Has anyone done dining at WDW with type 1 diabetes?

[ArielSRL]

My dad has type 1. Its actually considered juvenile because he's had it since he was a teenager. He takes insulin via a shot a few times day. He bases how much insulin he takes on the carbs in the food.

I tried to call WDW dining to have this noted on our ressies and they told me they don't do that and they gave me an email address to send an email to. It is special.diets@disneyworld.com.

I sent an email today asking about the availability of nutritional info at the restaurants we are dining at. I didn't think this was unusual because all the chain and local restaurants here have that info available on their websites or upon request. I also thought it was the law that it be available but I guess I'm wrong.

I received a reply that said nutritional info is NOT available. I was surprised just because the information is so prevalent here at home.

In any case, has anyone else dealt with this? What did you do to get the nutritional info needed to determine the amount of insulin to take?

TIA!

 

[Selket]

If you search the thread you'll see several posts about visiting WDW with type 1. My youngest got type 1 at 26 months old and he is 14 now and we go 1-2x a year.

The way you figure out carbs is called WAG: Wild A** Guess...lol! I'm sure your dad has an idea of what a cup of noodles looks like and how many carbs that is. The same for rice, bread, muffins, pizza, etc. dealing with type 1 for so long I can make pretty good guesses and so can my 14 year old now.

It's not ideal but carb counts provided by restaurants are often not as accurate as we'd like for dosing insulin anyway. It's always a best guess scenario. Also you can google Disney with type 1 diabetes - there are some websites out there.

 

[ArielSRL]

If you search the thread you'll see several posts about visiting WDW with type 1. My youngest got type 1 at 26 months old and he is 14 now and we go 1-2x a year.

The way you figure out carbs is called WAG: Wild A** Guess...lol! I'm sure your dad has an idea of what a cup of noodles looks like and how many carbs that is. The same for rice, bread, muffins, pizza, etc. dealing with type 1 for so long I can make pretty good guesses and so can my 14 year old now.

It's not ideal but carb counts provided by restaurants are often not as accurate as we'd like for dosing insulin anyway. It's always a best guess scenario. Also you can google Disney with type 1 diabetes - there are some websites out there.

Thank you so much!

 

[gap2368]

I go all the time and a T1D my self Selket is right if he has had D for that long she should know pretty well how may carb are in something I normally guess a little lower since with all the walking I tend to drop anyways.

 

[ArielSRL]

I go all the time and a T1D my self Selket is right if he has had D for that long she should know pretty well how may carb are in something I normally guess a little lower since with all the walking I tend to drop anyways.

Thank you!

 

[Vijoge]

My dad has type 1. Its actually considered juvenile because he's had it since he was a teenager. He takes insulin via a shot a few times day. He bases how much insulin he takes on the carbs in the food.

What did you do to get the nutritional info needed to determine the amount of insulin to take?

TIA!

If he's been diabetic since he was a teenager I'm sure he very proficient at estimating the amount of carbs in just about everything under the sun. Putting nutritional information on menus or having it available in restaurants is relatively new (and voluntary as far as I know) but he's had years of practice. Heck, he could probably eyeball a food item and WRITE the dang info card fairly accurately!

 

[ArielSRL]

If he's been diabetic since he was a teenager I'm sure he very proficient at estimating the amount of carbs in just about everything under the sun. Putting nutritional information on menus or having it available in restaurants is relatively new (and voluntary as far as I know) but he's had years of practice. Heck, he could probably eyeball a food item and WRITE the dang info card fairly accurately!

We almost always look it up online but yes, I'm sure he can guesstimate! Thank for the reply.

 

[EEva]

If you search the thread you'll see several posts about visiting WDW with type 1. My youngest got type 1 at 26 months old and he is 14 now and we go 1-2x a year.

The way you figure out carbs is called WAG: Wild A** Guess...lol! I'm sure your dad has an idea of what a cup of noodles looks like and how many carbs that is. The same for rice, bread, muffins, pizza, etc. dealing with type 1 for so long I can make pretty good guesses and so can my 14 year old now.

It's not ideal but carb counts provided by restaurants are often not as accurate as we'd like for dosing insulin anyway. It's always a best guess scenario. Also you can google Disney with type 1 diabetes - there are some websites out there.

Our DD9 has T1D (and Celiac) and we are planning our first trip to WDW. I'm going with the mind set that her numbers are going to be all over the place with so many variables; not knowing carbs, extra walking, less sleep, adrenaline, etc. Luckily she has a CGM (Continuous glucose monitor) so we'll be able to keep an eye on if she's dropping or sky high.

We will also be using our Calorie King app for ballpark info on foods we don't normally eat at home.

 

[buffettgirl]

Just a side note, because I hate misinformation: Juvenile diabetes doesn't have anything to do with when you get it. Adults can get diagnosed with Juvenile diabetes which is why the term generally isn't used much any more. It's just called "type 1 diabetes" now. So regardless of when your father got his diabetes it doesn't change the name of it.

 

[Selket]

Luckily she has a CGM (Continuous glucose monitor) so we'll be able to keep an eye on if she's dropping or sky high.

That's probably the single best way to handle type 1 in the parks. I can't imagine going without a CGM now. I don't know how we did it (as in just day-to-day living) the first 5-6 years...lol!

 

[ArielSRL]

Our DD9 has T1D (and Celiac) and we are planning our first trip to WDW. I'm going with the mind set that her numbers are going to be all over the place with so many variables; not knowing carbs, extra walking, less sleep, adrenaline, etc. Luckily she has a CGM (Continuous glucose monitor) so we'll be able to keep an eye on if she's dropping or sky high.

We will also be using our Calorie King app for ballpark info on foods we don't normally eat at home.

Unfortunately my dad doesn't have a CGM but I guess he is better at knowing and telling when he's low. We have used calorie king before.

 

[ArielSRL]

Just a side note, because I hate misinformation: Juvenile diabetes doesn't have anything to do with when you get it. Adults can get diagnosed with Juvenile diabetes which is why the term generally isn't used much any more. It's just called "type 1 diabetes" now. So regardless of when your father got his diabetes it doesn't change the name of it.

Things have changed so much since he was diagnosed. He's been diagnosed for 50 years now.

 

[EEva]

Things have changed so much since he was diagnosed. He's been diagnosed for 50 years now.

Wow, 50 years! That's wonderful. Gives us hope for our daughter when we hear of folks managing their type one for so long.

 

[gap2368]

50 years that is a long time did you know the lilly ( and I think Joslin I think thesis are the two) gives out melts for having diabetes for X amount of time. you may want to look in to this as it could be something specie for your dad to have.

 

[abinormal]

My daughter was recently diagnosed Type 1 and I'm glad to see people managing trips well for the next time we go.

 

[ArielSRL]

Wow, 50 years! That's wonderful. Gives us hope for our daughter when we hear of folks managing their type one for so long.

He stays very active and I think that really helps! He's very good about going to the doctor regularly and watching what he eats. He still has his eye site though he's had cataracts. In general, he's very healthy, just neuropathy in his feet and hands.

 

[ArielSRL]

50 years that is a long time did you know the lilly ( and I think Joslin I think thesis are the two) gives out melts for having diabetes for X amount of time. you may want to look in to this as it could be something specie for your dad to have.

I will have to look into it. Thank you!

 

[Selket]

Things have changed so much since he was diagnosed. He's been diagnosed for 50 years now.

Wow! Congrats to him! Having type 1 diabetes 50 years ago was such a difficult thing to manage compared to now (and it isn't easy now). I agree that I love hearing about and meeting people who have lived with this disease for so long.

I got my son the 10 year medal a couple of years ago and surprised him with it and we all went out to a nice dinner just to celebrate how well he has done (he was 12 then - lol!). Here is the link: http://www.lillydiabetes.com/lilly-diabetes-journey-awards.aspx I don't know if you can apply on his behalf (and surprise him with it) or he has to do it himself - but I very much encourage you to get it. The medal is very nicely done. You're a wonderful daughter for looking out for him and making sure his trip to WDW goes well.

 

[ArielSRL]

Wow! Congrats to him! Having type 1 diabetes 50 years ago was such a difficult thing to manage compared to now (and it isn't easy now). I agree that I love hearing about and meeting people who have lived with this disease for so long.

I got my son the 10 year medal a couple of years ago and surprised him with it and we all went out to a nice dinner just to celebrate how well he has done (he was 12 then - lol!). Here is the link: http://www.lillydiabetes.com/lilly-diabetes-journey-awards.aspx I don't know if you can apply on his behalf (and surprise him with it) or he has to do it himself - but I very much encourage you to get it. The medal is very nicely done. You're a wonderful daughter for looking out for him and making sure his trip to WDW goes well.

I sent my mom the links to get one! Maybe she could do it for him and then we surprise him!