Diabetics and Character Meals

[Casken]

My question is not regarding the food. What I would like to know is how understanding/accommodating are these restaurants to a person who is Diabetic? Specifically, our son cannot wait too long to eat. He has to eat at specific times. I know they have priority seating but if we tell them that he is Diabetic will they rush us in?

 

[Sherry E]

My question is not regarding the food. What I would like to know is how understanding/accommodating are these restaurants to a person who is Diabetic? Specifically, our son cannot wait too long to eat. He has to eat at specific times. I know they have priority seating but if we tell them that he is Diabetic will they rush us in?

Well, if you make a PS in advance, you should be fine being seated at any character meal or other table service meal right away. Chances are they will not make you wait for more than a few minutes, IF that. I mean, there are lots of diabetics or hypoglycemics who eat at DLR. Are you saying that if your son does not eat at X time on the dot, he will have an episode, or are you just saying that he needs to eat as close to a given time as possible? You could always mention it on the phone when you make your PS, and maybe they will make a note of it in the computer.

Now as to whether or not you can access the food right away is another story. Goofy's Kitchen is an all you can eat buffet, where you can go up and serve yourself right away, with as much protein as you need (I, myself, have to load up on the protein first thing in the morning or the blood sugar goes awry). I pile the eggs and bacon on my plate. Storytellers Cafe and Lilo and Stitch also have buffet options which will be faster than ordering from the menu and waiting to be served. Minnie and Friends is not a typical buffet set-up - you have to (possibly) wait in a line with a plate/tray and you slide it along the counter and have the CMs put the food on the plate for you. If you want seconds, you have to go back and possibly wait in another line. Ariel's serves a family style breakfast, so they will bring big platters of food to your table.

 

[QueenDoOver]

I am interested in hearing the answer to this, but also in general the answer to how families with diabetic children plan for their time in the parks.

I have been planning a surprise trip for my 6 year old son and his 5 year old bff, who has never been to disneyland before, and his Mom too, who also has never been before. Our little friend has just been diagnosed with Juvenile Diabetes. Of course the focus right now is just figuring how they are going to cope today and tomorrow, but in the back of my head is planning for how we are going to cope on our Disney trip, which I am more determined than ever will be as magical as possible.

Thanks for any tips you might have.

 

[Casken]

My son is Type One Diabetic. Eating on schedule is important as it affects his energy level and his blood sugar numbers. His insulin and food are his medicine. We will keep the same schedule as he is on now. We will just work it into our trip.

Honestly, I really do not care if people get upset. My son's health is much more important than what someone who does not have to live as a Type One Diabetic. If they don't know anything about what it means to be a Type One Diabetic then they have no right to be upset. If they do, then they are jerks for being so cold.

Anyways, for example, he eats his breakfast at 8 a.m. There is a 30 minute window as to when he eats. He must receive his insulin no more than 15 minutes before he eats. Insulin and the food works together. Get it?

I think I'll phone the restaurant we choose to go with to get specifics.

 

[Casken]

I am interested in hearing the answer to this, but also in general the answer to how families with diabetic children plan for their time in the parks.

I have been planning a surprise trip for my 6 year old son and his 5 year old bff, who has never been to disneyland before, and his Mom too, who also has never been before. Our little friend has just been diagnosed with Juvenile Diabetes. Of course the focus right now is just figuring how they are going to cope today and tomorrow, but in the back of my head is planning for how we are going to cope on our Disney trip, which I am more determined than ever will be as magical as possible.

Thanks for any tips you might have.

I would give his mother and this little boy time to adjust to his new diagnosis before planning a trip. Today, July 17, is my son's one year anniversary of his diagnosis. Last summer, we stayed close to home in order to get used to dealing with this. It's a lot to deal with and at first it is very hard.

Testing more often will probably happen during our trip as his activity levels will be different. We will keep his eating schedule the same. Traveling and all the walking around will definitely affect his blood sugar numbers. Drinking a lot of water is very important (for anyone) and with the heat, that is another concern.

We are going in September which is just over a year from his diagnosis. That's how long we have waited before traveling abroad. That does not mean you have to wait that long but at least wait a few months until they get comfortable with managing his Diabetes.

A Diabetic can have a fantastic trip just as any child. It's just about keeping an eye on their BG numbers and testing more often. Also, their feet must be kept a close eye on.

If you have any more questions about Type One Diabetes (Juvenile Diabetes), ask away.

 

[Sherry E]

My son is Type One Diabetic. Eating on schedule is important as it affects his energy level and his blood sugar numbers. His insulin and food are his medicine. We will keep the same schedule as he is on now. We will just work it into our trip.

Honestly, I really do not care if people get upset. My son's health is much more important than what someone who does not have to live as a Type One Diabetic. If they don't know anything about what it means to be a Type One Diabetic then they have no right to be upset. If they do, then they are jerks for being so cold.

Anyways, for example, he eats his breakfast at 8 a.m. There is a 30 minute window as to when he eats. He must receive his insulin no more than 15 minutes before he eats. Insulin and the food works together. Get it?

I think I'll phone the restaurant we choose to go with to get specifics.

I told you - I have my own blood sugar problems (without getting into specifics), so, yes, I do "get it." I know what it's like to not have protein in my system and pay the price for it later. (In fact, I had a weird foot/toe issue last year after a long day at Disneyland, and I was starting to get worried about it then.) That is why I think one of the buffets (rather than Ariel's or Minnie & Friends) will be better for you guys, so you can go up and get your son's food right away. Lots and lots of people are in the same boat as you and your son. You guys are not the only ones, so lots of people know what you have to go through. I think you may be assuming that the wait to eat will be hideously long. What I am saying is, make the PS for a specific time that works for your son's needs, and mention your son's needs when you do make that PS and they will likely make a note of it in the computer, so when you check in at the restaurant they will already have the info there. You wouldn't have to wait more than a few minutes with a PS anyway, and everything will work out fine.

Just don't worry and have a great, relaxing time! All kinds of kids and adults with all kinds of health needs go to DLR all the time - the CMs are very sensitive to those things and they go out of their way to be accommodating.

 

[pixiewings71]

My son is Type One Diabetic. Eating on schedule is important as it affects his energy level and his blood sugar numbers. His insulin and food are his medicine. We will keep the same schedule as he is on now. We will just work it into our trip.

Honestly, I really do not care if people get upset. My son's health is much more important than what someone who does not have to live as a Type One Diabetic. If they don't know anything about what it means to be a Type One Diabetic then they have no right to be upset. If they do, then they are jerks for being so cold.

Anyways, for example, he eats his breakfast at 8 a.m. There is a 30 minute window as to when he eats. He must receive his insulin no more than 15 minutes before he eats. Insulin and the food works together. Get it?

I think I'll phone the restaurant we choose to go with to get specifics.

Just to be clear Type One and Type Two may seem the same but they are not not. I'm assuming Sherry that you have Type Two. Honestly, I'm really offended by your comments. I don't want to start an argument online but really, think before you say something so insensitive. Unless you are a Type One, you have no idea what we have to deal with and what my 7 year old has to deal with every single day.

I'm not going to answer any more of your comments either as I don't tolerate ignorance.

Well I'm NOT Type 1 but I am borderline Type 2 and I do have hypoglycemic issues, it's VERY important that I eat on a regular schedule. My DD21 has hypoglycemia, my DNiece12 and DNiece16 do too, my Mom, my sisters, etc etc. I could keep listing names but I won't. We all have to eat on a regular schedule as well. I do not push my way thru crowds, I wait my turn to be seated. If you think your timing will be off then take a snack for DS to have while you're waiting. I carry snacks with me just in case, because you just never know what's going to happen.

Sherry gave you very good advice, I'm not sure why you're offended by anything she said, she suggested a buffet instead of table service, which makes sense if DS has to eat at say 8 am or 2 pm or 8 pm. The only way to insure he's eating at the exact time he needs to is to be seated before that time or to bring him a snack. I would suggest you make your PS 15 min. prior to his needed dining time if you're doing a buffet, 30 min if you're doing TS, that way you can check in and be seated before that time arrives. And yes, when making your PS mention his Diabetes, they will note it on the PS for you. I understand your major concern is for YOUR child, but keep in mind others may also have this same problem and they may be there before you, are the needs of others not as important as your sons? I would hope that you would keep that thought in mind while there.

And FTR, I do know how Type 1 is, my Gpa had it for years and it was a struggle for him and Gma. Having Type 2 or hypoglycemia may not be as difficult to deal with in your opinion but trust me, it's no picnic for those of us who do have issues with them.

I'm sure you will have a wonderful time at DL, I hope your dining experiences all work out perfectly for you.

 

[blackjackdelta]

My son is Type One Diabetic. Eating on schedule is important as it affects his energy level and his blood sugar numbers. His insulin and food are his medicine. We will keep the same schedule as he is on now. We will just work it into our trip.

Honestly, I really do not care if people get upset. My son's health is much more important than what someone who does not have to live as a Type One Diabetic. If they don't know anything about what it means to be a Type One Diabetic then they have no right to be upset. If they do, then they are jerks for being so cold.

Anyways, for example, he eats his breakfast at 8 a.m. There is a 30 minute window as to when he eats. He must receive his insulin no more than 15 minutes before he eats. Insulin and the food works together. Get it?

I think I'll phone the restaurant we choose to go with to get specifics.

I think being snippy does not help when asking for info. My son has had type one since he was 2 now 20 and I am a type 2, and there are others here who have dealt with the BG level for a number of years.
We have never had a problem with trips anywhere getting what went, but we have never demanded "I want it now".
A good endocrinologist will have a working plan for your son to be on while traveling and frequent BG checks with alternatives are usually a rule of thumb.
If you have plan it will be now problem.
Secondly being seated has nothing to do with timeliness of consumption unless you are at a buffet.

Have a good trip,

Jack

 

[Casken]

If others have the same problem or another problem, I completely understand. But, her original comment about people getting upset and her the "laughing on the floor" smilie wasn't funny.

These attitudes are what Type One Diabetics have to deal with. Ignorance and comparison to Type Two. What I mean by ignorance is making comments about something you don't know about.

 

[Casken]

Wow. I guess no one read what I read in her comments. Her comment just bothered me.

Anyways, I won't bring up Diabetes again on this site. Overall, you guys have been very helpful and I'm sorry to read that you have misunderstood how I feel about this topic.

 

[blackjackdelta]

If others have the same problem or another problem, I completely understand. But, her original comment about people getting upset and her the "laughing on the floor" smilie wasn't funny.

These attitudes are what Type One Diabetics have to deal with. Ignorance and comparison to Type Two. What I mean by ignorance is making comments about something you don't know about.

Diabetes, type 1 or type 2 is not the end of the world. I would rather deal with that than Autism, CP, MS and many others. You get a good physician and a good day to day living plan and people live full and HAPPY lives.
People on the boards are here to help you with a DISplan and Sherry is one of the best, so ask away, we will give our advice and opinions.

Jack

 

[Sherry E]

Thank you so much, Jack and Kerri, for jumping in to back me up. I think my comments and overall point were totally misunderstood by the OP.

So with that, sadly, I am going to lock this thread because it seems to be taking a turn. A lot of good information could have been shared, but when the word "ignorant" starts flying around in reference to any posters' opinions, then I must put on the Moderator hat and lock the thread.