Disneyland with Fibromyalgia Advice

[cosine4]

I am a Disney World vet, we have had APs for the past 2 years and have been going every year for a long time. I have been to Disneyland in the past, but that was before my fibro really started to limit me so I didn't pay attention to the things that I have issues with now.

We are going over Christmas so I know it will be very crowded (we have done WDW Christmas/New Years twice now) so I know that planning ahead is going to be very important.

Here are my plans to help me manage while still seeing everything we want to do:
1: Spending 6 days in the parks, showing up 1 hour before open so that I have plenty of time to take things slow.

2: Getting a GAC. One of the worst things I have found is kids (and sometimes adults) bumping into me which causes a lot of pain as well as stress (worrying about getting bumped) which causes even more pain.

3: I plan to come up with an ice pack that I can wear on my neck/shoulders to keep tension down. At WDW I usually go to First Aid and they will make me an ice pack. But just a plastic bag with ice is hard to keep in place while walking etc. I am thinking of maybe making something like a scarf with a bag attached to it so that I can hold it in place without having my hands by my head all day. Does any one have any ideas for this? Anyone seen something like this to buy anywhere?

4: An electric scooter is out of the question. The stress of the maneuvering that thing through the crowds would be more painful than the walking. We will just take breaks and smell the roses (or photograph them ) if I need to sit.



Does anyone have any suggestions of things to try or to avoid? Are there any cattle rooms (or funnel rooms) that are especially bad for pushing/bumping? Any tips how to avoid those situations would be great!

Thanks!

 

[PirateFairy8]

I have severe fibromyalgia and I just did this trip in April. I am very tired right now but I will reply later or PM me if I forget!

 

[Bareacuda]

I have fibro too, and do Disneyland about twice a year.
There's only a few rides that get "pushy", Haunted Mansion and sometimes Space Mountain.
December is a cold time of the year, and a bit damp. So I take a zippered hoodie, too hot unzip, too cold ... zip up. I also take the time to sit and have hot chocolate a couple times during the day.
My feet and ankles hurt during the winter so I wear uggs to stay warm, plus they're cute.And at night I have my gloves. Ok... so sometimes I look like a 5'3" polar bear But Im havin fun!

You can buy ice packs that you activate when you need them, then toss when the cold is gone. Ive done that for the summer trips

Take as long as you need to enjoy the trip and do smell and photograph the roses... life is lovely. Even with fibro.

Ann

 

[cosine4]

I am just bumping this to see if I could get some more input. TIA!