5 Best Men’s Shoes for Walt Disney World
Selecting the right pair of shoes for your next vacation can be more difficult than you think. It’s not often you take a “vacation” where you expect to walk 10s of thousands of steps each day. So for a Walt Disney World vacation, it’s important to give some thought to your footwear. As a dad, I’ve carried kids on shoulders, pushed strollers and run marathons through all of the Disney Parks. I’ve used that experience to compile a list of the 5 best men’s shoes for Walt Disney World.
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Nike Pegasus 40 at Walt Disney World
Understanding the Importance of Shoe Selection for Walt Disney World
Before we dive into the list, let’s chat about why shoes are critical for a Walt Disney World Vacation. When it comes to visiting Disney World, comfortable shoes are a must-have. You will be walking and standing for long hours, covering around 20,000 steps per day. Foot pain or blisters are a sure fire way to ruin your day and as small as they sound, they can significantly impact your vacation.
Keep in mind that you will not just be walking, but also standing in long lines for attractions. So, shoes that are comfortable for both walking and standing are a must-have.
You don’t want shoes that will slip off getting in and out of attractions, or that lack protection when walking in crowds with hundreds of people and strollers. Most important, you need to consider the impact of rain on your vacation. If you get stuck in a Florida rain storm and your shoes get soaked, will they dry out? Do you have a back-up pair? Trust me, I’ve been in this situation far too many times.
Now that we understand the stakes, let’s check out the list.
5 Best Men's Shoes for Disney World
Here are the top 5 men's shoes for Disney World that will keep your feet happy and comfortable all day long.
Nike Pegasus 39 or 40
The Nike Pegasus is a classic running shoe that is perfect for Disney World. It has a comfortable fit, excellent cushioning, and a durable design that will keep your feet protected.
I’ve worn this shoe for just about every Disney vacation our family has been on (there is a new version each year). I’ve also run multiple half and full marathons in the Nike Pegasus. I can confidently say, it’s the best shoe for style, comfort and price for a Walt Disney World vacation.
One of my favorite aspects of this shoe is the style. They are not too flashy and provide a clean stylish look that can sometimes be hard find for a running shoe. They can be worn with just about anything!
They are breathable enough to get wet and dry out the next day, which can be crucial if you get caught in the Florida rain! They also make a trail version of the shoe with Gore-Tex that is waterproof and a bit more expensive.
The Pegasus 39 is from 2022, so it can be a bit cheaper. The fit, style and comfort of each model is pretty similar, so find the best colorway for you and grab a pair!
2. Hoka One One
Hoka One One is a popular brand among runners and walkers, and their shoes are perfect for Disney World. The Hoka One One shoes have a (very) thick sole that provides excellent cushioning and support, which makes them a great choice for people with foot pain or flat feet.
For comfort, the thick sole is my favorite part. I describe it as walking on thick pillows. They also have a roomy toe box, which allows your toes to spread out and breathe. The sole and toe box can take some getting used to. I’d recommend wearing these a few days before you leave on vacation to get used to them.
I love Hoka’s, particularly for running. But personally, I’m not a huge fan of the style of the shoe. If your focus is on comfort, these are a great option. If you care about the style while walking through the parks or headed out to dinner at Disney Springs, these may take some getting used to!
3. Nike Court Legacy
The Nike Court Legacy is a shoe focused a little more on style. This style from Nike is available to men, women and kids, which is something our family loves. The kids can easily match mom, dad ( or gasp both).
They are comfortable for the parks, but don’t provide the support of a running shoe like the Pegasus or Hoka. They are a great shoe for the parks and a meal at a Signature Restaurant, particularly instead of bringing a “dressier” shoe.
It has a classic design that will match any outfit, and it is made with leather (they also make a canvas version). I found they stretched a bit and became more comfortable the more I wore them.
The Court Legacy has a cushioned insole that provides excellent comfort and support, and it comes in a variety of colors. I prefer the brown accent or the all white/black.
4. Hoka Men's Ora Recovery Sandal
The Hoka Men's Ora Recovery Sandal is a great choice for those who want to give their feet a break after a long day at Disney World. I found these sandals during marathon training when they were recommended to help with recovering from leg soreness after long runs.
These sandals are PERFECT for a resort or pool day following a long day at the parks. They help your legs recover and get you ready for the next day of the vacation.
The downside is I don’t recommend wearing sandals, flip flops or open-toed shoes to the theme parks. But because they are sandals, they don’t take up a ton of extra room in your suitcase. They are a great option for longer vacations when you’ll have some down time outside of the parks.
5. Nike Dunk Retro Low
The Nike Dunk is an iconic shoe that has peaked in popularity of late. Certain colors are sought after by collectors and sneaker fans of all ages. It’s one of my favorite shoes for the parks because it provides a great blend of style and comfort.
They are certainly not built for the comfort of some of the other shoes on our list, but they make up for it in style.
It has a classic design that will match any outfit, and it is made with high-quality leather that will last for years. The Nike Dunk is available at many retailers, though premium colors can carry a premium price.
The biggest downside for the Nike Dunk is the lack of breathability. If you get caught in a Florida rain storm with them on, they are toast for the rest of your vacation. They are not the type of shoe to put in the dryer. I’ve personally experienced getting caught in a surprise pop up shower at the Magic Kingdom while wearing Nike Dunks and the shoes took several days to dry out.
Common Questions and Tips from a Dad’s Experience
Are Flip Flops, Sandals or Open-Toed Shoes permitted at Disney World? Should I bring them?
First, flip flops, sandals and open-toed shoes are permitted at Disney World. I recommend bringing one pair, particularly if you plan to have a resort day at the pool or will be visiting any of the water parks.
These shoes don’t take up much room in your suitcase, so if you don’t end up wearing them, no big deal! I would heavily caution against wearing any flip flops, sandals or open-toed shoes to the theme parks for a number of reasons. New visitors to the theme parks often underestimate the amount of walking involved and let’s face it, these aren’t the greatest shoes for hours of walking.
The parks are crowded, especially for fireworks, queues and shops. The last thing you want is someone stepping on your foot or rolling over it with a stroller while you have no shoes to protect your foot/toes.
Last, they can cause problems getting in and out of ride vehicles as they are more likely to fall off.
Bring the sandals for lounging at the resort or at the pool, but don’t plan to wear them at the parks.
Do You Have to Wear Shoes at Disney World?
Shoes are required outside of the pool areas.
Can I wear Crocs to Disney?
Yes! Our kids love to wear Crocs at the parks. They fall short of my top recommendations, mostly because for me they just aren’t comfortable enough for 20,000+ steps in a day. Further, I’m not a huge fan of the style. I like to wear them around the house. If you need a new pair, check them out on Amazon.
My shoes are wet or uncomfortable, where can I buy new shoes at Disney World?
This has happened to me, unfortunately. You only bring one pair of comfortable walking shoes and get caught in a downpour at the parks. Chances are, the shoes aren’t going to dry out overnight for the next day and wearing wet shoes is a prime opportunity for blisters.
If you fall in this category, you have a few options. First, each Walt Disney World Resort has laundry services available. If it won’t ruin your shoes, toss them in the dryer!
Second, order a pair for delivery to the resort from Amazon Prime. Last, head over to Disney Springs! There are a ton of clothing and shoe stores, including running specialty stores that will have several of the shoes on this list!
Final Thoughts on Choosing the Best Men’s Shoes for a Disney Vacation
When it comes to finding the best men’s shoes for Disney World, there are plenty of options available to you.
The most important thing to keep in mind is that you want to choose a pair of shoes that are comfortable and supportive, and that can stand up to long days of walking and standing. In my experience, I like to bring one shoe focused more on comfort, like the Nike Pegasus, and one shoe focused more on style (particularly for dinner or Disney Springs), like the Nike Dunk or Nike Court Legacy. I also bring a pair of sandals, like the Hoka Ora Recovery slides, for spending time at the Resort or pool to recharge my legs.
No matter which shoes you choose, it's important to break them in before your trip to ensure that they are comfortable and won't cause any blisters or other issues.
And don't forget to pack a few extra pairs of socks, just in case!
Overall, the best shoes for Disney World are the ones that are comfortable, supportive, and can stand up to long days of walking and standing. By choosing the right pair of shoes and taking good care of your feet, you can ensure that your Disney World trip is a comfortable and enjoyable experience from start to finish.
