Visiting Disney with Alopecia

[RachelCheyenne]

Back in March, I was diagnosed for the first time with Alopecia Areata and as of last month, I began wearing a wig. My question is: Are there any disers who have alopecia and have tips for wearing a wig in the parks?

I'm going on a short disney trip next month and this will be my first experience in the parks with a wig. But I'll be honest.. since this disease is so new to me, I'm not comfortable going in public without my wig yet and I'm looking for some advice on how to go about ensuring that my wig will make it through rides, let alone the trip, lol.

 

[mom2rj]

I recently purchased an "adult shade cap with neck drape" ($42.95 - yes! Very expensive!!) because I sunburn so easily. I'm wondering if something like this that ties under the chin could provide what you need. Maybe you could go without the wig?? I'm not even sure if you want to, but just a thought.
Apparently, I don't have enough posts to leave the online address (go figure!), but
Sun Precautions
is the company I ordered from. They carry a full line of sun protective clothing for all ages.

Best of luck in finding a workable solution.

 

[eternaldisneyfan]

My suggestion is to bring some cute hats to wear. These should help things stay in place. Good luck

 

[RachelCheyenne]

eternaldisneyfan - I definitely will bring some. Thanks!

mom2rj - I'm going to take a look into those - while I don't sunburn, in fact, I just freckle.. alot, I just need something that's going to keep it in place during rides, and if it ties, I think that should help. Thanks for the suggestion!

 

[PatsMom]

OP, are you used to wearing your wig in the heat? I would bring a few bandanas just in case you decide to abandon the hair mid week. Or a ball cap. Something to cover the top of your head so you don't sunburn. I have no experience with alopecia, just with chemo. They also make turban type hats that can be cute. Look at cancer web sites for good headgear for the hairless. Or just very thin since I am not sure where you are at with the alopecia.

Good luck to you. Going out in public with no hair is kind of tough at first but it does get easier. I never chose a wig because they made my head itch but I know several who did and they always had a spare around in case they messed up one somehow. A friend of mine melted parts of the front of one of her wigs by leaning over to check a pot of boiling spaghetti! Eventually you learn to laugh at these things.

 

[disneyfaninaz]

I don't have alopecia, but I did visit Disney World while going through chemo and had no hair. I found my wig to be uncomfortable and itchy out in humidity, so I just wore a cotton head cover that tied at the back and a floppy hat. The head cover stayed on during rides and the hat provided shade and half hid the scarf. I preferred it to wearing a wig.

 

[Jellifer]

I'm not sure how comfortable it would be but would toupee tape help?

 

[clori]

my dd has alopecia but doesn't wear a wig. Have you looked at the naaf website or alopeciaworld website. On both of them you can probably find info on how to travel with a wig and other options.

 

[RachelCheyenne]

Thank you everyone! I don't mind the heat with my wig, for some reason, that doesn't bother me so much. I used to have extremely thick hair so it feels about the same, haha. I've been looking at some turban-esque hats and bandanas for the week just to have as back up in case Florida heat is worse than GA's right now! But the encouragement and advice is definitely appreciated

I'm not sure how comfortable it would be but would toupee tape help?

Hmmm, now that is something I haven't considered! I'm definitely about to look into that!!

 

[dawnmichele]

Hello fellow Alopecian! I have a completely bald head from alopecia and have been to Disney twice without hair.

The first time was many years ago and my lack of hair was a pretty new thing at that point. Back then I still had a few bangs and would just wear hats when I was out in public. I wore them at Disney, but took them off when I'd ride a thrill ride. It worked ok, although a couple kids did point and loudly point out "That lady doesn't have any hair!" It was definitely embarrassing, but I shook it off and still had a fantastic vacation.

Since then I've started wearing wigs, and for me, that was the best choice I ever made. It may be vain, but I need some hair to feel normal. I don't mind the way they feel either, and yes they're hot in the summer (some hotter than others), but so is real hair! So when I went in 2010 I wore a wig the whole time. I was really worried about it flying off on a coaster or some wild ride, so I took a few scarves I thought I could tie around my head if I needed to. Turned out I never needed to, and I rode just about every thrill ride they had (I skipped Expedition Everest and Rock N Rollercoaster). My wig stayed on fine.

Toupee tape might help, but even better than that is double stick wig tape. I buy mine in bunches from the online place I buy my wig (voguewigs.com) and I can't imagine any of the gforces from a ride would rip a wig off someone's head with that stuff. I will take some with me this time (124 days!), and with the wig tape and my wig's secure fit, I won't worry a bit about it.

Feel free to message me if you have any other questions. I've had alopecia for a long time and have gone through a lot of adjustments and emotions as I've learned to deal with and accept it. It is hard. Alopecia really sucks, but it shouldn't and won't hamper your good time at the happiest place on earth.

Good luck, and take care!