Immune comprimised on the buses

[TreeSapp]

My FIL is going to be taking his first trip to disney since a major cancer diagnosis 11 years a ago. Between the progress of the disease and his current treatment he is both immune compromised and in frequent back pain.

I'm acting as their 'travel agent' as far a researching and scouting out hotels, transportation, tickets, dining etc. The disney website & fan info sites are pretty overwhelming for people who haven't been in a long time and have a lot on their plate

Basically, they told me they'd rather a Disney hotel because if the free transportation - they don't want to have to use the car/navigate the disney maze). But I'm concerned that he may become overwhelmed by the close quarters he'll find himself in on some of the buses.

Can anyone with similar immune issues give advice on whether he will be ok, or if I should gently talk them into the idea of using the car occasionally?

Thanks,
Tree

 

[ttintagel]

The main reason I love Disney resorts is not having to drive, so I'm 100% with them there! And I'm skeptical of people who claim they save a lot of time and walking with a car, because of the time it takes to find and walk from parking spaces.

That said, I didn't get the chance to go to WDW until years after I finished chemo, so I don't have the exact same experience to draw on. I do have a weakened immune system due to the drugs I take for some of my autoimmune conditions, though, so maybe there's some crossover.

When I go on vacation, I keep hand sanitizer and a couple of single-wrapped disposable surgical masks in my purse. (Of course, I forgot I had the masks last year, didn't put one on when I got seated next to a hacking cougher on the plane to Orlando, and had pneumonia by the time we got home, but I had nobody but myself to blame!) As soon as you get off the bus, give the hands a quick degerming.

The bus MAY be rough on his back, but that's a hard thing to judge from individual to individual. I ride the city bus at home, and I find the Disney buses to be a smoother ride than my local ones.

 

[BeerMe]

If he can't be jostled and has immune problems definitely drive. Unless they take cabs there is no other way to avoid crowds.

 

[StitchesGr8Fan]

There is also no guarantee he will get a seat unfortunately.

 

[TreeSapp]

Thanks all!


He has a disabled parking tag that I think can be used in the disney lots. It should cut down on the walking some? We're going to try to talk him into a wheelchair "just for the convenience of a comfy seat with back support" for use in the shows... With any luck he'll get some use out of it

 

[disney david]

Thanks all!

He has a disabled parking tag that I think can be used in the disney lots. It should cut down on the walking some? We're going to try to talk him into a wheelchair "just for the convenience of a comfy seat with back support" for use in the shows... With any luck he'll get some use out of it

Yes they can be used any where at Disney parks or resorts parking lots plus down town disney and any other parking lot. plus at any disney owned resorts they can get free valet parking.

 

[buffettgirl]

My FIL is going to be taking his first trip to disney since a major cancer diagnosis 11 years a ago. Between the progress of the disease and his current treatment he is both immune compromised and in frequent back pain.

I'm acting as their 'travel agent' as far a researching and scouting out hotels, transportation, tickets, dining etc. The disney website & fan info sites are pretty overwhelming for people who haven't been in a long time and have a lot on their plate

Basically, they told me they'd rather a Disney hotel because if the free transportation - they don't want to have to use the car/navigate the disney maze). But I'm concerned that he may become overwhelmed by the close quarters he'll find himself in on some of the buses.

Can anyone with similar immune issues give advice on whether he will be ok, or if I should gently talk them into the idea of using the car occasionally?

Thanks,
Tree

I can't even tell you how many times I have been on buses or monorails with kids 1)puking 2) coughing like they had the plague 3) with smelly rotovirus smelling diapers 4) with 100% snotty runny noses like they have a bad cold. Nearly every bus I've got one of those. Maybe it's because people are unwilling to keep their kids in the hotel when they're on vacation, but I feel like that's the weak spot for us at disney - where we're exposed in a confined space to more germs. So I'd avoid it if at all possible if he's compromised in any way. And sometimes the buses literally are packed like sardines.

 

[Michigan]

Thanks all!


He has a disabled parking tag that I think can be used in the disney lots. It should cut down on the walking some? We're going to try to talk him into a wheelchair "just for the convenience of a comfy seat with back support" for use in the shows... With any luck he'll get some use out of it

I would take the bus to MK. If you drive you have to park at the TTC and if parked in handicap there is no tram pickup and it's a pretty far hike to the monorail and a steep climb up to it.

 

[Mrsjvb]

My FIL is going to be taking his first trip to disney since a major cancer diagnosis 11 years a ago. Between the progress of the disease and his current treatment he is both immune compromised and in frequent back pain.

I'm acting as their 'travel agent' as far a researching and scouting out hotels, transportation, tickets, dining etc. The disney website & fan info sites are pretty overwhelming for people who haven't been in a long time and have a lot on their plate

Basically, they told me they'd rather a Disney hotel because if the free transportation - they don't want to have to use the car/navigate the disney maze). But I'm concerned that he may become overwhelmed by the close quarters he'll find himself in on some of the buses.

Can anyone with similar immune issues give advice on whether he will be ok, or if I should gently talk them into the idea of using the car occasionally?

Thanks,
Tree

I assume he will be using a wheelchair or ECV? this can both help and hinder crowding issues. he will need to seriously consider wearing a mask as well
there is no way to avoid close quarters in the parks. it just cannot be done. especially in lines.

I am reminded of the absolute HISSY FIT some woman threw once when I was directed( in my WC) to wait in the loading area with them in the HA area. she started SCREAMING at the CM ( who had told me to wait right there directly behind this family) that her son was immune compromised and he absolutely could not be around anyone else! I was three feet away.

I got the dirtiest look when I stayed put as directed. I just said I was not contagious but if she was that worried maybe her son needed to be in a surgical mask due to all the airborne pathogens he was ingesting.. Yeah I got another dirty look but at least dad looked amused.

 

[GadgetTheInventor]

It is my understanding that surgical masks only keep germs from leaving the wearer...they don't protect much from inhaled substances. Real protection requires a completely sealed mask like a N95 level of protection.

My fiancee has only been to WDW once after starting chemo. She didn't struggle much because it was early in the treatments and she was in her mid-20s back then. We also stayed off-site and drove. It would be a whole different experience now and I doubt I would let her go without a mask....preferably a whole astronaut suit.

Defiantly look into using a wheelchair for the back pain. Often the ride vehicles or chairs around the park can be pretty uncomfortable. You can take the wheelchair in restaurants and on longer rides such as Ellen's ride in EPCOT. Obviously he would just park it outside at most of the rides.

 

[Schmeck]

Honestly, if being that immune-suppressed, I'd question whether it was safe to go to WDW right now. Remember that it is an international destination, and even the healthiest of people aren't immune to everything.

If they do decide that it is the best (maybe only?) time to go, I second the hand cleaning wipes, and the wheelchair, and perhaps a monorail resort? Or an EPCOT resort if they love EPCOT the most. That way they can avoid the buses as much as possible.

 

[Random Ninja]

It is my understanding that surgical masks only keep germs from leaving the wearer...they don't protect much from inhaled substances. Real protection requires a completely sealed mask like a N95 level of protection.

The surgical disposible masks work both ways, keeping germs in and other things out. I wear them and my personal masks all the time, including while at wdw, due to airborne allergens. They certainly aren't perfect and a N95 is much better.

 

[JennyDrake]

How will "germs" on a bus ride be any different than exposure in a crowded queue???

 

[TreeSapp]

He should be able to get the GAC that let's him wait at a separate area while we wait in line. And on the buses, he'd definitely feel more like he had to touch things (seat, pole, handrail, etc) than in most lines.

 

[livndisney]

He should be able to get the GAC that let's him wait at a separate area while we wait in line. And on the buses, he'd definitely feel more like he had to touch things (seat, pole, handrail, etc) than in most lines.

This is not how a GAC works. There is not a way for him to wait in a different area and then join you in line. There are a few attractions that have a "separate" waiting area-but it may not help. Example-Monsters has a chained off area in the main room-no germ protection.

 

[aubriee]

My FIL is going to be taking his first trip to disney since a major cancer diagnosis 11 years a ago. Between the progress of the disease and his current treatment he is both immune compromised and in frequent back pain.

I'm acting as their 'travel agent' as far a researching and scouting out hotels, transportation, tickets, dining etc. The disney website & fan info sites are pretty overwhelming for people who haven't been in a long time and have a lot on their plate

Basically, they told me they'd rather a Disney hotel because if the free transportation - they don't want to have to use the car/navigate the disney maze). But I'm concerned that he may become overwhelmed by the close quarters he'll find himself in on some of the buses.

Can anyone with similar immune issues give advice on whether he will be ok, or if I should gently talk them into the idea of using the car occasionally?

Thanks,
Tree

Sorry, but as a RN I have to tell you that if I was immune compromised and had alot of back pain, I wouldn't even go. WDW is cess pool of germs. We use a rental car, but I can't count the number of obviously sick people we have seen in lines. They are obviusly feverish or even throwing up but are still determined to get their money's worth out of their trip, plus you know kids put their hands on everything. I still remember being in line for Spaceship Earth last fall and having the kid in front of me turn and throw up with the vomit almost landing on me. It was obvious from looking at him that he felt awful, but the parents just apologized, cleaned his face, left the vomit, and told him he'd be fine and put him on the ride anyway, even though he was crying saying he was sick and wanted to go back to the hotel. Even washing my hands alot and using hand sanitizer, I still come back sick from alot of my trips down there and I seldom ever get sick here at home.

 

[Schmeck]

He should be able to get the GAC that let's him wait at a separate area while we wait in line. And on the buses, he'd definitely feel more like he had to touch things (seat, pole, handrail, etc) than in most lines.

"Separate Waiting Area" is not available at every attraction, and those areas can be just as, or more crowded, than the regular queue, I'm afraid. There really is no way to avoid the crowds at WDW, especially in the attractions. WDW packs people in like sardines, and if I had a penny for every time I was coughed or sneezed on, I'd be planning my next trip instead of worrying about my credit card balance...

 

[TreeSapp]

Turns out his doctor veto'ed the trip. A major bummer, but for the best.

 

[ttintagel]

Oh, that's too bad! I hope can can go later.