The Surprising Accident That Happens All the Time in Disney World, and How To Prepare For It

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It can get EXTREMELY hot in Disney World. Seriously, Florida’s heat and humidity are no joke. Sure, the temperature may “only” be 90 degrees, but when you consider the humidity, it could feel more like triple digits outside. And that kind of heat can be dangerous.

Here’s the thing, though — that heat and humidity can sneak up on you and make you sick to the point that you could suffer heat exhaustion. It happens to a lot of guests, but there are things you can do to prevent it.

Symptoms of Heat Exhaustion

First, it’s important to recognize the symptoms of heat exhaustion. According to WebMD, the most common signs indicating that you’re suffering from heat exhaustion are confusion, dizziness and/or fainting, fatigue, headache, muscle cramps, abdominal cramps, nausea, vomiting, pale skin, sweating more than normal, and rapid heartbeat.

Learn to recognize the signs of heat exhaustion

All of these are a sign that you could be unwell and you’ll need to act immediately.

What to do if you think you have heat exhaustion

The first thing you should do if you feel you might be suffering from heat exhaustion is to head straight to First Aid services, which can usually be found at the front of any Disney Park. You’ll find Cast Members equipped there to deal with such emergencies, as well as nurses trained to handle medical situations.

If you’re unable to make it to First Aid, talk to a Cast Member immediately. They’ll know what to do in the case of an emergency. If the situation is even more urgent, call 911.

Preventing Heat Exhaustion

Of course, the best thing you can do is prevent heat exhaustion in the first place. The most important thing you can do is to stay hydrated. That means drinking LOTS of water. We’re talking about drinking more water than you think you need. The best way to do this is to bring your own water bottle with you to the parks and fill it up at the refill stations and with the free water you can get at many quick-service dining spots.

This Collapsible Water Bottle on Amazon is PERFECT because it’s easy to carry around when it’s not full.

You’ll also want to pack the right clothes. You’ll want to focus on clothes that are cool AND fit loosely. So make sure to pack those summer-appropriate clothes.

Don’t forget to put on sunscreen every morning before you get to the parks, too. You need to protect your skin from the sun’s harmful rays. You don’t want to spend your trip suffering from a bad sunburn, right? We like the Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Dry Touch SPF70 Sunscreen because it’s water-resistant.

Other items you can use to stay cool include a Cooling Towel…

…a Neck Fan…

…and a Misting Fan. Keep these on you at all times during hot weather and you’ll be sure to have the resources you need to stay cool.

To keep yourself from being out in the sun and heat all day, be sure to take advantage of air-conditioned spaces as much as you can. Pop into shops, hop onto indoor rides with indoor queues, and enjoy indoor shows. A nice long break inside a cool room will do wonders for your body.

You’ll also want to take frequent breaks. When it’s really hot out, all that walking can heat you up even faster. Find somewhere to sit occasionally, preferably indoors. Scheduling a midday lunch at a table service restaurant will also give you a nice break from the heat.

Make a reservation at a table service restaurant for an a/c break

To avoid the hottest part of the day, make sure to visit the parks in the mornings (yes, that means getting there at rope drop or even earlier for Early Theme Park Entry) and in the evenings (and Extended Evening Hours, if you’re eligible for them). You’ll want to avoid the hottest part of the day when the sun is directly overhead. A good rule of thumb is to take a break in the middle of the day and go back to your hotel room to cool off or spend time in the pool.

You can also prioritize water rides, especially those that get you wet. Hot days are PERFECT for riding Kali River Rapids in Disney’s Animal Kingdom. Or even better, go to one of Disney World’s water parks instead for a full theme park experience IN WATER.

The best advice we can give you is don’t wait until you feel sick from the heat. Take care of yourself while you’re in Disney World and be aware of how you feel, how much water you drink, and how many air-conditioned breaks you’re taking. You might have to take your park days a little slower than you would during cooler weather, but you’ll save yourself from heat exhaustion which could really put a dampener on your day!

We’ll continue to offer up our best tips and tricks for Disney World, so be sure to check back with AllEars for more!