Crohn's Disease????

[lvflamingoz]

Hi!

I was wondering about how Disney handles "unseen" disabilities? I have Crohn's disease and am a little concerned about our upcoming trip. I know there are tons of bathrooms in the park, but my concern is around WHEN I have to find a bathroom.

With Crohn's, when you gotta go...you GOTTA go...I'm worried about having to leave a line that I've been in for 1/2 hour because I have to get to a bathroom...and then having to start back at the end of the line again...

Any of you frequest Disney travelers have this issue??

 

[OneLittleSpark]

Hi there and welcome! I'm afraid I may not be a huge help, but I'll offer what I can until the cavalry arrive.

Firstly, the Fastpass system is your friend. Use it whenever you can for the longer queues, so hopefully you won't have to duck out of the queues you do go in and if you do, they'll be the shorter ones.

If you suffer from any weakness or mobility-impairing pain with the condition, you might want to look into renting a wheelchair or ECV. The disABILITIES FAQ has loads of information on renting and using mobility aids in the parks. If you do decide to go for one, I'd suggest you rent from off site, as this means you'll have it 24/7, so will be able to use it around the resort, getting to and from the bus and at Downtown Disney, instead of just in the park. They also often work out cheaper than renting each day from the park.

I don't know whether there are any accommodations under the GAC system that might help, but it might be worth looking into. There is information on the GAC in the disABILITIES FAQ.

I can't really think of much else to suggest right now, but I'm sure there will be more people along soon with more helpful answers.

Hope you have a great trip!

 

[Tonya2426]

I don't really have an answer for you on this. I have Ulcerative Colitis and know just about every bathroom on property but have never had to leave a line to find one. My strategy is usually lots of imodium and to visit the bathroom often.(Although I almost had an issue on a ride once, but somehow convinced my colon it was just going to have to wait. ) I see people meeting up with people in line all the time. They just say lots of excuse me's. I'm sure parents take little kids to go potty all the time and then rejoin the rest of the family in line and I know you aren't the first adult to have IBD to visit WDW. So, it's probably best to ask at Guest Services to see if they have a solution just so you get the scoop on proper line etiquette.

 

[DonnaBoo]

IBD is no fun...no matter where you are. I have it as well. Last time I really watched what I ate and there were days I only had liquids. Going without food was worth it. I also carried an extra pair of underwear and shorts in my knapsack, just in case. And if I had to go to the bathroom, I just went. People were great about letting me back in line with my friends.
It can be embarrassing, but I was in Disney and nothing was going to stop me from having a good time.
Try the disability aboard, in case someone might have other suggestions. You can also pm me if you wish.
Have a great time in Disney and enjoy your trip.

 

[leanan]

They handle hidden disabilities well. They take care of my daughter who has Aspergers perfectly.

I wonder if there might be a gac to take care of this issue. I know when I go with my son and my shoulder is acting up they give me a pass so that I can wait out the time of the line in a shaded spot siting down so I do not have to stand in line and hold him. You have no idea how siting down with him for the wait time makes everything so much better. I could not get a stroller as a wheel chair gac because I am the one disabled not baby eric. Regardless they had an answer. Perhaps go to guest services when you arrive, explain your problem and see if they have a general access card that will work for you. They might give you the same one as me as it would enable you the ease of running to the potty if need be. Then again they might have a better answer. Do not ask for a specific stamp on your gac, just tell them your problem and let them decide. It works better that way.

Good luck and like others have said Fast Pass Is Your Friend.

 

[SueM in MN]

I could not get a stroller as a wheel chair gac because I am the one disabled not baby eric.

They have allowed a stroller as a wheelchair in situations like yours where your disability prevents you from holding the child. So, if that would work well for you, you could push for that accomodation next time.

 

[dizcrazee]

I have IBS and two family members with Crohn's, so I certainly can empathize with the situation. I do the same things that DonnaBoo does - I could have written that post!

Game plan - immodium, change of clothes in bag, very careful about food, visit restroom at every opportunity, and know where all the restrooms are. You'll make it!

 

[wishspirit]

Hi ya!
My sister has Crohn's, and the waits have never really been a problem, she went to the bathroom a lot, like before we went on rides with a long queue. But the thing that got to her most was the heat. She feels really sick with her Crohn's and the heat doesnt help, so she drank a lot and took lots of breaks in the shade.

The best way it to do all the queue avoiding tactics, if you are on property, do the magic hours early in the morning. Then break for the afternoon (when she always felt dodgiest), then come back in the evening. Use fastpass and try and take Disney at your own pace, you will never see everything! She was also in control of the map most of the time (we all know the parks like tha back of our hands, or at least i do) so she could then easily find a bathroom.

Hope this helps, and have a magical trip!

 

[leanan]

They have allowed a stroller as a wheelchair in situations like yours where your disability prevents you from holding the child. So, if that would work well for you, you could push for that accomodation next time.

I asked about that stamp. The CM told me No.

 

[BeckyScott]

I've got UC, and while this will be our first vacation to Disney with it, I've gone to other parks.

My advice is similar. I stopped at every bathroom we passed, whether I had to go or not, I went in and tried. I had a map. I wore a huge maxi-pad-- like that would have done any good, but it just made me feel better. I did not wear a fanny pack because I didn't want any pressure on my abdomen, and I wore loose clothes too. After lunch, we very intentionally just walked around for about an hour, wandered, until I felt safe enough to stand in a line.

One tip I can offer is to remember your stress level is going to be a big contributor. I didn't have a problem in the parks, and I swear it was because I wasn't under the same stress as at home. But with that, it's important to not be Vacation Commando, to keep your goal of just having a good time and people-watching and "punting" a lot of your day. Having a very set schedule or trying to keep a hectic pace is going to stress you out. The hour-wait rides are great stuff, and by all means go for it! But there's much to enjoy where you don't have to stand in a line.

 

[tweedlemom]

Subscribing. My dad has UC and will be making his first trip to WDW this August. Keep the tips coming!

 

[SueM in MN]

I asked about that stamp. The CM told me No.

Sorry to hear that. Other people have posted they got it because their disability did not allow them to carry their child in line. It's possible you had more people to help or something????

 

[lunalibre]

My DH has Crohn's and we went this past June. He did great!!!

The things that helped him were:

- Hit the bathrooms at every opportunity
- Stay hydrated
- Be sure to get enough rest at night
- Watch what you eat!!!!!! We carefully planned all CS and TS meals to be sure there would be "safe" food to eat.
- If you start running into problems (ahem), do NOT stop eating!!! We brought along several bottles of Ensure just in case he had a bad flareup. It's not solid food so your body has time to rest, but it's still nutrition so you feel better faster.

Anyway, we planned our trip with TGM (which ought to stand for Tour God Mike), and it was the most restful, enjoyable family trip to the World we could have imagined.

Good luck!

 

[SueM in MN]

Anyway, we planned our trip with TGM (which ought to stand for Tour God Mike), and it was the most restful, enjoyable family trip to the World we could have imagined.

Good luck!

TourGuide Mike is a good suggestion. He is a Theme Parks Board sponsor and you can find a link to his website at the top of that board.
Using something like TGM helps you to be in the places that are not busy, which translates to less lines/waits for everything.