There is absolutely nothing like the heading out for a vacation to Disney. Be it your millionth visit or your first time, the MAGIC ✨ remains the same, right?!

Though every trip to the Mouse House is unique, it is a good idea to head in prepared. 

Sore feet can ruin your trip and instead of enjoying all the fun, you find yourself hiding in a corner and massaging your feet. 

In this article, we gathered the best tips that actually work to relieve Disney Feet and avoid sore and aching feet in the future.

What is Disney Foot?

According to the urban dictionary, Disney Foot is

"A condition brought on by extended periods of waiting in lines or walking around Disney World or similar amusement parks."

 Symptoms include:

• fatigue
• sore feet
• joint pain
• unpleasant attitude

How do I stop my feet from hurting at Disney?

Disney theme parks are huge! The average guest walks 9 miles per day that is around 4 times more than the average American walks per day. According to mayoclinic.org 1.5-2 miles daily is the norm for most Americans.

Most people underestimate the amount of daily walking and the physical impacts that come with it. 

When planning your Disney World trip think about foot care too to avoid hurting from sore Disney feet. 

1. Start “training” for walking at Disney about 4 weeks prior to your vacation. Your feet as well as your knees, joints and back get used to the increased activity. Start with easy walks (20 min.) 3 days per week. Gradually increase to 5 days per week (30 min.)
2. When it comes to your shoes, choose comfort over cuteness. While platform wedges or stilettos look stylish they will most likely hurt your feet within a few hours. Wear worn in athletic shoes with good support and cushioning. 
3. Use vaseline for your feet. After every shower, massage your feet with pure petroleum Vaseline, and wear an old pair of socks for awhile until it's all soaked in. Your feet stay soft and 'pliable' - not stiff. 
4. In the morning massage your feet with peppermint foot balm. Peppermint contains natural menthol, an organic compound with local anesthetic properties which provides a wonderful cooling sensation while naturally alleviating foot pain.

 

Why do my ankles swell at Disney?

After countless hours of walking, riding, and standing in long lines you sit down on our hotel bed with a drink in hand, simultaneously trying to remember all the great experiences you had that day.

You’re also trying to figure out how you’re going to physically stand up and do it all again the next day with swollen, aching ankles.

To figure out how to get rid of swollen ankles you have to understand where the swelling is coming from. 

Swelling in the ankles, feet, and legs is often caused by a build-up of fluid in these areas, called edema. Edema is usually caused by: standing or sitting in the same position for too long. 

To release the trapped fluid massaging helps. Additionally, you can lie on your back with legs up.

Another possible reason can be eating too much salty food.

Let’s be honest, creme cheese-filled pretzels, jumbo turkey legs, or cheddar garlic bagel twists taste magical. 

After eating too much salty foods you may notice that you feel more bloated or puffy than usual. This happens because your kidneys wish to maintain a specific sodium-to-water ratio in your body. To do so, they hold on to extra water to compensate for the extra sodium you ate.

This increased water retention may result in swelling, especially in the hands and feet.

Try as often as possible not to sit with your feet down or under your chair. So if sitting on a bench try if space allows for it to put your feet up. Try taking a break sitting on the grass where you can stretch out your legs.

Also swimming is a wonderful pressure release from strained and swollen legs.

How can I make my feet less sore at Disneyland?

1. Take a frozen water bottle, put it on its side on the floor, roll your foot on it back and forth while you are sitting in a chair. If you can't freeze it, just chill it. You can also use a tennis ball. First one foot a few minutes then the other. Then again. Sit in a tub of warm water and soak your feet. Wear wide enough shoes with good arch support that are not new for the trip. Bring a second pair of a different brand that are also comfortable and supportive and alternate one day this pair, next day the other pair. The shoes will hit your feet in slightly different ways so the exact same touch points won't take a beating every day. Good fitting, comfortable worn-in but not worn-out walking sneakers with ties, not slip-ons. These methods work for arch, sole, and heel pain.

2. Bring a disposable foil pan and a bag of epsom salt in your suitcase, and peppermint foot cream. At the end of each night, fill the pan with cool (not warm) water and the salt, and soak your feet for ten minutes while watching TV. Then dry them, apply the cream, and elevate them on a pillow until we go to sleep. I threw the foil pan away before packing to go home.

3. Take a midday break every day and dip in the pool. This helps your feet, too, sit on the edge of the pool and let your legs and feet float in the water.

4. You don’t have to spend hundreds of dollars on athletic shoes. Investing in a good pair of insoles can have the same results as expensive shoes have. 

   Shoes without a footbed make your feet and calves tired very soon. Some people make the mistake and wear their Vans and they regret this choice fast. 

   “I felt like I was walking on bruises on the entire bottom of both feet all day Saturday and Sunday and needed to sit every chance I had to make the day manageable.”

   Add insoles with cushioning to your shoes. The support at the right places will manage shock absorption when hitting the pavement. 

5. This last tip will blow you away and change the way you pack for your next Disney vacation. Bring a mini electric foot massager🦶🏻that fits into your handbag so can take massage pauses throughout the day. This hack makes a night & day difference for your feet.