There's no common answer in my family. My daughter steps out in her flip-flops, to the disbelief of her mother, who carefully dons white socks and sturdy athletic shoes before each theme park visit. Laurie often gets a nasty heat rash on her lower legs and ankles when she spends too much time walking around a park, so she always covers up now, in an attempt to prevent that.
Brian and I typically opt for sandals, though if I'm working at the park, covering a press event, I'll usually wear more business-like attire, such as my old "Disney look" black leather dress shoes and long pants.
A bad choice for footwear can ruin a day in the parks, since you're spending so much of your time on your feet. You want something that helps your feet to feel comfortable. But while some people need the support of athletic shoes, others prefer more lightweight and cooler options.
So what do you wear? Let's restrict the voting to what was on your feet on your most recent visit, instead of what you think you typically wear. And if your most recent trip to a park involved, working, select the character/dress shoe options (unless you get to wear sneakers or sandals at your workplace - I got to wear sneakers on Tom Sawyer Island, one of the reasons why I liked working there so much!)
If you've got any interesting, funny or horrific stories about shoes and theme parks, please share 'em in the comments. And thanks, again, for reading Theme Park Insider!
Update: Are Crocs sandals or flip-flops? I don't know! If that's what you wear, though, pick which of these categories you feel best describes that footwear.
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Crocs or sandals are great for the water rides. I usually take an pair of sandals or aqua-shoes for the water rides in a backpack.
I usually opt for flip flops when I head to Universal, as I usually just see the shows and catch just a few rides, so I don't do too much walking and my flip flops are quite comfortable.
In one where there are no water rides (Disney or not), I wear either water shoes or sneaks - it depends on mood.
I would vote crocs too (like all y'all) but dang... it just doesn't match well with my mini skirts.
I try to where something that I would wear out in public, usually nice shoes, khaki/cargo shorts, collared t-shirt, and a baseball hat. I'm uncomfortable wearing wife-beaters, sandals, swimsuits, or other casual attire in crowds that large. I like to appear somewhat presentable.
I have been intrigued by Crocs, but since I wear size 14 shoes, I have never seen them in my size. So when I go to a theme park, I wear a nice pair of broken in sneakers. I may bring a change of socks with me too if I can remember. You know, for those times you ride Popeye at Islands of Adventure but don't have enough time to get your shoes off. It happens!
a few years ago I was at the Islands of Adventure with my brother-in-law who wore some new Adidas sandals (the vinly / rubbery kind). By the end of the day he was walking around barefoot because he found it more comfortable, that is how bad the sandals got. I'm telling you, sneakers are the only way to go.
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