It's Santa Ana season here in Southern California, where the hot desert winds blow in the Los Angeles Basin, to push the temperatures in the 100s in the valleys. But when I think of really ridiculously hot weather, my thoughts always turn instead ... working in an Orlando theme park in summer.It has now warm. Stamps from the combination of heat, humidity and the Sun beat down thousands of tourists each year.And more than a few cast members, as well as. my first summer, working inside the relatively mild conditions in the old Mickey Mart store in Undercover, I passed on my way to break an evening, overcome by heat and my lack of fuel up by eating a decent lunch before my Shift.
This event left me strongly aware of the need to take care of the body in the heat.
Each location, I've worked on in Walt Disney World's Magic Kingdom had a large Igloo cooler-and who was first in work in the morning was responsible for fill with ice and water from the nearest food location.Next to each cooler would you often find a stack of pure, white hand towels. pause, we would often Enjoy a towel in the icy water and wrap around the back of our necks, while also drink a cup of water. In Central Florida sauna requires your body a constant stream of hydration to keep sweat flowing. If you do not keep the water arrive, will Soaring your body temperature.
While I grabbed every cup of cold water I could when you work in Tom Sawyer Island rafts, or any other outdoor location on Disney, is I actually tried to avoid air conditioning feature as far as possible, why is that you ask?
I found it moves between warm and cold air more uncomfortable than just acclimating myself to the heat. too much time in AC slowed down my body internal air Crema.Instead be like a car that always stops and starts, I was, I would rather just leave my body cooling system cruise speed motorway, and stop pretending that I do not live in alternative so terribly hot.
At home I held the thermostat to 85. I shopped at a 24-hour grocery, so I could go only after midnight shifts when the contrast between the cold store and outdoor air were as minimum. When you take breaks, I stayed in the lead offices rather than walking down to the stronger a/c in tunnels.
While I accepted the heat, I continued to do my best to avoid Sun. Solar and heat, is two different challenges, as anyone who has been sunburned on a ski slope winter should know.I am always on my sunscreen, since I got dressed for my Shift. And I tried to follow the best advice ever given me by a Florida native: always stand (or park) in the shade.
With my pale, freckled skin, I can't afford what would likely end up with a blistering mistake if I do not protect me from the Sun.
What is your strategy for the management of the heat in amusement parks, Orlando-area? Please share your story in the comments.
More stories from Robert about his time working at Walt Disney World, visit themeparkinsider.com/stories.
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