Has Any Diabetic Been to Disney Using an Insulin Pump

[disneyfaninaz]

In our experience, DL is less apt to provide a GAC for T1D related needs than WDW. We only tried once (our first visit post-dx) and I really had to talk a long time to get what I wanted. I was totally unfamiliar with GACs at the time and at first I went into big detail about T1D, etc. I know now that this is not what they are looking for, but rather need to know what kind of accommodation you need. In the end, I asked that DS be able to wait elsewhere and join us at the front of the line. DS was 2 at the time and much more unpredictable in his BGs and his agreement to eat when needed so we were worried about being in a long line with a low and not having it be easy to treat.

All told though, we did not use it and we have never asked for one since. We find that we manage just fine with Fast Passes and early arrivals to the parks.

Have a fun trip!

BTW, DS's pump has never set off the metal detectors. We don't even announce it anymore.

Thanks! I wasn't originally planning on getting one. We have been to Disneyland many times, but this is the first time since diagnosis. We'll see what the temperatures and lines are like. I plan on putting DD's pump in a FRIO Pump Pouch to try to keep it cool. We'll also have snacks with us for any unexpected lows and we'll lower her basals if necessary.

We are driving this trip, so metal detectors aren't going to be an issue. But good to know for future reference.

 

[visitingapril09]

Just as a side, Disneyland denied us a GAC for my daughters type 1 needs. We had one when our son was there for his very special needs but when we just had her it was denied and we were told that it was not needed for what we were explaining. We have not been to WDW with her as a type 1 yet.

 

[DavidandLeahZ]

Just throwing my .02 in:

I've been a diabetic for 28 years and on the pump for 11.

I've been to WDW at LEAST 10 times since I've had my pump and have never stopped using it. I have, as previous posters suggested, adjusted basal rates while down, but that's it.

I've never (and this may just be me) disconnected on the attractions, but I do have mine clipped on my belt, so it's pretty snug.

In terms of flying, the only thing that ever sets off the security gates is the metal clip in the pouch, so I send that through the scanner and keep the pump in my pocket.

I do however have the Continuous Glucose Monitor from Minimed and that manual instructs users to shut it off while flying.

- D

 

[disneyfaninaz]

I've never (and this may just be me) disconnected on the attractions, but I do have mine clipped on my belt, so it's pretty snug. - D

As far as disconnecting for the rides, I don't think its fear of the pump flying off, the problem is that the pump may dispense insulin due to G-forces on roller coasters. We plan to just unplug from the inset when we get on and then reconnect after the ride.

 

[jeanigor]

During my trip last May, I was on an insulin pump. My trip was 11 days long, WDW/DCL/WDW. Experiences from that trip:
•I wore my pump on my belt, and whether or not I set off the alarm, I got 'chosen' and they asked to swab it. No big deal, in my opinion. (I still get 'randomly selected' for screening about 60% of the time.)
•The only time I disconnected the entire trip was Saturday morning, when I participated in an obstacle course race. I thought about disconnecting while I parasailed at Castaway Cay, but the harness did not interfere with my pump sight, so I left it on.
•I brought 20 sets of cannulas and reservoirs, three bottles of insulin, a pack of syringes and a spare glucose monitor. Being my first cruise I was worried about being virtually cut off from supplies while on the ship. I returned home with most of these unused, but better safe than sorry.
•I decreased my basal rate whenever I was at a theme/amusement park because of the increased activity level.

I have never had an issue (that I am aware of) with rides at WDW. Rides at Universal and Cedar Point sometimes made my pump go a little wonky, though. My last trip to US/SW I was on a coaster, on the lift hill and all of a sudden my pump started alarming like crazy. Left the park, went back to the timeshare, called the pump manufacturer and had a replacement pump within 24 hours.

Have a fantastic holiday! Test often and do what you know you need to do. You and your boys know how to handle diabetes. We're just like everyone else, just a little sweeter.

 

[SueM in MN]

There is information about Guest Assistance Cards (they are not passes), in post 6 of the disABILITIES FAQs thread. You can find that thread near the top of this board or follow the link in my signature to get there.

I have been in Guest Relations twice when someone asked for a "Medical Pass". In one case, they said their doctor told them about it and in the other case, a person with the same condition told them about it. In both cases, the guest was told that WDW does not have Medical Passes.
It is important to know what the person's needs are and to be able to explain those. Just saying "Type 1 diabetes" (or any other condition) doesn't tell anything about the needs since person A with that condition may not need any assistance and person B might. GACs are meant to meet the needs the person has due to their disability; just having a particular condition doesn't mean there are any needs to meet.

Most lines at WDW are actually well shaded, so many people find that a GAC to wait in a shaded place is not really needed.
Here is a link to a past thread about Type 1 diabetes and Guest Assistance Cards - the consensus of most posters was that a GAC was not particularly helpful for them because most attractions had shaded areas. Several posters on that thread and many in the past have said a touring plan (such as TourGuide Mike) was more helpful than a GAC because the GAC just helps for attractions but TourGuide Mike helps them to be in the least busy part of the least busy park.