Looking for some cute and easy snacks for an ocean-themed party … or just a fun way to enjoy a summer afternoon with the kiddos? Here are 10 fun treats — from mermaid cupcakes to beach pudding cups to starfish sugar cookies — that will […]
The good news is that Cape May Cafe, located in Disney’s Beach Club Resort, one of the “Epcot resorts,” re-opened on May 18,2021. (They were open for reservations beginning May 7, 2021.) More good news is that the prices are significantly lower — particularly for […]
Everyone wants to know about the best shoes to wear to Disney World — and they should — but they often forget that the right socks are also very important.
After reading this post, you’ll know what to look for in a sock, why you might want to avoid socks altogether, plus several specific pairs of socks that will keep your feet happy after hours of walking around the Disney parks.
Before we get to specific sock recommendations, here are some general things to keep in mind.
For the last several years I’ve worn sandals, sans socks, to Disney World, and I honestly think that makes the whole thing easier. It’s one less thing to pack, and you don’t have to worry about soggy socks, washing and drying your socks, bringing extra socks, and so on.
If you want to consider the sock-less route, here are some great shoes to try:
Sanuk Yoga Sling Sandal
Teva Women’s SandalKeen Men’s Newport H2 SandalChaco Women’s ZX2 Classic Athletic Sandal
Here’s a quick lesson on why you never want to wear cotton socks to Disney World:
Class dismissed.
Avoid those cute little socks that barely come up to your ankle. There’s too much risk of them sliding around and/or leaving an uncovered spot on your heel that will rub against your shoe.
Now having said that, you’ll notice that several of the socks recommended below are no-show. That’s a little different because they have special tabs to protect your heels and are designed not to slip.
So some no-show socks work well, but in general, be aware of their potential problems.
Always pack an extra pair of socks (or two) in your Disney park bag so you can switch them out if when they get wet.
This stuff is great. I rub it all over my feet every morning before we leave for the parks. (It’s like stick deodorant.) You can also use it on your thighs, arms, neck, whatever.
I’ve only used the original, but they make one specifically for feet as well.
BodyGlide Foot Anti Blister BalmBody Glide Original Anti-Chafe Balm, 2-pack
I asked around, did some research, and found several pairs of socks that will keep your feet dry protected during all that walking around the parks.
Drymax Low Cut Running Socks for Men and Women
These socks claim to be super breathable due to something called “DRYMAX technology,” which features dual-layer, moisture wicking knit fabric designed to move the moisture away from your feet and into an outer layer where it can evaporate.
Amazon reviewer hawaii says the become a Drymax “convert” after running a 100 mile race in them:
… this was the best equipment decision I made. The course was wet with ankle deep mud, it was hot and humid, super technical, and I had no moisture related issues with my feet. Zero. These things are magic. I did a few sock changes just for some fresh ones. When I sat down and saw other people feet who were wrinkled, wet, and blistered, I felt sort of guilty looking at my feet which were dry and in excellent shape! When it matters, definitely go for DryMax socks 100%. I was a skeptic, but now I’m converted.
Thorlos JMM Max Cushion Running Low Cut Socks
Thorlos socks claim to have a special padding that’s clinically shown to reduce blisters, moisture, pain, and pressure.
I noticed that several of the positive reviews were from people who had arthritis, high arches, or problems with the balls of their feet. So if you have an “unusually difficult foot” for whatever reason, this might be the pair of socks to try first.
Amazon reviewer Bruno Medina said he and his wife felt a huge difference after they switched to Thorlos:
… perfect fit, incredible comfort and great absorbing all the sweat from my feet. Far more than what I expected, I’ll recommend these socks to anyone.
I’m 66 y.o. and my wife is 67 y.o., we walk about 3 miles a day and waring these socks with our sneakers have made all the difference in the world to us. We use to have a lot of burning under and behind our feet before we try Thorlos socks, now with Thorns Socks the burning is gone and we are back enjoying our walk.
Balega Hidden Contour Socks For Men and Women
This socks come in 9 different color designs. (including pink!) They have a seamless toe closure, a heel tab helps prevent the sock from slipping, and mesh construction for ventilation.
Amazon reviewer E. Thierauf says these socks are totally worth the extra expense:
These socks may be expensive compared to others, but they are sooooo worth it! Support, padding, no slipping – still breathable. My husband even said he can’t go back to regular socks now. Bought some for the whole family prior to Disney World trip, ensuring we all had good foot care while walking 10-12 miles/day. They did make a difference in conjunction with good shoes.
Injinji 2.0 Men’s Run Lightweight No Show Toesocks
If you hate having moisture build up in-between your toes, check out “toe socks.” They fit your toes in the same way that a glove fits your fingers.
Amazon reviewer T. Candace Lillis explains why she loves Injinji toe socks:
… I am a woman and typically wear a 7.5 in athletic shoes. I wear a size small in these. I prefer the fit and feel of the mens version of this sock versus the womens version. They feel sturdier and the toes don’t seem as long (I have short toes so this is an issue). I have tried less expensive versions of athletic toe socks but keep returning to these. The first two pair seemed expensive, but they are wearing so well and feel so good that I would rather pay the price for the superior quality and fit.
If you have never worn separate toe socks-they are wonderful!
I am not an athlete. I live in Florida and walk 3 miles a day 6 days a week … I purchased these to help keep my toes separated-which they do. They also keep my toes from getting all sweaty in the heat and humidity so that my feet feel dry and comfortable for all three miles.
Yes, it does take a few extra seconds to get the socks on properly-but once they are on no additional adjusting is needed. The heels don’t slip down, there is no uncomfortable seam at the toes that needs to be moved a mile into a walk or run-they do not twist or bunch …
I wasn’t going to include SmartWool socks at first, because when I think “wool,” I think “warm.”
And I didn’t think that many people were concerned with keeping their feet warm at Disney World.
However, it turns out that these shoes are only 57% Merino Wool, with 40% Nylon and 3% Elastane. The fabric is not only moisture-wicking, and odor-neutralizing, but also thermoregulating — which means it keeps you warm when it’s cold, and and keeps you cool when it’s warm.
Reviewers just raved about these socks — there are over 1,190 5-star ratings on Amazon.
Amazon reviewer DKH says these socks are perfect for all kinds of weather:
I wear these 100% merino wool socks all year, every day … They keep me warm in the winter and breathe in the summer. They are not bulky. When walking, they don’t slip into my shoes. They don’t itch. My feet are kept the perfect temperature and do not feel clammy from sweat. They are very much worth the price compared to the performance of other socks I’ve tried … P.S. I hang them to dry rather than use the dryer.
Feetures Elite Light No Show Socks
These socks come in black, white, and grey. They are lightly cushioned and boast a custom-like fit, a special tab in the back to protect your heel, and a seamless toe for less irritation.
Reviewers liked how these socks had cushioning but weren’t “squishy.” Also, despite being no-show socks, reviewers said that they never slip.
As you know, taking your family to the Walt Disney World theme parks — especially if it’s your first trip — isn’t something you decide to do and then show up and wander in when the date comes. There’s a lot to learn. To quickly […]
One of the best ways to save money on a Disney World vacation is to bring your own food into the park. And yes, bringing your own food and drinks is completely allowed, as long as you follow these rules: No glass containers No alcoholic […]
Why pack a cooler for your day at the Disney parks?
Packing a cooler doesn’t mean that you don’t get to enjoy Disney treats. Some people like to pack their own meals, then splurge on Disney snacks. Others like to pack just their lunch and use the money they saved for dinner at nice table service dinner.
After reading this post, you’ll know what coolers are allowed at Disney World, how to get a locker to store your cooler, what kinds of food to pack, and where to enjoy your picnic at the parks.
Coolers can not be any bigger than 24 x 15 x 18 inches.
The coolers below all meet these size requirement and have received excellent reviews:
SEEHONO Insulated Cooler BackpackDisney Mickey Mouse Insulated CoolerLUNCIA Collapsible Large Cooler Bag
Be sure to read my post on the best soft coolers and backpacks for Disney World.
In addition to there being a size limit for coolers, there’s also a rule against bringing wagons inside the parks, so you can’t use one to haul your cooler around in.
However, if you have kids young enough to need a stroller, that can be a good way to transport your cooler.
You can also rent a locker to store your cooler in.
Each Disney theme park and water park has keyless lockers for a one-time charge. They are available on a first-come, first-served basis.
You can visit this site for more information on renting lockers at Disney World.
Here are just a few ideas to get you going:
Sure, as long as they:
Yes, water bottles are fine as long they’re not glass.
Yes, those are fine too.
Did you that there were water bottle refilling stations at all four parks? Because I didn’t until I started writing this post.
According to Touring Plans, here are the locations for the refilling stations at each park:
You can also ask for a cup of water at most quick service restaurants.
(Side Note: I really hate to have to bring this up, but there has been some talk about people licking the water fountains and bottle refillers, so … well, just wanted to make you aware.)
Now that you’ve got some food in your cooler, where do you sit down and eat it?
Here are just a few possible spots:
Now it’s your turn.
Let us know below in the comments!
There are all kinds of things you need to do to prepare for a Disney World vacation, from making a packing list, booking a hotel, getting restaurant reservations, and finding out where to find your favorite characters. But there’s one thing you need to prepare […]
Being a fan of Disney World trivia, I was curious what the shortest rides at Disney World. So I did a little research, found some great photos, threw in my two cents, and voila — this post was born! All ride length times are from […]
If you’re a fan of Disney World trivia like I am, you might be curious what the longest ride in all of Disney World is.
After reading this post, you’ll know both the longest ride and the longest attraction, as well as a few runners-up.
All ride and attraction length times are from WDW Info.
Drum roll, please ….
It’s Carousel of Progress in Magic Kingdom’s Tomorrowland, clocking in at 20 minutes and 45 seconds.
“Wait!” you may be calling out in protest. “That’s not even a ride! All you do is sit there and watch a show!”
True, but you do move in a rotating theater, so we will call it a ride, albeit a very slow one. (And don’t let the word “rotating” scare you. The chances of getting motion sick on Carousel of Progress are pretty much non-existent.)
Carousel Progress is a four-act audio-animatronic stage show (within a revolving theater) illustrating how electricity technology made a positive impact on the life of an animatronic family during the 20th century.
According to Wiki, the Carousel of Progress was originally created to be the prime feature of General Electric (GE) pavilion for the 1964 World’s Fair in New York.
In 1967 it was moved to Disneyland in Anaheim, California until it closed in 1973.
In 1975 it re-opened in Magic Kingdom.
The attraction’s ride’s theme song, “It’s a Great Big Beautiful Tomorrow,” was written by the Sherman Brothers, who you might remember from the great (although wildly inaccurate) movie “Saving Mr. Banks.” The Sherman Brothers wrote all the music to Mary Poppins, including “Feed the Birds,” which was supposedly Walt Disney’s very favorite song.
And speaking of Walt’s favorites, Carousel of Progress was believed to be his favorite attraction. It’s also the oldest attraction at Walt Disney World to have been touched by Walt Disney.
According to Disney Lists, thee are four hidden Mickeys in the final Christmas scene:
(Full Disclosure: I have actually never been on this ride. The first 2-3 times we went to Disney World, we didn’t even know it existed (and honestly, the rest of my family still probably doesn’t.) In general — especially for my husband Rob — we tend to be an “action ride” type of family, not a “sit still for a long time and slowly rotate ride” type of family.)
If you’re curious what the second-longest ride is (or if you just don’t buy my argument that Carousel of Progress is actually a ride and therefore don’t accept it counts as the real answer) ….
It’s Walt Disney Railroad, clocking in at 20 minutes.
The railroad is in Magic Kingdom and opened on Disney World’s opening day of October 1, 1971
Now what’s interesting about this ride (and why some of you may argue that it doesn’t count, either) is that most people probably don’t ride it for the full 20 minutes.
We certainly haven’t. We only ride it as an alternative way from getting from Main Street to either Frontierland or Fantasyland, and then hop off.
But if you stay on the train for the entire round trip, then yes, it will take 20 minutes.
Okay, so if you’re still not convinced that either Carousel of Progress or WDW Railroad count (or if you just enjoy playing this game), then the third longest ride at Disney World is Kilimanjaro Safari in Animal Kingdom, which clocks in at 18 minutes and 30 seconds.
I remember years and years ago, when we were about to ride Kilimanjaro Safari for the first time, Rob an I were both a little confused — were these actual animals, or were they audio-animatronic, a la Jungle Cruise?
Well, I’m sure you already know this by now, but yes, they are actual animals. According to Wiki, it’s 800 square miles (2,100 km2) of natural terrain, where you’ll see elephants, giraffes, antelopes, springboks, crocodiles, mandrills, hippopotamuses, lions, cheetahs, hyenas, african wild dogs, warthogs, ostriches, rhinoceroses, storks, , flamingos, wildebeests, okapis and zebras.
Okay, now let’s talk about attraction that don’t pretend to be rides in any way and where they is no movement, slow or otherwise.
The longest single attraction is American Adventure, clocking in at 28 minutes 30 seconds
Full Disclosure again: We have never been on this attraction either. (Are you sensing a theme here?)
Located in the World Showcase in Epcot, American Adventure is an Audio-Animatronics stage show of American history, narrated by figures of Benjamin Franklin and Mark Twain.
The Voices of Liberty, an eight-member a cappella singing group, performs patriotic songs in the pavilion rotunda throughout the day, often as a pre-show to the next scheduled performance of the main presentation.
According to Wiki, Epcot recently announced that they will be adding a new exhibit to the attraction called “THE SOUL OF JAZZ: An American Adventure,” based on the Pixar film Soul.
The second longest attraction is the Hall of Presidents, clocking in at 21 minutes 35 seconds.
(Umm … guess what? Yeah, we’ve never see this one either. Clearly we are a family with short attention spans who have little desire to sit still and be educated during our Disney vacations.)
However, I have heard others say (no joke) that this is a great attraction for either:
The Hall of Presidents is located in Magic Kingdom’s Liberty Square, and, like WDW Railroad, has been around since opening day on October 1, 1971.
It features a features a short film that gives historical accounts of several American presidencies, including George Washington, Abraham Lincoln, and John F. Kennedy. After the film, there is a stage presentation of all the presidents in Audio-Animatronic form.
Update: It’s been confirmed that ‘Ohana will reopened on Friday, July 9. You might still enjoy reading the rest of the article, though. 😊 It’s been over half a year since Walt Disney reopened its gates in July 2020, but as you already know, things […]
