Bad xmas allery

[FloridaMM]

I have a problem, I am allergic to cinnamon, not just eating it but smelling it. We are going Dec. 19-27 First time at Xmas (and we live in Florida) Anyway, I do know that I cannot see PhilharMagic, because of the pie, I can't see the gingerbread house at GF, I am sure that I will not be able to go into some stores which are usually loaded with cinnomon during the holidays My question is are there any resorts, restaurants, exhibits, rides, etc. that I need to avoid during the holidays??????

 

[Eeyores Butterfly]

From what I remember after working there in 06, the smell is everywhere. In the parks, at all the resorts and restaurants. The rides not so much, but it seems like I can recall smelling it on Main Street. Your best bet is to call Guest Relations. Hopefully somebody else can chime in, but from what I remember, there may not be a way to avoid it. I hate to say it, but you may need to consider another time of the year.

 

[MSSANDRA]

Many of the resorts do the gingerbread house displays. I do remember being there at Christmas and there being a lot of shops etc that had the christmas smell that must be cinnamon. Seems there was a great deal at the MVMCP. If your reaction can ruin your trip, you might want to consider a different time of year.

 

[Lucky Bug]

Having gone in December many times over the past decade, I can tell you that the smell of cinnamon is all over the place. Almost every resort's lobby area, a lot of the table service restaurants, many of the more highly holiday themed park areas, it's darn never everywhere. For me, it's part of what I love about being there, for you, I worry. Please consider changing your vacation plans, while I hate to begrudge anyone a chance to enjoy the holidays at WDW, I think for you, it might be the nicest thing that you did for yourself. Pixie dust is best enjoyed when you can fully enjoy it without fear of anaphylaxis!

 

[zumbergc]

Since you didn't mention what your allergic reaction is.
Depending on if your allergy is life threatening or super annoying may influence what you want to do.
If you are not able to switch your vacation dates. Make sure to bring what ever helps you out, whether thats a epi-pen, or if you get hives, or other inconvenient stuffines, etc anti-histamine. Anaphalactic reactions, do you have several epi-pens. Do your reactions get worse with repeated exposures. Like if your around it one day, what happens if you run into the cinamon on the next or a couple days away. Since you know yourself the best, you have to think this thru to find out how much exposure you can handle.

I hate to say this, but could you go on steroids for the trip, would it make it do-able. you know talk to your doc about that. Can you pre-medicate at all to help prevent your reaction? I hate steroids myself, but who knows if that is an option for you.

If you have anaphalactic reactions, you might want to switch dates.
You mention you live in florida. What about going mid november? Some of the decorations are up.

If your with in driving distance. Maybe have a family member go on a weekend day, walk thru the parks early december. although your sniffer probably detects it better than most. and do a sniff test. I know its excessive, but depending on how bad your allergic reaction is it could be worth it.

I wish you the best of luck,

 

[FloridaMM]

Thanks everyone for the reply. Boy this really stinks. This is the only time I can get off of work. As far as my allergy, I get a migraine. It doesn't happen the day I smell it, it is more like the next day or even the one after that. I heard the the rides do not have the smell. I was almost thinking of wearing a Xmas hat that I can take off and cover my face when I get in the cinnamon areas. Am I trying to do the impossible?

 

[MSSANDRA]

What about one of those nose things that swimmers use?? Might look really weird but if it saves your trip, what the heck???

 

[clanmcculloch]

Thanks everyone for the reply. Boy this really stinks. This is the only time I can get off of work. As far as my allergy, I get a migraine. It doesn't happen the day I smell it, it is more like the next day or even the one after that. I heard the the rides do not have the smell. I was almost thinking of wearing a Xmas hat that I can take off and cover my face when I get in the cinnamon areas. Am I trying to do the impossible?

Do you think it would make any difference at all if you took some allergy precautions? I'm thinking things like Zyrtec along with extra caffeine every day (caffeine I'm suggesting because for me it can help knock out a migraine in early stages, and caffeine is the difference between Excedrine and Excedrine migraine). Start taking the Zyrtec a week before you head down and then continue taking it until a few days after you return. Keep some Tylenol with you at all times so you can pop some at the first signs of a headache to hopefully knock it out before it forms into a full blown migraine. I'd also do saline rinses every time you head back to your hotel to try to flush out anything that might have gotten into your sinuses.

Unfortunately, I think you'll need to cover your face quite a bit walking around WDW.

Good luck with your decision.

 

[Eeyores Butterfly]

Unfortunately, only you know your body. So while we can make suggestions, we can't tell you what will work best for you.

The smell is literally everywhere. The rides won't have it (except Philhar, can't think of any others) but it will be pretty much everywhere else. It will be at its worst during the actual parties. If you think covering your face will help, you may just want to get a mask. Otherwise you will be walking around with your hat over your face the majority of the time.

Have you discussed your allergy with your doctor? Maybe s/he can start you on a treatment or give you some tips for enjoying it.

 

[kaytieeldr]

Do you take anything for the migraines? I take Topomax daily (off-label for seizures); it's actually for migraines. Maybe if you were to take it starting a few weeks in advance of your trip, and just through the end of it, it may help? Talk to your doctor.

 

[livndisney]

Thanks everyone for the reply. Boy this really stinks. This is the only time I can get off of work. As far as my allergy, I get a migraine. It doesn't happen the day I smell it, it is more like the next day or even the one after that. I heard the the rides do not have the smell. I was almost thinking of wearing a Xmas hat that I can take off and cover my face when I get in the cinnamon areas. Am I trying to do the impossible?

As someone who lives everyday with life threatening airborne allergies, I understand. Does a mask help you? I have found some links to masks recommended for those with chemical sensitivites and they are supposed to work quite well. They could even be quite fashionable with a christmas scarf!

I do know that the Christmas tree on Mainstreet in the MK has scent, it gets me everytime.

 

[FloridaMM]

I really appreciate the replys. To answer some of the questions. I do take Amerge when I do get a migraine. That is the one that works best for me. But I can get a rebound migraine if I take it too often. I am going to go to the doctor and ask if there is something else I can do. I am also going to look for the web sites about the masks. I called Customer relations again and they said they were not sure and didn't know who to ask. Don't these people work there? I mean at my job if someone asks a question that I don't know the answer I try to find someone who does. And the questions do not deal with someones health. I thought Disney is concerned with allergies? One can control not eating something that they are allergic to, but it is hard to control an airbourne allergy.

 

[Disneyland_emily]

The problem is that there isn't an easy answer to pin down.

You have almost *every* department and area at WDW that has a hand and yet doesn't have a hand in it. You have for instance Merchandise, who quite frankly the only ones who know if and how intense any merchandise product will smell (esp before it arrives) are not the people Guest Relations works with and then who knows what product will end up where and in what intensity, so while the cinnamon scented candles (or whatever) may not be destined for MK they may end up there...

Same thing with restaurants, lobbies, displays etc, the people planning and prepping for the holiday are not the ones on the front lines and those on the front lines have no clue what is in store specifically and even those people making the decisions may not even know what the intensity of smell will be in every area because there are a lot of factors (like weather, closed areas etc) that make it almost impossible to predict until its all in place.

For instance last year the Contemporary had a neat Gingerbread display that to me didn't smell at all, but to my friend was very overpowering. Yet at the Grand it was a perfect smell to me and she couldn't really smell it... Who knows why

But all I can say is that I don't think you'll be able to get a more specific answer from WDW more than what has already been said. The smell can be overpowering and it is very heavily present at WDW throughout the holidays in all the parks (IMO it was less noticeable at DAK except during the parade) and all the resorts (esp the Deluxe resorts)

-em