About 5 or 6 years ago during the fall allergy season, my husband suddenly developed a reaction to ragweed. We were travelling at the time and the reaction was pretty severe. He was miserable. Prior to that event, he had never experienced seasonal allergies. The following pollen season when we were back in the Orlando area, he developed allergic symptoms again. This is now a twice-a-year event in the spring and fall.
His allergy symptoms started last weekend during our 4-day visit to Walt Disney World for Labor Day. On our third day of the trip at Disney Hollywood Studios, he began with the sneezing fits. By Monday there was more sneezing and watery eyes. By Tuesday, I also began to feel a little post nasal drip and itchy eyes. For me, it is mostly an annoyance that is easily compensated by some over-the-counter allergy medication. My husband, on the other hand, continues to suffer miserably despite medication.
Extended time outdoors in the Orlando area during pollen season is simply not an option for us. So... we'll need to skip a visit to Disney during week 37 (technically, my weeks officially start on Sundays so we already made two visits over Labor Day on Sunday and Monday during week 37).
I just checked pollen counts at The Weather Channel which showed the pollen forecast for the Orlando area is "very high" for weeds (medium for grasses and zero impact for trees). We live near an open field where there is no doubt an abundance of ragweed. According to The Weather Channel, Orlando is currently a hot spot for pollen. In a top 10 list of cities, Orlando is second only to Daytona Beach for the areas with the highest pollen counts. And it is only predicted to get worse over the next 2-3 days. Based on my husband's symptoms (his nose is so red and won't stop running) I'm not surprised Orlando is at the top of the pollen list. Just by looking at him, I can see how uncomfortable he is. His voice is very nasally and he just feels like a big block head. I feel so badly for him and hope it clears up soon.
Hopefully, the allergies will get in check soon. The Epcot International Food & Wine Festival begins at the end of this month (opening day is September 30) and it is one of our most favorite times of year to visit.
If you are a seasonal allergy sufferer and you're headed to Orlando for a Disney vacation in September, be aware that pollen counts are currently high (and the dreaded love bugs are just starting to show up too). If you stay inside the neatly manicured parks where very few weeds exists, you'll likely do OK. Just remember to pack the allergy medicine!