Disney Rides and Colostomy Appliances

[Julianna07]

know this is a touchy and very personal subject but I am curious how the rides at disney affect Stomas or appliances. I have had an Ileostomy for 18 years and haven't thought about rides at theme parks for a LONG time. Since my DH has suggested we go to Disney, I want to experience it and the first thing that came into my mind are the restraints. How low does the lap harness fit? Does the shoulder harness (if there is one) come too low on the abdomin? Will I feel squished? Will it hurt against the stoma?

If you have a stoma and have been on the rides, (maybe we can't with stomas)and are uncomfortable to answer in the public area, (I understand it is a very personal issue) please PM me so I can get an Idea of what to expect before going on a ride and ending up in a lot of pain or in a big mess.
Thank you
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[SueM in MN]

Hopefully someone with direct experience will respond and help you out.
This is a link to a page with pictures of attraction ride cars from allearsnet.com which may be helpful to you.
Many of the attractions have lap bars (like Buzz Lightyear, Haunted Mansion and Snow White). Those don't fit down tightly; they are mostly loosely resting above your thighs rather than your actual lap (depening on your size).

Many attractions (like Pirates, Small World, Maelstrom in Norway, Living with the Land, Kilimanjari Safari, Great Movie Ride and the Backstage Tour) don't have any seatbelts.

The ones that have actual seatbelts (like Soarin, Test Track), you can place the seatbelt low across the pelvis, where it probably won't interfere with your stoma.

There are some rides that are very turbulent (Star Tours, Body Wars and Primeval Whirl). In Star Tours and Body Wars, your seat sort of moves along with you, so the seatbelt may not cause a problem. I would strongly suggest against going on Primeval Whirl - it is like a roller coaster and the Teacups in one and you will likely be thrown around a lot.

 

[FSUDisneyGirl]

Julianna07-

I'm sorry I can't help out, but I saw that your trip is coming up very soon, and I just wanted to say:

HAVE FUN!!!!

 

[CrazyDisneyMommy1]

Hi Julianna07, I am not sure if this will help. Last trip we went to WDW I had a reversal done 7 to 8 weeks before we left. I know it is not the same as still having the stoma out, but I was still tender. I had absolutely no problems with any ride belts and shoulder harnesses. I also had a friend who went to DL in September with a colostomy bag and she is older, but did not have any problems on the rides she went on. Hope you have a wonderful trip

 

[Julianna07]

thank you for your comments. Congratulations on the reversal. I attempted it once. But I had complications and got a permanent Stoma. After 18 years with it, I'm use to it in normal circumstances, (granted I can't sleep on my tummy any more), but with belts and harnesses on rides at different heights, I wondered if things would be too smushed.

 

[chirurgeon]

Julianna,

I still have my ileostomy and had no problems last month. I rode practically everything. Have a great time.

 

[Julianna07]

Thank you! I am looking forward to the rides now. I think with the number of comments i received, my fears have vanished. Now I am just excited for monday to get here so we can start the road trip.