It should come as no surprise to anyone that Florida is HOT. Florida’s climate is notoriously hot and humid for most of the year.
Even in the middle of winter, you can see temperatures in the 60s, while the further northern states are in the negatives. Spring and Summer will often reach 90 degrees or higher with 100% humidity, making it feel outlandishly hot. It’s extremely important to take measures to protect yourself while you’re in the parks, such as continuously drinking water and spending time in the shade and indoors. However, over 400 people needed emergency help this past summer due to heat-related injuries, and it has Central Florida officials concerned about its effects on the local economy.
According to Florida Politics, first responders were called to Disney World 74 times by May, which is still considered Spring, not Summer, for heat injuries. In June, the number of calls made for heat injuries was 103. The number increased to 152 calls made in July, and August saw 88 calls. That is 417 heat-related emergency calls in four months.
It’s no secret that the heat of Florida can be dangerous. People are walking around the parks all day trying to get their money’s worth of experiences. Unfortunately, not all the rides’ lines are indoors, which means people end up standing in long lines in the scorching heat.
Headaches, muscle cramping, dizziness, fatigue, nausea, vomiting, and more can be signs of heat injuries. If not caught soon enough, it can lead to fainting or other serious injuries such as heat strokes. It’s important to continue to drink water and eat properly, but let’s be honest, when you’re trying to conquer the parks, these things can be second thoughts to everything else.
Disney World does work hard to help manage these issues. Free water is offered at many counter service restaurants, a lot of lines are indoors or at least are shaded with fans, first aid centers are available, and more. However, Florida officials are starting to worry that the increasing summer temperatures may start affecting the number of people who will want to visit Florida and, therefore, affect the economy of the local and state governments.
Florida Representative Anna Eskamani shared her concerns on the matter, stating, “Summertime is when you see a lot of visitors come to Florida, but I worry that there’s going to be a shift. That we’re going to see a reduction in theme park visitors because of the growing risk of extreme weather.”
U.S. Representative Maxwell Frost shared the concern, saying, “As it becomes unbearable to be at theme parks, less people are going to go. These parks are going to have less business, and it’s going to really impact Florida’s economy.”
Hopefully, as Disney begins expanding the theme parks and adding more attractions, the Imagineers and officials will consider more indoor queues or other heat-conscious efforts for guests and Cast Members.
However, it is also important for guests to take care of themselves by being aware of their water intake. Your health and safety should be a number one priority, even while you’re enjoying all the parks have to offer. We recommend taking a refillable water bottle with you into the parks. There are refilling locations all around the parks, including fountains and self-serve soda machines with water at quick-service dining locations. You can also take cooling towels and electrolytes to help you cool down and absorb the water you’re drinking. Check out the link below for even more Summer tips!
The ULTIMATE Disney World Summer Survival Guide
Regardless of the time of year you’re visiting Disney World, being prepared for the heat and walking is important. And luckily, Disney is doing what they can to help with the extreme weather that occurs frequently in Florida.
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