Dodging Death at Disney

[kellymonaghan]

Sorry for the sensationalism of the headline, but it made you look and I'd like to think what I have to say is important.

As we all know thanks to our ever zealous press, there have been a number of deaths and near-deaths at WDW recently. The conspiracy theorist in me likes to think we hear about these things because the media hates Disney and can't resist an opportunity to make the Mouse look bad. The kinder side of my nature tends to think it's just a reflection of human nature -- that unexpected death in such a joyful place holds a morbid fascination for all of us, reminding us of our own mortality and the uncertainty of life.

That said, what I haven't noticed in the press is any discussion of likely causes (other than the "guilt by association" observation that the deceased had "just ridden" this or that thrill ride).

So here are three things that I think everyone who visits Central Florida should know about:

Get In Shape!

A visit to WDW involves more activity, excitement, and exertion than most of us have had in months. If years of overeating, lack of exercise, and smoking have left someone predisposed to a heart attack, common sense tells us that the additional excitement of a thrill ride might be all it takes to trigger an "event."

So prepare for your WDW trip by getting into some semblance of shape. A common statistic is that the average person will walk five miles during a day at Disney. I don't know it that's true, but I do know that however far you walk, it's likely to be a lot farther than you're used to.

So do yourself a favor and go on a regimen of daily walks in the months (yes, months) preceding your visit. Losing a little weight won't hurt either. Don't worry, you'll find that lost weight waiting for you at WDW.

Beware the Sun!

The Florida sun is brutal. Less so in the winter, but it still packs a wallop for those from cooler climes -- like the UK, for example.

So use sun screen and wear a hat, even if you hate wearing hats. And understand that the reason you are exhausted at the end of your first day there has a lot to do with the beating you've taken from the sun. Rest and recuperate.

Stay Hydrated

You will need to consume more liquids at WDW than you are probably used to drinking. Do it! Just because you don't feel particularly thirsty, doesn't mean you don't need liquids. In fact, lack of thirst is one sign of dehydration!

If you're not a native Floridian, don't pass a water fountain without taking a drink. Bring a water bottle to the park, use it, and when it's empty refill it or buy another.

The girl from England who had the near fatal heart attack had been complaining of headaches and muscle cramps, both symptoms of dehydration.

Okay, end of lesson. Hope this helps.

 

[MidgeD79]

Those are excellent ideas. Sometimes we plan so much that we forget about the little things like water.

 

[TinkerTracy]

wow good lessons for everyone everything is true...especially the sun thing....it gets very hot during the summer months!
Well i'll be the first to thank you for this i knew most of it already but it's really good for people who don't!

 

[Drizzo67]

Wonderful advice Kelly. These are the little things we forget to think about when we plan our trips. Everyone thinks about their ressies, ADR's, packing, park rides etc. but not how healthy they are how much sun there is in Florida compared to home and keeping hydrated. My DS dehydrated once from a virus (not a pretty site). It can be very scary.

 

[jjk]

this is a brilliant post and wished it had been about for our first visit we're from the uk and really did struggle on our first visit we are soo much more prepared for our third visit but thanks for a wonderfully helpful post

 

[philaround]

An additional comment on hydration.

Carbonated soft drinks WILL NOT keep you hydrated. Good old water is what you need or a specially formulated sports drink such as Gator Aid. Soft drinks have their place but they will not keep you hydrated. Worse yet would be excessive comsumption of alcoholic beverages, please note I said EXCESSIVE.

 

[TDC Nala]

Well, it's good advice. But people have health problems, and people have accidents. I can't imagine that a place that attracts bazillions of people doesn't end up having its share of deaths or serious health problems.

 

[gonga]

You can do all those things, which is a good idea BUT when your number is up, your number's up.

In another post I wrote about a death on my visit to the Bellagio last week. An older woman died in the room next to ours. Hey it happens all the time. Because there is a higher concentration of people in popular vacation destinations, ie: cruises, vegas, disney, even hotels.... it will happen more often. It's not about "dodging Death at WDW", it's about living everyday to it's fullest and being the best person you can be.

It's sad and tragic but it happens...... and to all of us!

 

[Foxfiregrrl]

Thanks for the good info! I totally agree about the pre-Disney exercise routine! I have been to Disney in the past and know that a LOT of walking is involved. DH and I are not in the best shape, so as soon as we decided to go in Sept. I knew we would need to start walking. So far we have not been doing the best at sticking to it, but I know we need it so I plan to keep trying to walk everyday at least a little.
Hope everyone takes some of your advice to heart and has a wonderful and safe trip!

 

[Foxfiregrrl]

Thanks for the good info! I totally agree about the pre-Disney exercise routine! I have been to Disney in the past and know that a LOT of walking is involved. DH and I are not in the best shape, so as soon as we decided to go in Sept. I knew we would need to start walking. So far we have not been doing the best at sticking to it, but I know we need it so I plan to keep trying to walk everyday at least a little.
Hope everyone takes some of your advice to heart and has a wonderful and safe trip!

 

[purplern]

The girl from England who had the near fatal heart attack had been complaining of headaches and muscle cramps, both symptoms of dehydration.

Good points. Also remember by the time YOU get the message you are thristy, You are already a little dehydrated!

P.S I bought your book the Other Orlando!! Loved it!!

 

[mking624]

A couple tips from me....

Contrary to popular belief, plain ole water is *not* the best thing for you if you're out in really hot weather. Water will somewhat quench your thirst, but it will not replace all that you have lost when you're sweating...which is a factor in dehydration. Drinking things like Gatorade, Powerade, or even the Gatorade water will replace the electrolytes/sodium you lose when you sweat (this is why sports drinks are important to athletes). If you've lost a lot of electrolytes and you only drink water and don't replace those electrolytes, you can actually worsen the condition. If you still prefer water over a sports drink, it's best to put about 1 teaspoon of salt per 32 ounces of water...so that you can replace the lost sodium.

Wear loose fitting clothing that is not only light in wear, but light in color as well. Darker colors attract heat, so light colored clothing (particularly white) will help keep you cooler. Form fitting shirts will not do as good of a job keeping you cool as a loose fitting shirt, even if the form fitting shirt is sleeveless. It does not give your body a chance to "breathe" and cool itself off.

 

[ReggieB]

A couple tips from me....

Contrary to popular belief, plain ole water is *not* the best thing for you if you're out in really hot weather. Water will somewhat quench your thirst, but it will not replace all that you have lost when you're sweating...which is a factor in dehydration. Drinking things like Gatorade, Powerade, or even the Gatorade water will replace the electrolytes/sodium you lose when you sweat (this is why sports drinks are important to athletes). If you've lost a lot of electrolytes and you only drink water and don't replace those electrolytes, you can actually worsen the condition. If you still prefer water over a sports drink, it's best to put about 1 teaspoon of salt per 32 ounces of water...so that you can replace the lost sodium.

I remember someone posting before how they never bought a particular brand of bottled water because one of the ingredients in it was salt, which they felt was an unacceptable additive in a bottled water. I thought at the time that was a fair point, but having read what you have said do you think it is added to help hydrate the body? Which would make it a good addition then.

 

[goofy4tink]

We drink plain ole water..both bottled and, gasp, WDW water. Yes, the sports drinks have their place however, according to my doctor they are good if you are exercising at peak levels for over an hour or so...marathoners, bikers like Lance A. etc. Normal walking in the parks and sweating normally are not going to deplete your electrolytes. In fact, we have been told by rec. directors that as coaches we shouldn't be recommending the sports drinks for the kids unless it is exceedingly hot/humid and they are working out for extended periods of time....way too much sugar for them. And that if it's that hot/humid, maybe they shouldn't be outside playing that particular sport...at least not at a preteen age level. I know a lot of people out there will disagree with this point of view, but I just wanted to put it out there.

 

[Figment56]

Having been many times and learning from the past, I bring a first-aid kit with me (bandages, creme, safety pins-for various uses, etc.) We bring lots of water bottles, portable fans and bandanas that you soak to keep cool! WDW can be very brutal but if you take the precautions, it will be very enjoyable! We also go into air-conditioned buildings if we are geting too hot!

 

[mking624]

I remember someone posting before how they never bought a particular brand of bottled water because one of the ingredients in it was salt, which they felt was an unacceptable additive in a bottled water. I thought at the time that was a fair point, but having read what you have said do you think it is added to help hydrate the body? Which would make it a good addition then.

I definitely believe the salt was added in order to keep the body hydrated. The dictionary definition of electrolytes is the easiest and simplest way to explain how they work: Any of various ions, such as sodium, potassium, or chloride, required by cells to regulate the electric charge and flow of water molecules across the cell membrane. So drinking specially formulated drinks that add those additives such as sodium will help replace the electrolytes you lose (and hence keeping you hydrated)...and plain old water cannot do that.

 

[mking624]

We drink plain ole water..both bottled and, gasp, WDW water. Yes, the sports drinks have their place however, according to my doctor they are good if you are exercising at peak levels for over an hour or so...marathoners, bikers like Lance A. etc. Normal walking in the parks and sweating normally are not going to deplete your electrolytes. In fact, we have been told by rec. directors that as coaches we shouldn't be recommending the sports drinks for the kids unless it is exceedingly hot/humid and they are working out for extended periods of time....way too much sugar for them. And that if it's that hot/humid, maybe they shouldn't be outside playing that particular sport...at least not at a preteen age level. I know a lot of people out there will disagree with this point of view, but I just wanted to put it out there.

Actually sports drinks and specially formulated waters are made to replace electrolytes that you lose during any type of physical activity...even walking. You don't have to be at a peak level for more than an hour in order to become really dehydrated frrom losing a lot of electrolytes. You could simply be out in high heat/humidity and sweating in order for you to lose a lot of electrolytes (and WDW is a prime placec for this to happen, especially in the summer months). And when you don't replace them, you can worsen the conditions of dehydration. You don't need to be a marathon runner or a Lance Armstrong for you to lose a lot of electrolytes.

If sugars are a concern, you don't even have to give them things such as Gatorade. Using Pedialyte, or even water with a little salt added is decent enough to bring your electrolytes back up to a point where you're hydrated again. This is especially good for children when sugar content in sports drinks are too high.

 

[Mortimer]

If you prefer not to go the sports drink route - then eat plenty of fruits. Generally those fruits which grow in tropical areas seem to do the trick. Bananas, melons etc. I believe that there are counter service providers of fruits in some of the parks. Coffee, colas and alcohol are fine - just remember they do not count as fluids and may increase your need for fluids.

Death before dishonor - nothing before coffee.

Kate

 

[old one]

We drink plain ole water..both bottled and, gasp, WDW water. Yes, the sports drinks have their place however, according to my doctor they are good if you are exercising at peak levels for over an hour or so...marathoners, bikers like Lance A. etc. Normal walking in the parks and sweating normally are not going to deplete your electrolytes. In fact, we have been told by rec. directors that as coaches we shouldn't be recommending the sports drinks for the kids unless it is exceedingly hot/humid and they are working out for extended periods of time....way too much sugar for them. And that if it's that hot/humid, maybe they shouldn't be outside playing that particular sport...at least not at a preteen age level. I know a lot of people out there will disagree with this point of view, but I just wanted to put it out there.

No flame from me. Although I like the taste of sports beverages, I have also been told that they were not necessary. (Unless you come down with..um, how should I say this....the big "D".) and as far as salt, he said most American diets are so loaded in salt that even in Disney work-out conditions, additional salt would likely do more harm than good.

If in doubt, ask your own doctor what is best for YOU.

Here's to your health!

 

[Drizzo67]

Drinking water is just fine as long as you remember that plain water will flush out your system. Your body rids itself of potassium if you only drink water and nothing else. Try adding a banana to your daily intake in order to add to your potassium level. Low potassium levels have been known to make people pass out.