Going to Disney with Insulin - need advice

[GenGen22]

My cousin is coming with me to DL and she is diabetic and uses insulin. We are staying at GCH. We arrive in the morning and were planning to lock up our luggage for the day at GCH and head to the parks until the room is available. She has an ice pack to keep the insulin cold on the plane ride over but we're not sure what to do with it since the room won't be available since we arrive early in the morning. Also, I assume they have refrigerators at GCH but am not sure as this is our first time staying there.

My first question is do they have refrigerators to store the insulin in? She only takes it at night so, she doesn't need to carry it with her all day.

My second question is we aren't sure what to do with the insulin until we can put it in the fridge in the room. She is new to taking this medicine so, this is a new situation for her. What do others do? Can you take it in the park? And also we fear the ice pack will eventually melt and we don't want it getting hot. Does anyone have any advice that they can share with us on this issue? I appreciate any advice anyone would like to share with us.

 

[MinnieLovesMickey]

My cousin is coming with me to DL and she is diabetic and uses insulin. We are staying at GCH. We arrive in the morning and were planning to lock up our luggage for the day at GCH and head to the parks until the room is available. She has an ice pack to keep the insulin cold on the plane ride over but we're not sure what to do with it since the room won't be available since we arrive early in the morning. Also, I assume they have refrigerators at GCH but am not sure as this is our first time staying there.

My first question is do they have refrigerators to store the insulin in? She only takes it at night so, she doesn't need to carry it with her all day.

My second question is we aren't sure what to do with the insulin until we can put it in the fridge in the room. She is new to taking this medicine so, this is a new situation for her. What do others do? Can you take it in the park? And also we fear the ice pack will eventually melt and we don't want it getting hot. Does anyone have any advice that they can share with us on this issue? I appreciate any advice anyone would like to share with us.

Your cousin should have no issues bringing her insulin through security or into the park.

I believe she will be able to store her insulin at First Aid in either park. They can keep it refrigerated until you get into your room. I can't speak for whether GC has fridges in the rooms.

Edited to add: I'm not sure if it is offer at GC, but check with the front desk as they may has a medical fridge to store that while you're waiting to get into your room.

 

[GenGen22]

Your cousin should have no issues bringing her insulin through security or into the park.

I believe she will be able to store her insulin at First Aid in either park. They can keep it refrigerated until you get into your room. I can't speak for whether GC has fridges in the rooms.

Thank you so much for your input, I appreciate it!

 

[GenGen22]

Your cousin should have no issues bringing her insulin through security or into the park.

I believe she will be able to store her insulin at First Aid in either park. They can keep it refrigerated until you get into your room. I can't speak for whether GC has fridges in the rooms.

Edited to add: I'm not sure if it is offer at GC, but check with the front desk as they may has a medical fridge to store that while you're waiting to get into your room.

If you leave it at first aid do they give you a tag or ticket to pick it up later like they do the packages that you leave at the front of the park to pick up later? Or what do they do?

 

[MinnieLovesMickey]

If you leave it at first aid do they give you a tag or ticket to pick it up later like they do the packages that you leave at the front of the park to pick up later? Or what do they do?

That I'm not sure about as I haven't had to leave medicine there. Hopefully someone will be able to chime in with that information.

 

[Ensusieasm]

My cousin is coming with me to DL and she is diabetic and uses insulin. We are staying at GCH. We arrive in the morning and were planning to lock up our luggage for the day at GCH and head to the parks until the room is available. She has an ice pack to keep the insulin cold on the plane ride over but we're not sure what to do with it since the room won't be available since we arrive early in the morning. Also, I assume they have refrigerators at GCH but am not sure as this is our first time staying there.

My first question is do they have refrigerators to store the insulin in? She only takes it at night so, she doesn't need to carry it with her all day.

My second question is we aren't sure what to do with the insulin until we can put it in the fridge in the room. She is new to taking this medicine so, this is a new situation for her. What do others do? Can you take it in the park? And also we fear the ice pack will eventually melt and we don't want it getting hot. Does anyone have any advice that they can share with us on this issue? I appreciate any advice anyone would like to share with us.

If your room doesn’t have a refrigerator, you should be able to request one ahead of time.
When you leave your bags at bell services, have your cooler bag well marked and ask to have them keep it refrigerated until your room is ready.
They even do this for groceries, so they do have refrigerated storage.

 

[GenGen22]

If your room doesn’t have a refrigerator, you should be able to request one ahead of time.
When you leave your bags at bell services, have your cooler bag well marked and ask to have them keep it refrigerated until your room is ready.
They even do this for groceries, so they do have refrigerated storage.

Ok I'm going to call them about this and put in a request about it.

 

[Disney_Alli]

To the best of my knowledge every room in the Grand has fridges in them.

 

[pharmama]

Most insulin is meant for the in-use vial or pen to be kept at room temperature for at least 28 days (exact number of days allowable at room temp varies by product, check packaging or with the pharmacy). Spare/back up vials or pens should be refrigerated but once you have opened or are using one its not needed, though it should be dated and discarded if there is drug remaining when the 28 days (or whatever) is reached. Generally speaking injections will also be less painful with room temp insulin.

 

[GenGen22]

Most insulin is meant for the in-use vial or pen to be kept at room temperature for at least 28 days (exact number of days allowable at room temp varies by product, check packaging or with the pharmacy). Spare/back up vials or pens should be refrigerated but once you have opened or are using one its not needed, though it should be dated and discarded if there is drug remaining when the 28 days (or whatever) is reached. Generally speaking injections will also be less painful with room temp insulin.

She was instructed to keep it refrigerated this is why I am asking. Thanks for sharing.

 

[Geemo]

She was instructed to keep it refrigerated this is why I am asking. Thanks for sharing.

In your original post, you mentioned "She is new to taking this medicine".

Due to this fact, I recommend she re-check with her Diabetic Specialist on how to handle the insulin for the trip to DLR.
She might find that once in use, refrigeration isn't necessary as others have said.

Be aware the ALL DAY movement might affect her glucose levels. Being a diabetic can be a delicate balancing act for some.
Talk with her so you know her symptoms when she is crashing and what will bring her glucose level back to a normal range.

You two have fun!!

Geemo

 

[GenGen22]

To the best of my knowledge every room in the Grand has fridges in them.

Thanks!

In your original post, you mentioned "She is new to taking this medicine".

Due to this fact, I recommend she re-check with her Diabetic Specialist on how to handle the insulin for the trip to DLR.
She might find that once in use, refrigeration isn't necessary as others have said.

Be aware the ALL DAY movement might affect her glucose levels. Being a diabetic can be a delicate balancing act for some.
Talk with her so you know her symptoms when she is crashing and what will bring her glucose level back to a normal range.

You two have fun!!

Geemo

Thanks! She's been a diabetic for many years but is new to taking insulin. So, she knows when she needs to eat etc. So she doesn't crash etc. I guess I should have been more specific.

 

[Geemo]

Thanks!

Thanks! She's been a diabetic for many years but is new to taking insulin. So, she knows when she needs to eat etc. So she doesn't crash etc. I guess I should have been more specific.

I know how frantic a diabetic's crash can get. I have a family member go through a crashing episode around midnight while touring Yellowstone.
All the usual techniques to reverse didn't work and the closest medical center was over 1.5 hours away.
All was well eventually but I was on pins and needles the whole time.

With her new to taking insulin, the balancing act can be a challenge. Keep plenty of her favorite sugar handy for the low times. You'll do fine.

Geemo

 

[GenGen22]

I know how frantic a diabetic's crash can get. I have a family member go through a crashing episode around midnight while touring Yellowstone.
All the usual techniques to reverse didn't work and the closest medical center was over 1.5 hours away.
All was well eventually but I was on pins and needles the whole time.

With her new to taking insulin, the balancing act can be a challenge. Keep plenty of her favorite sugar handy for the low times. You'll do fine.

Geemo

I completely understand my dad is also diabetic and he's passed out in a sugar coma from not eating enough a couple of times. He uses insulin as well. But I've never took him to an amusement park. Actually the fastest way to bounce back is to drink a sugary drink. OJ, coke etc. They say putting pancake syrup under your young works well also. I haven't tried the syrup method as of yet. And yes its quite frightening when it happens.

 

[Niltiac]

They say putting pancake syrup under your young works well also. I haven't tried the syrup method as of yet.

I can't speak for humans, but this is what we used to do when my diabetic dog would crash, since you can't reason with a dog and convince them to eat.

To the OP, I haven't personally tried but I too have heard that the first aid station will hold medications in a fridge for you. I'm sure they have a good system for retrieving it since giving it away to the wrong person could be disastrous and I haven't heard any horror stories about that.

 

[aalan]

She was instructed to keep it refrigerated this is why I am asking. Thanks for sharing.

As a Type 1 who takes 3 shots a day, I have this to share: have your friend check out the “Frio” cool packs, these are a gel pack that keeps insulin pens or vials cool by evaporation. It’s just nice to always have your insulin with you, and not have to deal with walking across the park at shot time. I like to store insulin in a refrigerator, but as the above poster stated, insulin will be fine at room temps for 30 days. I have never had a problem chilling the insulin at night in the room, and carrying the insulin with me during the day in a Frio pack. Good luck and have fun!

 

[GenGen22]

As a Type 1 who takes 3 shots a day, I have this to share: have your friend check out the “Frio” cool packs, these are a gel pack that keeps insulin pens or vials cool by evaporation. It’s just nice to always have your insulin with you, and not have to deal with walking across the park at shot time. I like to store insulin in a refrigerator, but as the above poster stated, insulin will be fine at room temps for 30 days. I have never had a problem chilling the insulin at night in the room, and carrying the insulin with me during the day in a Frio pack. Good luck and have fun!

I found these frio packs in a Google search and was looking at it. I read about other dissers using it at WDW during the summer humid months. We probably will get one. I feel more comfortable taking it with us and it not getting misplaced or accidentally taken by someone else at first aid. Could she put it in this frio pack and leave it in her luggage locked up at the hotel until we check into the hotel? Would this be safe to leave it until the afternoon? We get to the DL area around 8am.

 

[doublesided]

I'd use a frio. Be careful with hotel fridges as they aren't always the temperature you think they are and can freeze it. We leave opened insulin at room temperature and unopened has to be refrigerated. So if it's the vial she's currently using, you are fine sticking it in your purse wrapped in a frio for temperature protection. If you must stick it in a hotel fridge, get a medangel temperature sensor to go with it (not a bad tool to have at home anyway, we have one here).