Disneyworld with Juvenile Diabetes

[Happyinwonerland]

I am going to be at WDW in June with a close friend and her 2 daughters. One of the daughters has Type 1 diabetes and her blood sugar gets out of control in the heat. Any suggestions for keeping her safe and healthy during our trip? I have considered holding a spot in line while my friend takes her DD to an air conditioned gift shop or something to get her out of the heat, but I know others would be annoyed about that.

Any helpful advice would be appreciated!

Thanks

 

[Allison]

That won't work well. It would be hard for them to get to you and find you in line.

 

[Happyinwonerland]

That won't work well. It would be hard for them to get to you and find you in line.

True. I hadn't thought of that.

 

[Gracie09]

Many of the lines are in airconditioning or at least shaded. Between lines may be you biggest problem. Try to mix in shows between rides. She should test often. Know where first aid is so she can lay down if needed. Consider a frog tog or other keep cool towel.

 

[Happyinwonerland]

Many of the lines are in airconditioning or at least shaded. Between lines may be you biggest problem. Try to mix in shows between rides. She should test often. Know where first aid is so she can lay down if needed. Consider a frog tog or other keep cool towel.

I feel like most lines at least start out in the outdoors. The shade will help. We do plan to have a spray fan with ice water in it.

 

[StitchesGr8Fan]

Consider getting a cooling towel or 2 also. Stay hydrated. Don't get sunburned. Have plenty of emergency supplies to deal with highs and lows. Focus on morning and evening touring, taking breaks during the hottest part of the day. It's better to miss a few attractions to get out of the heat than to miss a whole day because you have to take her to the hospital.

 

[lanejudy]

Snacks! The combination of the heat and all the walking may drop her blood sugar much more frequently. She needs to bring 3-4x as much testing supplies, and bring them into the park with her. Also have her quick-sugar readily available (she can eat a snack in line) as well as eating other good snacks regularly throughout the day between meals. And to make sure she stays hydrated bring a water bottle; you can ask for free ice water at counter service locations in the parks. We find no need to skip the lines as they tend to be as comfortable, if not more so, than wandering around elsewhere.

Enjoy your vacation!

 

[gap2368]

I have type 1 too

here is what I would do

1 most lines are in the shade but if it is not for a little while then use an umbrella to help keep her in the shade.
2 cooling towel are great misting fans are great too.
3 have here parents talk to her Endo. they may want her BG to be a little higher then normal while at disney ( or they may say if she starts to have a lot of lows then treat her lows at ___ instead of ____
4 stay hydrated use sun screen ( dehydration and sun bun can cause high BG)
5 test BG a lot (if she dose not have enough test strips to test more then walmart has a cheep meter Rolin(SP?) for $15 and 50 test strips for $ 10)
6 if she is on a pump bring into the theme park extra sets incase hers comes out you can leave them at first aid.

I go to disney a lot about once every 4 to 6 weeks the CM are great if I need help so if some thing happens do not be fared to ask for help

and lastly and most importation have a lot of treatments for lows all the walking excitements can cause a lot of lows

and have fun

 

[gap2368]

I feel like most lines at least start out in the outdoors. The shade will help. We do plan to have a spray fan with ice water in it.

there really is not that many rides that are not at least shaded you will find that there are more times you will be standing in the sun to scan your FP+ then you will be standing in the sun for the regular line (7DMT is one that is normally out in the sun but that is normally first thing in the morning.)

 

[DisneyOma]

there really is not that many rides that are not at least shaded you will find that there are more times you will be standing in the sun to scan your FP+ then you will be standing in the sun for the regular line (7DMT is one that is normally out in the sun but that is normally first thing in the morning.)

7DMT has those huge fans in the queue - we love them!

 

[gap2368]

7DMT has those huge fans in the queue - we love them!

I was talking about before that part where the lines is in the streets this only happens ( as fair as I have seen) when park opens for the most part I do not really wait in lines so all I can do is go on what I see. yes those gains look big and it dose for the most part look very shaded

 

[buffettgirl]

First, I would let them mom figure it out and handle it. She's probably more than capable. Second, standing in line isn't all that strenuous and most lines are either inside the A/C or shaded. Bring a drink or something, or a snack and let them use the time in line as rest / snack time. A normal, healthy kid with type 1 should be able to stand in the line at Disney with no issue. I mean, kids play soccer for hours. Swim in the poor for hours. A line is n't going to be a problem.

 

[gap2368]

also disney will not give you carb count for foods but they will give you portion sizes if asked and you can look them up on line or using an app calorie king is a good one

 

[Happyinwonerland]

Thanks for all of the good tips! I will definitely use some of them. I really just want to make sure to show them a good time, while keeping the kids safe.

 

[buffettgirl]

How involved are you in the care of this child on a day to day basis? The reason why I ask is that the family is probably pretty capable of handling this situation, and as a parent of a child (now teen) with type 1, I can't tell you how many well meaning friends have decided they knew more about caring for my child than I do. Unless the parents have asked you specifically to help, then I would just really back away. I know that if we went on vacation with another family and the other family kept suggesting things to me or my child, two things would happen. My kid would be so embarrassed it would totally ruin the day for him an/or I'd lose my cool on my friend.

 

[dja14]

I think it is nice you are looking for ways to make it easier for your friend. My son is 16 (type 1 since he was 12) and we are going in Aug next year. He has more problems with cold and his blood sugar but he has other problems with heat. So far my plan is lots of water, small misty mate, frog togg, and cool clothes. I know lots of activity drops his blood sugar and we always, always carry something, in my purse or pocket. We also drive to all our vacations and we never travel without a cooler of food (we have been caught in a few traffic jams and in places without pulloffs so we have been glad of it) I try to never depend on being able to buy something, sometimes you can't. We also travel with lots of supplies but your friend will know how to handle all that, you really don't have to worry.

What would be the most helpful for me in a situation you describe would be a friend who offered to carry a granola bar and tablets (or whatever that child uses) as a backup-if the child is too young to carry first set. Also someone who knew how to use the glucagon and at least acted like they weren't terrified - just in case. Nothing big and probably something we wouldn't need but I would feel backed up (if something happened to me, I would know my kid was safe) Also being patient when we had to stop and eat. That goes a long way for my son feeling comfortable, when his friends encourage him to take a break, test and eat a snack. It is a normal everyday thing for us and acting like it is no big deal goes a long way