Anyone gone to WDW with an ICD? [Merged Threads]

[Goofy4WDW1964]

Has anyone gone to WDW with an ICD, (Inplantable Cardioverter Defibrillator)? I am trying to find out what, if anything, I should avoid while I am there. The list I have of things to avoid actually lists Amusement Parks/Roller Coasters as safe. I am not looking for any responses telling me that I shouldn't ride (insert ride name here) with a heart condition. I am looking for whether electronics present at the parks might interfere with the device.

Thanks

 

[Mennamachine]

Rock'n'Rollercoaster has one of those magnetic induction starts that I know is not safe for those with pacemakers. I don't know if and ICD would react the same, but it's something to look out for. Most of the rides should be labeled if they have similar counterindications. RnR is the only one I can think of off of the top of my head. You may want to check ont the DISabilites board. They have more information on situations like this.

 

[Goofy4WDW1964]

I didn't realize there was one of those. I will definitely post this over there too.

Thanks!

 

[Goofy4WDW1964]

Has anyone gone to WDW with an ICD, (Inplantable Cardioverter Defibrillator)? I am trying to find out what, if anything, I should avoid while I am there. The list I have of things to avoid actually lists Amusement Parks/Roller Coasters as safe. I am not looking for any responses telling me that I shouldn't ride (insert ride name here) with a heart condition. I am looking for whether electronics present at the parks might interfere with the device.

Thanks

 

[Eeyore's Tiara]

HI!

My husband has a pacemaker/difibrillator and he's never had any interference in the parks or resorts with his. He goes with us a couple times a year and has not ever had it go off while we are there!

I understand what you mean by interference because he has forgotten and placed his cell phone over his device and it makes quite a bit of racket.... He also knows by the feel of it when it's going to go off. And he's never had any problems in WDW. We have not noticed any magnets, or electric equipment anywhere near any of the rides we have been on. So from our standpoint, all was good. My dh found WDW very relaxing and fun. I hope you have a great time at WDW.

 

[SueM in MN]

A long time ago (maybe 10 yrs ago), the official WDW Guidebooks for Guests with Disabilities listed certain attractions as not recommended for people with pacemakers.
They no longer have a list like that. I'm not sure if it's because they have no attractions that have magnets or electronics that are a problem, have better 'shielding' on the rides, the pacemakers and other devices have better shielding or that they feel their warnings for patients with heart problems 'covers' the problems. Your best bet might be to write to WDW and ask.

 

[Eeyore's Tiara]

I just talked it over with my dh and he said you might not want to ride Rockin Rollercoaster because he believes it accelerates with electromagnetic power. So it might not hurt to double check with someone at Disney. He doesnt ride RR because of the heart warning. He doesnt know of any other ride that he would believe used magnets or magnetic fields.

So like Sue said, you might check with Disney. We havent had any problems because he usually doesnt ride the rides that have heart warnings.

 

[strmtroopr96]

My Dad has had one since 2005 and has been back to WDW in 2006 and 2007! He pretty much rides almost everything. He never really liked Mission Space, Tower of Terror, or Dinosaur before getting one though. LOL

But if he did like Mission Space, I have a feeling he wouldn't do that one anymore. Otherwise, I really can't think of anything he really hast to avoid.

He does all the rollercoasters for the most part. Actually, R+R Coaster was closed last trip so that maybe one that could be iffy although he has ridden it in 2006.

 

[CanadianGuy]

You'll get MUCH better answers to this question on the disABILITIES forum here on the DIS..

I'll move this post over there for you.

Thanks,

Knox

 

[Goofy4WDW1964]

Thanks for all of your replies. I have rulled out Rock n' Rollercoaster and Mission Space. It's good to hear that others have been without incidents.

For the ones that have gone, did they ride TTA? I was wondering since it also runs on magnets.

I think I will still send an email to Disney and ask their opinion. I'm sure other's have had the same question.

Again, thanks!

 

[Eeyore's Tiara]

We did ride the TTA since it's one of my youngest daughters favorite rides. She's too young to go on Space Mountain so she enjoys going through it with her big sisters because they point everything out to her.

My dh has never had any problems on the TTA and it is one of the rides we do several times while we are there.

It still might not hurt to double check just to be on the safe side.