How to Keep Feet from Hurting at Disney
There’s nothing worse than trying to hobble around Disney World with blistered, tired, and achy feet!
So we’re going to look at some of the most important things you can do to keep your feet from getting sore at the theme parks, because prevention is the first step!
Nobody wants their Disney vacation to be ruined by painful, blistered, sore feet.
How to Keep Your Feet Happy at Disney World
Here are some of the most important tips for keeping your feet happy during your visit to the most Magical Place on Earth.
1. Wear Comfortable Shoes
I know it seems like a no-brainer, but you would be surprised how many people don’t follow this advice.
Disney World is not the place for your platform wedges or stilettos, no matter how cute they are!
We have a whole article dedicated to the best shoes for Disney World, including sneakers and sandals, so you can be prepared.
Having the right shoes will make a WORLD of difference, trust me! You want well-fitting shoes with good support so you can take care of your feet.
2. Bring Two Pairs of Shoes
I know, I know…you don’t really want to bring two pairs of shoes because it takes up more room in your suitcase. Just trust me on this, okay?
There’s a possibility one pair of shoes could get wet and will need some time to dry out.
It’s also possible that your feet might need to “air out” a bit, so you may want to wear sneakers one day and sandals the next.
Either way, you’ll be glad you did!
3. Break in Your Shoes
I know we’re talking a lot about shoes here, but that’s because it’s just so important.
If you buy a new pair of shoes before your trip, please take time to break them in beforehand!
You don’t want to be walking around in a pair of stiff new shoes all day. Breaking them in will improve the “give” in the material and will illuminate any friction points, giving your feet time to get used to the shoes.
4. Bring an Extra Pair of Socks
When you’re packing your backpack for Disney World or your Disney fanny pack, be sure to tuck an extra pair of socks into your park bag.
Again, this may seem frivolous, but when mid-afternoon rolls around and your feet are sweaty from the hot weather in the Disney parks, or when you get off of the Kali River Rapids and your socks are soaked, you’ll be glad you did!
Wearing wet socks is actually one thing that contributes to friction and can cause blisters, so having a dry pair at the ready is helpful.
Be sure to check out our list of the best socks for Disney World!
5. Take Measures to Prevent Blisters
This one is so important that I wrote a whole article about how to prevent blisters at Disney World, plus what to do about it if you do develop blisters.
Friction and moisture are common causes of blisters. This is why it’s important to wear shoes that fit properly, the right kind of socks, and have a few handy items tucked into your bag—just in case.
It doesn’t hurt to bring some moleskin and maybe even some Body Glide to reduce friction, just in case you need your own pixie dust magic to save the day.
6. Take Breaks from Walking at the Parks
When you feel your feet and legs starting to get tired, it’s okay to take a break! In fact, this is an important thing to do.
Plan small breaks throughout your day—whether that’s taking time to sit down and eat a meal, or strategically planning for some longer attractions (Carousel of Progress was always my dad’s favorite way to squeeze in a break!), your feet will thank you!
Not only will your feet thank you, but it’s also a great way to stay cool at Disney World, especially if you head to an indoor attraction to sit for a bit.
Another way to cut down on walking is to follow our Disney World transportation tips. For instance, you can take the Friendship boats across World Showcase so you don’t have to walk the entire loop!
7. Ramp Up at Home
If you’re able to, try to start going for regular walks around your neighborhood or a local park a few weeks before your trip.
This will help to strengthen your muscles and build up your endurance leading up to your vacation.
A good stretching routine can be helpful too! Stretching the muscles around our calves, ankles, and feet can go a long way toward minimizing soreness.
You’ll be surprised how much better you’ll feel walking around in Disney World if you’re already in a regular walking and stretching routine.
We have a whole article about how to prepare for walking at Disney World, which may be helpful if you need to start a routine.
8. Pamper Yourself
Last but not least, take a few minutes at the end of the day to pamper yourself just a little!
This is especially a great way to help sore feet at Disney.
At the end of a long day, you could add some Epsom salts to the bathtub and do a hot foot soak back in your hotel room (or do a plain foot soak in the hotel hot tub).
Massage some foot lotion into your feet at the end of the day, focusing on rubbing any tired or sore muscles.
Some foot stretches after a day in the parks can be helpful too, to help limber up your muscles and relieve tension.
You can also treat yourself to a Disney foot massage at one of the spas on property! Many of the resorts have their own spas on-site, allowing you to add a bit of luxury to your Walt Disney World vacation.
Some spa locations where you could obtain leg and foot massages are:
- Senses Spa at the Grand Floridian Resort
- Senses Spa at Saratoga Springs Resort
- Mandara Spa at Walt Disney World Dolphin
- Ship Shape Massage at Disney’s Yacht Resort
- Health and Fitness Spa at Coronado Springs Resort
- Zahanati Massage at Animal Kingdom Lodge
Making Sure Your Disney Feet are Happy Feet
And of course, if you do experience foot woes at Disney World, be sure to stop by one of the First Aid stations, located in each theme park and water park.
With these simple tips and tricks, you can take care of the feet that will carry you through the Kingdom, so you can enjoy all of the magic there is to experience!
More Disney Planning Resources:
- How the Disney Payment Plan Works
- 7 Must-Know Park Hopping Tips
- Disney World Coupon Rewards for Kids
- Visiting Disney World with a Toddler
- What to Pack for Disney World in March
Be sure to Pin this Guide to your Disney travel board on Pinterest so you’ll have it when you need it!
