When you’re in Disney World, there are a lot of problems that can happen that you may not expect. On the very top of that list is getting sick or injured, and both have happened to us in the parks before!
Magic Kingdom
It’s never fun — you want to have the best time on your vacation, but sickness and injury can come when you least expect them. Members of our team have had multiple occasions that we’ve been faced with less than ideal situations on vacation, and we’ve learned a lot from it (me personally, I’ve had a low blood sugar episode in the middle of the night, I’ve vowed to do everything in my power to never repeat). Recently, we experienced “Disney Rash” (yes, it’s a real thing), and it is NO joke.
What is Disney Rash, you may ask? Well, it’s a seemingly random rash that normally appears on people’s legs, but can also be on arms and other parts of the body. It comes out of nowhere for many people, and it usually looks like red, purple, or brown spots/blotches on the skin. While some people don’t feel any pain with it, others experience burning pain, itching, and/or swelling. Overall, not something you want to deal with on your trip.
Millennium Falcon
It’s not contagious, and you don’t get it from rides or by touching anything that’s contaminated with something. Disney Rash is actually a form of exercise-induced vasculitis, which means all that walking you’re doing around the parks in the hot and humid climate? Yep, that’s what causes it.
Hi, Smee!
How can you avoid it? It’s fairly simple in words, but actually remembering to DO it in Disney World is hard. You need to stay hydrated and take lots of breaks, especially in the AC. That’s easier said than done, because when you’re in the parks, you’re running around from attraction to attraction and wanting to make the most of your day, but we’ll be the first to tell you that if you don’t take those breaks and develop your Disney Rash, walking around will be PAINFUL and your body will force you to rest.
Magic Kingdom
If you do wind up with Disney Rash, elevating your legs and using cool compresses can help reduce the inflammation. However, if you’re in some pretty intense pain or find yourself sick or injured in another way, you can head to the first aid locations that are in each Disney World park.
Look out for first aid locations in the parks!
You can also get a doctor’s appointment without needing to leave your hotel room through AdventHealth in the My Disney Experience App! No one ever wants to get sick in Disney World, but knowing how to take care of yourself if it does happen is VERY important. Be sure to stay tuned to DFB for all the latest Disney tips, tricks, and news!
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Have you ever gotten sick or hurt in Disney? Tell us about your experience in the comments!
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Compression socks really help me with this. I look dorky with my knee highs and shorts, but it does keep the rash at bay.
I found that if you do get it, get a bag of ice and place it on the spot at the end of the day. It works better than all the creams and anti inflammatories you can take for it
My family always gets the Disney rash. We carry water bottles in the parks. When it happens, we apply sunburn remedies such as aloe vera. I usually take benedryl at bedtime. For me, it’s always on my left leg. Legs often swell with excessive standing in line. I think swelling is also a factor. Compression sleeves may help.
I get this every time we go in the summer. Compression socks make all the difference! It’s too hot to wear knee high ones during the day but I will sleep in them at night & elevate my legs. It’s made a huge difference! I still get the Disney rash but it was way, way worse before I started doing this. Highly recommend wearing compression socks for traveling there too, especially if flying or in the car more than an hour.
Hydrocortisone cream & cold compresses can also help when applied to inflamed areas but best thing is getting the swelling down.
I got my first Disney rashes in the 1990s. I can still remember my sister and I trying to sit though Honey I Shrunk The Audience when we noticed that another rash had occurred and the pain was unbearable. When the air rushed around to fake being the rats it caused extreme pain. It took a while to figure out what was causing these rashes. Our husbands and my children in cargo pants didn’t get it. My sister and I were always in shorts and were always the ones to get it. We almost stopped going to Disney until we discovered that the rashes were caused by the sun heating up the pavement with extreme heat which then radiates up the back of your legs causing a horrible heat burn and rash. Once we stopped leaving our legs bare by wearing loose slacks or floor length dresses (which are the most comfortable and air circulating anyway) we never got another rash in all these years. In proof, I asked AI if our reason for our rashes back then was correct and this is what it said. Yes, hot pavement at theme parks can contribute to heat rash on the back of legs, especially when combined with prolonged standing and physical activity. The heat from the pavement can exacerbate the effects of high temperatures and humidity, leading to exercise-induced vasculitis (EIV), also known as Disney rash. Yep. In FL even in the winter the sun heats up everything. So always wear clothes that prevent the pavement burn or Disney rash.
I got it once in Singapore after a day at the Singapore Zoo. I’ve also gotten it at Disneyland Paris a couple of times.
Lately I wear compression socks, only half socks though. And I do hydrate a lot. Maybe I didn’t as much on those trips
Purchase the bright pink Body Glide for Her Anti Chafe Balm. They also make 14 men but I don’t remember the color. Here in Texas we can buy it at our grocery stores.End any drugstore. It is the best thing ever!!!! I use mine at three o’clock in the morning Before catching my flight , make sure you glided every single crack in crevice u can. I’ll fly in.
Drop my bags at the bell. I’ll be in the parks for 8 to 10 hours. Get back to my room at midnight with absolutely no rash or any issues!!!
Happened to me only once in DL…before I knew what it was. My Disney daughter suggested the first aid station. They gave me a little packet of hydrocortisone and the rash was gone in short order. We had been drinking like crazy and riding one AC’d ride free the other, but it was REALLY hot and humid. Hasn’t happened since, but I never travel without a little packet of hydrocortisone.
Hmm… I have gotten a rash on the backs of my hands while at Disney World, but that’s also where my eczema tends to flare up, so I always assumed that’s what the rash was. Now I’m not so sure.
No one seems to get it at Universal so there park must be very small. The little walking you won’t be felt.
Some members in my family came home from Disney with a rash, most on the upper thigh. My little guy’s rash was on the crock of his arm (inside elbow). I figured that it must have come from Tiana’s Bayou Adventure because that’s the only ride I didn’t get on with them.
We had done a lot of walking on Monday (Epcot) and Tuesday (HS), took a break on Wednesday, and went to MK on Thursday, by the next morning the rash had popped up, so I don’t think it was from walking.