Ostomy in Disneyland

[adSimba]

Sorry if there is good info on this already, I just hit 5 years cancer free and the cards are finally in my favor to return to Disneyland (it's been almost 8 years).

The thing is, I now have a permanent colostomy, and have no idea what to expect at the park, does anyone have any advice?

 

[sukhakuli]

My dad had an ileostomy, which is a little different because they are more active. He would just make sure he stopped at the bathroom before any shows or long waits to empty it out, and we had to be super careful about keeping him hydrated. And he took a totoe bag full of all his supplies, just in case. But it wasn't much of an issue. He was pretty good at dealing with it day to day so going to the parks was just another day.

 

[adSimba]

Thanks sukhakuli, I actually had an illiostomy myself until last September, it was one of the reasons I was a little less upset about not being able to make it to a disney park for the past 5 years.

I never had a problem in public either, but I always worried, and still do, especially since mine still acts like an illiostomy once in a while for no reason I can guess...

 

[sukhakuli]

It was always something my dad worried about, too, so I understand. We switched him to a different bag system at the end of his life that was more secure, but even then he was worried. It would just be so embarrassing if something happened. He packed all of his supplies, extra clothes, and always kept tabs on the bathrooms wherever we went, and then the hydration issue.

 

[SueM in MN]

You may also find the Companion Restrooms work well for your needs since they are a single person restroom with a sink, toilet and lockable door.
If you scroll down on this page,myou can get the Disneyland and Californua Adventure Guidemaps for Guests with Disabilities. They have icons for the Companion Restroom locations.

https://disneyland.disney.go.com/guest-services/guests-with-disabilities/

Also, keep in mind that you can use the facilities at First Aid, either for doing care or to store supplies you need in the park, but don't want to carry

 

[adSimba]

awesome! but are the companion bathrooms always full? one of my issues is often not having a super long time to wait to go...

 

[aaarcher86]

I've never encountered a long wait at a companion restroom. They've either been empty or we were next in line.

 

[SueM in MN]

It's kind of variable at WDW with the Companion Restrooms. Sometimes there is a line and sometimes not.

 

[Jonell]

Take anything you will need to change your appliance, maybe an extra set of clothes, and an extra clamp. We have learned from experience with my DH what you will need at the parks. The companion restroom is easier to use and the wait is usually short. Good Luck and Safe trip!

 

[allie_to_you]

My DH and I just came back from Disney a few weeks ago. He has a permanent colostomy also and also a supra-pubic catheter. He would just take a ziplock bag with the extra supplies he might need each day. The companion restrooms are great since they are very roomy and we rarely found that we had to wait very long if at all. But the handicap stalls are usually big enough too to take care of anything you need to do.

 

[DebbiC]

I had a temporary ileostomy for six months while my intestines healed from a massive bacterial infection.
I picked up 18 bacterial while working overseas, causing me to have 15 resections.

I visited both DisneyLand & DisneyWorld during this time. I preferred to utilize the companion restrooms as it gave plenty of room to take care of things. I also used the First Aid area a few times. Once in DisneyLand, I had a massive leak as the Velcro on my pouches was faulty. The whole box was bad and I only had the one box. The Nurse at the First Aid station went above and beyond, contacting a local outside vendor and arranged to have a new box delivered to my hotel (Grand Califorian) that same day. She allowed me privacy to clean up and arranged transportation back to my room.

My biggest concerns were the safety bars on certain attractions resting on my pouch.

 

[tekaye]

Following this for my DS.

 

[Disneylover99]

My husband always carries around duct tape with him just in case. It seals things up in a pinch.

 

[chirurgeon]

I went to WDW when I had a temporary ileostomy. I was lucky and had no issues. The entire time I had the ostomy, I only had it leak once in public. I was able to switch out the bag in a regular restroom with only a little bit of juggling. Companion restroom would have been great.