Pacemaker: Encouraging my niece to go to Disneyland

A

awinangie

Mouseketeer
Joined
Jun 12, 2013
Hello everyone,

I mentioned in a post a few days ago that my long-time friend is taking my daughter and I to Disneyland soon. She's invited her grown kids (who are my surrogate nieces) and her husband's grown kids. I'm excited about Disneyland, as I had expected that it would be many years before we could go again.

But I'm REALLY excited about seeing my nieces. They're in their twenties now and we haven't lived in the same city for more than a dozen years. One of them has Lupus and is a walking miracle. Two years ago she was on the verge of death. Her mom flew my daughter and me across the country to see her before she died. But instead, she was released from the hospital the day we arrived. Hallelujah!

She's got a system "built" in her that allows her to plug up to a machine at night for kidney dialysis. She's got a pacemaker and a defibrillator "installed" in her heart.

She believes that going to Disneyland would be a waste because, "I can't go on any rides because of my pacemaker."

So, my task is to come up with a list of reasons why she CAN go. I promised no guilt trips :), just helpful information.

I knew exactly where to come for help!!

Thanks much for any advice you can give!!

Auntie Angie
 
I'd recommend she check with her cardiologist. While not the same, obviously, many OB/Gyns allow pregnant women to go rides without height restrictions. Perhaps her cardiologist can give some similar guidance.

Of course, apart from rides, there's plenty of shows, good, and just enjoying the ambiance.
 
Did her cardiologist say she can't ride rides because of her pacemaker? My son has an ICD (both defibrillator and pacemaker). We have asked all 3 of his cardiologists plus the company that makes his ICD and they all said his ICD only prevents him from riding rides that have a restraint that will rub on his incision site (so no Screamin). Now one of his cardiologists says no to Tower of Terror and Space Mountain- not because of his ICDbut because of his heart. I know I have read people saying that magnets in the rides will affect their ICDs but they all assured me they wouldn't (and they didn't). Of course, not all ICDs are the same and she might have other underlying conditions that prevent her from riding rides. I am just saying if she is automatically assuming that her ICD prevents her from riding rides, she might talk to her doctors.
 
Very, very helpful advice! Thanks!!

Now if only *I* could be the one to call her Cardiologist, I'd know it would be done!! ;)
 


So what is she worried about exactly with the pacemaker?

I've heard that CA Screamin' will be a no-go because of the magnetic field it uses for the launch.

I just found forums on pacemakerclub.com that happily discusses going on rides at DL with a pacemaker.

There's a thread here from 2012 where I basically say the same thing, LOL, and some go on rides and some won't. Does her cardiologist have knowledge of Disneyland rides? Does her cardiologist have specific concerns about rides and WHY she shouldn't ride things?

And...even if she rides nothing, there's a certain beauty to being in the park, hearing the sounds, seeing the sights, having fun even without getting on a ride.
 
I got really sick at DL for the first 4 days of our trip. I just couldn't handle the motion sickness. I decided not to go on most of the rides the last day. I did pilot the mark twain which was fun. I went on the monorail. I went to too town and also did lots of character visits. I saw shows and the fireworks and world of color. I shopped. There is. So much fun to do even if you can't go on all the rides. I'm sure there are some rides that she could do too.
 
I agree that she should check with her cardiologist. The ICD and magnetic fields could be a concern, so checking with the company would be helpful. I know that my sister has to be careful going through security points - she can't go through anything with a magnetic field.

There is so much more to Disney than the ride attractions. Hopefully she will decide to take the trip and everyone can have a great time catching up on life and enjoying each others company at a fun place.
 


She says her cardiologist has said "no rollercoasters" in the past. I asked her to get more details and she said she would. I doubt he knows much about DL as they're on Long Island.

I asked if she had any other worries and she said she shouldn't be in the sun too long. That concerns me more, much harder to avoid sun. I wonder if those UV protection umbrellas would help.

And thanks so much for the info about "pacemakerclub.com"! That will be really helpful, I'm sure.
 
If you could get her a UV protection umbrella in white you could jazz it up like Mary Poppins parasol! I'd be focusing more on the enjoyment from a trip with family and friends rather than the rides. No trip to Disneyland is a 'waste' and sometimes it's nice to slow the pace and enjoy the parks and shows as something special.
 
I have no experience with the medical side of this, but some rides that came to mind that she might be able to do are: Storybook, Mark Twain, Small World, Ariels Grotto, Columbia, Monorail, Railroad... Plenty of shows to see as well. I went when I was pregnant, and while I was limited, I still had a blast. Disneyland is wonderful!!!
 
Did he say no roller coasters before or after the ICD? One of my son's cardiologists eased up on restrictions after he got his ICD. We are very lucky and one of nathan's cardiologists is a Disney fan so we were able to go through each ride and get a yes or a no. All heart conditions are different as to what people can or can't do. Even with our son- he has seen 5 different cardiologists (he has 2 regular ones- one locally and then we travel across the country to see one of the best in the world for his condition every year. And then we have seen some of their associates when they have been out of town). We have asked every single one about Disney rides since Disney is our escape from reality. They are all very qualifies and they all give us slightly different opinions on what he should/shouldn't do. We choose to follow the most restrictive (whichis getting harder now that our son is 16). He can ride some but not others. Even if she couldn't ride a single "thrill" ride there is still plenty she can do. The first 3 times I went I was pregnant and could only ride the same thing as my 18month old.
 
I just KNEW this was the place to come!! This has all been so helpful! Thanks much everyone!!!
 
awinangie said:
She says her cardiologist has said "no rollercoasters" in the past. I asked her to get more details and she said she would. I doubt he knows much about DL as they're on Long Island.

I asked if she had any other worries and she said she shouldn't be in the sun too long. That concerns me more, much harder to avoid sun. I wonder if those UV protection umbrellas would help.

And thanks so much for the info about "pacemakerclub.com"! That will be really helpful, I'm sure.
Click to expand...


I am not sure if the DAS (Disability Card) would be available to her for this but you can always try. If she cannot be in the sun too long she should have the option of being able to wait in a shaded area.

I also did a web search for Disneyland ride warnings. I saw the Disneyland website has a way to filter which attractions have health advisories.... https://disneyland.disney.go.com/attractions/#/health-concerns/ the attractions listed on that page would have a advisory on heart conditions. If there are no health advisories listed for the other attractions they should be fine. After all, those advisories are always more strict.
 
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I hope that she does go. It would not be a waste of her time and money.
In addition to what rides others have posted, I don't see why she couldn't enjoy setting sail upon the old bayou with those good old boy pirates. Then go for a hauntingly great time at the ultimate retirement home for ghosts at the infamous, sorry meant famous ;) haunted mansion. Both ride attractions are relatively fast loading, so reasonably short to zero wait times, generally speaking, outdoors. Then off to meet Trader Sam and the rest of his fun, head hunting and stew lovin makin' village after embarking upon the jungle cruise. Only there will one be able to experience the penultimate water phenomena known as the back side of water!
:)
Roller coasters are always overrated anywhere really. But what else is not is visiting the awesome goats, mini donkeys Dotti and Dixie I believe are their names. And Clarabelle the mini Hereford, and one of the gorgeous Disney draft horses. They are all in their respective pens and are available for a glorious visit and pictures.
I would think Peter Pan would be no problem for her to visit as well. Just thought of that one. I believe it will be open?
I enjoyed as well Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln. Then y'all could visit pixie hollow. I keep missing the pixies. Have fun riding one of the merry go round horses. Even better still, a wagon pulled by a real horse on Main Street. :)
Definitely visit cute little Jose and his frolicking song birds and flowers, plus magical tikis put on a really good show fer you. The pre show out on the lanai is not to be missed either. Might like a dole whip too, which is allowed as is food in general and drinks too inside the Enchanted Tiki Room.
Enjoy the Plaza Inn chicken. It is delicious. Don't forget the Churros too. Don't forget to ask for a map of the jungle cruise after the skip tells you to get out. ;) lol

Then of course there is dining at the blue bayou. There everyone will be transported to another time, while dining alfresco during a cool brisk moonlit early night, right up against the shore of the bayou. You might just see fireflies performing natures dance, while seeming to keep in time with the banjo music that the old man loves listening to, while sitting upon his rocking chair and smoking his most favorite corn cob pipe.

And I am not quite done....then there is everything else that can be done, experienced by your niece. From tours to shopping, fireworks and parades there will always be something to look forward to, be it new, or tried and true.
And don't forget that I'm celebrating button while your visiting.

Then there is California Adventure....

Starting to get writers cramp.lol. To be continued. :)


Edited: don't know how almonds got in there? lol :faint: and to fix a few other things. Gotta love the mobile site.....
 
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Forgot to add that if this is her first visit, then ask for that button too. And even if it technically is not, that doesn't matter, because perhaps the month that she will be visiting, she hadn't been before.
She will be celebrating being alive and having a certain and special quality of life. Celebrating these and other elements with friends and family.
 
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