Doing Disney as a diabetic

[D0naldDuck!]

is there a thread or website that would help with doing Disney as a diabetic? This is something that we didn't have to worry about the last time we went but a family member of mine was recently diagnosed. I'm thinking in advance so it's not a shock when we get there.

Thanks in advance!

 

[jpeterson]

I took my father the week after he was diagnosed. He just watched the menu carefully and made substitutions as necessary.

With all the walking he found his blood sugar was generally just fine.

 

[jpeterson]

Oh and if they are insulin dependent you can get a frio insulin cooler for the parks. They come in handy.

 

[Disney_Cindy]

There some information in the Disabilities Forum. You can also just search and find information, a lot of the information I have found when I did this was older but still good and helpful. Not sure if your family member is insulin dependent, but if they are I highly recommend a Frio to keep the insulin cool. My daughter is a Type 1 diabetic, and was diagnosed a couple years ago, when we're at home it's pretty easy for us to manage her sugars but when we went last year during August they were all over the place. A lot of things I read said test more. She ate more because she had more lows than normal. Her doctor also had us adjust her insulin shots, so I recommend discussing with the doctor also. It's completely possible to do it, just best to carry a couple snacks (peanut butter crackers are great) and know they need to eat more often than a non-diabetic, sometimes feels like all I do is spend the day eating or thinking about what she is going to eat,

 

[Pumbaa_]

I think the hardest thing about Disney is sugar is everywhere! Carbapalooza!

Don't do a dining plan
Sugar free is not carb free
Add salads!
Skip the taters
You can order a burger without the bun and without the fries. Load up at the toppings bar, where they exist
Sub out the sides, order double veg, no starch at ts

It is very doable, just have to go with the right attitude and stay out of the candy shops

He can do This!!!

 

[littlbugmom]

Definitely visit the DisABILITIES board. Very helpful people over there. You don't say if your family member was diagnosed with Type 1 or Type 2. There is a huge difference.

My DS has Type 1. We've been to Disney twice since he was diagnosed at the age of 6 and also took a Disney cruise. Each trip got a little easier but there is little predicting how his blood sugar will be on any given day while vacationing. Just when you think you know what to expect, it changes up on ya! So, we teach him to prepare for lows and highs and to roll with whatever the disease throws at him. Basic rules of thumb are to test a lot more often, always have snacks and listen to your body. My DS prefers straight sugar for an emergency fast acting carb and granola bars for slow snacks. It's absolutely doable but takes a lot more planning and vigilance. Even more so if your family member is just recently diagnosed. He or she will still be learning and possibly in the honeymoon phase (which can bring on a ton of lows).

It's nice of you to do some research.

 

[littlbugmom]

sometimes feels like all I do is spend the day eating or thinking about what she is going to eat,

Absolutely!!!

 

[amberpi]

My dad's been type 2 for 20+ years and just eats like he does at home. He deals with his with diet and loads of exercise and within the last 5 years, low does of meds, no insulin - he has 0 issues but does sub a ton of starchy sides, which is super easy at WDW! I do eat almost exclusively TS with my folks with an on the go breakfast and coffee.

 

[aalan]

check bgs more often, Wdw is a great deal of walking.
sugar free is not carb free, its all about the carbs.
frios are great for keeping pens/ vials from overheating.
there are many tasty low carb salads avaible.
with all the walking, i can often indulge in some of the goodies available.
always carry some food of some sort to deal with low bgs. i like lifesavers.
carb counts at disney are non-existent, you'll have to guess at most things.
relax and enjoy the trip!

 

[JZCubed]

is there a thread or website that would help with doing Disney as a diabetic? This is something that we didn't have to worry about the last time we went but a family member of mine was recently diagnosed. I'm thinking in advance so it's not a shock when we get there.

Thanks in advance!

I am Type-2 and, therefore, I have room to 'play' with my blood-sugar.

Type-1 has more restrictions.

Most difficult meal is breakfast, particularly if trying to make 'Rope Drop' (Park opening). Granola-type bars are sugary and are not the place I want my sugars for the day. Room Service is your friend on these days - because they may deliver before any restaurant is open. Of course, you may be able to keep some protein in your room; Greek-style yogurt typically has fewer sugars.

Otherwise, Disney is very good at helping a person who wants to manage dietary restrictions - asking for no sauce or no carb is not frowned upon. And 'combinations' that included fries, etc. can often be reduced in price to exclude the carb, and/or may be available with a vegetable substitution. Be advised, cole slaw has 'hidden' sugar'

Let me offer one for instance - I enjoy the BBQ Slaw Dog at Casey's. I asked for as little sauce as possible on the Pulled Pork. I do the same thing at Sleepy Hollow for the Sweet'n'Sour Chicken'n'Waffle combination. This is fine for my Type-2, but might not work for a Type-1 diabetic. The Cast Members do not roll their eyes and are always helpful.

Biggest thing - don't be embarrassed to ask questions. Like I mentioned, there are 'hidden' sugars in many foods, and it takes time to even know what questions to ask.

 

[danikoski]

My mom is diabetic, type 2, although she recently switched to insulin. We did WDW in 2013, and we pushed too much and she almost passed out. Not cool. So we went back this past February, and slow down and made sure she got snacks. She carried hard candy with her, but we also made a lot of cheese and fruit breaks. And water, lots of water. Meals were a non issue. We often split meals, including fries. And buffets were our friends along with some QS like Sunshine Seasons. It gave her more options and the ability to pick what and how much she wanted. We also ran into the issue that with all the walking, her blood sugar was lower than usual. So I'd recommend watching that, carrying snacks, and being willing to break in the park.

 

[danikoski]

Also, we did the Wishes Dessert Party, even though my mom is diabetic. I contacted Disney and made a dietary request. They had no sugar added rasberry sorbet, that was excellent. Then my mom ate cheese, crackers, and fruit and bites off my desserts. It worked out really well.

 

[D0naldDuck!]

Thank you all so much for the information! I'll have to check out the DisABILITIES board like everyone suggested. I believe right now he is taking medicine and only has to test his sugar once a day (like just over the boarder). If he does switch to insulin, we'll have to get one of those frio insulin cooler packs that was mentioned. He does drink plenty of water, unsweetened or low sugar iced tea, and gatorade so drinks won't be hard. He's a food lover so the food will be the challenge. We'll make this work!!