Has anyone brought a tub mat to disney with you?

[jo-jo]

I mean the kind for in the tub. I have found some tubs slippery. But often the suction cups ones say for tubs with smooth surface. I have no idea what disney tubs are like.

 

[tetera]

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[mamabunny]

I mean the kind for in the tub. I have found some tubs slippery. But often the suction cups ones say for tubs with smooth surface. I have no idea what disney tubs are like.

I take a length of non-slip material (link here - I use the 24" width) and have found that it not only travels very well, but can be machine-washed in a lingerie bag, and hung up to dry on laundry day.

If you don't want to travel with any kind of mat, you can always lay a hotel towel in the bottom of the tub; that will help prevent slips much better than nothing at all. I also lay one down on the floor *outside* the tub or shower as well.

 

[DisneyOma]

I take a length of non-slip material (link here - I use the 24" width) and have found that it not only travels very well, but can be machine-washed in a lingerie bag, and hung up to dry on laundry day.

If you don't want to travel with any kind of mat, you can always lay a hotel towel in the bottom of the tub; that will help prevent slips much better than nothing at all. I also lay one down on the floor *outside* the tub or shower as well.

We get a floor mat in with our towels (smaller, thicker, has a border on it) at the resorts - do they not give them to all the onsite rooms? We've always had them.

 

[jo-jo]

I take a length of non-slip material (link here - I use the 24" width) and have found that it not only travels very well, but can be machine-washed in a lingerie bag, and hung up to dry on laundry day.

If you don't want to travel with any kind of mat, you can always lay a hotel towel in the bottom of the tub; that will help prevent slips much better than nothing at all. I also lay one down on the floor *outside* the tub or shower as well.

The shelf liner stuff works in the tub? That's amazing.

I'm starting to need a bag for the extra stuff. We recently bought leg and foot boot wrap thing that pumps air thru to help with swollen feet and ankles and plan to bring them along. Also a half step for getting in and out of bed. Also bought suction cup hand holds. Not so much to carry weight, but for a touch point. Tried them in our home. Didn't want to pull too hard. I was afraid 45 year old tiles would pull off.

 

[jo-jo]

We get a floor mat in with our towels (smaller, thicker, has a border on it) at the resorts - do they not give them to all the onsite rooms? We've always had them.

Yes, we get the towel like thing. I was talking inside the tub. Haven't had an issues yet such as falling in tub, but getting around getting harder and everything bit of worry that I can reduce or remove, so much the better.

 

[DisneyOma]

The shelf liner stuff works in the tub? That's amazing.

I'm starting to need a bag for the extra stuff. We recently bought leg and foot boot wrap thing that pumps air thru to help with swollen feet and ankles and plan to bring them along. Also a half step for getting in and out of bed. Also bought suction cup hand holds. Not so much to carry weight, but for a touch point. Tried them in our home. Didn't want to pull too hard. I was afraid 45 year old tiles would pull off.

Not sure if it would be cheaper, but when any of us need that kind of stuff while traveling by air, I have it shipped to the resort/hotel/house we are staying at. If you tell them at Disney that it is medical equipment, then they shouldn't charge the handling fee. For me it's easier than lugging another bag through the airport. Now, if you want to bring it home again, then you have to ship it back though, which is a pain, IMO. We tend to need items that would get used up on the trip though, or are not all that expensive and I don't mind leaving it behind.

 

[jo-jo]

Not sure if it would be cheaper, but when any of us need that kind of stuff while traveling by air, I have it shipped to the resort/hotel/house we are staying at. If you tell them at Disney that it is medical equipment, then they shouldn't charge the handling fee. For me it's easier than lugging another bag through the airport. Now, if you want to bring it home again, then you have to ship it back though, which is a pain, IMO. We tend to need items that would get used up on the trip though, or are not all that expensive and I don't mind leaving it behind.

Well the items I mention cost about $150. For that I'll pack less clothes and do an extra two loads of wash. We plan on spending every third day as a rest day. Maybe not sitting in room all day but not going into parks.

 

[AprilsZoo]

Not sure if it would be cheaper, but when any of us need that kind of stuff while traveling by air, I have it shipped to the resort/hotel/house we are staying at. If you tell them at Disney that it is medical equipment, then they shouldn't charge the handling fee. For me it's easier than lugging another bag through the airport. Now, if you want to bring it home again, then you have to ship it back though, which is a pain, IMO. We tend to need items that would get used up on the trip though, or are not all that expensive and I don't mind leaving it behind.

Well the items I mention cost about $150. For that I'll pack less clothes and do an extra two loads of wash. We plan on spending every third day as a rest day. Maybe not sitting in room all day but not going into parks.

Just FYI, when traveling by air in the US, medical items can be taken (even in checked luggage) for free. So long as they are packed separately in their own bag. So for example, you can bring along an extra bag, suitcase, duffel, or what have you, and inside you can pack your tub liner, your suction handles, leg wraps, and anything else medical-related… but that bag cannot have any non-medical items inside, not so much as a book, magazine or hair brush.
My husband takes his cpap machine with him as an carry-on and he tucks his medications inside the tote along with an extra mask, hose, and filter. This doesn’t get counted against his normal carry-on allowance. The only time he got questioned, was when he had stuck a magazine or something into the outside pocket… it was kinda dumb, cuz he was like “no problem, I’ll move it to my other carry-on.” And then they were fine with it. I wasn’t with him on that trip… now he understands why I’m always picky about what goes in which bag.

Also a quick thought on the suction handles, I realize you don’t intend to use them to hold your weight, but they may not suction well, or *even at all* to tiles that have even the slightest texture to them. (I don’t trust them myself, because even if they are used as a “touch-point” for balance, if you slip or lose balance, you are going to grab them out of reflex.)

 

[jo-jo]

Just FYI, when traveling by air in the US, medical items can be taken (even in checked luggage) for free. So long as they are packed separately in their own bag. So for example, you can bring along an extra bag, suitcase, duffel, or what have you, and inside you can pack your tub liner, your suction handles, leg wraps, and anything else medical-related… but that bag cannot have any non-medical items inside, not so much as a book, magazine or hair brush.
My husband takes his cpap machine with him as an carry-on and he tucks his medications inside the tote along with an extra mask, hose, and filter. This doesn’t get counted against his normal carry-on allowance. The only time he got questioned, was when he had stuck a magazine or something into the outside pocket… it was kinda dumb, cuz he was like “no problem, I’ll move it to my other carry-on.” And then they were fine with it. I wasn’t with him on that trip… now he understands why I’m always picky about what goes in which bag.

Also a quick thought on the suction handles, I realize you don’t intend to use them to hold your weight, but they may not suction well, or *even at all* to tiles that have even the slightest texture to them. (I don’t trust them myself, because even if they are used as a “touch-point” for balance, if you slip or lose balance, you are going to grab them out of reflex.)

Thanks for the tip. We also have to add a cpap to the pile. We bring two medium bags (some might even call them carryons) that we check. Into the plane we bring a backpack and a gym roll bag. Each bag has meds, change of clothes, snacks and tablets/phones. So if we can bring a bag with all his stuff onto the plane too that would be super.

I know about the texture issue, I just don't know if the bathrooms have them or not. As far as touch points, DH would be trying to grip the wall itself. I'd rather make plans , than say I wish we brought them. At home we have bars drilled into the wall. At worst, I can sit on his rollator, so he can grab those handles climbing in and out. See my extra weight IS good for something.

 

[DL1WDW2]

If Disney can install the shampoo on the wall ,they should also have a safety non - slip feature , for every bathtub.
Alert to all lawyers . And beware Disney .
I worry about slippery bathtubs and make certain I always close the toilet seat because if I fall (toilet seats seem to usually be next to the bathtub/ shower ) … I want my hand to land on the closed lid and not falling into the porcelain toilet bowl and possibly knocking myself out.

 

[DisneyOma]

If Disney can install the shampoo on the wall ,they should also have a safety non - slip feature , for every bathtub.
Alert to all lawyers . And beware Disney .
I worry about slippery bathtubs and make certain I always close the toilet seat because if I fall (toilet seats seem to usually be next to the bathtub/ shower ) … I want my hand to land on the closed lid and not falling into the porcelain toilet bowl and possibly knocking myself out.

You've got me totally baffled - what does a shampoo holder have to do with nonslip stuff in a shower? Are you thinking they they could mount handrails? I guess that would make sense, to a point, but unless you put them all around the enclosure, and then instruct people that they have to have one hand on them the entire time they are using the shower, then I'm not sure what good they will do. (Different type of handrail than the ones used to get in and out of the tub, BTW - those are access rails) I've never found the floor of the shower/tub stall to be slippery, in all the decades we have gone to WDW; thinking there is already a built in texture to it? The floor does get slick if one doesn't put the shower curtain in place, so it's important to put down the bath mat as well as get the curtain all the way up to the walls.

 

[AprilsZoo]

Many hotels will provide a shower chair if requested… I know some ppl have had luck at Disney getting them. Call housekeeping and give it a try if you are used to using one at home.
For what it’s worth, putting the rollator— with brakes on— outside the shower in order to have both a hand rail for assistance as well as for a potential spot to sit, is something the occupational therapist taught to my sister after her stroke. It probably depends on the bathroom layout as to whether it is a good idea in a particular situation.

 

[jo-jo]

Many hotels will provide a shower chair if requested… I know some ppl have had luck at Disney getting them. Call housekeeping and give it a try if you are used to using one at home.
For what it’s worth, putting the rollator— with brakes on— outside the shower in order to have both a hand rail for assistance as well as for a potential spot to sit, is something the occupational therapist taught to my sister after her stroke. It probably depends on the bathroom layout as to whether it is a good idea in a particular situation.

I do plan on asking for one, but was warned there is a chance of not being available.

And while we are passing along tips, ..... We have those potty lights. I got a two pack. One hangs on a towel rack for a bit of light in the bathroom. A few days ago, I hung the other one on DH's walker. He uses a walker to go from bed to bathroom. He gets up and the light is just enough to travel back and forth. At disney, we are always putting night lights here and there. This works better. This was a totally new idea to me, or did everyone but me know this?

 

[AprilsZoo]

I do plan on asking for one, but was warned there is a chance of not being available.

And while we are passing along tips, ..... We have those potty lights. I got a two pack. One hangs on a towel rack for a bit of light in the bathroom. A few days ago, I hung the other one on DH's walker. He uses a walker to go from bed to bathroom. He gets up and the light is just enough to travel back and forth. At disney, we are always putting night lights here and there. This works better. This was a totally new idea to me, or did everyone but me know this?

I never thought of taking one of the potty lights walkabout, but amusingly enough, I’ve been known to use the light from the screen of my phone or iPad pointed at the ground to illuminate my way… on the brightest setting, it provides the perfect amount of light to see obstacles. Just have to remember to turn it back down to normal.

 

[Lilsia]

I have not found the tubs to be slippery either. I would imagine if this was an issue, we would be hearing complaints about it and see law suites against Disney.

 

[mamabunny]

I have not found the tubs to be slippery either. I would imagine if this was an issue, we would be hearing complaints about it and see law suites against Disney.

There are several disabilities that can result in the tub being "more slippery" for some users than others. Anyone with a balance issue, for example, or anyone who has little to no feeling in their feet (yes, some people can still bear weight even if they can't feel their feet).

It's all in the eye of the beholder, as always. For those of us who feel unsafe in the tub (or shower), "slippery" is probably the best word we have, and the most accurate description of how it feels to us. It's far better for those of us who have this type of issue to err on the side of caution, and lay down a tub mat, or a towel, or some other material for safety. I personally don't want to end up in the ER instead of spending my time at Disney World!

Two other quick notes: First, I *have* experienced both tubs and showers in other hotel chains where housekeeping would spray the tub and/or shower enclosure with cleaner that was supposed to be then rinsed off before they left the room, and they forgot. That stuff is *super* slippery, and the "tell" is that when you start running water for the shower, you can usually (but not always) smell the chemical that they used.

Second note is this - remember that our friend Ray Sharpton took a bad fall in a hotel shower. I have been taking precautions for years (even prior to Ray's accident) but it reinforced for me the need to be careful.

 

[DisneyOma]

There are several disabilities that can result in the tub being "more slippery" for some users than others. Anyone with a balance issue, for example, or anyone who has little to no feeling in their feet (yes, some people can still bear weight even if they can't feel their feet).

It's all in the eye of the beholder, as always. For those of us who feel unsafe in the tub (or shower), "slippery" is probably the best word we have, and the most accurate description of how it feels to us. It's far better for those of us who have this type of issue to err on the side of caution, and lay down a tub mat, or a towel, or some other material for safety. I personally don't want to end up in the ER instead of spending my time at Disney World!

Two other quick notes: First, I *have* experienced both tubs and showers in other hotel chains where housekeeping would spray the tub and/or shower enclosure with cleaner that was supposed to be then rinsed off before they left the room, and they forgot. That stuff is *super* slippery, and the "tell" is that when you start running water for the shower, you can usually (but not always) smell the chemical that they used.

Second note is this - remember that our friend Ray Sharpton took a bad fall in a hotel shower. I have been taking precautions for years (even prior to Ray's accident) but it reinforced for me the need to be careful.

So you're using the term slippery to describe more of a balance issue - it's not because of the surface, it's from the input of info/lack of info from the feet and/or eyes. If I had that condition, I'd definitely bring/buy/ask for a shower bench.

I've never had a slippery tub in a hotel - I'm going to start looking more closely at the textures of them though.

 

[jo-jo]

There are several disabilities that can result in the tub being "more slippery" for some users than others. Anyone with a balance issue, for example, or anyone who has little to no feeling in their feet (yes, some people can still bear weight even if they can't feel their feet).

It's all in the eye of the beholder, as always. For those of us who feel unsafe in the tub (or shower), "slippery" is probably the best word we have, and the most accurate description of how it feels to us. It's far better for those of us who have this type of issue to err on the side of caution, and lay down a tub mat, or a towel, or some other material for safety. I personally don't want to end up in the ER instead of spending my time at Disney World!

Two other quick notes: First, I *have* experienced both tubs and showers in other hotel chains where housekeeping would spray the tub and/or shower enclosure with cleaner that was supposed to be then rinsed off before they left the room, and they forgot. That stuff is *super* slippery, and the "tell" is that when you start running water for the shower, you can usually (but not always) smell the chemical that they used.

Second note is this - remember that our friend Ray Sharpton took a bad fall in a hotel shower. I have been taking precautions for years (even prior to Ray's accident) but it reinforced for me the need to be careful.

So you're using the term slippery to describe more of a balance issue - it's not because of the surface, it's from the input of info/lack of info from the feet and/or eyes. If I had that condition, I'd definitely bring/buy/ask for a shower bench.

I've never had a slippery tub in a hotel - I'm going to start looking more closely at the textures of them though.

Mammabunny, you have hit the nail on the head. I believe DH shys away from experiences because he is concerned he won't be able to do what is required. Climb a step, stand for 10 mins, seat belt too tight. If I can try to prepare for some "what ifs" , so much the better.

Also as you said "in the eye of the beholder".......why is it one can walk across a 2 by 4 laying on the ground with no trouble at all. Now lay that across the top of two ladders, can't do it. It's the fear of what if......

DisneyOma, I have no balance issues but have found the shower at a one bedroom at Kidani slippery. Perhaps it was the case of what Mammabunny said about cleaning products. I do plan to ask for a shower chair for DH, but was told "first come, first serve".

This last trip, DH was not looking forward to it. He felt he just couldn't do it. For the first time we used wheelchair help at airport, car service ,and a scooter . He was surprised how well the trip went. This trip we will do all the above plus bringing several other helper tools.

 

[Her Dotness]

You can remove the worry about slipping in the tub that you mentioned by a very simple solution: Book a handicap accessible room. You won't need to buy and haul with you a bunch of aids.

Those will have grab bars around the toilet and tub enclosure. If you'll need a shower seat additionally, you can request one from housekeeping or rent one. Some of the HA rooms, the ones that don't say "wheelchair accessible," are equipped for walking disabled people who merely need some aids.

You might even find that a HA room that is wheelchair accessible with a roll-in shower solves any tub concerns. You can walk straight into the shower, no lip or edge to step over. Those will have a regular showerhead and a built-in bench with handheld. This is what DH prefers because he has balance issues.

No, you are not "taking one away from someone who really needs it." You're being smart and proactive to prevent falls that might leave someone permanently disabled. YOU really need it to be safe.