Spray sunscreen at Disney World seems like the obvious choice for a theme park. Fast, easy, no mess. Except it doesn’t actually work the way you think it does and somewhere in the middle of a crowded Magic Kingdom walkway you’re going to become that person.
Why Spray Sunscreen at Disney World Is a Problem
You’re burning through it faster and paying more for the privilege of uneven protection. A significant amount goes straight into the air, carried off by the breeze before it gets anywhere near you. To get adequate coverage you end up using far more product than you would with a lotion.
Uneven Coverage Means Uneven Sunburn
Spray sunscreen is notoriously difficult to apply evenly. Miss a spot and that spot will let you know about it by hour four. A streaky sunburn on the back of your legs is a special kind of souvenir nobody asked for.
You’re Going to Spray Someone
This is the one that gets me every time. Disney World walkways are crowded. There is no polite moment to stand in the middle of a theme park and start spraying chemicals into the air. Florida has wind. That wind does not care about the family walking behind you minding their own business. I’ve watched spray sunscreen drift across entire groups of strangers while the person applying it remained completely oblivious. Step aside all you want. The wind is going to do what the wind does.
You Definitely Don’t Want to Inhale It
Spray sunscreen contains chemicals that are not meant to be inhaled. Applying it in a crowded outdoor space where you and everyone around you is breathing heavily from walking all day is not ideal. This one should be self explanatory but here we are.
What to Use Instead
Lotion sunscreen. That’s it. Takes an extra minute to apply, covers evenly, stays where you put it, and doesn’t assault the people around you. We use mineral sunscreen lotions which tend to be gentler on skin and reef safe if that matters to you. Fair warning: mineral sunscreen has a tendency to leave a ghostly white tint on your skin. Haunted Mansion chic. Just call it Disneybounding and move on.
For kids a sunscreen stick is worth its weight in gold. Easy to apply precisely, no mess, no spray, no drama. Our son tolerates it significantly better than any other application method we’ve tried. If you have a squirmy kid at the parks a sunscreen stick is the move.
Full sunscreen recommendations including specific brands are coming in a separate article. For now just put the spray can down.
If You Absolutely Must
Spray sunscreen is infinitely better than nothing. If it’s what you have, use it. Just be mindful about where and when you apply it. Step away from crowds, wait for a break in the wind, and for the love of everything don’t spray it while walking. Your fellow park guests will thank you.