Disney with Mental Disabilites, lots of questions, kinda long

[TwitterMouse]

This will be my first trip to Disney in about 6 years. I have a mental health disability (major depression, anxiety, mild psychosis, mild OCD and short-term memory loss), seizures, and a heart problem and this is the first time in four years it's been under control enough to travel. Before now, my mom has been to scared for my safety to allow me to.
I'm travelling there with my cousin, and after a long conversation, we have decided to go without my service dog (the heat would just be too much for him, plus he can't go on many rides that my cousin and I want to go on, he can't go in the water at water parks, etc.)

My main concern was that I don't mind my cousin helping me, but I didn't want to burden her. She insists that it's not a burden, and that it would be harder to go with the dog. So, now she is going to be doing a lot for me.
I have a few questions:
Do All-Star Resorts rooms have a safe in them? I remember vaguely from years ago that there was one, but do we have to request it or something? I'm on tons of meds (4 kinds), and if I have a breakdown, I've had a bad thing of taking too many. So my cousin and I decided it was best to keep them locked, and she'll just give me them when I need them. So, do I need to request a room with a safe?

I've had a problem in places like Six Flags, when someone else has my medicines, when their bag is searched, and their name isn't the one on the bottle, and they gave us a hard time about a friend carrying my meds. However, it is absolutley essential that they carry them if my dog isn't there to do it. Do you think I will run into that problem at Disney?

I sort of remember that on the busses to and from the park, sometimes people are standing. I can't stand on busses (bad anxiety, I need to be sitting), any ideas on what to do if there's only standing room?

For my seizures, I found a wonderful thread already, and got some great tips for that.

At restaurants, when I make reservations, can I request that my table be near a wall? (I more or les have my OCD under control, but that one thing not so much.)

If I have a bad anxiety attack, is it okay to sit in the first aid place for a bit until I calm down? Or is that more for medical problems?

Thanks if anyone has answers for me.Sorry this was such a long post.

 

[SueM in MN]

Do All-Star Resorts rooms have a safe in them? I remember vaguely from years ago that there was one, but do we have to request it or something? I'm on tons of meds (4 kinds), and if I have a breakdown, I've had a bad thing of taking too many. So my cousin and I decided it was best to keep them locked, and she'll just give me them when I need them. So, do I need to request a room with a safe?

I'm not positive if All-Star Resorts have safes or not, but if they do, all rooms have one and you don't need to request it.
Hopefully someone will know. If you find out they don't have safes, you can buy a small lock box in the stationary department of places like Target. The smallest size lockbox would probably do for you and would cost less than $20.

I've had a problem in places like Six Flags, when someone else has my medicines, when their bag is searched, and their name isn't the one on the bottle, and they gave us a hard time about a friend carrying my meds. However, it is absolutley essential that they carry them if my dog isn't there to do it. Do you think I will run into that problem at Disney?

At Disney, the people who are doing bag searches don't know your name, so they won't know if the bottles your friend is carrying belong to your friend or to you.
I always carry several bottles of my daughter's medication into the parks, plus one bottle that belongs to me. I have never been asked about them.

I sort of remember that on the busses to and from the park, sometimes people are standing. I can't stand on busses (bad anxiety, I need to be sitting), any ideas on what to do if there's only standing room?

The best advice it to try to ride the buses at "non-peak" times. Like, if you leave right after a parade, the buses will be crowded. If you wait a while and then go, the buses are much less crowded.
Another thing you can do is to kind of estimate how long the line is and whether you are likely to get a seat or not. If you can tell you won't get a seat, you can just let people who are behind you go ahead and then wait for the next bus. When it comes, you will be first in line.

At restaurants, when I make reservations, can I request that my table be near a wall? (I more or les have my OCD under control, but that one thing not so much.)

You don't need to do it when you make your reservation, but when you check in, tell them what you need and that you are willing to wait a bit longer to get it. The CMs are usually very nice at trying to give you what you need as long as you are able to explain it to them.

If I have a bad anxiety attack, is it okay to sit in the first aid place for a bit until I calm down? Or is that more for medical problems?

First Aid has 2 parts, a kind of waiting room area where there are seats and a back area with cots and little cubicles where you can have more privacy.
Mental Health issues are as much a health concern as physical issues are, so don't feel like you can't go to First Aid if you have an anxiety attack.
I have seen lots of people just sitting in the waiting room area who don't seem to be there waiting for anyone; they are just sitting in a cool calm environment for a while.

Thanks if anyone has answers for me.Sorry this was such a long post.[/QUOTE]

 

[Forevryoung]

I cant really help you with most of your question but I can give you my experience at Disney with mental health "issues".

It take a lot of guts to leave your comfortable environment. It is great your cousin is going with you. Planning ahead will reduce some of the trip anxiety.

You can definitely go to first aid to relax and calm down. I didn't but I was going to!

If you need to sit on the bus, just wait for a less crowded one. I would rather wait then stand on a bus with a million other people. I actually had an anxiety attack on a crowded bus and learned that the hard way.

I have bipolar disorder, OCD, and anxiety. If you want to know more specifics just ask!

PM me if you have any other questions about stuff

Enjoy your trip!

 

[mickeyfan2]

All the All-stars have safes.

 

[yoopermom]

We had a good "anxiety" thread on here just a while back, which might help you.

The first aid stations are *wonderful*. DS lost a screw in his glasses our first day (on RNR, of course!), and, I swear, the first aid person called all over the grounds (and maybe beyond) and finally found someone who had a tiny enough screwdriver that it could be fixed. Because we sat and waited so long, I saw *lots* of people come in with all different issues, so I would always feel welcome there, if I were you. Just note the locations on your park map of the day since they're often "tucked away".

Good luck, and maybe play the "what if" game ahead of time, will calm your anxiety and prepare your cousin. Make sure she has all of your emergency contact info (dr info, scrips details, phone #s, etc), "just in case".

Have a WONDERFUL time!
Terri

 

[TwitterMouse]

Thank you guys for the advice
I have one more question: I tend to put post it notes around my room, reminding me of things when I'm not at home (because of the familiar enviroment and my mom reminding me, I don't need it so much at home).
Will the people cleaning take down my notes? Or do I just leave a note for them asking them to not take my notes down?
I mean, if they do, it's alright I guess, but I'd rather they didn't so my cousin doesn't have to remind me of absolutley everything.

 

[Cheshire Figment]

The safes are about a foot long, about six inches high and about two inches deep. They will hold pill bottles as long as they are not very large.

 

[Selket]

I was thinking if you had the extra $$$ you could budget enough to cover cab fare to/from the parks if the busses were too crowded. That would not be an inexpensive option of course.

I've found that if I could manage to get up early (REALLY early) and take one of the first busses to the park that they were nearly empty...or at least less crowded. This means if the park opens at 8 I was on the 7:15 bus for example! Another benefit of this is that you're one of the first in the park and the rides aren't crowded either! That works very well during the busy times at WDW.

The worst times for the busses seem to be 9-11am when folks are heading out in the morning and of course at the park closing. Some folks like to stay in the park after the fireworks, etc. and let the crowds pass while they relax on a bench or do some shopping. Perhaps that would work for you? Of course don't burn the candle at both ends (up early and back late) unless you can take the morning off the next day.

Have a great trip!

 

[HopperFan]

We used First Aid at EPCOT for DS anxiety attack and staff was AWESOME !

 

[SueOKW]

I can't believe they would take your notes down. I travel a lot and keep notes all over the desk, bedside table etc., those things are never touched!

Sounds like you are preparing yourself very well. I would agree about getting up early for the earliest bus - - but have a questions since we are never up that early - - is the EMH Park's Bus filled up early on? That might be the bus to avoid.

 

[shades]

I began a thread back in Dec 05 before my trip to WDW about "adult issues - panic attacks, etc..." maybe that thread will offer some helpful tips. I had a good trip and figured out a few things along the way that helped besides using fastpasses. I have PTSD, dysthymia, claustrophobia, agoraphobia, and probably some other stuff I can't think of right now. Sheesh - I'm a mess

We always went early in the morning/late evenings and we stayed in Shades of Green so we utilized the "extra magic hours" to avoid crowds.

I also stayed in the middle of my family in any lines and I stood in front of my husband to keep strangers off my back. I ended up in the back of our family in one line and a lady actually rested her park map on my back while she and her son decided where to go next. I about blew a gasket on her

I carry lots of meds with me in the parks and I have NEVER had any security person touch my med containers. I put them all in one ziplock bag and I do carry them in the bottle they were dispensed in. I don't want anybody else to touch my meds and the ziplock bag works out great. I open my backpack - pull out the bag full of meds and hold it up so the security guard can see that it is only meds. No problems - ever. I carry narcotics and Lorazepam and have never been questioned by airport security or Disney security.

If you know you have an anxiety attack beginning - look for the nearest exit and/or cast member and get yourself out of the situation as soon as your warning signs begin. Even though the CM's were very busy shuttling people through lines, every time I approached one and asked for the nearest exit - they stopped what they were doing and helped me "escape."

As far as transportation, we had a rental car and drove to each of the parks and rode the parking lot tram to the entrance - except for MK. We walked across the street and hopped on the monorail at the Polynesian and rode it to MK.

I've been to both, Disneyland and WDW several times over the past few years. My "issues" have become progressively worse and I'm still finding ways to adapt because I just love the magic of Disney

 

[SueOKW]

I would have busted a gasket if someone had rested their map on me.

I just want to say I think it is great you had a good time at WDW - just shows how WDW can be a vacation destination for many many people.. from all walks of life. I'm really pleased for you.
Sue

 

[shades]

I would have busted a gasket if someone had rested their map on me.

I just want to say I think it is great you had a good time at WDW - just shows how WDW can be a vacation destination for many many people.. from all walks of life. I'm really pleased for you.
Sue

Thanks Yep - I just love Disney parks! I especially like it during the holidays and night-time extra-magic hours when I can enjoy the holiday decorations without so many people around. I am on while in the middle of the Osborne Family Lights and it is "snowing"!!

I noticed your "ticker" and that you are leaving in 10 days - sending pixie dust your way for your own magical trip

 

[SueM in MN]

I noticed your "ticker" and that you are leaving in 10 days - sending pixie dust your way for your own magical trip

Hey, Sue OKW, you are leaving early this year. We are usually down there before you, but it looks like you might be back home before we get there.

And shades, the thread you started brought a lot of good discussion. I am up WAY too late tonight, but I'll find it tomorrow and bump it back to the first page. It was a good thread.

 

[spotdog]

I am a Disney fan who lives with mental illness involving anxiety. I hope you have a magical trip I once had to go to First Aid to recover from an panic attack. I was given privacy and the staff was supportive.

I do well with the busses now, but used to keep taxi fare with me at all times in case I had to get back to the hotel quickly and privately.

Remember that you don't have to do it all and leave time to sleep, relax and enjoy the quiet places.

 

[SueOKW]

Good morning Sue - yes, DH needed the week changed this year - argh what a mess that was. He has antique shows the last two weekends of March this year. If he does it again, I'll go without him! (Not!)

We'll warm the place up for you! Thanks shades for the good wishes - we'll take it onen day at a time, just like most of us do! It's just at WDW those "one days" are marvelous days!