Want to know how to avoid Disney feet and block those blisters? These 6 essential tips will help you beat blisters and sore feet on your next Disney trip!
If you are visiting any Disney park, particularly if you are doing a few days at Walt Disney World Resort parks, you will be covering a ton of miles! So how do you avoid getting those pesky, painful blisters that will slow you down and make you grumpy too? And how do you avoid having “Disney Feet”?
Check out these doctor-approved tips to stay blister and sore-feet-free while covering 20,000 plus steps per day.
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Essential items to pack for blister blockers and beating Disney feet!
What are Disney feet? I love this term and I thought I coined it as a child! But given many others are searching for this term, sadly I did not. Disney Feet are sore, achy, blister-filled feet that happen after walking thousands of steps at a Disney park. In this post, I have tips on what to pack, what kind of shoes and socks to wear, and how to treat a blister to avoid disaster! So, let’s dive in:
1. Pack the Best Shoes for Disney
Wear good shoes to beat sore feet at Disney….yes, I know that’s an obvious one, but you would be surprised how many people don’t think about this when visiting a Disney park.
In the Florida parks there are many rainy days, and in all parks there is soooo much ground to cover, so avoid here is what to avoid:
- tight shoes that squeeze the sides of your feet
- new shoes
- shoes that rub the top of your heel.
Check out my blog all about the 7 best shoes for Disney to get some good ideas!
2. Pack good socks to beat sore feet.
Wear good, moisture wicking socks. Good socks are essential to long, hot days at the Disney Parks!
Let’s be honest feet sweat, and Central Florida is super rainy. Anaheim can be rainy too. So, be sure to pack the best socks- not too thin, moisture-wicking, and cotton-based.
3. Pack plenty of moleskins, blister blockers, or pads.
Pack plenty of moleskin, blister bandages, or pads. These are examples of items that can both block blisters from forming, as well as help avoid further friction when a blister has formed.
Try to pack a couple of different options (which is why I linked a few above). Also consider trying them out ahead of time on one of your long training walks (yes, you have to train for this kind of vacation, unless you are already a big walker). This will help you know which type you like best and which works best for you.
I like packing the blister bandages as I find them to be the most effective and most comfortable. Many people like the moleskin as it can be purchased in a sheet, and cut to fit based on what you need. So, it’s great to pack this too, as well as some small cuticle scissors to cut the pad. 
4. Use a lubricant like the runners do!
Lubricants made of barrier agents like comfrey leaf exract and apricot kernel oil can help problem spots on your feet be more mobile and less prone to constant friction in the same spot. I like Body Glide Foot Glide as it comes in a deodorant-like stick and is easy to apply, petroleum-free, and not messy.
Also, remember calluses are useful! I know we tend to shave them off or have a manicurist do this in hopes of having pretty feet. But they serve a purpose and make our feet more hardy and tough.
Calluses come in handy during high-friction walking days. So, unless you are planning on doing a foot-focused photo shoot on your Disney parks vacation, keep those callused areas intact!
5. Keep your feet dry.
During a Disney vacation, especially in my home state of Florida, you will likely either get rained on or get splashed with water. I’m looking at you Tiana’s Bayou Adventure, Kali River Rapids and Grizzly River Run!
Be sure to keep a spare set of socks and/or shoes with you. In the warmer months you can pack a slim pair of flip flops. If you don’t want to do that then at least pack a small bottle of cornstarch to wick away some moisture. And don’t forget those moisture-wicking socks- they are essential! 
So, what do you do if you get a blister?
It’s important to also know what to do if you DO get Disney Feet and/or you get a blister. As a physician I see many patients handling it the wrong way. It’s important to avoid an infection- that would be one way to ruin your Disney trip!
So let’s look at these important tips for treating your blisters with loving care!
Blister Care Tips
- Try not to pop it! I have patients tell me all the time they popped their blisters, and I have seen this lead to infection. Keep that blister intact!
- If it does pop then keep it as clean as possible, apply antibiotic ointment, and cover it with gauze and tape or a bandage.
- Change the bandage daily, make sure the open skin is clean, and apply new antibiotic ointment.
- If you see green or yellow drainage from the blister area, and particularly if the red area around the skin gets more red and spreads in diameter or has red streaks going from it, see your doctor or use one of the local on-call physicians that serve the Disney resorts. These are signs of infection and infection of the skin can spread quickly. This is particularly important for those who might be immunocompromised and/or have diabetes. Don’t mess around if you see these signs!
- If your blister has any of the above signs of infection and you get a fever please be seen by a physician or healthcare provider. There are several hospitals close to any of the United States Disney Parks, or even free-standing Urgent Care or Emergency Medicine Clinics. Advent Health Care offers video visits, urgent care, and doctor visits to Walt Disney World Guests.
I hope this info helps you beat Disney feet. There are so many magical things to be seen, and so many magical miles to walk, on a Disney trip. Be sure to take care of your feet!
This post was all about the best ways to beat blisters and Disney Feet!
Check out these other related posts
- 7 Best Shoes for Disney
- 11 Essential Items for Your Ultimate Disney Packing List
- 5 Amazing Disney Packing Cubes Options
- Disney Parks Loungefly Bags Review: Are they the Best Disney Park Bags?
Shelley has been going on Walt Disney World trips since she was a toddler growing up in South Florida. Since then, she has expanded her interests and passion to include Disneyland and runDisney trips. She is a Disney College of Knowledge-certified Travel Planner, runner, Physician, mom of three, and all-around Disney fan. She believes the magic is in the details of any Disney or runDisney trip!
[…] out my 5 Tips for Blister Blocking to Beat Sore Feet at Disney Blog for more info on blister prevention and […]