Latest news with #amusementParks
Health Line
2 days ago
- Health
- Health Line
What Is the Disney Rash?
So-called 'Disney rash' is a condition known as exercise-induced vasculitis (EIV). You can prevent EIV by staying hydrated and avoiding too much sun exposure. If symptoms occur, wet coverings and anti-itch cream may help. A 'Disney rash' may not be the souvenir you had in mind, but many visitors to Disneyland, Walt Disney World, and other amusement parks find that they get it. The medical name for Disney rash is exercise-induced vasculitis (EIV). This condition is also called golfer's rash, hiker's rash, and golfer's vasculitis. This condition results from a combination of: hot weather sunlight exposure sudden, prolonged periods of walking or exercising outdoors That's why people who spend long days strolling at theme parks may be prone to it. In this article, we take a look at the symptoms, treatment, and prevention strategies. What are the symptoms of Disney rash? Although EIV is often called Disney rash, the condition isn't a true rash. Instead, EIV is a condition in which small blood vessels in the legs are inflamed. Swelling and discoloration can occur on one or both ankles and legs. It often affects the calves or shins, but it may also affect the thighs. EIV can include large red patches, purple or red dots, and raised welts. It may itch, tingle, burn, or sting. It may also cause no physical sensations. EIV is typically confined to exposed skin and doesn't occur under socks or stockings. It's not dangerous or contagious. It usually resolves on its own. You'll typically see it clear up around 10 days after returning home, once you're away from the conditions that brought it on. What's the best way to treat Disney rash? Use cool washcloths or ice packs If you're experiencing this temporary form of vasculitis, using a wet covering, such as a towel, on your legs can help treat it. Keeping your legs cool with ice packs or cold washcloths can also help soothe irritation and reduce swelling. Apply anti-itch cream If your rash is itchy, taking over-the-counter antihistamines or using topical corticosteroids may provide relief. You can also try using witch hazel towelettes or an itch-reducing lotion. Stay hydrated Don't let yourself get dehydrated. Drinking water and other fluids may help alleviate and prevent EIV. Elevate your feet It may be hard to rest while you're out and about on vacation, but try to build in rest breaks with your legs elevated whenever possible. You may be able to do this while someone holds your place in ride lines and during snack or meal breaks. Ducking into air-conditioned kiosks or restrooms with seated areas can also help. Check guest services Disney and other theme parks typically have first aid stations throughout the facility. They may stock anti-itch cooling gel to use on your skin. You can also gear up with some ahead of time. Soak your feet When the day is done, treat yourself to a cooling oatmeal bath. Keeping your legs elevated overnight may also help. How can you prevent Disney rash? Anyone can get Disney rash, but women over age 50 may be most at risk, according to a 2015 article. No matter your age or sex, you can take some steps to help prevent this condition during vacation. Protect your skin from the sun Research from 2016 indicates that keeping your legs and ankles covered with light clothing, such as socks, stockings, or pants, may help. This will reduce your skin's exposure to both direct and reflected sunlight. Anecdotally, some people report that using sunscreen has the same effect. Wear compression clothing Older research from 2006 indicates that people who have already experienced an episode of EIV may be able to prevent future occurrences by wearing compression socks or stockings. Compression leggings and pants are also available. However, more research needs to be done on the effectiveness of compression clothing in preventing EIVs. Massage your legs That same small study suggests manual lymphatic drainage massage could be of benefit as well. This gentle massaging technique is geared toward draining lymph (fluid) out of the legs and increasing blood flow in both deep and superficial leg veins. Here's how to do it. Drink water and go light on salt Drink lots of fluids and avoid eating salty food. This will help prevent the swelling associated with EIV. Wear moisture-wicking clothing If it's hot and sunny, protect your legs from sun exposure by covering them with light-colored fabric or sunscreen. If it's humid, try wearing moisture-wicking socks for added comfort. Covering your skin will help prevent further irritation. What does Disney rash look like? Here are some photos of Disney rash (exercise-induced vasculitis). What else could it be? In addition to EIV, here are some other rashes and skin irritations that may occur while you're on vacation: Heat rash (prickly heat). Heat rash can affect adults or children. It occurs in hot, humid weather and results from skin-on-skin or fabric-on-skin chafing. Urticaria. This condition is earmarked by hives brought about by raised body temperature. It can occur if you exercise strenuously or sweat profusely. Sunburn and sun poisoning. Too much sun exposure can cause sunburn or sun poisoning to occur. Also known as sun allergy, this condition can result in a painful, itchy red rash and blisters. You can avoid it by using sunscreen or covering your skin with UV-protective fabric. Contact dermatitis (allergy). While on vacation, you might be exposed to environmental irritants you're sensitive to or allergic to. These can include hotel soaps and shampoos and the detergent used to wash your bedding. When to contact a doctor Disney rash generally clears up independently, but you might need to see a doctor for more severe cases. A doctor can help you manage Disney rash if it: is very Itchy or painful lasts longer than 2 weeks returns with other forms of exercise A doctor might run tests to confirm that Disney rash is causing your symptoms. You'll likely be tested for allergies and other skin conditions with similar symptoms. After Disney rash is diagnosed, you could be prescribed an antihistamine or a topical corticosteroid cream to help manage your rash. Tips for staying cool and comfortable while on vacation Disney rash may not be the only tourist-related malady you experience while on vacation. Here are some other vacation-related conditions and their fixes. Preventing aching feet and legs People claim to clock in anywhere from 5 to 11 miles per day at theme parks like Disney. That amount of walking is bound to take its toll on feet and legs. Wearing well-fitting, comfortable shoes is a good way to ensure that your feet can handle the challenge. Make sure you choose footwear that allows your feet to breathe and provides ample support. Choose footwear that's appropriate for hiking in hot weather, and your feet, legs, and back will all be in better shape at the end of the day. Flip-flops and flimsy sandals may not be your best bet. But they're handy to keep with you for a quick change at the very end of the day. Avoiding sunburn Wear sunscreen, whether the sun is bright or you're walking around on a cloudy or hazy day. A hat and sunglasses can help protect your face and eyes. Also, consider opting for light-colored sun-protective clothing. If you do get a sunburn, treat it with home remedies, such as aloe vera, oatmeal baths, or cool compresses. If your sunburn is blistered or severe, check in with your hotel doctor or stop by a theme park first aid station for treatment. Staying cool It can be hard to escape from heat and humidity at a theme park, but there are ways to stay cool on the go. Consider the following: Carry a battery-operated or paper handheld fan. You can also find battery-operated fans that attach to strollers or can clip onto wheelchairs. Use a personal, handheld water mister on your face, wrists, and the back of your neck for an instant cooldown. Keep drinks in a small cooler with an ice pack or frozen bottle of water. Wear a cooling bandana with activated polymers around your forehead or neck. Wear a cooling vest. These usually use evaporative cooling or come with a cold-pack system. Wear moisture-wicking fabrics to keep skin comfortable and dry. The most important thing is to drink plenty of water or other hydrating drinks. They can be cold or not. Staying hydrated helps your body do what it does best to keep you cool: sweat. Takeaway It may be vacation, but a day at a theme park can be grueling, even if you're in excellent physical condition. At the end of the day, try to build in some quiet time when you can rest and recharge. Getting a great night's sleep will also help rejuvenate you for the next day's fun. Drink lots of fluids, and avoid having too many dehydrating substances like alcohol and caffeine. If you develop a Disney rash, plan to take a cool bath or shower, followed by an application of skin-cooling gel or ointment. Remember to elevate your feet.
The Independent
7 days ago
- Business
- The Independent
How US amusement parks are battling the costs of Trump's tariffs this summer
The ripple effects of trade disputes between global economic giants like the US and China are being felt in unexpected places, including local amusement parks. Families seeking affordable summer getaways often choose regional parks over larger destinations like Disney World, favouring the convenience of a drive over costly flights. However, economic uncertainty fuelled by tariffs could deter these visits altogether. Park owners face increased costs due to tariffs on imported steel used in ride construction. Even the prizes and toys won in games often come from China and are subject to tariffs. Despite these challenges, regional amusement parks have not experienced a downturn so far this year. 'We've had good crowds, and everyone seems excited to be here,' said Brian Hartley, vice president of Playland's Castaway Cove, in Ocean City, New Jersey, which boasts 30 rides, miniature golf, go-karts, and other beachfront attractions. 'As long as the weather is good, they're ready to come down.' That's true for park-goer Chris Del Borrello, at Castaway Cove on a bustling June Friday evening with a group of 10 family members, including his four children. 'We come here every year because it's so fun, and we build memories every single summer,' he said. Tariffs loom over the summer tourism industry just as leisure travel is expected to finally get back to pre-pandemic levels. The US Travel Association expects Americans to take 1.96 billion trips this year, up two per cent from 1.92 billion last year. Travel spending is also expected to increase two per cent year over year. Tariff pressures As park operators prepared for the 2025 summer last year, President Donald Trump imposed on-again, off-again tariffs against US trade partners that made planning difficult. For instance, proposed tariffs against China started at 10 per cent in February, rose to 20 per cent in March, ballooned to 145 per cent in April, and were reduced to 30 per cent in May. On Wednesday, the Trump administration put the number at 55 per cent. Hartley said he ordered items like stuffed animals for games from China early to beat the tariffs – and benefited from the pause announced in May. 'We loaded up, we're tripping over stuff at this point,' he said. 'We tried to purchase as much stuff as we could to be ready for the season, because that little bit makes a big difference in the bottom line at the end of the day,' he said. In particular, the park added two new rides this year, but parts were delivered back in the fall. Not all parks were as fortunate. At Adventureland, in Farmingdale, New York, the steel structure for a new ride, Wave Twister, and some China-made game prizes like plush toys and basketballs were affected by tariff costs, said manager Jeanine Gentile. 'We ordered them months ago before the tariffs were in place, but they typically arrive for delivery at this time of the year, and so obviously the tariffs were in before we received the product,' she said. 'We did have to pay additional for those tariffs in order to get the product.' So far, the park is absorbing the cost – they made the decision not to raise ticket prices this year. But that could change next year. 'We've just sort of felt that if we can do this (not raise prices) for Long Island and for our guests, let's do it, where we can afford it, at least for this season,' said Gentile. Economic uncertainty Aside from tariffs, economic uncertainty is the biggest challenge for amusement parks this season. At Dollywood in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, which is co-owned by country legend Dolly Parton and Herschend Family Entertainment, Director of Communications Pete Owens said they decided to open a week later in March due to concerns about the economy. But so far, attendance at the park, nestled in the Great Smoky Mountains, is up four per cent from last year. Attendees are spending but looking for deals. A promotion giving discount tickets to public employees has proved popular. And Owens is seeing customers purchase tickets for their family closer to their actual visit instead of several days or weeks in advance. Some are even waiting until they're in the Great Smoky Mountains to decide to buy a ticket. 'I think they're all still looking very closely to see what value pricing there is or what opportunities there are,' he said. The same holds true at Silver Dollar City near Branson, Missouri, an 1880s Western-themed park, which draws its visitors from what President Brad Thomas calls 'America's heartland,' an 'oval' in the middle of the country, including Minneapolis, Denver and Memphis and Houston, Texas. 'What those families tend to say as they visit us is that they want their families just to escape, even though there's a lot of concerns in every family's life, they're all dealing with time pressure and money pressure and inflation pressure and all kinds of other things,' said Thomas. He said this year, families coming to the park are sticking to a budget-conscious plan. 'They have carved the money that they'll spend in their day with us or their days with us,' he said. 'They've planned that into their budget.' Back at Castaway Cove, Hartley said that while the season is going well, he worries about the mood of the consumer as economic uncertainty persists. That could affect trip planning later in the summer. ' People that really haven't already booked a vacation … it may affect, do they come down here for a weekend? Do they not? Do they come for two days instead of four or five days?' he said. 'I think people don't know what the future is going to hold.'
Al Arabiya
7 days ago
- Business
- Al Arabiya
Smaller Amusement Parks Hope for a Strong Summer Under the Shadow of Tariffs
The trade disputes involving global economic powerhouses such as the US and China are being felt even in distinctly local places like regional amusement parks. Families who balk at the cost of a summer vacation at big amusement parks like Disney World favor trips to regional parks, which typically are within driving distance so expensive flights aren't necessary. But if tariffs lead to economic uncertainty, they may just stay home. For park owners, tariffs could mean extra costs that their customers might not think about. Parts of the rides are made of imported steel that's currently subject to tariffs. Those prizes and toys people win after they shoot basketballs into a hoop? They usually come from China, which has been subject to varying tariffs. So far this year, however, there's been no letdown. 'We've had good crowds and everyone seems excited to be here,' said Brian Hartley, vice president of Playland's Castaway Cove in Ocean City, New Jersey, which boasts 30 rides, miniature golf, go-karts, and other beachfront attractions. 'As long as the weather is good, they're ready to come down.' That's true for park-goer Chris Del Borrello at Castaway Cove on a bustling June Friday evening with a group of 10 family members, including his four children. 'We come here every year because it's so fun and we build memories every single summer,' he said. Tariffs loom over the summer tourism industry just as leisure travel is expected to finally get back to pre-pandemic levels. The US Travel Association expects Americans to take 1.96 billion trips this year, up two percent from 1.92 billion last year. Travel spending is also expected to increase two percent year over year. As park operators prepared for the 2025 summer last year, President Donald Trump unrolled on-again, off-again tariffs against US trade partners that made planning difficult. For instance, proposed tariffs against China started at ten percent in February, rose to twenty percent in March, ballooned to 145 percent in April, and were reduced to thirty percent in May. On Wednesday, the Trump administration put the number at fifty-five percent. Hartley said he ordered items like stuffed animals for games from China early to beat the tariffs–and benefited from the pause announced in May. 'We loaded up; we're tripping over stuff at this point,' he said. 'We tried to purchase as much stuff as we could to be ready for the season because that little bit makes a big difference in the bottom line at the end of the day,' he said. In particular, the park added two new rides this year, but parts were delivered back in the fall. Not all parks were as fortunate. At Adventureland in Farmingdale, New York, the steel structure for a new ride, Wave Twister, and some China-made game prizes like plush toys and basketballs were affected by tariff costs, said manager Jeanine Gentile. 'We ordered them months ago before the tariffs were in place, but they typically arrive for delivery at this time of the year, and so obviously the tariffs were in before we received the product,' she said. 'We did have to pay additional for those tariffs in order to get the product.' So far, the park is absorbing the cost–they made the decision not to raise ticket prices this year. But that could change next year. 'We've just sort of felt that if we can do this (not raise prices) for Long Island and for our guests, let's do it where we can afford it, at least for this season,' said Gentile. Aside from tariffs, economic uncertainty is the biggest challenge for amusement parks this season. At Dollywood in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, which is co-owned by country legend Dolly Parton and Herschend Family Entertainment, Director of Communications Pete Owens said they decided to open a week later in March due to concerns about the economy. But so far, attendance at the park nestled in the Great Smoky Mountains is up four percent from last year. Attendees are spending but looking for deals. A promotion giving discount tickets to public employees has proved popular. And Owens is seeing customers purchase tickets for their family closer to their actual visit instead of several days or weeks in advance. Some are even waiting until they're in the Great Smoky Mountains to decide to buy a ticket. 'I think they're all still looking very closely to see what value pricing there is or what opportunities there are,' he said. The same holds true at Silver Dollar City near Branson, Missouri, an 1880s Western-themed park which draws its visitors from what president Brad Thomas calls 'America's heartland,' an oval in the middle of the country including Minneapolis, Denver, Memphis, and Houston, Texas. 'What those families tend to say as they visit us is that they want their families just to escape, even though there's a lot of concerns in every family's life; they're all dealing with time pressure and money pressure and inflation pressure and all kinds of other things,' said Thomas. He said this year families coming to the park are sticking to a plan, moneywise. 'They have carved the money that they'll spend in their day with us or their days with us,' he said. 'They've planned that into their budget.' Back at Castaway Cove, Hartley said that while the season is going well, he worries about the mood of the consumer as economic uncertainty persists. That could affect trip planning later in the summer. 'People that really haven't already booked a vacation … it may affect do they come down here for a weekend? Do they not? Do they come for two days instead of four or five days?' he said. 'I think people don't know what the future is going to hold.'
Washington Post
7 days ago
- Business
- Washington Post
Smaller amusement parks hope for a strong summer under the shadow of tariffs
NEW YORK — The trade disputes involving global economic powerhouses such as the U.S. and China are being felt even in such distinctly local places as your regional amusement park. Families who balk at the cost of a summer vacation at big amusement parks like Disney World favor trips to regional parks, which typically are within driving distance, so expensive flights aren't necessary. But if tariffs lead to economic uncertainty, they may just stay home.
New York Times
24-05-2025
- Entertainment
- New York Times
They Make Dreams Come True. But What About Their Own?
I grew up going to amusement parks and fairgrounds in Quebec and the United States. Back then, the only thing on my mind was worrying about having my head turned upside down on the rides. My memories are full of the bright lights, fast rides and greasy food stands of those carnivals. Years later, when I revisited this world as an adult, all I could see was what was happening behind the scenes: workers busy building a wonderful world for children who aren't their own, and men and women trying to escape a well-ordered life to find freedom and hope in their own way. The short documentary above was born out of my encounter with Kim Lalonde, who has spent a large part of his life working in carnivals, doing his best to put a smile on strangers' faces. He also dreams of following other passions, but leaving the close-knit carnival world and his best friend, Billy, would be like losing a family. This tension between freedom, roots, kinship and new possibilities touched me — I wanted to capture this world where people never stop dreaming of somewhere else.
