Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando, Florida, has had to deal with a multitude of major threats due to its location. From destructive hurricanes to blistering heat, it always seems like the theme park is plagued by something that can threaten visitors and ruin vacations. However, an extremely rare situation is currently affecting the Central Florida vacation destination, causing experts to label the location as “unhealthy” until it resolves.
Walt Disney World Haze
On Tuesday, visitors to Walt Disney World may have noticed that the sky has been extremely concerning and confusing. While normally bright and sunny, much of Central Florida is currently experiencing some strange and noticeable haze in the air. Furthermore, the cause of this foggy sky has analysts scrambling to warn people against spending too much time outside for the next few days. Since much of a Disney vacation occurs outdoors, this is a cause for concern.
Meteorologists across Florida have stated that the air quality in the state, especially around Walt Disney World, is currently in the unhealthy range and will continue to be hazardous into Thursday. What is causing the health danger? If you thought the Canadian wildfires decimating the East Coast all summer were a thing of the past, you would definitely be wrong. In fact, the haze at Disney World is a direct result of the fires burning in Hudson Bay.
Canada Wildfire Smoke in Florida
According to Click Orlando, the smoke is being transported south by an area of high pressure moving through the Tennessee River Valley. Much of Central Florida is covered in this smoke, and it will likely linger for some time. The air quality will continue to deteriorate over Tuesday and into Wednesday before thinning down. Those in Northern Florida will likely deal with it for additional days beyond the mid-week estimate.
Experts warn that people should exercise caution during this time. It is advised that time outdoors remain limited and avoid strenuous activity when outside. Furthermore, people with underlying conditions, such as heart or lung disease, senior citizens, children, and teens should consider rescheduling outside physical activities and staying indoors as much as possible.
Wildfire smoke from Canada is causing hazy skies across central Florida. Air quality is 'Unhealthy' in Orlando, Daytona Beach and Titusville. Stay weather aware today.https://t.co/Rjh1IbgG8O pic.twitter.com/tmtnBAkzC8
— Allison Gargaro FOX 26 (@allisongargaro) October 3, 2023
“Unhealthy” Air Quality at Disney World
Those visiting Walt Disney World should heed the advice of experts and not push themselves too hard while navigating the theme parks. Magic Kingdom, Animal Kingdom, Hollywood Studios, and EPCOT are all predominantly outdoor experiences with many attractions and offerings that place people in the “unhealthy” air for a great length of time.
While the risks might seem trivial to some people, it is important to stay vigilant. Disney World is currently on the cusp of being considered hazardous, and much of the surrounding area falls into this category. However, the vacation destination is definitely still labeled “unhealthy.”
With October seeing the end of hurricane season, most Disney World guests would anticipate the possibility of a tropical storm or weather hazard. However, dangerous air quality caused by wildfires in Canada is probably not on most people’s bingo cards for what to expect at the Florida theme park. Still, the threat is real, and those standing in queues or spending the day outdoors at the resort should exercise caution. The haze is no joke and extremely noticeable in the sky right now.