Any solos get sick at WDW?

Simba's Mom

everything went to "H*** in a handbasket
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Aug 26, 1999
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Has anyone ever gotten sick, bedridden, at WDW when they've been solo? That's my only fear when I go solo-that I might get sick with the flu or something, be stuck in bed, and have no one to help me. I was just wondering if that's ever happened to anyone else and if so, how you handled it?
 
On extended solo trips (2 weeks or more), I used to go commando-style and would become ill. I got the flu and had a high fever. I went to bed and stayed there. (I always have drinks and snacks in my room.)

I learned from that, and now when I feel like I'm just dragging, I take time off and lounge around my room, maybe even for the whole day. I travel with aspirin, cold remedies, Rolaids, etc., just in case. I don't push myself anymore. I stay hydrated and scrub my hands a lot. And I also started getting a flu shot. So far, so good.:hippie:

My lesson: rest when I feel I need it. No guilt allowed for being at WDW and resting. (It IS a vacation, after all!)
 
Has anyone ever gotten sick, bedridden, at WDW when they've been solo? That's my only fear when I go solo-that I might get sick with the flu or something, be stuck in bed, and have no one to help me. I was just wondering if that's ever happened to anyone else and if so, how you handled it?

Back in 96 I planned my first on-site trip and ended up going by myself. I got a wicked head/chest cold the day before and it got worse throughout the trip..I lost my voice for most of the trip...I just pushed through my days and nights commando style(with some help from robitussin) and kept to myself as much as possible...using a notepad to communicate if needed..I felt like crud...but apparently I still looked ok cause I was getting hit on the whole time. The plane ride home was torture though. It never got better on the trip so I went to the doctor when I got home and ended up with 3 different prescriptions. I am older with kids now and don't take care of myself like I used to...I'm not sure if I could muster the energy now.
 
yes.

bring a bunch of prescription and over the counter meds with you.

drink water! yes even Florida water.

also have those wet ones (or whatever) on me to wash my hands - when I want to touch my face.
 

Always travel with some purell and wetones...Too many people dont know what the soap is for at the rest rooms
 
Ask for help or advice from the Front Desk.

A few years ago, I started feeling miserable on a Saturday night. It hurt to breathe. I spent all day Sunday in the room. When I went to check out Monday, I had to stop every few steps I was in so much pain. At the front desk (SoG; I was moving to a Fairfield Inn) I asked for specific directions to a walk-in clinic. The desk clerk looked at me and called an ambulance. I spent a week in the hospital, with pneumonia.
 
I understand your concerns. There is a product out called AirBorne. It's great. It's basically super charged Vitamin C. You take it every 3-4 hours while flying, traveling, etc. Whenever I travel now, I take it the day before and morning of my flight and right before I leave again. I also have lots and lots of hand wipes, etc.
Don't let the worry of getting sick stop you from going, chances are very slim you will get sick.
 
First of all, take care of yourself in the weeks leading up to your trip. It's easy to get run down trying to tie up all the loose ends before a vacation and that just makes you more succeptible to illness. Get plenty of rest and take vitamins. Keep your immune system running at it's best.

Yes, I had a solo trip at WL about five years ago and got the fever and chills flu. The funny thing is, I was checking in the Wednesday before Thanksgiving (for a ten day trip) and since the hotel was busy and I was solo, they put me in an accessible room right around the corner from Roaring Forks. I remember thinking how huge the bathroom was, and being glad I had such a nice shower. About three days before check out, I became ill. I had brought over the counter medicine with me, which I was very glad to have, but what I really wanted was something hot to drink. This was back before the coffee makers and fridges were standard in the deluxe resorts. I had an electric cooler full of cold drinks, so I didn't get dehydrated, but I wanted something hot soooo bad! I didn't let mousekeeping in at all that first day I was sick. I was so thankful for the grab bars in the bathroom, because I was so shaky I could hardly walk. By the second day, I had enough energy to sit on the pull down seat in the shower (by now I was thanking God I was in that accessible room) and get cleaned up so I could go to Roaring Forks for some hot soup. It's one of the few trips that I used luggage assistance when checking out.

I've made many solo trips since then, and not had a problem. One thing, I became a fanatic about hand washing. I carry a lot of individually wrapped towelettes with me and use them often. I always wash right before eating (I used to stop in the restroom to wash before going to a restaurant - not thinking about how many things get touched between the restroom and actually dining) and I make sure I don't touch my face without washing first. I haven't been sick once at Disney since then. I continue to pack enough over the counter flu, sinus/allergy, and pain medicine to get me through four or five days, just in case.

If you are staying in a value resort without a coffee maker, I would recommend taking one of those small immersion heaters with you, as well as an old cup (one you don't care if it breaks, or buy a souvenir coffee cup on the trip), so you can make something hot to drink. I was so desperate for something hot to drink that time at WL that I would run the tap water until it got hot and drink that. Not the most wonderful drink, I can tell you. But if you've got a couple teabags, or a couple packets of instant chicken soup, along with that immersion heater, it can make all the difference. Now that there are coffee makers in the deluxe and mod resorts, that is a big help.

Fortunately, I haven't had to deal with a stomach virus at Disney. I do use the Bonine motion sickness medicine, which can also be used for virus nausea, because I get motion sickness on the rides. So I probably wouldn't feel any minor stomach upset. I do travel with some Pepto Bismol chewables, in case I have a stomach issue, but so far, I haven't had to use them.

Don't be afraid to call the front desk if you need help. Oh, and don't be alarmed when mousekeeping shows up after you've kept them out for a day or two, wearing rubber gloves, face masks, and looking like a hazmat team!
 
First of all, take care of yourself in the weeks leading up to your trip. It's easy to get run down trying to tie up all the loose ends before a vacation and that just makes you more succeptible to illness. Get plenty of rest and take vitamins. Keep your immune system running at it's best.

Yes, I had a solo trip at WL about five years ago and got the fever and chills flu. The funny thing is, I was checking in the Wednesday before Thanksgiving (for a ten day trip) and since the hotel was busy and I was solo, they put me in an accessible room right around the corner from Roaring Forks. I remember thinking how huge the bathroom was, and being glad I had such a nice shower. About three days before check out, I became ill. I had brought over the counter medicine with me, which I was very glad to have, but what I really wanted was something hot to drink. This was back before the coffee makers and fridges were standard in the deluxe resorts. I had an electric cooler full of cold drinks, so I didn't get dehydrated, but I wanted something hot soooo bad! I didn't let mousekeeping in at all that first day I was sick. I was so thankful for the grab bars in the bathroom, because I was so shaky I could hardly walk. By the second day, I had enough energy to sit on the pull down seat in the shower (by now I was thanking God I was in that accessible room) and get cleaned up so I could go to Roaring Forks for some hot soup. It's one of the few trips that I used luggage assistance when checking out.

I've made many solo trips since then, and not had a problem. One thing, I became a fanatic about hand washing. I carry a lot of individually wrapped towelettes with me and use them often. I always wash right before eating (I used to stop in the restroom to wash before going to a restaurant - not thinking about how many things get touched between the restroom and actually dining) and I make sure I don't touch my face without washing first. I haven't been sick once at Disney since then. I continue to pack enough over the counter flu, sinus/allergy, and pain medicine to get me through four or five days, just in case.

If you are staying in a value resort without a coffee maker, I would recommend taking one of those small immersion heaters with you, as well as an old cup (one you don't care if it breaks, or buy a souvenir coffee cup on the trip), so you can make something hot to drink. I was so desperate for something hot to drink that time at WL that I would run the tap water until it got hot and drink that. Not the most wonderful drink, I can tell you. But if you've got a couple teabags, or a couple packets of instant chicken soup, along with that immersion heater, it can make all the difference. Now that there are coffee makers in the deluxe and mod resorts, that is a big help.

Fortunately, I haven't had to deal with a stomach virus at Disney. I do use the Bonine motion sickness medicine, which can also be used for virus nausea, because I get motion sickness on the rides. So I probably wouldn't feel any minor stomach upset. I do travel with some Pepto Bismol chewables, in case I have a stomach issue, but so far, I haven't had to use them.

Don't be afraid to call the front desk if you need help. Oh, and don't be alarmed when mousekeeping shows up after you've kept them out for a day or two, wearing rubber gloves, face masks, and looking like a hazmat team!
fla4fun-thanks so much for sharing your experience with me. I've noticed that you've taken solo trips since your experience (not a pleasant time, I'm sorry). That tells me that while it may happen, it's not the end of the world if it does. So while I'll continue to hope it doesn't happen (and use antibacterial wipes a lot), I feel much better hearing that while it's no fun if it happens, you survived!
 
I got sick this past September. Fortunantly, I bought tea, some meds, and airborne with me. Every morning I drink hot tea with airborne and cough drops in it. That helped out alot. I did the same in the eve. I think the excitement of the trip helped me to stick it out. :goodvibes
 
I picked up something and went from fine to sinus infection in less than one day near the end of my 2004 solo trip. :eek: It happened two years earliler in Las Vegas, as well. *sigh*

I travel with my own mini-pharmacy. It's all OTC stuff, and just small amounts to get me through two or three days if something zaps me suddenly. Even have Imodium AD in it--never needed it, thankfully--which a friend needed in 2003. And I was nice enough to give it to her after she laughed at my OTC supplies! *LOL*
 
Thankfully, I was traveling with a friend.

August 2004 I arrived for a long weekend at the GF not feeling all that well....but the GF and WDW was stronger than feeling unwell.

36 hours later I was hospitalized with pancreatitus.

Luckily my friend is a physician and we managed to priate me onto our Southwest flight home when I returned to the hospital for TWO WEEKS.

Having said all that.....

If you are ever not well....just call the front desk.

The GF was FABULOUS with me....Lou was at a medical conference while I was in the ER at Celebration Hospital. They called to check on my status, offered drivers to pick me up and said they would arrange for a doctor to visit me in the room if it were necessary (not knowing Lou is a doctor).

Call your front desk first.

They can.....

Arrange for a pharmacy delivery to your room.

Arrange for a "housecall" visit from a physician.

Will drive you to the hospital if necessary.

There is also a "quick clinic" just outside WDW property by DTD....for the bumps, blisters, colds...etc......less expensive than a visit to the ER.

Just know, if you try a nutty thing like I did and fly home when you should actually stay in the hospital.....they will have you sign a waiver (AMA - you left against medical advice).....so choose wisely.


Now...lets all hope that no one needs this information!

Stay well and have a ball!

Cathy
 
Never at a Disney resort, but I travel a lot for business and have certainly been sick in hotel rooms by myself. Like others, I always have pain killer/fever reducers, sinus pills, and anti-diarrhea meds on hand. I also carry a few tea bags, the high vitamin C mixes, and a packet of soup, and I used to carry a mini immersion heater before most hotel rooms had little coffeemakers for hot water.

Housekeeping is usually very nice in these cases, and will bring you extra blankets and kleenex. If you're really bad off, the front desk or concierge can refer you whatever medical assistance you might need.

The worst is when you're someplace that doesn't have the capacity for room service, but even then somebody at the front desk will usually take pity on you and work something out, unless it's the middle of the night and nothing is open.

The best thing is to listen to your body and try to head it off best you can before it gets really bad! :sick:
 
Sorry to post so late on this thread, but yes, this is a fear of mine as well, as I have endometriosis and never know when I may become incapacitated by an "attack". It doesn't hold me back though, otherwise I'd never leave my home :scared1: Luckily, I haven't had any major ones since having my son 6 years ago but once you've been through it, it's always in the back of your mind! It's a constant worry that I'll be walking through a park and suddenly have an attack - can't move, can't walk ... it's like a knife cutting from navel to down yonder. The only thing that can alleviate the pain is a combination of demerol/morphine and gravol. What should I do if this happens? :scared:

Thanks!
 
The only thing that can alleviate the pain is a combination of demerol/morphine and gravol. What should I do if this happens?

Is that something for which you can ask your doctor to give you a prescription right before you go, just in case? If not, should you get an attack, a CM would likely take you to First Aid where they will arrange to get you to an ER.

I have Meniere's Disease, which sometimes causes severe vertigo, which in turn can cause uncontrollable vomiting (nice, eh? :upsidedow ). Thank goodness I haven't had a bad attack in years, but one of my very first attacks happened when standing in line for Indiana Jones at DL. When the dizziness got so bad I could barely walk or hold my head up, I went to First Aid and they sent me any my friend to a local ER in their own quasi-ambulance. Several hours later after it was under control and the hospital released me, they brought me back to Guest Services where we got passes to come back another day and were driven right to our car.

A lot of people with health concerns come to Disney resorts especially because the environment and services make dealing with these issues much easier than in many other vacation situations, so they can relax a little more.
 
I haven't had one at disney, but I get bad 2-day migranes about once every two months.

I have had migranes on other vacations though. It's not fun. Usually I just want to sleep, and only need something to drink. I always crave Ritz crackers though - which I should pack and don't!

All the hotels I've been in have been so accomodating, doing whatever they can to make life less miserable when you're sick. Disney is even better than most. I think the main thing is to not feel bad about calling guest services and asking for what you need. It never hurts to ask!

For my part, I always bring ear plugs with me (migranes and vacuum cleaners don't go together very well), and of course the whole arsenal of prescription and regular meds. Yes, I feel like a walking drug store - but better safe than sorry!

Be well - have fun!
 





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