Can You Wear Flip-Flops at Disneyland in 2023?

Can you wear flip-flops to Disneyland?

When you go on a vacation to one of the great theme parks what you wear on your feet can mean the difference between having a brilliant time or being miserable when you are walking around.

Disneyland and Disney World are magical places and attract millions of visitors each year but I know that many of the people making the trip are going to regret their footwear choices after a few hours in one of these parks.

My own visits to the Disney parks have included both US theme parks as well as Hong Kong Disneyland so it could be said that I know a reasonable amount about what footwear to wear on the rides.

I know the shoes you choose to wear are crucial because you are going to spend long days walking around, standing in line and going on rides. This means you need footwear that is going to be comfortable and suitable for your visit.

Here’s a picture of myself and my husband with Mickey in one of the Disney parks just before I ruined my shoes on a water ride. So you don’t make the same mistakes I did here’s what you need to know before deciding on what to wear on your feet during your visit.

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My Personal Pick for The Best Shoe to Wear at Disneyworld

There are plenty of different shoe styles that you can wear at the Disney parks but I have to come back to my favorite brand for walking shoes which is Sketchers.

Sketchers are not as on-trend or as flashy as some sneaker brands but boy are they comfortable. Plus they are generally significantly cheaper than many of the more expensive names.

I have a number of pairs but a good old pair of sneakers is my favorite because they are lightweight, easy to take on and off and they love my feet.

The Summit style comes in men’s and women’s sizes and are brilliant walking shoes for wearing around the parks.

Skechers Summits Louvin Loafer

Disneyland Footwear Guide

Disneyland is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world, and it is important to know what footwear to wear before you go. Here are some important things to keep in mind:

The Anaheim location has weather that is mostly mild during the day and has little rain days. The evenings however can get quite cold in the winter and spring.

Disney world is significantly warmer but has significantly more days of rain with the summer months experiencing the rainiest days.

This means that your choice of footwear needs to be able to withstand these weather variations.

Yes, of course, you can wear flip-flops to both theme parks but in the winter your feet can get cold if you stay around the parks for the evening plus they might get drenched in the rain, especially in the Florida park.

Then we need to talk about why flip-flops might not be the most practical choice of footwear for a day at the parks.

The average visitor to these parks walks around 7-10 miles in a day! They also can be standing in long queues for rides.

With this much walking and standing, you need shoes that provide you with support and cushioning. Flip-flops especially cheap ones are likely to cause you problems such as blisters and could easily break.

The Best Flip-Flops For Disney World and Disneyland

Can you wear flip-flops to Disneyland? Well if you are going to wear flip-flops choose ones such as FitFlop Women’s Surfa Flip-Flops which have added arch support and cushioning.

I’m not a personal fan of flip-flops because of my foot problems but plenty of people swear by FitFlops and wear them all the time.

Why Bringing Backup Shoes Makes Sense

Don’t make the error that I did when going to Disney World and wear the wrong shoes.

You see the weather and comfort isn’t the only thing you need to consider when you are in the parks. You also need to consider the rides as well.

I wore a pair of comfortable flats in the park thinking I had made a great choice until I went on one of the water rides. When I came off the ride my flats were soaked and ruined by the water.

Lesson learned! Can you wear flip-flops to Disneyland? Well, flip-flops would have been ideal for that water ride but not ideal for walking around the whole park. Therefore it would have made sense for me to have swapped into them for that ride and then changed shoes once the ride had finished.

As well as considering the water rides there are some rides that may require you to wear closed-toe shoes or ones with back straps for safety reasons.

A little research shows that for the most part, both Disney parks are flip-flop friendly but there are a few exceptions.

The Soarin’ Around the World ride at Epcot has seats that lift off the ground so you need to place certain items in compartments underneath your seats. If you are wearing sandals or flip-flops that could fall off your feet it would make sense to remove them before the ride.

If you are staying at the Walt Disney World Resort where there are additional attractions flip-flops are not allowed on:

Overall, it is best to choose comfortable and practical footwear for your day at Disneyland. Sneakers or other closed-toe shoes are a great option, and sandals with straps or other supportive features may also be acceptable.

Can You Wear Flip-Flops to Universal Studios?

I thought I might as well mention Universal Studios whilst I am talking about theme parks as plenty of people venture there as well as the Disney parks. I’ve been to the one in Florida and in Singapore and had a great time but I made sure I was wearing sneakers when I walked around for comfort.

At Universal, there are no particular guidelines stopping you from wearing flip-flops but they are going to be problematic on some of the rollercoaster rides or rides like Dr. Doom where you are in the air, twisting, turning, dangling, and being flipped upside down.

Travelers have found that lots of the ride staff will allow you to take your flip-flops off when you get on the ride and sit on them for the duration of the experience so they don’t fall off your feet. Alternatively, some people put them over their wrists and wear them on the rides,

Those of you that may be tempted to keep them on understand that it might be a big struggle trying to keep your grip on your footwear whilst dealing with the ride moving around so fast.

Footwear Guidelines For Most Theme Parks

When it comes to footwear at Disneyland or any other theme parks I have been to there are a few footwear guidelines to keep in mind.

Comfort is key: Disneyland and most theme parks are large and involve plenty of walking, so make sure to wear shoes that are comfortable and supportive. Avoid shoes that are too tight or too loose, as they can cause blisters or other foot problems.
Avoid flip-flops: While flip-flops may be comfortable, they are not the best choice for Disneyland or theme parks in general. They offer little support and can easily slip off on rides or in crowded areas. Closed-toe shoes are a better option. They are however great to carry in your bag to change into for water rides to save your other shoes from getting wet.
Consider the weather: Depending on the time of year, it may be hot or rainy at Disneyland. Make sure to wear shoes that are appropriate for the weather. Sandals or open-toe shoes may be fine in the summer, but you’ll want something more waterproof in the winter.
Check the ride restrictions: Whilst I have covered some of the rides where you need to be concerned about flip-flops the parks are developing all the time and policies change. Make sure you check any restrictions before getting in line to avoid disappointment.

By following these guidelines, you can ensure that your feet stay comfortable and safe throughout your visit. Remember, the key is to choose shoes that are comfortable, supportive, and appropriate for the weather and ride restrictions.

Pros and Cons of Wearing Flip-Flops to Disneyland

Can you wear flip-flops at Disneyland? Well yes you can and sometimes that can be a comfortable and convenient option, but they also have their downsides. Here are some pros and cons to consider before making your decision:

Pros

Easy to put on and take off: Flip-flops are easy to slip on and off, which can be handy when going through security or getting on rides that require you to remove your shoes.
Breathable: Flip-flops are open-toed, which allows your feet to breathe and can be especially helpful on hot days.
Lightweight: Flip-flops are generally lightweight and won’t weigh you down as you walk around the park.
Waterproof: Flip-flops are brilliant for water rides and can get wet without being ruined.

Cons

No arch support: Flip-flops offer little to no arch support, which can lead to achy feet, blisters, and discomfort, especially if you plan on walking around the park all day. Remember it can be 10 miles of walking!
No protection: Your feet are exposed in flip-flops, which means they’re more susceptible to getting stepped on, sunburned, or injured if you accidentally kick something.
Not suitable for all rides: Some rides require closed-toed shoes, so if you’re wearing flip-flops, you may not be able to go on certain attractions.
They fall off: Rollercoasters throw you in every direction and can flip you upside down. Try gripping on to your cheap flip-flops when you are doing this and you are going to be challenged. Don’t let them fall off your feet and wear walking shoes or sneakers instead.

Ultimately, the decision to wear flip-flops to Disneyland depends on your personal preferences and the activities you have planned. If you’re looking for a lightweight and breathable option and don’t mind sacrificing arch support and foot protection, flip-flops may be a good choice. However, if you’re concerned about foot fatigue, sunburn, or injuries, you may want to opt for a more supportive and protective shoe.

Alternative Shoes and Sandals for Theme Parks

Whilst plenty of people choose flip-flops to wear at Disneyland their footwear choices are often one of regret and sore feet after a long day of walking and standing. So what should you wear instead?

Well, I’ve already discussed one of my favorite shoes for the parks but there are plenty of other alternatives to flip-flops such as sandals that have ankle straps. An ankle strap means that your footwear is much less likely to come off on rides like rollercoasters plus they keep your feet cool on a hot day.

Try and look for sandals that have cushioning and arch support if you can for extra comfort.

Disneyland Sandals – Teva Women’s Hurricane Xlt2 Sandal

Teva sandals are a great alternative to flip-flops as they can handle water and have an ankle strap that keeps them firmly on your feet.

The Teva brand is known for making super comfortable sandals so they are a great choice for a Disney vacation in the summer months.

The only issue is they have is that they are open-toed shoes/sandals which means if it is raining all day your feet will get wet. Whilst if the weather is super hot your feet can get sunburnt so make sure you use plenty of sunscreen on your feet if you are wearing them.

Sneakers are my personal preference because they make great walking shoes.

Good sneakers that have cushioning and that are breathable are going to keep your feet much more comfortable than cheap flip-flops plus they will protect your feet as you walk around Walt Disney World and Disneyland.

Remember you can easily switch to flip-flops on rides that involve water such as Splash Moutain and then revert back to sneakers on ones that need enclosed shoes.

Make sure you wear some moisture-wicking socks with them as well to keep your feet dry. From experience, I would bring a spare pair as well just in case they get too sweaty or wet from rides.

Sketchers Women’s Go Walk Arch Fit Sneaker

My go-to sneakers for walking around on holiday are Sketchers because they are ultra comfortable and seem to prevent tendonitis problems in my foot.

These arch-fit sneakers are a perfect example of a well-priced comfortable sneaker that is enclosed and will work brilliantly on Disney trips.

If you don’t like this particular style Sketchers have a huge range of alternatives that you can select from in lots of different colors.

If you want to do what I did and wear cushioned flats that can work as well but whatever you do please take them off before you go on a water ride. Mine almost disintegrated by the end of the day and I ended up having to buy a new pair. Luckily the States has great outlet centers but that isn’t really the point. Nobody wants to ruin their shoes.

Cushioned flats can look a little more stylish than sneakers but they aren’t necessary for a theme park setting where everyone is looking relatively casual.

Naturalizer Women’s Flexy Ballet Flat

I’m a big lover of ballet pumps because they are so easy to put on and take off. These Naturalizer pumps are a great budget style and even though they are synthetic they have a breathable lining to keep your feet fool.

These also have a footbed with cushioning and arch support which makes them less likely to cause sore feet. The arch support also adds stability to your foot when you are walking around.

Choosing the right shoes to wear to Disneyland or Disney World doesn’t have to be difficult if you take time to think about the activities that you are going to be doing whilst you are there.

Sandals, shoes, and even ballet pumps can work providing you make sure you concentrate on comfort and support.

I would highly recommend breaking in some shoes or sandals and doing some longish walks before your trip just to make sure you have the right walking shoes before you go. Do not wear new shoes, sandals, or sneakers. The last thing you want is to get to the resort and find out that you have made the wrong choice.

Disneyland Shoe Policy and Common Sense

Walt Disney World and Disneyland are relatively lenient with their shoe policy. For nearly all of the rides wearing flip-flops really is a personal choice and left up to their customers.

Just remember that whilst flip-flops might be comfortable and convenient for short walks they aren’t always the best option you could choose for a day at the parks.

Flip-flops can be dangerous on certain rides and attractions, and they do not provide adequate support for long periods of walking and standing. Plus they may not be appropriate for certain dress codes or weather conditions.

However, if you choose to wear flip-flops, there are ways to make them more comfortable and safe. Consider purchasing a pair with arch support and non-slip soles, and be mindful of the park’s rules and regulations regarding footwear.

Can you wear flip-flops to Disneyland and Disney World? Ultimately, the decision to wear flip-flops to Disneyland is up to you. Just be sure to weigh the pros and cons and make an informed choice based on your own comfort and safety.

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