How to Avoid Blisters at Disney

Here’s the ultimate guide on how to avoid blisters at Disney World!

Luck for you and unfortunately for me, I’ve had lots of experience with getting horrible blisters at Walt Disney World. But, due to lots of trial and error, I have a lot of great information to share with you!

You’ll do a LOT of walking at Disney World. If you put in long days at the parks to get your money’s worth, you could possibly walk between 10k-20k steps in a day. Especially if you walk across the park a few times to take advantage of Lightning Lanes.

At the end of your first long day, the last thing you want to be dealing with is a blister on your foot! I’ve had a Disney trip where by the end of the week my foot was fully wrapped in moleskin pads to be able to function. That’s not what we want for you (or me) going forward!

Today, I’m going to share my best tips for avoiding blisters from shoes. Don’t miss the item at the end – it’s the real game changer!

Don’t Wear Brand New Shoes

Alright. This might be obvious, but we are starting with the basics.  Don’t wear new shoes.  The best possible shoes for Disney World are the ones you have taken the time to break in.  

I’ve made this mistake. A pair of shoes needs to be worn regularly for at least a month before you try to wear them to Disney theme parks.

So, if you are thinking that you need new shoes for Disney World, make sure you buy them right away so you can start breaking them in.  Months of wearing them is guaranteed to help you know if they are comfortable as well as break them in to be comfortable for a long day in the Disney parks.

If you are in the market for some new shoes, be sure to check out our Best Shoes for Disney article.

Break In Your Sandals Again

This is just a friendly reminder that if you haven’t worn a pair of sandals in several months….that your foot won’t be used to them the first day. You’ll have to “break them in” again.

If you’ve ever tried to wear Birkenstocks after a long winter, you know what I mean. So, if you want to bring along sandals (which I do advise!) be sure to wear them consistently before your trip.

Always Pack Sneakers

Sneakers  (or tennis shoes) are always the best option for theme park shoes. They are by far the best walking shoes because of the excellent foot support and comfort for walking long distances.

 Plus, I can’t say enough about having shoes that fully protect your feet. It’s the worst when someone steps on your bare toes or heel in a crowd.

Wearing the right shoes is always a good idea.

Bring Extra Shoes

Always pack several pairs of comfortable shoes. You need options. It’s not about having cute shoes, but rather good shoes that are comfortable for long periods of time.

If you get caught in one of Florida’s infamous afternoon rain storms, or you soak your shoes on water rides, you don’t have to wear wet shoes the next day. Wet shoes lead to blisters. It’s all of that rubbing.

It’s also good to be able to swap shoes every other day. Each pair of shoes tends to rub differently, which will help you avoid blisters.

Ideally, I like to pack 2 pairs of sneakers and 1 pair of Birkenstock sandals.

Avoid Flip Flops

You need to avoid wearing flip flops.  There’s absolutely no support for your feet and by the end of the day all you will be left with is regret.

If you want to wear sandals, be sure to look into Birkenstocks.

Flip flops are inadequate footwear for a theme park – you need good arch support for multiple long days of walking.

Wear Good Socks

Comfortable well made socks make a big difference in how your feet feel at end of the day.  In fact, your socks matter just as much as your shoes do!  

Personally, my daughter and I use these Adidas socks in white. They are well cushioned and I love that they protect my heels from getting blisters.

My daughter wears these same socks for running cross-country. They are great for long distance running!

And on the subject of socks.  Make sure you pack an extra pair of socks or rather a few more than you think.  

You don’t want to have to wear wet socks if you get caught in a mid-day downpour and being able to go back to the hotel and put on fresh socks can go a long way in preventing blisters.

Take Up Walking

The best way to prepare for your Disney World Vacation is to start walking at least 10,000 steps a day several months before your trip.  

Even if you start just a month before, this will reduce the amount of rest breaks you will need as well as help you avoid sore feet.  

If you have a child that you feel is borderline needing a stroller, this can also help you leave the stroller at home.  We try to have our kids play outside for at least an hour each day to help them be active and ready for all the walking at Disney.  

Alternatively you could start taking family walks each day.  Our kids haven’t needed a stroller at Disney after age 4 because their bodies are prepared for all the activity and walking.

(Not that they aren’t tired at Disney, but that tiredness can easily be remedied by taking regular breaks, proper hydration, going back to the hotel room for a rest, or visiting one of the countless attractions where you can sit and relax and watch a show.)

The Game Changer: Body Glide

If you have everything else on this list checked off: you have great shoes that provide great support, you’ve invested in good socks, you have 2-3 pairs of shoes for your trip, then you are all set for this last game changer.

I 100% attribute Body Glide Foot Glide for helping me avoid ANY blisters on my last trip to Disney World.

I first heard about Body Glide on a Disney Facebook group. The original Body Glide helps with chaffing (and it’s an amazing product that I never knew existed!)

Well, talk about a game changer….while I was perusing Amazon to buy Body Glide I noticed that they also make a Foot Glide. It’s looks like a tiny deodorant bottle, but basically you apply it (like deodorant) onto the places on your foot that tend to get blisters.

I like to cover my entire heel, over top of my toes, and the sides of my foot with it. It’s not slippery, it won’t make you slip around, but it provides a lubricant so that your socks and shoes don’t rub your foot. It’s like magic. And we all need a little extra Disney magic on our feet, don’t we!

Do yourself a HUGE favor and grab a bottle of this Foot Glide, it just might be the most important thing you pack. And take my word for it, you’ll want the Body Glide as well.

How to Treat a Blister

Well, if you did all of the above and you get a blister….first of all, I will be shocked. The Foot Glide product is top notch…and pair it with excellent shoes and socks and you really shouldn’t need anything else.

However, I love to be prepared for the worst case scenarios. I’m a mom of 4, after all.

So, I would advise you to bring along Dr. Scholl’s Moleskin along with a small pair of scissors.

If you do get a blister for some reason, this moleskin can be used to cover it up so that your shoe doesn’t rub against your blister. There’s nothing worse than a blister on the back of your ankle. 

You could also have blister Bandaids on hand in case you need one. 

Alright! I hope this has helped you in a life-changing way!

If you scrolled to the bottom accidentally, don’t miss this Foot Glide Product. It is literally the piece of the puzzle that you are lacking. It’s shockingly good at preventing blisters.

More Disney Tips

Planning a trip to Disney? We’ve got you covered!

Here’s a list of the Best Adult Shoes for Disney. You’ll find all of our top recommendations for comfortable shoes.

Get your kids ready for a day of walking with our selections for Best Shoes for Disney for Kids! We have 4 kids, so…..we know!

Learn all about How to Avoid Motion Sickness at Disney here. All our best remedies along with a list of rides that may cause motion sickness.

Wondering what to pack in your Disney Park bag?  Grab our free printable checklist here.

Love Grogu (aka Baby Yoda?) Here’s everything you need to know about where to meet the Mandalorian and Grogu at Disney.

Learn all the best rides in Magic Kingdom for Toddlers here as well as the Best Rides for Adults in the Happiest Place on Earth.