Going to Disney World with broken shoulder/collar bone and with a large family

[pollyjo]

Hi, I am hoping someone would be able to give me some advice, please.

We planned a trip of a lifetime visiting the east coast of the US. So far we have been to New York, Philadelphia and Washington DC. At the moment we are in Bethany Beach, a quiet beach in Delaware.

Unfortunately my husband managed to break his shoulder blade and collarbone 2 days ago, playing with the rough waves here. His arm is in a sling and he is not allowed to move his arm until he sees a specialist on Thursday. We go to Orlando in 4 days.

Initially our insurance company wanted us to fly back home but I managed to stall them as we were only on day 10 of our 28 days vacation. They agreed to wait and see what the specialist says on Thursday before making a final decision on whether we should go home. After struggling in the last 2 days with the kids. I now feel it would be best for us to go home on Thursday/Friday and miss Disney. However it's not our decision to make as we need to wait for our insurance company to make this decision.

If insurance decides that we stay and go on to Orlando. I have a few questions;

I feel it would be far too difficult to do Disney with our family. We have 4 kids - ages 11, 9, 6 and 4. The 11 year old likes thrill rides. The 9 year old is very petite and may struggle to make the 48" height limit as I think she is just under 48". She's 120cm which is under 48". My husband won't be able to go on ANY rides. It would mean me taking the younger 3 on the rides and leaving my eldest to ride the thrill rides on her own - I don't feel happy about this.

I have booked tickets through Maple Leaf and I think I can get a refund minus 10% admin costs. Would it be worth doing this if insurance decide we can stay in the US? I have booked 4 days at Disney plus 4 days at waterparks etc and Universal studios.

We have hired a car - it is under my husband's name as a driver. We bought excess insurance in the uk again under his name. I have been trying to move this to my name as I will be doing the driving if we go to Orlando.

Sorry this is quite long winded - I am quite stressed about all of this. It has been a nightmare and I am quite annoyed that this silly incident has happened.

Hopefully insurance will send us home as it will be easier overall but I need to plan for the eventuality if they feel we are able to continue with our trip.

Thanks,

P

 

[london75]

They're bound to send you home surely, X-rays alone would be more expensive in the us than flying you home. I actually read this thread as I did Florida 3 years ago with two broken wrists but that was a little different as it was a few weeks before so relatively pain free by the time we went.

Good luck either way.

 

[Elise79]

Depending on what the doctors say and how your DH feels he could probably do some of the non- thrill rides quite happily at Disney as they are suitable for everyone including babies and pregnant women so don't discount that.

The thrill rides are a minor part of the Disney parks and there are only 2 rides with 48" height requirement. Most are only 40" with a few at 44".

You could ride the biggest rides with your oldest whilst the other grab a drink and a ice cream with dad.

I would probably give the water parks a miss as that will be trickier.

Good luck

 

[weebabes]

Oh you poor soul Pollyjo. What a terrible thing to have happened. I hope your husband is comfortable and not in too much pain.
I would be upset to miss Disney and I'm sure your kids would be too, but it might be better to go home, claim your money back on your insurance and rebook.
I'm sure you will all enjoy it much more when everyone is fit and healthy and can enjoy all the rides together.
Maybe a short trip to Disney Paris with the kids and a friend before the schools go back?
Wishing you well.

 

[london75]

Oh you poor soul Pollyjo. What a terrible thing to have happened. I hope your husband is comfortable and not in too much pain.
I would be upset to miss Disney and I'm sure your kids would be too, but it might be better to go home, claim your money back on your insurance and rebook.
I'm sure you will all enjoy it much more when everyone is fit and healthy and can enjoy all the rides together.
Maybe a short trip to Disney Paris with the kids and a friend before the schools go back?
Wishing you well.

I'm with you on that. The trip I broke my arms for was a 28 day one like yours although all Orlando. It was good but if I'd had the choice of calling it quits and rebooking when I was fixed, I would have in a second.

 

[pollyjo]

Thanks all, I really hope insurance will send us home as it would be better for us to go home and claim back any losses and book again for next year.

We were planning on going to Universal too as my eldest is a HP fan. I think there are several thrill rides at U.

Thanks for your comments - I will keep you updated when insurance makes the final decision.

P