quote:

Originally posted by bigdeal:
I know you'll get a lot of recommendations for running or jogging shoes, but as someone who's been to Disney more times than I'd like to admit, my go to is always the same... Merrell Moab 2 hiking shoes. They offer terrific support and comfort, and I find them better on super hot asphalt and concrete than running shoes. Once you try a pair and get hooked on them, you might find yourself wearing them casually all the time.

I don't plan on going to Disney but I walk a lot every day so I ordered a pair. The fact that they come in wide sizes really sold me.

On the fastpasses, each person is allowed three fastpasses per day. If you already have your park tickets, you can make fastpass reservations for rides up to 30 days in advance.

If you have a Disney hotel reservation, you can make fastpass reservations up to 60 days in advance.
https://disneyworld.disney.go....s/number-selections/

Fast passes will help for anyone trying to get onto one of the more popular rides like Avatar's Flight of Passage.

For dining, here's all the dining options at Magic Kingdom...
https://disneyworld.disney.go....ining/magic-kingdom/

If you look at some of the quick service menus, you'll see that it has mobile ordering options. You can find a table, then order your food and they'll process your order and let you know when it's ready for pickup.

If you head to Animal Kingdom, eat lunch at Flame Tree BBQ. It's really, really good!

There's also T-Rex Cafe at Disney Springs as well as Rainforest Cafe. There's a second Rainforest Cafe at Animal Kingdom.

If you go to Hollywood Studios and your 4.5 year old is into Star Wars, get there as early as possible and sign them up for Jedi Training. It used to be where the Indiana Jones live show was, but that was closed down, so I don't know where the signup is anymore. They'll schedule you in for a time slot and you come back with your kid and their group does the Jedi Training and they get to go a round with Kylo Ren or Darth Vader.

Tony.

We went several years ago just after my stroke and we walked on average 5 miles a day.(as reported by my smart phone)

Earlier this year we went to Universal and again walked about 5 miles over eight hours.

I wore my new balance sneakers and was fine, little man wore his flops and did just fine, Mrs. Mike wore her sneakers...

I don’t normally walk that much in a day, so I expected some discomfort and took sever Tylenol along with me.

More importantly than shoes, is to stay hydrated. The food booths will give you free water if you ask.

Shoes will be the least of your worries.
Kids in that age group--the best double stroller money can buy-lightweight, foldable , opens quick.
Plan on short adventures- Magic Kingdom for some rides, watch the parade, recovery time. Start the adventure all over again. Repeat this several times until the fireworks begin.

I wore my work boots the last time at Disneyland. If I can work, stand, and walk on concrete 12 hours a day on those, then it will do fine walking around casually.

I've only been to Disney World once and wore Nike hightops.

Don't forget the sunscreen. We forgot it, and had to buy their overpriced bottle at one of their carts.

Simply stay hydrated, September and even into October can still be hot in WDW. Dress as cool as possible, drink lots of water and if you eating evening meals on property make reservations in advance, they fill up quickly.

quote:

Originally posted by SIGfourme:
Shoes will be the least of your worries.
Kids in that age group--the best double stroller money can buy-lightweight, foldable , opens quick.
Plan on short adventures- Magic Kingdom for some rides, watch the parade, recovery time. Start the adventure all over again. Repeat this several times until the fireworks begin.

I agree with this, but there’s new guidelines on the strollers. There’s some sort of footprint they have to be within. Check before buy.

Your shoes are fine, and the water advice is golden. Here’s mine.

Pack your patience, let the stupid flow off you when you encounter it, and do everything you can with the kids. As adults, we have more jaded views. The encounters with cast, the sights, the smells will blow their little minds and they are so much fun. My girls were that age the first time we took them, and one of my favorite memories was doing Small World over and over and over again with my youngest, her eyes wide with wonder each time, staying close at first and leaning out more and more with each time through (and it’s cool in there).

Epcot can still be fun for little ones, but it’s different. The drums at Japan, music at the American Pavilion (Big Bad Voodoo Daddy in November!), the Frozen ride in Norway, fireworks at close. Slow water ride in Mexico that’s a cool escape.

Animal kingdom if they like animals, the Lion King Show is well done. The Animal Kingdom resort has a great buffet in the bottom (reservation required) and practically a zoo out the back. Don’t need to have a room there to eat there.

Hollywood studio has changed a great deal since my last trip, but if they still do Fantasmic at close, they’ll enjoy it.

Have fun. Take more pictures than you think, even selfies, you look back at them later and smile.

quote:

Originally posted by bigdeal:
I know you'll get a lot of recommendations for running or jogging shoes, but as someone who's been to Disney more times than I'd like to admit, my go to is always the same... Merrell Moab 2 hiking shoes. They offer terrific support and comfort, and I find them better on super hot asphalt and concrete than running shoes. Once you try a pair and get hooked on them, you might find yourself wearing them casually all the time.

Thanks. They look decent and I like they are made in wide sizes which is a must for me.

I ended up going with a pair of Saucony running shoes that were in wide and had great reviews.

I like ASICS Nimbus as I have a neutral arch and my wife likes the Kayano for more arch support. Make sure they are well broken in.

I think we logged over 20k steps every day.

We were in Orlando earlier this year. I think the parking was about a mile from the front gate. Couple that with a full day with the grandkids and attractions and I walked 17,968 steps on the first day and spent $30 on 2 hotdogs, chips and soda for lunch. I wore a pair of Sketchers slip-ones with no socks and had no problems.
Mike

I've never owned Sauconys or Merrells, but I just purchased my first Merrells yesterday. The main thing that was keeping me from ever getting Merrells was that they were just too heavy.

I walk 2 or 3 miles each day with my dogs in wet or dry so I will be using these Merrell Hydrotrekkers I just got yesterday. They are light, super comfortable, made for the trail, but are at home in the water.

I would recommend them to anyone and especially to people on their feet all day at a theme park where rain or water rides are.

These just happened to be in the clearance bin at Academy for some reason so they were pretty close to 1/2 off from $90. They have an orange sole, but I think the shoe, overall, looks good. Here is the link if anyone cars: https://www.merrell.com/US/en/...otrekker/36130M.html

I cant read all the replies just now so I offer this, for long on your feet, if you go with New Balance, get the 608s. They are made just for this.

Since you asked about extra socks, here is my advice; Stay away from cotton. In fact, stay away from cotton completely. No cotton socks, no cotton shorts, shirts or even underwear.

Cotton holds moisture and does not dry. When it is wet, it chafes. You do not want chafed feet or a chafed taint.

If you do not already have this type of apparel, go to Target, or Wal-Mart, or Old Navy and buy technical (Cool-Max, polyester) apparel. They have it for guys, girls and even kids.

On Labor Day weekend, you are going to sweat like mad. And this type of apparel will keep you dry, or at least drier, and therefore more comfortable.

I say this as a resident of FL since 89'. And with an 11 year old and 7 year old I have been to the theme parks more than 100 times in the last decade.

closed toe. you will get your foot stepped on at least once due to the crowds.

Regardless of whatever you wear, you're going to be on your feet a long time, you'll walk a modest amount of miles however, you'll be standing a lot. Solid shoes, whether running shoes or, trail hikers are solid choices. Extra socks are pretty handy to have, nothing like a fresh pair to pick-up your step. Sandals are pretty handy to bring in the pack also, Chaco, Teva, Keen, flip-flops are a nice change of pace.

Check their bag policy (always seems to get updated and more restrictive) and if possible, get a rental locker early so you have a place to squirrel your gear and reduce the chance of accidentally leaving something behind.

I was there last week. My new balance running shoes worked just fine.

quote:

Originally posted by holdem:
No cotton socks, no cotton shorts, shirts or even underwear.

Cotton holds moisture and does not dry. When it is wet, it chafes. You do not want chafed feet or a chafed taint.

If you do not already have this type of apparel, go to Target, or Wal-Mart, or Old Navy and buy technical (Cool-Max, polyester) apparel. They have it for guys, girls and even kids.

On Labor Day weekend, you are going to sweat like mad. And this type of apparel will keep you dry, or at least drier, and therefore more comfortable.

I say this as a resident of FL since 89'. And with an 11 year old and 7 year old I have been to the theme parks more than 100 times in the last decade.

I can't agree more with this sentiment. I am fortunate to work across the parking lot from the Columbia Sportswear employee store. We sold them one of our buildings years ago and we get year round access. My job has sent me to high humidity countries like Singapore and Vietnam in past years so I go to the Columbia employee store and see what they have for the latest in moisture wicking clothing.

I have some of their Omni-Freeze shirts and they work great on hot humid days. If you can buy these shirts, I highly recommend them...
https://www.columbia.com/mens-...a-shirt-1728161.html

Any shirt that behaves like this from another maker will be better than cotton.

You really want as much moisture wicking clothing as you can get. I recently switched to polyester mesh underwear and it's much more comfortable in hot weather than cotton. Any hiking or cargo shorts will be better than denim pants. You'll sweat like a hog in denim pants. It will all keep you from stinking at the end of the day too.

Try to eliminate as much cotton as possible on your clothing, and use sunscreen. Wear a hat, and one that breathes.

Tony.