Procedure for emergency at DVC Resorts or WDW Parks

[jaysue]

Hi, need some more assistance here. DW will be taking her epipens with her to WDW - she was stung twice by wasps this past summer and has developed a nasty reaction - she will be having her shots protocol to bring the risk down but this will not be complete ahead of the trip

We would use the epipens right away in any situation but she was wondering what do we do/who do we get/inform in - are there pull alarms or emergency phones or get someone to find the nearest CM - call 911 from a room or house phone or the operator etc....?

thanks in advance
Jason

 

[FriendsOfEeyore]

We have a epipen jr for ds. Upn entering the parks in May, we were required to show his doctor's instructions during the bag search.

Not sure what to do to notify in case of an emergency. I would also like other's opinions on this.

 

[Disney Doll]

I would get the nearest CM and let them handle the emergency notification.

From what I understand, the response time at WDW is pretty good.

 

[PamOKW]

If you see a security guard, grab them. If not, just tell the nearest CM you need help and they will get things rolling. If you are in the room, call 911 and call the front desk (in that order). The front desk will provide assistance, too. If it's some other non-life threatening emergency but you feel you need to get to an ER, call the front desk. I was told they usually try to take the guests to the ER so that they don't have to be driving around a strange area in a panic.

We had an emergency in Epcot and I just grabbed a guard and he got us to the Epcot First Aid station. They are very well equipped there but they determined we needed to get to the ER, they gave us a choice of which one and they contacted OKW (where we were staying) and an OKW CM took us there. This was NYE afternoon a few years back. When we were ready to leave the ER it was primetime -- around 7:00-8:00 and the ER told us no cabs were available. When we said we were staying at OKW they called them and sure enough, the same wonderful CM (I think she was our angel for the day) came and took us back.

I have to say, they did an excellent job helping us out in an emergency.

 

[lenshanem]

We have a epipen jr for ds. Upn entering the parks in May, we were required to show his doctor's instructions during the bag search.

WHAT?!? OK, I woudl have flipped! I carry two EpiPen Jrs. for my daughter's allergy to peanuts and tree nuts. I keep them in a baby bottle bag (to hang off my waist pack, backpack or stroller)with a bottle of Benardyl. I woudl ahve been up the creek if they told me I had to show a doctor's note. I don't carry anything like that around. First, I woudl ahve been TOTALLY insulted and majorly MAD. If they wouldn't let me take it in I woudl have had to turn around. I'm not spending the day in the parks without those pens near us. Too mnay peopel walking aroudn eating Crunch bars, bags of nuts for sale, etc. No way!!! Plus, waht if she ate soemthing and it was accidentally cross contaminated?!? I'm suppossed to ~wait~ to get my EpiPen back from security? By that time she coudl ahve died. Reading this really upset me! (Sorry!)

We just got back last week and only twice did someone ask me to open the baby bottle container. Both times I told them what was in it and they waved me through, once one of them said OK, I know about those EpiPens...

 

[lenshanem]

After I calmed down from my last post, I started giving thsi more thought.
Jaysue, I think you bring up soem important questions.
In this instance I woudl have soemoen in my party run and grab a CM to radio in for emergency help. I don't know if thsi is the best option, but I think it is what I wodul do. In your case if it is just your immediate family I would yell for soemone near by to do thsi for me.
After reading your thread I now wonder if the individula parks keep epinephrine at hand. I know where I live I have to ask for advanced life support since not all ambulances carry it here. I woudl think WDW experiences individuals having various allergic reactiosn often.
I also wonder if they woudl try to treat themselves or woudl have an ambulance coem first or both. (Like woudl they insist on taking us to first aid first and if so woudl thsi be wasting mintues?) And what is the closest hospital? Celebration or isn't there another one near by to WDW? I bet they woudl use Celebration and if so I woudl hope that is the closest hospital.
I think before our next trip I might call WDW and ask about their procedures in such an instance. I don't know what department I wodul ask for. Anyone know? But, I do have the switch board number soemwhere if anyoen woudl liek it.

 

[PamOKW]

Originally posted by lenshanem
And what is the closest hospital? Celebration or isn't there another one near by to WDW?

The closest hospital kind of depends on where you are on WDW property. I'm familiar with Sand Lake Hospital (I think that's the name) and Celebration Hospital. In a non-life threatening situation they gave us a choice. There isn't any reason for Disney to select one over the other except for closeness and/or facilities....they don't have any real connection with the hospital.

I found Celebration to be quite good although a little short-staffed on NYE. At that time everyone from receptionist to doctor wore polo shirts (I think different colors) but it was hard to know who was who. I thought the receptionist was a nurse for about a half-hour.

I'm guessing allergic reactions are probably right up there with heat stroke as common WDW emergencies. It couldn't hurt to call and talk it over with them ahead of time if it will help you feel better. The comment about a note for the Epipen is probably not a bad idea for traveling. You never know when you might have a problem on a plane or entering a building/theme park.

 

[DisneyMim]

Don't let the laid back atmosphere fool you folks. We've had an emergency in Epcot (me!) and let me tell you those CMS were fantastic. Zipped us right out of the park via a back entrance into a waiting ambulance. I was very impressed. Maybe this was just one incident, but I feel confident (or as confident as can be anywhere in the world) at WDW.

Enjoy and I hope all goes well and you never need to use any emergency services!

 

[SueM in MN]

We have not had any emergencies where we needed ER services at WDW, but DD has had seizures in the parks before. One actually occurred in First Aid - we had gone there to use the wheelchair accessible bathroom. The nurse there was very calm and competent.
Another seizure occurred while we were walking around the countries in Epcot. Within a few minutes of her seizure, a CM stopped to see if we needed any help. He offered directions to First Aid and also to call someone if we needed help. Most CMs have what looked like cell phones and text message pagers. We just wanted to rest where we were, so I tipped her wheelchair back so she could rest. While she slept, several more CMs (and several other guests) stopped to see if we needed anything.

On our last trip, we saw a stroller getted tipped over and the child in it fell out just outside of France in Epcot. Within what seemed like seconds, the fist CM arrived and in about 3-5 minutes they had a paramedic team repsonding. So I think they are probably well prepared for emergencies.

 

[wilderness01]

It probably is a good idea to have your doctor's note. An epipen is a sharp after all and even though it is WDW (the happiest place on earth) you never know if someone is a little off and might do something stupid with their sharp. Back in nursing school I remember a kid getting an injection, grabbing the syringe after the injection and running down the halls trying to stab anyone she could. She was HIV positive. She was only a kid. You never know how people tick and it is better safe than sorry!

Just a thought.

 

[FriendsOfEeyore]

Shan,

Let me clarify a little bit. Our last trip was duirng Memorial Day weekend. We were asked at both the airport security and Disney Security (when entering the parks) to show any information (documentation) that we had to help them understand why we had an epipen on us.

Our ds also has a peanut allergy (Not too severe, Level 2 out of 5), but he breaks out in a rash and gets a little short of breathe.

We took the search and questioning by the airport and WDW as good security checks.

I was just trying to give the op an idea that if they have that info, they could carry with them (I, as it turns out, always have and always will. His Doctor's Instructions are in our diaper back pack ALL THE TIME, everywhere we go). With the new higher level of security, there seems to be more and more questions about it. We were asked for reasoning when we (My 21mo ds & I) attended a Timberwolves game earlier this week.

As far as the contacting security and / or CM, that is a great idea. I liked what DisneyMim said about how quickly WDW reacted to her situation.

Edward

 

[kcashner]

The only thing you need to do in an emergency is find the nearest cast member. The parks are all connected thru a system of intercoms, 2-way radios, and phones. They will have help to you in a matter of a minute or less.

If you think about it, there are more people in the parks on a busy day than live in many communities. They are very used to emergencies and well prepared for them. All CMs are trained in "emergency procedures"--how to start the WDW emergency action and not unduly disturb other guests or make a scene! It works wonderfully.

As to the epi-pens, it is always a good idea to carry a note from your doc. Just tuck it into your wallet and keep it there. You may be questioned when boarding a plane, entering any secured area, etc. It doesn't matter that the note is 5 years old...just that you have some documentation. Most places will let you in or onboard without it, but it never hurts to have it just to prevent any hassle.

Also, please be sure that you understand your doc's instructions for this stage of your daughter's treatment. Are you to start with the epi-pen? Are you to try Benadryl first and then move on to the epi-pen only if she doesn't respond in a certain amount of time? Each child and each doc is different, and only your doc has the right answer for your child.

 

[twinmomplus2]

Last August 02, actually. We had an emergency while on the tour at the Greenhouse in the land. I excused myself told the Cm giving the tour I was ill. By the time I got to the door to leave the tour. There was a security guard there. And less than a minute honestly....There were six Reedy Creek EMT'S there.
It was overwhelming how quick they were. I think they are very equiped to handle a potential problem for you!

 

[lenshanem]

I wonder if just havng the presciption would work? I usually atek the Pens out of the box and just keep them in the tubes. I ahve always had the pharmacy put the label on the tube itself instead of the box, but thsi last time I forgot to ask.
I ahve yet to fly since 9/11, but we stay pretty busy and have been many places and I guess I've just lucked up and haven't been further questioned about them.
Next time I go to her allergirst I'll ask for a note. I've had plenty of notes made thsi past summer for her entering kindergarten. Also had to fill out many "offical" school forms.
Do diabetics ahve to go through questioning, too after being seacrhed?!?

Jaysue, sorry thsi has gotten a little off topic. Your wife has just started developing her allergy recently?
FAAN has soem great items for carrying the Pens. The babby bottle container has worked great for us, but here's a link to thier site -
http://foodallergy.org/s-cart/form.phtml?g_intCatID=29
I always ahve problems with the Pens in the summer where I live. We go to the pool alot and I'm always trying to keep them from getting too hot. I wish soemoen woudl invent soemthing! I know they are not suppossed to get too cold either.

 

[DJGifford]

I have to say...unfortunately we had to use emergency services...we were in Epcot and dd decided to take a dive out of her stroller,...head first...she almost immediately began vomiting (I am an RN, soooo)...anyway...brought her to the first aid at Epcot...they were excellent, did all the right tests to determine immediate danger. Part of the reason I thought she got stomach sick so quick was she was crying terribly...she had just eaten chili cheese fries at ESPN, and had gotten off the plane only a few hours earlier.

Later that evening...she threw up twice more out of the blue...we picked up the room phone and called 911...3 reps from the hotel came up...then the ambulance etc...they were very attentive...we drove in the ambulance with and when we were done at the hospital (she was fine BTW) a wonderful CM came to pick us all up at 1 in the morning.

The next day, they called to check in on us....they were wonderful!

 

[PamOKW]

Originally posted by DJGifford
The next day, they called to check in on us....they were wonderful!

I have to agree 100% with the treatment received, too. I haven't ever gotten the balloons, cards, etc. you read about but having caring support in a crisis was more important than any of that. They go above and beyond.

I am also so glad to hear your daughter was okay. It must have been very nerve wracking figuring out how badly she was hurt.