Step right up, Zack, and welcome to planDisney! You're in the middle of the magic at
Walt Disney World Resort, but it sounds like your little prince or princess had a shoe blowout. My son experienced a sneaker malfunction a few years ago, so I've been there! Let's look at ways to get your child back on the right foot.
My top recommendation is to head to
Disney Springs. The stores there will have the best variety of shoes for kids, from athletic sneakers at Under Armour Brand House to Native slip-ons at World of Disney. My husband purchased running shoes at Fit2Run, but I'm unsure what their smallest sizes are. You can sort by "Shoes" on the
Disney Springs home page for a complete list of locations that carry shoes.
Shops inside the theme parks often sell slip-on styles, so if your youngling is looking for footwear like flip-flops or Crocs, you can look at the
Emporium at Magic Kingdom Park. At Disney's Hollywood Studios, I'd try
Mickey's of Hollywood and look in
Island Mercantile at Disney's Animal Kingdom.
Creations Shop at ECPOT might have some fun Disney-themed shoes, as well as
Port of Entry near the World Showcase.
I've also seen slip-on shoes hanging up at kiosks throughout the theme parks, but remember that inventory constantly changes at all locations. The good news is that if one store doesn't have what you're looking for, a friendly Cast Member will typically be able to direct you somewhere that does.
Until you get those new loafers, I have some tips for decreasing your child's step count inside the parks. First, use any available in-park transportation. For example, hop aboard the Walt Disney World Resort Railroad to easily get from one land to another at Magic Kingdom Park. Take a FriendShip Boat from Morocco to Canada at EPCOT's World Showcase, and remember, trams are available to whisk you to and from your car in the theme park lots.
Zack, I hope you find the shoes you seek and have a magical time on your trip. Stop by
planDisney anytime because we're always a step away!
Magic awaits,
Elaine