Credit: Inside The MagicAs summer surged across Central Florida, so did the number of emergency calls at Walt Disney World — and the numbers paint a grim picture of the real-life dangers behind the magic.
In just 11 days during July’s record-breaking heatwave, Disney’s first responders were dispatched to 86 separate heat illness calls around the sprawling resort, with roughly one in four incidents ending in a hospital visit.
This data, released by the Central Florida Tourism Oversight District, comes in response to a public records request made by Florida Politics. Reporter Gabrielle Russon’s findings are shedding new light on what many already suspected: Florida’s rising temperatures are becoming a serious health risk, even in the most magical place on Earth.
All Ages Affected – From Babies to Seniors
Among those suffering were guests of every age — from infants to octogenarians — caught off guard by the blistering conditions.
The youngest victim in July was a baby under one year old, who reportedly developed a fever while riding Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure at EPCOT. The child was treated at the park and fortunately did not require hospitalization.
At the other end of the age spectrum, an 81-year-old woman collapsed from heat exhaustion near the food trucks at Disney Springs. She was taken to the hospital.
Even with Disney’s extensive efforts to keep guests safe — from free ice water to shaded rest areas — the intensity of Florida’s summer heat continues to pose risks to even the most prepared visitors.
The Hottest Day of the Month
The most dangerous day of the heatwave was July 29, when Orange County hit a heat index of 113°F — only the fifth time in recorded history the area has reached such extremes.
“Heat is a silent killer,” warned Will Ulrich, Warning Coordination Meteorologist for the National Weather Service in Melbourne. “You can feel it, but you can’t see it.”
Ulrich emphasized how even small increases above average temperatures can have major impacts on the human body, especially in Florida’s humid climate — and even more so for the millions of visitors who aren’t used to it.
“Tourists aren’t always acclimated,” he added. “All it takes is a few degrees above normal to take a toll.”
Passing Out in the Parks
Three Disney guests lost consciousness from heat-related illness last month: one in EPCOT’s France pavilion, another inside Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge at Hollywood Studios, and a third at Disney Springs.
Others reported more subtle but equally concerning symptoms. A 14-year-old vomited at Animal Kingdom’s Asia area and was sent to the hospital. At Magic Kingdom, a 44-year-old woman used her Apple Watch to check her heart rate — which had spiked to 160 bpm, a dangerously high rate indicating significant stress.
Complaints of dizziness, weakness, nausea, and headaches were widespread, especially during Orange County’s multiple heat advisories between July 18–21 and July 25–31.
Disney’s Response to the Heat
To its credit, Disney has long been aware of the risks extreme heat poses and has implemented numerous guest safety measures — some more visible than others.
Across all four parks and Disney Springs, visitors can request free ice water at any quick-service restaurant. Misters, fans, umbrellas, and shaded rest areas are placed strategically throughout the parks, and water refill stations are available at key locations.
First aid stations are also staffed in each park, and Disney hotel guests can request in-room medical attention for heat exhaustion or dehydration.
For cast members, Disney has established mandatory rest and hydration breaks, and has focused on breathable costume designs to alleviate the physical strain of working in high temperatures. However, critics argue more could be done, especially as heat waves become more frequent and more intense.
When asked for comment, Disney declined to provide a statement on the July incidents.
Heat Advisories on the Rise in Orange County
This summer is already proving to be historic.
So far in 2025, Orange County has issued 13 heat advisories — compared to just two in 2019, and none in 2020 or 2021. While July always brings sweltering conditions (average highs are around 92°F), this year’s heat wave ranked as the 14th hottest July on record in the last 130 years.
Interestingly, this spike in temperature didn’t break daily highs, but instead marked a new record for the warmest low. On July 28, the coolest part of the day was still 78°F, offering little relief to guests even after sunset.
Not Just Disney — Heat Strains All of Orlando
While Disney saw the majority of heat-related emergencies, SeaWorld reported eight cases, and Universal’s upcoming Epic Universe had one incident logged with county officials. Universal Studios Florida and Islands of Adventure did not report any cases, though the parks use a private ambulance provider, limiting public visibility into medical records.
Meanwhile, SunRail trains slowed their service out of concern the heat could warp steel tracks. And emergency cooling centers were opened by Orange County officials — a rare but growing necessity as summer conditions worsen.
Hospitals in the area were quieter on specifics. Orlando Health stated it does not track heat-related ER visits, and AdventHealth did not respond to questions about increased volume.
Doctors Warn of Long-Term Health Effects
According to Dr. Ariel Mejia, a faculty member at the University of Central Florida’s medical school, children and the elderly are the most vulnerable during extreme heat. Heat exhaustion is the most common concern — caused by dehydration and prolonged exposure — and symptoms typically resolve with shade and hydration.
But heatstroke is a more serious condition. In these cases, internal body temperature soars, causing confusion, muscle breakdown, and even permanent organ damage.
“Preexisting conditions significantly increase your risk,” Dr. Mejia said.
There’s also growing concern about long-term health complications following a heat illness.
Dr. Thomas Clanton, a professor at the University of Florida, published a study showing mice exposed to heatstroke developed obesity, heart problems, and chronic illness for months afterward — the equivalent of years in human terms. While human data is harder to track, Clanton says he’s often contacted by people who have suffered lasting effects after heatstroke and never fully recovered.
“I get phone calls and emails from people all over the country,” Clanton shared. “They’ve had heatstroke or heat illness and have had consequences for years and years.”
Clanton now hopes to establish a national registry for heat illness survivors, connecting them with physicians who understand the long-term effects.
The Magic vs. The Heat
Despite all of Walt Disney World’s resources, the brutal reality is clear: extreme heat remains a growing public health concern, even at the most carefully operated theme parks.
While Disney continues to invest in guest safety and environmental design, the question looms — will that be enough as Florida’s climate continues to shift?
For now, guests are encouraged to stay hydrated, take breaks, and keep a close eye on themselves and loved ones. The Florida heat doesn’t care how magical your day is supposed to be — and as July has shown, it’s not backing down anytime soon.