Medical care while at Disney

[Lizzybee]

My soon to be 7 year old has been battling an ear infection for a month now. She's on her second course of antibiotics now. We are going to be at Disney on March 24th. My concern is what happens if the ear infection comes back while we are at Disney? Are there any onsite acute care facilities? Would we need to take a taxi to a doctor in Orlando? If anyone has any info on this it would really help me put my fears at ease if I can at least have a game plan. Thanks, Liz

 

[DsnyGrl]

There aren't any walk-in clinics on Disney property that I am aware of other than the typical first aid station. But about a mile past DTD in Lake Buena Vista, there is a Centra-Care and there is one in Celebration. Disney will help accomadate your child and direct you to someone who could help you. Hope That Helps.

 

[java]

We have had two medical emergencies when in Disney and this is what happened. One time DH was playing with our son and he thought he swallowed part of a comb.(don't ask) OK so I freak out when I come back to the room and we call guest services. Paramedic met us in the lobby in about 2 minutes and thoroughly checked him out. No charge.... The other time again DH! He had some allergic reaction to the chlorine in the pool- so in Epcot his eyes swell shut. We went to first aid and they gave him an antihistamine right there and in 10 minutes he was fine. They had epi pens there as well- but he did not need that. I don't know about antibiotics. I would suggest having a perscription from your Dr. with you so that you can fill it if need be. Or speak to him and ask if he would call one in for you if it crops up on your trip.

 

[Mom to Jordan]

I would talk to her DR before you go.If he knows she is prone to infections and will be traveling, he may be willing to give you a just in case percription or antibiotic. Chances are you KNOW when it is an infection. If not he may be willing to have you call him if necessary and have him call something in to a local place such as the wall-greens near by.

Hope you don't need anything at all!

Jordans' mom

 

[Lizzybee]

She went back to the doctor today and I asked him about maybe some medication "just in case" and he said that if her ear infection comes back while we're there, that we could go to a clinic there and get her taken care of. So, I don't think he'll give us a prescription to take along. Thanks for the suggestions though.

 

[gottaluvPluto]

I know that you can have a doctor come to your room. Someone here posted the phone number and they had an awesome experience with the doctor. I don't know how much it will cost for the doctor to come to your room. Maybe someone on this board has the number or maybe you can do a search and it will show up.

 

[OntFamily]

On our last trip to Disney (spring '04), we unfortunately found out medical care was easy to obtain. We visited the walk-in clinic in Lake Buena Vista(sinus infection), had an ambulance trip to Celebration Hospital (food allergy), and a paramedic visit in Magic Kingdom (son fell on head in Toontown). In all instances, the medical service was great.

The walk-in clinic is connected to a pharmacy, and the walk-in offers free pick-up and delivery. Also, there is a Doctor service that will visit your room (when we called for a visit @ 10:00pm, they were willing to schedule a visit for 10:45am the next morning -- we wound up going to Celebration Hospital).

The phone numbers for all of the medical services above, I believe are included in the Resort information either given to you at check-in, or in room. Or you can call the front desk, and they will give you the info (plus, you can always dial 911).


Side note, if you have to use an ambulance, Reedy Creek Ambulance does not charge Disney guests for use of its services.

 

[Lizzybee]

Thank you all so much for the mind easing info. Although an ear infection isn't a major emergency, I'm sure it would ruin what is supposed to be a magical vacation. According to our Dr., since our insurance is through the military any care we receive should be covered because there is no military base close enough to Orlando. Hopefully, I won't need any of this information when we get there.

 

[hugsquared]

Lizzy,
As a nurse may I suggest you be more in charge with your doctor and again ask for a rx for just in case. It is not that big of a deal and far cheaper to have the needed antibiotics/ear drops on hand rather than having to go to a walk in clinic or calling a doctor to your room. Explain that time and money would be an issue and why he/she finds it neccessary to make you pay more for a known condition rather than helping you out. There is really no excuse for a pediatrician not giving you something for this. Be persistant...you are paying them for a service as opposed to them doing you a "favor". Don't be timid...its not like your asking for narcotics for heavens sake. Good luck and please don't back down.
Kelley

 

[Lizzybee]

Well, actually going back to the Military hospital and waiting an hour to see the doctor then 2 more to get the drugs just might be more drama than getting them in Florida if it's necessary. It's kind of a toss up.

 

[memymomonica]

Our insurance is also through the Marine Corps. We have Tricare. I'm not sure if it is the same, but it isn't that easy to just walk in anywhere and get taken care of. If you visit an ER or see another Dr. (other than your PCM) we are required to call Tricare within 24 hours. If you don't let them know, they will not cover your visit. Also, if we use someone other than our PCM there is a deductible that applies. We had to take my daughter to an ER in California and it took 2 years to get all the paperwork done. And yes, we still ended up paying for some of her visit. I would just call your Dr. or a nurse in the office. Explain the situation and have them put to RX in the computer. They have done it for my daughter in the past (ear infection & plane ride). Hope that helps.

 

[agnes!]

Thank you all so much for the mind easing info. Although an ear infection isn't a major emergency, I'm sure it would ruin what is supposed to be a magical vacation. According to our Dr., since our insurance is through the military any care we receive should be covered because there is no military base close enough to Orlando. Hopefully, I won't need any of this information when we get there.

This might sound a little off the wall, but maybe you could talk directly to someone at SOG(Shades of Green)? They probably run into this sort of situation fairly often.
Also, talk to/e-mail your insurance 'company'(Tricare, maybe?), getting names of whomever tells you info @ your coverage. Have a specific plan of action on hand(list of clinic locations - where your insurance will be accepted, pediatrician's phone numbers, one-sheet medical records summary, etc) just in case something does happen while you're at WDW.

 

[mjmcca]

Lizzy,
As a nurse may I suggest you be more in charge with your doctor and again ask for a rx for just in case. It is not that big of a deal and far cheaper to have the needed antibiotics/ear drops on hand rather than having to go to a walk in clinic or calling a doctor to your room. Explain that time and money would be an issue and why he/she finds it neccessary to make you pay more for a known condition rather than helping you out. There is really no excuse for a pediatrician not giving you something for this. Be persistant...you are paying them for a service as opposed to them doing you a "favor". Don't be timid...its not like your asking for narcotics for heavens sake. Good luck and please don't back down.
Kelley

I am a nurse and I agree. I am lucky my ped trusts my judgement and would give me a script or call one in at anytime.

 

[cthetulips]

I got a sinus infection while at WDW. You are not allowed to have a prescription filled out of state unless your doctor is licensed in Fla. It's a Florida law, so they told me when I tried to do this. So, even if you have a prescription paper from your doctor, it will be useless. If your home doctor will oblige to write a prescription, get it filled before you go!

There are walk-in Centra Care centers near WDW. The walk-in centers are first come-first serve and for me, it took three hours of waiting then 5 minutes with the doctor. By the time I got to the pharmacy to get the antibiotics and back to the resort (thank goodness we had rented a car), we lost 4 hours that we had planned on being in the parks! DH, DS, and DD all waited for me with an afternoon swim while I was at the doctor, but we were all sad to be apart even for the 4 hours on our family vacation!

Also, when I knew I had the sinus infection I did find out the information for the doctor that will come to your hotel room. It costs minimum $350 for a visit! That was when I decided to go to the walk-in care. The front desk of the resort was very helpful, and if you don't have a rental car, they will somehow arrange transportation for you, if nothing else, the resort's courtesy van. I did not find out the transportation details though because we did rent a car.

Hope everyone is healthy for you when you go on your magical trip!

 

[Evil Queen]

Lizzy,
As a nurse may I suggest you be more in charge with your doctor and again ask for a rx for just in case. It is not that big of a deal and far cheaper to have the needed antibiotics/ear drops on hand rather than having to go to a walk in clinic or calling a doctor to your room. Explain that time and money would be an issue and why he/she finds it neccessary to make you pay more for a known condition rather than helping you out. There is really no excuse for a pediatrician not giving you something for this. Be persistant...you are paying them for a service as opposed to them doing you a "favor". Don't be timid...its not like your asking for narcotics for heavens sake. Good luck and please don't back down.
Kelley

I agree here!! My son had strep over and over as a young child. I am not big on meds, but this was painful for him, but almost cost me my job with time off. A 30 day, instead of 10 day meds, broke it, and no problems here after (knock on wood) but this was many years ago. I have never had a Dr. turn down a request before going on a trip, to be safe.

 

[weregoingtodw]

Well, actually going back to the Military hospital and waiting an hour to see the doctor then 2 more to get the drugs just might be more drama than getting them in Florida if it's necessary. It's kind of a toss up.

AMEN! I'd rather get 'out of town' care than try to get a medical appointment through the MTF!

What about a telephone consult? Maybe a day or two before the trip, you could call & request a telephone consult, then push them to call in meds for you (emphasize that you don't want to take your DD to the ER but if you have no other choice...). It's worth a try at least...

 

[3gr8kids]

We ran into this situation when oldest DD was 3. She was prone to ear infections and although she was beginning to show all of the symptoms and I brought her in to our pedi (I was worried about the change of air pressure during the flight) he refused to give us a script. (We have since switched pedi's). Anyway, sure enough, our 2nd day there we were at Cinderella's Royal table having dinner and my daughter actually put her head on the table and fell asleep. She was burning up so we returned to our hotel and asked at the reception desk where we could take her. They suggested the urgent care center which was right down the road (outside of Disney property but still in Lake Buena Vista) and they were absolutely wonderful. We were seen within 10 minutes, the doctor was awesome (imagine a 3 year old with bi-lateral ear infections and a fever of 103 and he still managed to get her to smile!) we had her prescription and first dose in her in slightly over an hour. I would not hesitate to bring any of my family there again should the need present itself. HTH!

 

[TinkBoo&ElliesMum]

Also, when I knew I had the sinus infection I did find out the information for the doctor that will come to your hotel room. It costs minimum $350 for a visit! That was when I decided to go to the walk-in care. The front desk of the resort was very helpful, and if you don't have a rental car, they will somehow arrange transportation for you, if nothing else, the resort's courtesy van. I did not find out the transportation details though because we did rent a car.

We used the in-room care in October when DD spiked a 104 fever and fell asleep on Splash Mountain during MNSSHP.

Total charge was $195 and the doctor was wonderful!! We two other kids it was worth the price!

 

[Schmeck]

If she's on her second antibiotic, the doctor might just be reluctant to give her a third type without being able to examine her himself. With the overuse of antibiotics, kids are running out of useful ones by the time they are 10 years old! Antibiotic resistant bacteria are very dangerous!

Have her checked out before you go. If she's still got an infection, the doctor can give you a prescription then.

If she's OK, then just be careful with her ears if you are planning on flying down. Don't forget the chewing gum, and maybe give her some decongestant too?

If she's OK before you go, but gets an infection while on vacation, go to one of the above-mentioned clinics, with as much info as possible about her condition. Bring the past prescriptions with you so they can prescribe the proper antibiotic.

I hope this second round of meds clears up her infection. I went through the same thing with my oldest daughter. It got to the point where she didn't even feel any pain or get a fever with the infections. Her gymnastics coach would tell me that she was doing her back handsprings sideways, and that she probably had an ear infection. He was always right!