Medical care while in Disney?

[CJK]

I was just wondering about what one does if they need minor medical attention while in Disney (i.e. cough, ear infection, etc..)? Could someone point me in the right direction for finding out? Thanks!

 

[amberjack]

Lake Buena Vista Centra Care is not far from Downtown Disney.

 

[mom2val]

In 2005 while staying at CBR dd got really sick. We called the front desk and were given several options: they could arrange transport to ER, take us to a clinic or have a DR sent to our room. We opted for Dr to come to our room. He was there within 2 hours. DD had double ear infection & strep. Dr had meds delivered right to resort.

 

[Donut23]

In 2004 celebrating a friends birthday at the Grand Floridian I finally gave up and was taken to the ER - Pancreatitus.

I checked out AMA (against medical advice) with a fistfull of pills for pain and nausia to try and fly home the next day. My friend is a physician so I was in good hands until handoff to Southwest (who had NO idea I was so ill).

Ok, ok....I know.....but I ended up in the hospital for over 2 weeks and being home was easier.

Anyway...

The staff at the GF were so far beyond helpful -- especially when I came back from the ER. In my case, the hospital was the right call. For most problems centracare outside Downtown Disney will take care of just about anything.

I had never thought of being at WDW while ill until 2004. I am happy to say, Disney castmembers are ready to help you.

 

[codenamejack]

If you're in the parks and you need immediate, minor medical attention, there are first aid stations. My adult daughter had an accident last year, just as we entered Magic Kingdom. She was in a happy fog, staring at the Castle, and wandered in front of my MiL's ECV and lost some skin on the back of her ankle. I helped her hobble over to guest services, trying not to bleed all over Main Street, and a nice CM stayed and talked with us (partly just to make sure we weren't trying to sue, I'm sure - LOL) while they got a wheelchair. We wheeled her down to the clinic and the nice nurse practitioner fixed her up. All we had to do was sign in. No other paperwork required.

Another man was also in there, just using a cot to rest because he was feeling faint. So I wouldn't hesitate to ask a CM for help if you need it.

 

[scrappinannie]

Unfortunantely, we experienced a minor medical issue while on our trip just last week. DD3 came down with a high fever out of nowhere. I suspected heat exhuastion but wasn't sure & DD was really not herself, very tired, listless & generally miserable. We were directed to the Urgent Care (Centra Care, I believe) near DTD, but was told that if DD required IV fluids they would transfer her to the hospital as they are not equipped with IVs. First aid is available but only in the parks, not at the resorts. The nearest hospital is Celebration Hospital and that's about 10 minutes away. Resort CMs offered transport to wherever we wanted to go & I believe I read that the urgent care provides free transportation, as well.

We ended up going via taxi to the ER at Celebration Hosptial. Taxi fare was just under $20 one way & POR picked up the tab. No questions asked.

DD was fine. Dr thought it was probably just a virus, but it really freaked us out. She ran a fever of about 102-104 for 2 days and even meds only kept it hovering right around 100. Not something you want to deal with while on vacation, but you do have options. Nice to know before you need them.

 

[mr.alec]

Thankfully, none of us has needed medical care.
However, our Physician always writes us 2 scrips for antibiotics..one for adults and one for the kids...just in case.
We tear them up when we are done with WDW.
Anything else one can get OTC.
But if say our son gets an ear ache,bad cough or "sick" we have a stand by.
The antibiotics probably wouldnt be needed but why pay to goto a "urgent care" place to simply get one that way.
Our M.D.calls this his trip insurance....lol

 

[disneybliss2]

While on our last trip, my DD who was 14 months old started not acting herself, seemed very pale, and was hot to the touch, so I took her to the first aid station. A nurse took her temperature, and indeed, she did have a fever. She gave us a dose of Motrin (free of any charge), to knock the fever down. I always take Tylenol, Motrin, etc. because you never know when you'll need it. I had some in our resort room, but was very thankful they were kind enough to give us some while in the park to help her fever from getting any higher.

 

[plutotek]

My DW has always had issues w/fainting when exposed to heat/cold (walking in the parks/going to shows/rides w/AC). We were in DL and had just gone into Bear Country when she sat down on one of the benches. I took one look at her and told my DSis to get someone (She was working as a CM that summer). No sooner were the words out of my mouth than over DW went. Long story short, we took the DL 'ambulance' around to the first aid station. They gave her some liquids, told her to rest for a couple of hours, then, if she still wanted to stay in the park, she had to spend the rest of the day in a wheelchair, so that's what she did.

We were impressed w/the professionalism of the EMTs and the first aid staff. Big silver lining on this? This was back in the day when a wheel chair got you to the front of the line. No waits the rest of that day!!!

 

[gallagher35]

For minor problem like diagnosis of strep, ear infection, etc and just needing a script for medication, I would say the CVS Minute Clinic. It's about 10 minutes away and walk-in. We were in and out within 1 1/2 hours with a prescription for DD ear infection. Also very cheap $69.00 for the visit (which was fully reimbursed by insurance). Had such a great experience that I've actually used them back home when I can't get an appointment quick enough at our regular doctors. Google CVS minute clinic and you'll find all the details there so you can check if your insurance is accepted, etc before you travel and have info handy. I spent more time getting location, directions, etc than I did in the actual clinic

 

[miprender]

Unfortunately we needed this our first day there. We arrived late the night before and DD6 started complaining her ear was hurting her the next morning.

I asked the front desk about a walkin clinic and they directed me to Centre Care (they have a few locations) Since we had a rental car I just drove myself but I believe they will come and pick you up if you need that option.

They were great and the one near DTD even has a pharmacy attached. However they do not take insurance, you have to pay OOP but they will deliver the medicine back to you hotel room. Since the medicine was $180 for DD (she had an ear infection in both ears) I did go to Walgreens down the street.

 

[AuroraMeansDawn]

We had amazing service in the first aid station. My DS was 4 and got overheated/motion sick on the bus and lost it all over him and me on the bus to AK. He was mortified. I was too but what can you do? It happens. Tough situation to be in. The next stop was at Blizzard Beach and we hopped off to find a bathroom to try to clean up. (My sincere apologies to everyon sharing the bus that morning)

The waterpark wasn't open yet but we found two CM's sweeping out front who helped immediately. They took us into the park to the family bathroom where they have showers and gave us towels and toiletries. Helped my DH get clean shirts and a pair of shorts for my DS and even had the store open early to do so then took us back to first aid.

In the first aid station they gave DS some Gatoraid and pepto and provided a place to lay down and cool off until he was feeling better. Even gave him stickers and a bandaid. He didn't need a bandaid but somehow the bandaid made him happy. And then took us backstage to a van and drove us to the AK gate and they sent our "destroyed" outfits through the laundry and had them delivered back to our room at Dixie Landings. Just amazing.

Certainly a minor emergency at best but the caring and outstanding service of the CMs saved the day. I filled out cards on them as well as sent a letter for their personnel files when we got home. Disney does everything top shelf.

 

[DVC Mary]

CMs are always fantastic.

Minor incidents taken care of by 1st Aid Station w/ superb friendly care & good advice.

Son's fingers got stuck in an elevator door at BCV. (Yes, he tried to stop the door too late & it was totally his fault.) We called down for an ice pack. They sent up a 1st aid team & offered to take him to the ER. They were just bruised & once the Advil kicked in he was fine.

Severe ear pain took us to urgent care near DTD & it was packed w/ so many people waiting that after about 10 minutes we decided our son was more likely to catch something in the waiting room.

Celebration Hospital, while equally crowded, felt much cleaner & safer.

Need a prescription?? The front desk will help you w/ a place to call it in & get it delivered to the resort.

The one time we required an ambulance to Celebration Hospital, the manager CM had a WL lodge employee drive my husband over there since we didn't have a car.

Moral of the story: Feel safe at Disney. You have medical care available everywhere that can assess your needs, give you options, and help you get where you need to be. You will have a choice between urgent care & a hospital. Don't worry & enjoy your vacation.

 

[winterman]

We have been to the Centre Care walk-in clinic near DTD, 3 times in the last 13 years, most recently last Sept. DH has been diagnosed with pneumonia twice and bronchitis once. We have always driven there in our rental but I know that they will provide transportation, free of charge. I am an RN and I have always been very pleased with the care. On the most recent visit they checked with our insurance to see if they (the clinic) could provide us with the medication. Our insurance would not allow that so the clinic gave us printed directions to the closest pharmacy that was on our plan. Our insurance did always cover the care with a co-pay the same as at a regular doctor visit.

 

[Arenita]

YAY Disney CMs for the tender care shown to these guests!