9 Best Shoes for Disneyland & Theme Parks in 2024

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Family Travel Folio is not connected with any companies represented within this article. Any information we post has been researched and gathered for your convenience, and properly sourced. Our opinions are our own and do not reflect or represent any of the companies listed. 

We all know theme parks require a lot of walking, especially Disney parks. So what are the best shoes for Disneyland or Walt Disney World?

Any shoe that promotes good foot health, provides support and is comfortable for a full day of being on your feet.

Sure you may sit down for a bite at the Jolly Holiday Bakery Cafe, but chances are you’ll be snacking on that churro or other delicious Disney snacks while making your way to the next Disneyland attraction.

In fact, we’ve compared the number of steps from multiple camping trips with hikes to a Disneyland vacation. Disneyland won on most steps by far.

An average of 10,000 steps per day at about 2,000 steps per mile is at least 5 miles a day. With the benefits of Genie Plus pass for Disneyland and California Adventure park hopping, you can easily average 15,000-20,000 steps per day. Walt Disney World is more spread out and can add up to an even higher daily mileage.

I’ve rounded up the most comfortable shoes for walking for women, men, and kids based on personal experience and product reviews.

What are the best shoes for Disneyland?

Here are my top picks for the best shoes to wear at Disneyland and Disney Parks.

HOKA ONE ONE Women’s/Men’s Bondi 7 Running Shoes

With a seal of approval from the APMA (American Podiatric Medical Association), the HOKA ONE ONE Women’s Bondi 7 Running Shoes supports good foot health and comfort for those on their feet all day. They also have the same HOKA One One Bondi 7 for men.

This HOKA ONE ONE is the most cushioned shoe from HOKA to date and has a plush ankle collar to help fit any size. This great shoe for Disneyland is available in regular and wide sizes.

It curves up at the toe and heel for a rocking shape to help with the natural movement of running and walking. Although at Disneyland we don’t run, we “walk with purpose.”

This shoe is typically worn by professionals who stand on their feet all day. I wear them in the lab at work, and they are definitely supportive and comfortable.

Best Features:

• Breathable Mesh
• Rocker Shape (toe to heel)
• Plush Ankle Collar
• Cushioned Midsole
• APMA Seal of Acceptance
• Recycled Materials

New Balance Women’s/Men’s Fresh Foam X 1080v12

New Balance is well known for its walking and running shoes. Choose from narrow, standard, wide, and extra wide for a custom fit to any foot. 

The Women’s Fresh Foam 1080v12 and Men’s Fresh Foam 1080v12 is the latest update to this New Balance 1080 shoe.

Disneyland with this New Balance shoe should be no problem. This shoe has it all with comfort, support, and a variety of color themes to choose from.

Best Features:

• Breathable Mesh
• Rebound Support
• Flexible Zones
• Cushioned Foam Midsole
• 3% Recycled Materials

Skechers Max Cushioning Elite

Slip on these comfortable Skechers shoes for your day at Disneyland.

The Women’s Max Cushioning Elite and Men’s Max Cushioning Elite have an insole and a platform fully cushioned for excellent arch support.

Its lightweight, breathable mesh design makes it an excellent choice for travel. The cushion and comfort design makes it a great shoe choice for Disneyland.

Plus 5% of the shoe is made from recycled rubber, so you’re also helping the planet by investing in recycled material.

Best Features:

• Breathable Mesh
• Rocker Shape (toe to heel)
• Insole Rebound Cushion
• Lightweight
• 5% Recycled Rubber

Disney Monsters, Inc. Stan Smith

The Stan Smith Adidas collection showcases a wide variety of Disney-themed shoes.

Their subtle Disney design makes them the perfect addition to any Disney-themed wardrobe.

These shoes may not be the best option for those that need the extra support and cushion, but they are a perfect casual option for those that don’t.

The Disney character or Icon is on the tongue of the shoe just above the laces, and also on the inner lining.

We are linking to the Disney Monsters, Inc. shoe (I love the blue & green color scheme), but just scroll through the other color options for some other designs. 

Other Disney Adidas shoe options for adults include Star Wars, Peter Pan & Tinker Bell, Kermit & Miss Piggy, and more.

Best Features:

• Disney Character Designs
• 50% Recycled Material

What are the best kid’s shoes for Disneyland?

Disneyland is often a family fun day or vacation, so we can’t forget shoes for the little ones.

Honestly, if your baby is not walking yet, socks or soft sole shoes will be best. The toddlers and kids that will be walking and running all over Disneyland need some sturdier soles.

Here are my top pick kids’ shoes for Disneyland.

Baby Soft Sole Disney Shoes from Freshly Picked

Adorable meets practical with these Disney-inspired shoes. 

The soft leather and suede handmade shoes are perfect for little ones not quite walking on their own yet.

With toddler sizes 1-7, these are perfect for your newborns and early walkers.

Choose from various patterns such as Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, Toy Story, Belle, or Ariel. There’s even a Disney Sweets print.

Best Features:

• Elastic Opening
• Soft Leather & Suede
• Disney Character Designs

Adidas x Disney Snow White FortaRun Shoes

I love these Disney Snow White FortaRun Shoes for kids from Adidas.

It’s great to have kids wear princess dresses to the parks, but they should be paired with sensible shoes, not dress-up princess heels.

Sizes 10.5K to 7, this is the perfect compromise for any little Disney princess. It adds the fun of a Disney princess character and offers better support and even a cushioned midsole.

The velcro closure makes it very easy for kids to put on their own shoes when getting ready to head into Disneyland.

Best Features:

• Disney Character Design
• Cloudfoam Midsole
• Velcro Closure

Adidas x Disney Pixar Buzz Lightyear Response Super 2.0 Shoes

Great shoes for running around Disneyland, the Adidas Disney Buzz Lightyear Response Super 2.0 Shoes have an extra midsole design for running support.

Sizes range from 3.5-7, perfect for older kids and teens.

If you’re looking for an Adidas Buzz Lightyear shoe without laces, then check out the FortaRun Shoes (similar style as the Snow White version listed above) with velcro closure.

Best Features:

• Breathable Mesh
• Disney Character Design
• BOOST Midsole
• Lace Closure

DSW Disney Princess Sneaker – Kids’

Take a look at this Disney Princess Sneaker from DSW.

Shoes that light up are great for when the sun starts to go down. It makes it easy to see where your kids are, and it’s super fun for them. 

The pink shoe features Mulan, Rapunzel, Ariel, and Jasmine. It has elastic laces with velcro closure and is padded along the shoe’s tongue and collar.

Best Features:

• Padded Tongue & Collar
• Elastic and Velcro Closure
• Disney Character Design

Disney Boys’ Pixar Cars Sneakers – Light-Up Lightning McQueen Shoes (Toddler/Boy)

Another light-up shoe option is the Disney Pixar Cars Sneakers from Disney..

Lightning McQueen is on the side of these awesome shoes, perfect for Disneyland and California Adventure.

Best Features:

• Padded Tongue & Collar
• Elastic and Velcro Closure
• Disney Character Design

How do I keep my feet from hurting at Disneyland?

The best way to keep your feet from hurting at Disneyland is to invest in a good pair of shoes that provide comfort and support for your feet.

Break them in well before your Disneyland vacation so you don’t get new shoe blisters.

Wear good socks to Disneyland, not old threadbare socks that will let your feet rub on the shoe. Cotton socks are breathable and lightweight. Merino wool socks help keep sweat and moisture away from your skin, while also providing warmth.

If you need extra cushion from your socks too, you can always take a look at hiking socks.

Bring a blister kit just in case. Better to have it and not need it than to need it and not have it.

Tips for Happy Feet at Disneyland

• Shoes with Support
• Break in Shoes Prior to Disneyland
• Proper Socks
• Blister Kit

What shoes should you NOT wear to Disney?

These are the worst shoes for Disneyland, so do your feet a favor and give them better support and comfort.

Even if you wear some of these options on a regular abscess, Disneyland and Walt Disney World are places where you are walking a lot, standing in line a lot, and then walking some more.

Sure you might take a break here and there or sit down on the rides, but don’t underestimate the walking and standing between Disneyland attractions and dining reservations.

Crocs

Crocs may be popular for comfort and a lightweight footwear option, but they are not ideal for proper foot support or walking all day.

Flip Flops 

Flip-flops are a staple in the southern California wardrobe. 

We wear them everywhere all year long. After all, they are comfy and convenient.

BUT, they do not have any kind of support for your feet.

Also, speaking from experience, if someone gives you a flat tire (accidentally steps on the back of your sandal), a flip flop can easily break and then you have no shoe.

At least there are shoes in the Disney store, but that brings me to my next point…

New Shoes

Now is NOT the time to break in that new pair of super cute, super comfy shoes.

Even if it has the best arch support, it will take a few wears to mold to your feet and not chaff your heel or rub against your toes.

Wearing new shoes 24/7 multiple days in a row is a recipe for blisters.

Blisters are the last thing you want to deal with when walking around all day at Disneyland.

High Heels

Leave the fancy night-out shoes at home.

High heels are not practical or comfortable for walking around all day, and they increase the chances of a twisted ankle.

Maybe if you’re a guest at a Disneyland wedding…but even then, pack comfortable shoes for that day, and then you can change into heels for the main event.

Shoes with No Support

Not all shoes have support for your feet. 

Anything flat with no cushion is probably not an ideal option.

If you walk all day all the time in a particular shoe that lacks extra cushion and supportive design, then go ahead and wear it.

Just don’t complain to me if 30 miles and 3 days later your feet change your mind for you…

What kind of shoes should I wear to Disneyland?

The type of shoe you wear to Disneyland really comes down to personal preference.

However, if you want to make sure you have the proper foot support for multiple days of a lot of walking, then you will want to go with 

• Arch Support
• Cushioned Sole
• Breathable Material
• Good Socks

Summary of the Best Shoes for Disneyland

Overall the best shoe to wear to Disneyland comes down to what you will be most comfortable in. 

My opinion is that the HOKA ONE One is the best shoe for standing and walking all day, especially factoring in “speed walking” for those rope drop mornings.

Skechers Max Cushioning Elite is the perfect lightweight, travel, and Disneyland shoe. 

The best Disney-themed shoe for Disneyland would be from Adidas. A well-known and trusted brand, these everyday wear shoes will add that extra Disney-themed detail to your Disneyland vacation. Although they don’t have a lot of extra cushion or support if you need it.

So the best shoes for Disneyland? Where comfort meets style meets arch support.

Family Travel Folio is not connected with any companies represented in this article. Any information we post has been researched and gathered for your convenience, and properly sourced. Our opinions are our own and do not reflect or represent any of the companies listed. Links may be affiliate links where we earn a small commission at no additional cost to you.