sun sensitivity

[musicmom3331]

I have some issues regarding the sun due to meds. I will be wearing a hat and sunscreen but still could get blisters. Are most of the queues covered somewhat? Thanks! This will be my first trip to Disney World and I want to make sure everything goes okay.

 

[LockShockBarrel]

A good deal of the queues are covered but there are some things you'll want to be careful of. I can't speak to a ton of specifics but I'll do my best. The speedway in Tomorrowland is a mostly uncovered line, and Dumbo is completely uncovered if I remember correctly. If the crowds are bad and they open a lot of the switchbacks in line, there are some that will end up out in the sun. You'll also want to be careful of lines that aren't related to attractions (lines for characters, food, etc)

 

[Piper]

I have Lupus and am very sun sensitive. I always wear a long sleeved shirt made from material with SPF built in. I also go early and late. I skip the middle of the day when the sun is its worst. All my pics show me with my hat and long sleeve shirt--even in July!

 

[jmartinez1895]

Our son has issues with the sun and we have most trouble in character lines and food waiting. We try to do the rides that are outside ( like dumbo) at night. I am sending you a PM, I just wanted to be sure you noticed it.

 

[SueM in MN]

Are you asking about WDW or Disneyland because the answers will be different.

The queue at Dumbo at MK in WDW is covered (unless you are using a wheelchair and are waiting in the accessible area). The ride itself is in full sun.

Some queues are roofed, but you may get some sun, depending on the angle of the sun. Even the queues at Animal Kingdom are mostly well shaded. The one I can think of there where the sun is a problem is the Nemo show.

The bigger problem will be going between places. For example, in World Showcase at Epcot, the distance between things is fairly large and is in the sun. Once you get to the next country, you can go inside to shops, but you will be in full sun going from place to place.

 

[Cruelladeville]

If you are going to WDW in the summer, and you are sensitive to the sun, wear suntan lotion with a high SPF, even if you are wearing a long sleeved shirt and a hat. There is so much water around, and it reflects the sun, so that you can get burned even under umbrellas and other coverings. DH is always covered, and under umbrellas and overhangs, but he still end up tanned/burned. The "flu" that many people get in Florida is actually a reaction to the sun. Feeling ill, having a headache, "the runs", feeling chilled even in the heat, not wanting to eat---these indicate a reaction to the sun, so get inside, spend the day in your room, at a movie, shopping, etc. but stay inside, and give yourself a day to recover. It's like a really bad case of the flu, but usually lasts only 24-36 hours, and you will recover as fast as you came down with it.

 

[KPeveler]

Is you reaction to sun (UV rays) or heat (skin getting hot) or both? I have problems with both. I find it helpful not only to wear SPF 75 lotion and to keep skin covered, but to occassionally "cool down" my skin with cold paper towels in the restrooms (and then re-apply sun screen of course). Cool down with cooling vests also can help reduce heat-related problems.

 

[Singledad]

I am actually allergic to the sun so I really watched these things last year. there were very few lines that had me in direct sun. Dumbo was the worse line, but they have fixed that now. all of the rides that are outside were not outside long enough to 'matter'. (I have about 15 min before I start to rash.)

travel between lines was the worse. This is why I did end up with some minor reactions, not the queues. I also go in june so not the best for avoiding sun.

you can get a stamp on a guest assistance card that shows your need to be out of direct sunlight, but thankfully I didn't really need to use it and the one ride I would have liked to, had no shaded spot to wait in. (this was Dumbo, which as I said, thankfully has been upgraded)

however, I will say I missed most of adventureland so cannot vouch for those rides.


~ PMLE sufferer, of the type that sunblock doesn't prevent the rash.

Good luck!

 

[cantwaittoseemickey]

My son is very sun sensitive with his medication and some scars he has and we are to keep him out of the direct sun as much as we can. Maybe this might help some at least. As he has a cooling vest from StaCool. It goes everywhere we go in the summer. He loves it.

 

[Bete]

There are cooling mist fans that run by battery and hand held. The only issue here would be that you may have to apply suntan lotion again and again.

I like the cooling vest idea. If you can keep your body temperatures down that should help.

Using a strategy at the parks could help, too. Alternate activities is such a way that you are out of the sun and then in the sun like take in a show then do a ride that may have some sun exposure. Do a parade and then go to eat where you can sit inside a place. There are a few places where you can get shade even watching a parade. At MK near the castle (at the side going left as you face the castle) there's a shelter where you can watch; I remember an awning on it.

Always, keep in mind that you can use the first aid stations in the park to cool down. They may have aids for you as well.

Finally, if it's really getting to you then you may have to avoid the activities that are not protected well enough for you. I feel there's more than enough to see if you have to skip a few things here and there. My mom has Alzheimer's and she's in a wheelchair and we still have fun at Disney World without doing everything.