Heat Stroke Potential

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There's Something About Mary (Poppins)
Joined
May 16, 2008
Messages
626
So I'm the lovely survivor of 3 heat Strokes, 2 of them required hospitalization (Once for 4 days, the other for 8 days). Now I'm extremely sensitive to heat and such. I told my doc about our upcoming trip to disney in September and was told I need to be extremely careful, plus all the associated rules for being in heat (Water, Cool Places Etc...) Even offered to write me a disability form to help document the issue with disney staff.

Now here's the question, What can I tell the disney folks or What should I tell the disney about this malady?

Are there place I can go to cool down quickly? Do I need a Med Alert Wristband? I'll have the wife and kids with me, Can Disney do anything to help me out?

Just wondering if anyone else has faced this problem in the parks
 
I don't have any experience w/this sort of thing but I just wanted to wish you luck and hope you can get all the assitance you need!!
 
I'm not sure I would have chosen September for Disney if that is a worry for you. Have you considered a cooler time of year? December through February are WAY better for that issue.

We went the last week of September last year and the heat was brutal.
 
Well, we chose september because of the low crowd and the wonderful lack of items on the family schedule. Meaning it's about the only time we can go :sad1:

I've been reading like mad on where the AC's are located in the parks...and we've got the water issue taken care of...I'm just wondering if I've missed some detail that could be extremely helpful
 

Crowds are also very low in the cooler months. But if your family schedule won't allow it.......

I would plan to split your day. Go for rope drop and stay until it's too hot for you. Then take a break at the hotel....swim.... shower....rest..... then go back around dinner time for the rest of the evening. That will avoid the most brutal heat of the day. Are you talking early or late September?

You will have better luck the later you get in to September, but last year they set record highs the last week of Sept into Oct. Not to scare you.... you just need to know it is possible that it will be as hot as the summer.
 
I got heat stroke at the Brickyard 500 a few years ago but not to the severe degree as you. However, I spent a few hours in the first aide station to cool down, once I was able to get my body temp. regulated it helped me a lot to keep an ice cold handtowel on the back of my neck the rest of the day. I still had some problems on the drive home but I now realize it had everything to do with avoiding getting myself in that state in the first place.

So by all means, take your doctor note as a back up but try doing as OP said, tour early, get out of the parks during the heat of the afternoon. Make sure you are drinking lots of water & using the RR, if you are not doing that then you're not drinking enough! Take one of those little mist fans and also buy a cooling pack to keep cold & wear on the back of your neck. For me, keeping the back of my neck cool & drinking water makes the biggest difference in the world. ANd we tour in August so I know what I'm talking about!

It also helps to alternate between outdoor & the indoor airconditioned rides. A nice long TS meal is another good way to get your entire body temp. back into a normal range. Good luck & hope you have a great trip.
 
Luckily for you, most of the queues have either AC or fans. All the shops, restaurants and indoor attractions have AC too. Plan to do theoutside attractions at night, when it will be a bit cooler. Take it slow, drink lots of water, avoid alcohol and caffeine, use FP when available, get to the parks at ropedrop, and realize that you may not be able to do everything this trip because of the heat.
 
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I have seen first hand Disney response to a heat related incident. Saw a girl get obviously overheated at MK. Her family sat her down at a table outside the Main Street Bakery, CM's responded immediately bringing her water and pretty much like magic, Disney managers and paramedics discretely appeared out of nowhere, seemed like no longer than 5 minutes after the CM was alerted. Handled very professionally and I have to give Disney credit for quick response. She was taken away my stretcher not long after that and I'm sure they had it under control.

Had to respond because I was amazed at how assistance seemed to materialize out of nowhere and the situation was handled very quickly and professionally.

Please be very careful with the heat in September. I just got back from Bonnaroo and the heat index every day was 106!
 
I'm so sorry you get so sick from the heat. :( My suggestion on top of the really good ones you've gotten so far is-- walk through all the gift shops instead of in the heat. You can make it most of the way down Main St. in the A/C just walking through the Emporium. Sure, it'll be a little more expensive ;) but it helps keep you cool.
 
As someone who has heat issues I suggest to go early and leave during the heat of the day. Use a good touring plan to avoid lines and use fastpass. Do one outside ride and then an indoor one. Plan breaks, drink LOTS of water and wear a hat and glasses.
 
I have had heat stroke too, when I was younger, and luckily not as severe as OP. I am careful to cater to my limits and rely on some pretty obvious tricks.

  • Wear a wide-brimmed hat. Dorkiness is not a felony at WDW.
  • Walk through the air-conditioned shops, whenever possible, instead of outside in the heat. MK and DHS offer the most of this option.
  • Stop frequently at restrooms or water fountains to wet a cloth for your face and back of neck.
  • Walk in the shadows! Never pick the side of the street that is in direct sunlight, not for walking, and certainly not for parade watching.
  • Drink, drink, drink...water only. Alcohol is dangerous in the heat, caffienated beverages interfere with fluid absorbtion, and sugared beverages take longer to absorb.

Your biggest challenge will be Epcot. Wide open spaces with less foliage overhead than the other parks, and fewer convenient places to step in for a quick AC respite. Hug the shadows! Make sure you're cool before you head across the huge open expanse from Future World to World Showcase. The Innovention breezeways are great places to chill and regroup before heading off to WS.

Most importantly....pace yourself....and have a magical trip! :cool1:
 
stuff you probably already know and do.

1. go early in AM for a few hrs., head back to resort, return in evening to finish the day. staying out of the sun will be your best defense.

2. wear a hat with a full brim. this helps tremendously in keeping that pesky sun from cooking your noggin.

3. keep a cool cloth on your neck (there are also some products out there designed for this)

4. FP, FP, FP! The more you accumulate, the more you can walk on and be inside the attraction quickly.


Have a fun and safe trip.
 
Im so sorry you get so sick in the heat. Im not sure what they are called, but you can get these ties fro around your neck that are cool. I just used one at Disneyland yesterday and it really helped. Now I didn't feel cold, but I felt cool and I didn't over heat. And I was standing in line in the sun for a long time. My husband wets a wash cloth and puts it under his hat. It sicks out a bit and its funny in the photos, but it works and it shows how hot it really is.

Not sure which resort you are staying at, but if your resorts pool is in full sun. Then maybe the water parks would be a good place to go. Not sure maybe you should get out of the sun completely. We are going to try that this year, going to the water parks in the afternoons.
 
I would pick a nice cool spot to wait and people watch while someone from your party grabs fast passes. That way you avoid getting too hot walking longer distances.

Good luck and with a little preplanning you can be comfortable during your trip and stay cool!!
 
I can also be very sensitive to heat--just standing in direct summer sunlight for a bit has make me dizzy. Despite that, I have done WDW in both late June and mid-Sept. with little to no problems and no afternoon resort breaks.

The key is to stay hydrated. You'll get a nice tour of most--if not all--of the Disney bathrooms, but it means you're plenty hydrated. I did this the past trip and had no problems whatsoever like I did the previous year. Even in super hot areas I was fine. Maybe a bit sluggish from the heat, but that was it.

Take it slow and take frequent breaks in air conditioned areas. Like someone else mentioned, try to walk in the shade whenever possible. Take full advantage of nighttime EMH if you have them, too.
 
I can't understand why anyone who has problems with heat would go to central Florida in September, but nonetheless.

You could always go to Guest Relations for a GAC.

What is the Guest Assistance Card, or GAC?

The Guest Assistance Card (GAC) at Walt Disney World is also called the Special Assistance Pass (SAP) at Disneyland. Both refer to the basically the same thing. The GAC used to be called the Special Assistance Pass. The name was changed to Guest Assistance Card a few years ago because some people thought it was a “front-of-the-line” pass, which caused some confusion between guests and cast members. Some people think there is a back door into most rides that they will get to use if they have a GAC and that's almost never the case -- many attractions have mainstream access. Always ask the Cast Members at the attraction how to proceed, and please do not expect front-of-line access.

The GAC is not used to jump the lines, it is used to help special needs travelers get access to attractions that they would otherwise not be able to see due to health, mobility, or major developmental and psychological issues. You may be allowed to bypass the lines, but you should still expect to wait. Examples of people who might benefit from using the GAC include folks of all ages and backgrounds, whether their need is temporary or permanent:

* People with mobility issues that would keep them from being able to stand in long queues who are not using wheelchairs, ECVs or canes;

* People who are particularly heat or sun sensitive to the point that it endangers their health or safety because of health conditions such as Lupus and Multiple Sclerosis, or people who are on certain medications;

* Families traveling with special needs children or adults who have health, psychological or hypersensitivity issues that make it difficult to remain in crowded queues;

* People who are easily fatigued or in pain due to serious health problems (heart, emphysema, arthritis, etc.) who plan to be ambulatory inside pavilions and attractions but park their wheelchair or ECV outside, or choose not to use wheelchairs. They get access to the seating without stairs in shows, for example. Also use of alternate entrances in places where the queue is not mainstream and there are stairs or a climb.

How do you get a GAC?

You can go to Guest Relations at the entrance of any of the Disney parks and request one. You don't need a doctor's letter or any evidence to show that you need one, although many people do take a doctor’s letter for backup. You do need to be able to explain what your problems are and what assistance you need. The GAC is not a convenience; it is a tool for access. Guest Services Cast Members are responsible for determining who will be given the GAC... it helps to be prepared and know what to ask for, and how, before you go.

How long is it valid?

If you are given a GAC, it will be good at all the Disney parks for the length of your vacation. You don't need to get one for each park or for each day. You do need to get a new card on your next vacation to WDW; it is only good for one trip.

What does it allow you to do?

The cards all look the same, but each card has different instructions stamped on. We are aware of 5 different messages; there may be more.

* Allows a stroller to be used as a wheelchair in mainstream queues and at alternate entrances. ECVs and wheelchairs can be taken into any building or line without having any pass or card. This allows strollers to use the same alternate entrances.

* Allows a waiting spot shaded from the sun if the line is "in the sun for an excessive amount of time." Fo most of the lines, the largest part of the line inside a building or under a roof or shade. Some of the outdoor lines are even air-conditioned to avoid getting too hot. This is helpful to people who are sun or heat sensitive.

* Allows an alternate entrance waiting area for people who can't wait in line. This one is mostly used for children/adults with conditions like autism, ADD or other health problems that make waiting in line difficult or dangerous for them or the people with them. This would also apply to people who suffer from agoraphobia or severe panic attacks that would make waiting in line in close contact with other people impossible. Also, this is used for people who are immunosuppressed and need to avoid infection.

* Allows ‘front and center’ seating at shows, for people with severe visual impairments

* Kids at WDW thru the Make A Wish or similar organizations. This card allows "front of line" access because these kids are very fragile and have a life threatening condition. These cards are arranged thru WDW and Make a Wish or Give Kids the World as part of their visit.

For the first 3 categories, you will be asked to use FastPass if available and you are told that the card will not allow immediate access to rides/attractions. You will often still need to wait; it just may be in a different place.

Do you need a GAC if you have a wheelchair or ECV?

Maybe, maybe not. If you have a wheelchair or ECV, cane or crutches, you will not need a GAC unless you have a medical reason not to be in the mainstream lines.

If you have a legitimate reason for a GAC as outlined above, then you need to advocate for yourself at Guest Services in order to get the GAC. They may try to tell you that you do not need the GAC because the wheelchair or ECV will be enough to let the CMs at the attractions know that you need to use the accessible entrances. This is true if your reasons for being in the wheelchair or ECV are only due to mobility issues. However, if you plan to leave your wheelchair or ECV at the entrance of an attraction or pavilion and walk inside, having a GAC will alert the CMs that you need to use the accessible seating or boarding areas inside the attraction.

If you have medical or major psychological issues that would prevent you from being able to use the mainstream, wheelchair-accessible lines along with all other guests to the point that you would have to miss the attraction or it would endanger your health, then you will need the GAC.

About using the GAC when you need it...

Many people feel embarrassed, or like they are cheating if they ask for a GAC. Please don't think that using the GAC to get to alternate waiting or boarding areas is just a 'bump in' to the line... remember:

* You are paying the same as everyone else at the park.

* It will take you longer time and more physical energy to move from one attraction to another.

* You will most likely not stay in the parks as long as average guests.

* You will need to spend more time resting and refreshing in between attractions.


Perhaps other people arrive at the line ahead of you, but you have every right to enjoy the attractions at your pace. Disney has this program in place to help you get the most enjoyment possible from your visit to the park It isn't something for you to feel embarrassed or self-conscious about, when you really need it. It is not the same as a front-of-line pass, and there will be times when you may wait longer than people in the regular queue.

About using the GAC or wheelchairs when you don’t really need them, to get into attractions ahead of other guests…

Better not let any of US catch you trying to pull a stunt like that! Every time someone does this, they cheat everyone. It causes resentment among other guests and cast members towards everyone who uses the special accommodations for legitimate reasons, and makes it harder for people who really need the accommodations to get them.
 
Well, we chose september because of the low crowd and the wonderful lack of items on the family schedule. Meaning it's about the only time we can go :sad1:

I've been reading like mad on where the AC's are located in the parks...and we've got the water issue taken care of...I'm just wondering if I've missed some detail that could be extremely helpful

I get Heat Exhaustion easily and have found that neck coolers really help. If you google them, you'll see what they are. Some people have said they feel slimey but I've never had that problem.

If I'm in MK and start to feel really hot, I'll ride HM or POTC a few times in a row. That's also helped.

AK is the one park where I found it difficult to find AC when I needed it. Pizzafari is a great place to grab a bite to eat or a snack and sit in AC for awhile.

Run a washcloth in cold water and put it in a baggie to bring with you to the parks. I also added a bit of ice to the baggie. I'd wipe my face and neck with that to cool off. It worked very well.

Good luck. I went in Sept. once and Wow was it hot!
 
I definitely think you need to go into the parks early, get out when the heat begins to really set in, and then go back later. We have used the cooling neck things with good results. I fill up the ice bucket in the room the night before with ice and water. Then in the morning, I take a bathcloth and soak it in the water, ring it out a bit, and then carry it in the parks in a ziplock bag. When it begins to get warm or dry, we get free ice water from any CS and rewet. That has worked very well.
 
You have already gotten a LOT of really good advice, but I just wanted to add one thing...AVOID getting trapped in line for Big Thunder Mountain. The waiting lanes are very close, it's really crowded and there is NO A/C---I think they have fans, but that does little to help.

When we were boat owners, I had an incident with the heat/sun and became pretty sick, scared my DH badly. Since then the closest I've come to being in a situation like that was in the BTM line! I came so close to fainting that I did not feel well for several hrs afterwards.

If you want to do this ride, just be careful and ck the wait time AND the line before you get stuck in it.

Good luck, and I hope you enjoy your vacations!
 
I think everyone else has pretty much covered the basics.
I just have a couple of things to add.

http://coolbandanas.com/coolorder.htm
This will sort of show you what the cool bandanas are about. You can find them at sporting goods stores or in the sport/camping area of WalMart. I can testify that they really do help, especially if you refresh them in cold water periodically.

The other thing is to watch for the frozen slushy booths around the parks. One of those delicious lemon (or other flavors) slushies will cool your core right down. They aren't cheap, but I absolutely couldn't do the parks without getting one or two during the hottest part of the day. They are like magic!
 














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