Help!!water Caution @wdw???????

[mcnuss]

The symptoms described sound exactly like the Norwalk virus. I was on one of the affected cruises, and these are exactly the symptoms that the ship's doctors told us about.

I do not want to offend anyone who became ill on a vacation, but if there is so much bacteria in the water to cause such high fevers & the other symptoms, then Disney would have a public health crisis on its hands. It is far more likely that people who got sick picked up a germ from a ride, a railing, a counter, a doorknob -- you name it, than from the water.

Furthermore, the Brita filter does not remove sulphur, or bacteria or germs in any way. From their web site "Fact is, the quality of U.S. tap water is quite good. However, BRITA Pitcher and Faucet Mount Filtration Systems can improve taste by reducing chlorine (taste and odor) and may help avoid health risks by reducing 98% of lead that may be in your tap water. The innovative BRITA systems also reduce bad tastes, sediment and odor." www. brita.com In other words, it does nothing to make the water safer.

Having said all this, the water in the parks is icky. Florida water is sulphuric, then they process it and treat it with chlorine which makes it clean but really icky tasting. If you have a sensitive tummy, then you may get diarrhea from it, or it may make you queasy. I really do not think you are going to get a 105 fever! (Those of you who got sick in Mexico or anyplace where the water is untreated, then your sickness is likely due to germs.)

 

[strawberryblonde]

When DS was 2 we went to WDW in March. He got the runs from drinking the tap water. No fever, just crampy tummy and runs, runs, runs. When we went back in Dec. 2002 (DS was 5) we took cases of bottled water and didn't let him have a sip of tap water, no problems. Same thing in March 2003, no tap water, no problems. We just went for a couple of days this last week to show the MIL around, and DS had some tap water at dinner. Sure enough, he got the runs and crampy tummy. His sister, who is 3, also had some tap water at dinner, and no problems. We were very careful to take our bottled water into the restaurants with us for him for the rest of the trip and he "cleared" up. I believe he is sensitive to the water. Have no idea why but I won't be taking any chances in the future.

 

[CK1]

I have 3 kids and 1 dh, and a whole mess of family I'll call the "others"! Now, Son #2, dh, a niece (an "other") are incredibly predisposed to stomach-flus (i.e., they get them more than anyone else, and usually 10 times worse... dh usually gets hospitalized). Amonst the others, several are Florida residents... my fam of 5 is from W.V., none of us ever having lived in Florida.

Our 1st family trip to Disney -- Dh, son#2 and niece get really ill on Day #5; everyone EXCEPT the Florida natives gets mildly ill on day 5 or 6.

Second family trip: Only at Disney 4 days, but on the road back home on day 5, dh and son #2 very ill, son #1 and me mildly ill, niece who has never lived in Florida is ill, but her family (who lived in Florida for about 12 years before moving and then having her) remains seemingly o.k.

3rd trip: We try to get smart. Only bottled water, canned or bottled soda, etc. It's January and cool, so it's pretty easy to manage. We escape illness-free on day 5, and get home still well -- Yahoo!

4th trip: A big 10 day vacation, so we were extra cautious, or so we thought. Bottled water all the way. But this was August, we had 3 kids now, and just as I was rejoicing on day 5 that we had made it... son # 2 gets really ill. We had all eaten the same foods that day, had same bottled water, etc. And it was the same stinkin' symptoms as always. He admitted a truth, however, at 2 am as I sat with him in the bathroom... water fountains he drank from, and a snowcone his dad got him. Ooops.

It may be like carrying a rabbit's foot, or similar superstition, to believe in the bottled water. Certainly we know all big public places are crawling with germs, travel wears your body's resistance down, and stomach flus aren't out of possibility. But why aren't we all also getting colds, or strep, or pinkeye, or similarly contagious infections? And why aren't our Floridian friends affected?

It sure seems like more than just coincidence. Tell ya what, next time I'm at Disney, I'll bring back a bottle or two of their infamous water and drink it daily for 5 days, just to see what happens. I'm not usually one to get stomach flus, even if my whole family gets them. If I get problems after drinking it, then we'll know for sure, and without wasting a vacation! (What can I say, I'm a science geek, willing to donate my gastrointestinal tract for data....)

CIndy

 

[jaletu2000]

Cindy,
That is a great idea and I, for one, really appreciate your "scientific" spirit. That should set the record straight as far as the water question is concerned. Keep us posted on your results

We are going in June and there's no way I'm trying the water! Will be taking bottled water.

 

[mitros]

I would also suggest not under ANY circumstances should you drink out of any of the fountains. My wife has an extremely sensitive stomach and as long as she doesn't drink out of any of the fountains. , she is fine. There are a LOT of germs floating around theme parks because of a lot of people from a lot of places. I am not even going into detail about something I observe each time we are at WDW because it is so gross, but suffice it to say, keep your hands OFF of hand rails, and if you accidentally do touch a railing keep your hands away from your face until you can wash your hands. Just a word of warning

 

[DaveH]

The only thing I would like to add is that I use Brita filters to get rid of the taste and odor. It does work for that. Make sure you have an idea how much water you put through your filter to know when to change it. Another way is the water starts tasting bad anyway.

 

[Whosemom]

finally a reason to be glad my water is sulfery!! I'll be ok at Disney World.

Seriously, my kids always get sick after a trip to any amusement park. I blame it on their little faces being level with the hand rails. And grossly enough - how many times a day do I say "get your mouth off there - EWWWWW"

Micki

 

[Hollie in NH]

Just got back from Disney on Sunday. I read this post before I left and thought how bad could the water be? It tastes AWFUL!! I am not picky about my drinking water- I drink tap water all the time. Not in Florida I don't. Stop at a store on the way down and buy a case of bottled water or pay the $2.50 at the parks. That water is yucky, yucky, yucky!!

 

[MelissaS]

My 8yo dd is allergic to sulpha drugs..........definitely will purchase water this year....

 

[beattyfamily]

The water at WDW is disgusting!!! I'll NEVER drink it again. This past October I was thirsty in Toontown by the train station and tried the fountain water and had to spit it out!

Both my DDs and myself got sick during this trip with throwing up and the runs but I don't blame the water. I blame it on not washing hands enough and there's lots of sick people and germs there. I believe we all got that virus that was on on the cruise ships actually.

My younger DD has gotten sick on all three of her WDW vacations. We just expect it now and we don't blame the water.

 

[casidy]

I was at disney last may and there were days when the temp was well over 95 and at 3.50$ each bottle of water I just got used to refilling it at the water fountain. nither me nor my husband go tsick from the water. yes the water does taste funny but it does not make you sick.
don't you think that if the water really was bad for you that disney would say something I mean think about it if everyone got sick that would mean a lot of people staying home and not comming to the parks because they would be too sick. I don't think disney would let all the millions of people that visit there every year get sick from bad water.
so if you have a sensitive stomac maybe you will want to buy bottled water but honestly I think the water may taste bad but I don't think it dangerous.

 

[gonga]

Everyone's systems is different and many people are sensitive for one reason or another. I personally do not drink tap water even in my own home - I have bottled water delivered. I think after years of drinking only spring water, as many do, then drinking Florida water would make someone very sick. The great and beautiful state of Florida is famous for many things, their tap water is not one of them. I would NEVER drink it. I am one of those sensitive people. I have had food poisoning 3X, and an intestinal parasite. The absolute worst - I don't know where it came from, and the dr. asked me if I had been to Africa recently, because after testing that was the only place I could have gotten such a thing. The scary thing is - I had not been anywhere. So you never know, if you are sensitive, when travelling keep your food as pure and simple as possible. Do not eat anything raw or undercooked and never drink the water. Just a few things to keep your trip healthy and happy.

 

[LBCmd]

We went to disney last year. First my 1 year old got very sick throwing up high fever a day later my 3 year old we flew home early because we were worried. I got it the day we got home and my husband the day after. We drank a huge amount of water at the parks. Especially the kids. I believe it was the water because all of their symptoms match those listed here. At the time we didnt know what it was. Now after reading all thes posts i believe it was the water. So I bought a brita bottle for our trip next week. However on the back of the box it says it only filter the water for taste and asethetics it does not filter out the water for bacteria etc... It is on the back down near the bottom of the box. Now I am worried that it wont filter out what made us sick last time. I think some peoples bodies are just more used to the water where they live and this other type of water can have something in it that affects people and makes them sick. We have lived in dallas and houston and use osmosis filters for all the water we drink at home. I guess I will just have to stock on bottled water from the grocery store.

 

[kessieann]

Well after reading this post and weighing our options we will be getting bottled water when we get to FL. (Just our personal choice here) My question is for those of you who are using bottled water. How are you schleping it around? Obviously one bottle each is not enough for the day so do you put it in a vehicle and go out to get more? Do you get a locker? What is the most convenient way with bottled water to stay hydrated?

 

[Minniespal]

Thanks for the info!!!

 

[jaletu2000]

kessieann,
By all means, rent a locker at the parks. Take some extra bottles with you and put them in there. Not everyone will agree - some prefer to carry it around in a soft sided cooler or backpack but I say use the locker. Those lockers save my aching back and arms.

Quick question: those of you who became sick while at the parks, did you drink from the fountains? Or did you drink from cups served at the counter restaurants? I'm just curious because if you used a fountain - then there is your culprit. Germs are easily spread at fountains. But if you had a cup of water or got sick from soft drinks (ice) served to you then ??? Can't imagine why.

Personally I'm bringing my own water.

 

[GeoffM24]

Originally posted by jaletu2000
kessieann,
By all means, rent a locker at the parks. Take some extra bottles with you and put them in there. Not everyone will agree - some prefer to carry it around in a soft sided cooler or backpack but I say use the locker. Those lockers save my aching back and arms.

Quick question: those of you who became sick while at the parks, did you drink from the fountains? Or did you drink from cups served at the counter restaurants? I'm just curious because if you used a fountain - then there is your culprit. Germs are easily spread at fountains. But if you had a cup of water or got sick from soft drinks (ice) served to you then ??? Can't imagine why.

Personally I'm bringing my own water.

I have no idea how I got sick. My wife ate and drank the same things as me and she was fine. I don't think I have EVER been more sick.

 

[LBCmd]

yeah we are going to bring our own this time. We have a stroller with basket to carry it around in. About the fountains I am kind of a fanatic about not putting my mouth or anything else on a fountain. So I filled up our water bottles making sure no part of the bottle touched the metal of the fountain. On another thread it talks about the problem being the sulfur in the water. some people dont realize they have an allergy or problem with sulfates especially if you dont get them normally in large doses. The other thread was saying drinking so much of the water at the park that has sulfur in it is what makes people so sick. sulfur poisoining almost. I think that is why some people get it and others dont. Im not taking any chances this time.

 

[Muffy]

FL water taste nasty (sulpher). I can't drip a drop of it. We always buy bottled water.

 

[AliciaS]

We have never gotten sick off Disney water but perhaps that is because it tastes so disgusting we can't drink it. And yes, the sodas also taste awful because they are made from syrup and water! The only soda I could sort of sip a tiny bit of was Sprite or 7UP because they hid the taste a little. Even that was not all enjoyable. We just got it in our head that we would be spending money on bottled water. Last time we went it was 95 degrees and they gave it away!

The one water fountain we found that tasted perfectly fine was on the platform at the transportation center! My theory is that since it is high, perhaps the minerals don't make it up there. I know that's probably ridiculous, but my husband agreed that that was the only fountain we could drink from.