Disney sparks health concerns as guests report serious illness after visit

More and more guests are reporting that they are coming home from Disney World, the most magical place on earth, with a souvenir they neither paid for nor wanted – some kind of illness.

Photo credit: Foxbert, Flickr

The increase in reported cases of illness among guests at Disney World has raised concerns about the park’s safety. Recent reports suggest that visitors may experience various health problems after enjoying rides and attractions.

In particular, reports have emerged of guests feeling unwell – with some describing their experience as being “sick at Disney” – with specific incidents highlighting the potential risks associated with visiting the theme park.

A recent state report documented several cases in which guests had to seek medical attention after staying in the park. Visitors reported feeling dizzy, short of breath and even fainting after exiting popular attractions. The lack of comprehensive reporting means that many of these incidents go unnoticed and untracked, leaving potential security issues unaddressed.

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Furthermore, the nature of these reported illnesses varies widely, raising questions about a link between the trips and resulting health problems. Regular Disney visitors may not fully understand how much harm the rides cause to some people, especially older adults or those with known health problems.

Rising COVID-19 cases in Florida

The state of Florida is seeing a spike in COVID-19 cases due to reports of illness at Disney World. The Florida Department of Health reported an 11% increase in cases compared to previous weeks. As the state grapples with this rising trend, visitors to Disney World must continue to be vigilant about their health and safety.

Photo credit: Inside the Magic

Public health officials emphasize that certain strains of COVID-19 are highly transmissible and can cause milder symptoms similar to a cold. This increase in case numbers could significantly impact people’s experience in crowded environments such as theme parks. The recommendations urge travelers to prioritize health guidelines, including wearing masks in crowded areas, maintaining social distancing and practicing good hand hygiene to reduce the risk of contracting COVID-19.

The challenges of navigating the theme park experience amid the evolving pandemic landscape are leading to heightened awareness among guests planning trips to Disney World.

According to CBS News, “the death rate this year is lower than in the last four years.” The pandemic hit the state in 2020. There have been 23,349 deaths in Florida that year, according to state data. The number rose to 39,872 in 2021 before falling to 21,305 in 2022 and 8,439 in 2023.

A total of 97,746 deaths were reported.”

Specific incidents have been reported among park visitors

Recently reported incidents from various Disney attractions highlight the nature of the complaints guests have suffered.

For example, one report found that guests felt dizzy or faint after rides like this Frozen-Themed attraction at EPCOT and the Big Thunder Mountain Railroad.

Symptoms reported by participants ranged from mild dizziness to chest pain. Many people affected by these episodes were older adults or had underlying health conditions that likely contributed to their experiences.

Photo credit: Shaggyhill / Flickr

The increasing number of such cases is leading to a disturbing course of the disease, which requires an objective assessment of the conditions in the park.

The collective experiences of guests experiencing “Disney sickness” after their visit underscore the importance of transparency about health conditions at theme parks. Effective communication would benefit everyone involved and ensure guests are fully informed of the risks during their visit.

Discussion of park safety protocols

Given the alarming reports about guest health, greater scrutiny of Disney’s safety protocols is warranted. The park has implemented several measures to protect guests, including enhanced cleaning programs and health screenings. However, reports suggest that these measures may not be enough to address the challenges posed by widespread disease.

Photo credit: Inside the Magic

The discrepancy between reported incidents of guests becoming “sick” at Disney and the effectiveness of existing safety measures is a cause for concern. Furthermore, in this context, government oversight of theme parks, which has historically allowed these areas to conduct their own safety inspections, appears inadequate.

A post on Reddit recently became a huge online discussion forum after guests discussed the increase in illnesses after visiting Disney World. The post reads:

“I used to go there quite often and I was mostly fine. Of course there were still some sick days, but those were rare and avoidable as long as you washed your hands and stuff.

Then I stopped for a few years and only recently started again. I’ve been here four times in the last few years. And every time…basically immediately…I get the worst illness imaginable. On this recent trip, it was the second day of the trip and I could already feel things starting to happen. Then the third day came and I was done. Totally sick with whatever it is. And that was it for the rest of the week. Pretty much everything but one ticket wasted. I have a full day and a half to go to the parks.

As I said, this has happened on every visit over the last few years. It probably seems crazy that I even keep trying, but I don’t know, I just keep hoping that it will be different because I really want to go. At least the other three times I was here for two weeks so I could recover and come back, but this time I was only here for a week so everything was completely ruined.

And it’s really no surprise that this is happening. Everywhere you go, someone coughs in your face. There’s a line in front of you, a family coughing in your face, and a family behind you coughing in your face. No exaggeration, it’s funny how true this really is.

But still, I just wanted to see what other people’s experiences were like. It really seems like 95% of the people in the parks are sick at any given time lately. I’m not trying to complain about it, but I’m really trying to figure out how I can come back in the future and enjoy a healthy vacation.

Edited to say I’m going there too. So there is no blame for the flights.”

Photo credit: George Trovato / Flickr

A Disney guest and local theme park visitor pointed out that this has been an ongoing problem for years, stating, “Florida resident has been to Disney countless times since the mid 80’s and I always come home with SOMETHING… no matter how careful I am.” Am. People come from all over the country and all over the world – a real international germination buffet!”

Others highlighted the challenges of canceling or rescheduling a Disney vacation, which can feel nearly impossible for those who have paid in full, taken the vacation and cannot receive a refund. For this reason, many guests, even those with colds or more serious illnesses, are likely to choose to continue their journey and fight their illness alongside Mickey Mouse instead of resting at home.

Some guests also stressed the importance of using hand sanitizer and disinfectant wipes as often as possible and washing their hands to reduce germ exposure, especially before enjoying treats like a Mickey pretzel.

Despite all precautions, there is always the risk of getting sick after a Disney trip. As an Orlando local, I’ve caught a cold at Disney World before, but overall I don’t get sick on most visits.

Public sentiment increasingly reflects a desire for stricter oversight and control of health measures at theme parks. Recommendations to improve safety standards in outbreak scenarios include increased inspections and a formalized reporting process to ensure transparent communication about cases of illness.

As public health continues to evolve, the importance of visitors taking personal responsibility for their health cannot be overstated. Visitors are advised to review the latest health advisories related to travel and theme park visits and to exercise caution at large gatherings, especially when visiting places such as Disney World.

Have you ever returned from Disney World feeling bad?