Re: Email Show Question about Parks in Heat

[*NikkiBell*]

I just listened to the commentary on the email show about dealing with a heart condition in the summer heat at WDW. Due to certain medical issues of mine, I do tend to overheat and dehydrate fairly quickly (and more so than most people). I have passed out in the middle of a Disney theme park due to the extreme heat. It was scary, but could have been prevented.

If the trip can not be rescheduled, I'd consider these suggestions:

1. Hydrate often. I know this seems very basic, but it's true. When I was hospitalized last May for dehydration, I was told it is best to drink 10-16 ounces of water every 20 minutes when in the heat. Also, avoid added salt in foods as this will take the water out of your system. Eating foods high in potassium is another key strategy.

2. Mister fans can be a Godsend. I bought a mister (without the fan though) in Walmart years ago. Fill it with ice in the morning and use it to cool you down throughout the day. The ones with the fans can also be purchased at various stores before leaving for FL. They really make a big difference.

3. Use a strategy. I agree with the comment on the show about monitoring your expectations. It's just like traveling with young children: go in with a set idea of accomplishing three things and anything extra you do is considered a bonus. Because of my work schedule, I can only travel during the peak season and this mentality has made things much more pleasurable for me.

4. Make good use of A/C. In the Florida heat, I like to visit an attraction that is inside the air conditioning, then do one out, then one in, etc. If you can keep to this plan-of-attack it really helps. You can also weave Fast Pass into this strategy: FP an outdoor attraction, go to an inside one while you're waiting for the window to open up, etc.

5. Take a break. Don't be afraid to take as many breaks as needed. I never would have passed out in Animal Kingdom one day if I did not push myself. Break often.

Enjoy your trip!!

 

[Cheshire Figment]

I would like to add that before going, you should look into the disABILITIES Forum.

It has a very large FAQ maintained primarily by SueM, one of the Moderators. It is well organized and has tons of very useful information and links.

The other is look at many of the discussions, you will usually find something dealing with your situation. If you don't see anything on page 1 (or 2) of the index, start your own thread. You will be surprised at how many people may have similar problems and be able to provide advice from personal experience.

And I would like to clarify a couple of incorrect comments, from that show, about the Guest Assistance Card (and you can get more information in Post #6 of the FAQs).

1. You do not need a doctor's note. They cannot ask for one. However, if you do have a note you can ask them to read it.

2. The GAC is not a Front of The Line Pass (unless it is related to a child on a Wish Trip coordinated through GKTW).

3. The normal (and official) response for Guests with mobility and/or stamina problems is the suggestion to rent a wheelchair or ECV.

4. The GAC will not shorten the distance between attractions, or the wait for an attraction. It may help to keep you out of the sun while waiting for some attractions, to avoid stairs, or certain other things which I will not go into publicly.

5. And last, the GAC is based on needs and not diagnoses. You have to be able to explain to the CM is Guest Relations what the needs are, such as poor vision needs to sit up close at shows. Most doctor's notes tend to give diagnoses; CMs are not medically trained, and also two people with diagnoses of the same illness may have very different needs.

 

[*NikkiBell*]

And I would like to clarify a couple of incorrect comments, from that show, about the Guest Assistance Card (and you can get more information in Post #6 of the FAQs).

1. You do not need a doctor's note. They cannot ask for one. However, if you do have a note you can ask them to read it.

2. The GAC is not a Front of The Line Pass (unless it is related to a child on a Wish Trip coordinated through GKTW).

3. The normal (and official) response for Guests with mobility and/or stamina problems is the suggestion to rent a wheelchair or ECV.

4. The GAC will not shorten the distance between attractions, or the wait for an attraction. It may help to keep you out of the sun while waiting for some attractions, to avoid stairs, or certain other things which I will not go into publicly.

5. And last, the GAC is based on needs and not diagnoses. You have to be able to explain to the CM is Guest Relations what the needs are, such as poor vision needs to sit up close at shows. Most doctor's notes tend to give diagnoses; CMs are not medically trained, and also two people with diagnoses of the same illness may have very different needs.

I respectfully disagree with a few things you said here. I listened to the show late last night and remember this discussion clearly. However, I do not remember some of the things that you pointed out here due to incorrect information being given. A listener of the show who was on the bus during the taping mentioned that she frequently uses the Guest-Assistance-Card (GAC). I feel that her opinion is golden as a result and her explanation of how it works was helpful to other listeners.

I also wanted to mention that I spent time with a friend who is local to Florida this past summer. Her son has medical issues and they rely on the GAC. It did, in fact, provide them with front of the line access due to his special needs limiting his ability to wait in long lines and in the heat. He is not a Make-a-Wish child nor affiliated with Give Kids the World. It did help him enjoy the park and his mother was sure only to use it when necessary.

The bottom line is that the GAC works differently for everyone. It depends largely on that individual's needs. While it may not provide front of the line access to one, it does not mean it won't for another.

 

[squirk]

These are all very helpful suggestions, but why in the name of heaven did this woman write into a podcast for advice on a medical condition like this?

We don't know anything about her MIL or her MIL's heart condition. I understand the assumption was that the DIL was looking for advice on how to stay cool, but that's not what she said. All she said is that the MIL has a heart condition and is taking some kind of medication that can cause her heart rate to go up and stay up, and then she asked for general advice.

Is there anything Pete or others on the bus could say that should supersede the information and guidance a doctor would provide?

 

[*NikkiBell*]

These are all very helpful suggestions, but why in the name of heaven did this woman write into a podcast for advice on a medical condition like this?

We don't know anything about her MIL or her MIL's heart condition. I understand the assumption was that the DIL was looking for advice on how to stay cool, but that's not what she said. All she said is that the MIL has a heart condition and is taking some kind of medication that can cause her heart rate to go up and stay up, and then she asked for general advice.

Is there anything Pete or others on the bus could say that should supersede the information and guidance a doctor would provide?

I didn't take it this way. I felt that the woman wrote in for advice on dealing with life in the Disney theme parks when you have a condition such as this. No where during the show did she ask for medical advice that one would seek from their doctor.

 

[squirk]

I didn't take it this way. I felt that the woman wrote in for advice on dealing with life in the Disney theme parks when you have a condition such as this. No where during the show did she ask for medical advice that one would seek from their doctor.

But that's my point - "a condition such as this". What do we know about her condition or the medication she's taking? A "heart condition" is very generic term that could mean many different things.

I'm not saying she was asking for medical advice per se, but with all due respect, what value could the podcast - presumptively comprised of people with no medical training and no knowledge of the situation - really deliver here?

 

[roomthreeseventeen]

But that's my point - "a condition such as this". What do we know about her condition or the medication she's taking? A "heart condition" is very generic term that could mean many different things.

I'm not saying she was asking for medical advice per se, but with all due respect, what value could the podcast - presumptively comprised of people with no medical training and no knowledge of the situation - really deliver here?

I think the point was not about the medical condition, but more of looking for suggestions on tips that were specific to the Disney parks that the family in question may not have been aware of. Yes, some of them are common sense for any theme park, but Nikki's suggestion of strategically using the indoor attractions for breaks was a great suggestion, and specific to Disney.

 

[squirk]

I think the point was not about the medical condition, but more of looking for suggestions on tips that were specific to the Disney parks that the family in question may not have been aware of. Yes, some of them are common sense for any theme park, but Nikki's suggestion of strategically using the indoor attractions for breaks was a great suggestion, and specific to Disney.

"Suggestions on tips" for what? All she said was that there was a "heart condition," that the MIL was taking medication, and that it was "really hard" to get to get MIL's heart rate back down once it went up. And then she asked for "any advice I can share with" the MIL.

How to keep her heart rate from going up in a hot Orlando summer? Again, you're writing into the DIS Unplugged for that?

 

[SueM in MN]

I think there are some misunderstandings of what was said in the Podcast by the 2 women who spoke about Guest Assistance Cards (GACs)

Neither of them said anything about “Front of the Line Access”.
Marla (the first woman who spoke) said that “You show the card to the CM at the front of the line as you enter the exibition/exhibition/experience. They will see what you need and point you in the right direction.”

The second woman (Yvette) said that she uses the GAC to "sit at front in stage shows.” And she also said, "Show your card at every entrance and the CM there will tell you where you need to go or what other types of special arrangements they need to make for you.”

Marla did say one thing that is incorrect (and I think she inadvertently said it as she was trying to come up with examples of things that could be stamped on a GAC). She said, ""All you have to say is I have this problem, problem A, problem B and they mark the card [for] can't stand in out in the sun, can't get out of the wheelchair to load, need to keep wheelchair in the queue..”

Guest do not, in fact need a GAC to use a wheelchair in line or to tell the CMs that they can’t get out of a wheelchair to load. At every attraction, the CM does ask if the guest is able to transfer - this is our experience in over 20 years of touring WDW with a child in a wheelchair (she got her first wheelchair as a toddler!)
If a CM asks for a GAC to allow a wheelchair in line, the CM is not doing things correctly - this is according to the ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act). People can’t be asked to prove that they need a wheelchair (which would be what requiring a GAC to use the wheelchair in line would be).
Occasionally over the years, we have been asked for a GAC to use DD’s wheelchair in line. Showing the CM the Guidebook for Guests with Disabilities, which does list the “Mobility Entrances" or asking to speak to a supervisor has solved the problem each time. Most attractions have Mainstream Lines, which means that the line is wheelchair accessible.

Guests using a stroller in line do need a GAC or a sticker that allows for a “Stroller as wheelchair.” THis is because a CM is not able to tell by looking that the child needs the stroller in line. Since strollers are not normally allowed in lines, the GAC is a way to identify which strollers can be used in lines/attractions.

There is more information about GACs in post #6 of the disABILITIES Board, which is found near the top of the disABILITIES Board or you can follow the link in my signature. While it is not ‘official’ Disney information, it is based on my experiences touring with a child with multiple disabilities who uses a wheelchair and a GAC and experiences of other posters on the disABILITIES Board, including KPeveler, my co-Moderator. I have also had several CMs who actually work in Guest Relations at WDW read the information in that post and they agree it is factual.

There is a lot of misunderstanding of what “Front of the Line” means.
For example, I have been told by people that they got “Front of the Line” at Spaceship Earth - when what is actually happening is guests with special needs wait in an area near the exit. The wait there is often longer than it is for guests using the ‘regular’ entrance, but people don’t think of that because they are not watching the entrance time.
The same situation exists at other locations. Guests with special needs may be brought somewhere else to wait, but do usually wait approximately the same time as other guests.

 

[SueM in MN]

For renting wheelchairs or ECvs, there is information in post #2 of the disABILITIES FAQs thread. There are a number of off-site companies, including Walker and there are links in that thread to the websites for a number of those companies.

I also want to mention that avoiding dehydration is important, but if the person has a heart problem or is on certain medications, it is very important to check with the doctor about the amount of fluid to consume. Many people have fluid retention in the heat, which an lead to swelling of the feet and ankles. It can also lead to fluid retention in other places and even lead to heart failure - so can be dangerous. Check with the doctor about fluids if you have a heart condition or any other condition that could involve fluid restrictions/difficulties with fluid.

I have a minor heart condition (mitral valve prolapse) which leads to my heart speeding up inappropriately compared to the amount of exercise I do and it takes a long time to get my heart rate down. I have never tolerated heat very well.
My youngest DD also has problems with the heat, both because of her medical conditions and because of medications she is on.I would second the advice to avoid going in the hottest months and would move a June trip to a cooler month if I could.

When we have been at WDW when it was hot, the biggest difficulty was not in lines or attractions, but was getting from place in the heat. Most of the attractions and queues are shaded, most of the outdoor ones have fans and many are actually inside - especially at Epcot.
So, I agreed with the advice to tour early and late when it is cooler and the sun is not as high. I would also watch the weather and choose a cooler day for Animal Kingdom.

One suggestion I didn’t hear would be to use a touring plan like TourGuide Mike. Many people who previously used a GAC have posted on the disABILITIES Board that using TourGuide Mike was actually more helpful and allowed them to avoid long waits. GACs (Guest Assistance Cards) are not meant to shorten or eliminate waits - that is printed right on the GAC card. But TourGuide Mike can actually shorten waits by letting you know where the least busy attractions in the least busy park will be.

 

[kaligal]

For an otherwise healthy person, a reminder to drink enough water is a good thing.

For someone who has any one of many diseases, following the advice to drink a lot of water could land you in the hospital. Ditto the idea of increasing potassium intake.

What was good advice for Nikki when she was dehydrated is not necessarily good advice for everyone and could be very bad advice, indeed. That's why doctors look at patients and talk to them and get their histories and examine them, run tests, get appropriate consults, etc.

You simply can't apply the same advice to everyone.

I understand that on the internet, people are just talking. Asking for advice, giving advice. Everyone's heart is in the right place, I'm sure. There is no presumption of specialized knowledge and it is doubtful the person asking will be following any of the advice. Still and all, a reminder that people should be asking the doctor is not a bad thing.

 

[Bell30012]

A reminder that every counter service will give you a cup of water for free. You can also note the water fountain locations before entering the parks.

 

[*NikkiBell*]

For an otherwise healthy person, a reminder to drink enough water is a good thing.

For someone who has any one of many diseases, following the advice to drink a lot of water could land you in the hospital. Ditto the idea of increasing potassium intake.

What was good advice for Nikki when she was dehydrated is not necessarily good advice for everyone and could be very bad advice, indeed. That's why doctors look at patients and talk to them and get their histories and examine them, run tests, get appropriate consults, etc.

You simply can't apply the same advice to everyone.

I understand that on the internet, people are just talking. Asking for advice, giving advice. Everyone's heart is in the right place, I'm sure. There is no presumption of specialized knowledge and it is doubtful the person asking will be following any of the advice. Still and all, a reminder that people should be asking the doctor is not a bad thing.

I am not sure if any doctor would say that drinking water to prevent dehydration is a bad thing. I offered advice based on my experience. Like reviews on the show, this is based on my individual time with such an issue. I feel that presenting such information can be helpful to others. Drinking clean water is not something that can be harmful.

 

[bkoehl]

Just my 2 cents, I am a physician and listening to the podcast I felt the person was really just asking for TOURING advice when trying to avoid the heat and stressful situations, something many docs may not know given they may never have visited WDW. As a physician I didn't interpret anything they said as giving "medical advice." I thought it was good common sense things for making Disney the least stressful physically as possible. As for the water question brought up here in this thread, in general it is good advice. Yes, it doesn't hold true for everyone, but there are always exceptions. Even as a physician you know that what works for 90% of the population may not work for everyone. It is the PATIENT'S responsibility to know enough about their condition to be able to take the advice that is offered and adjust it to their situation.

FYI, just to play devils advocate it IS possible for healthy drinking water to be UNHEALTHY, you can OVER drink causing low sodium, a serious problem, but again IN GENERAL your advice was sound!

 

[kaligal]

I am not sure if any doctor would say that drinking water to prevent dehydration is a bad thing. I offered advice based on my experience. Like reviews on the show, this is based on my individual time with such an issue.

You didn't have that issue, though. You had your own issues. Everyone is different. Even people with the same disease can be different.

I feel that presenting such information can be helpful to others. Drinking clean water is not something that can be harmful.

It can be harmful if you have edema problems, are hyponatremic, have or are nearing CHF or fluid overload, have kidney problems, etc., etc.

There are many, many reasons that people are put on fluid restrictions or are entirely taken off of oral fluids.

You've now heard this from 3 posters. You can choose to believe they're wrong or not.

You can continue to give advice with no medical or healthcare background (and the fact that you think nobody could be harmed by an increased oral fluid intake is evidence enough that you don't have one) or you can not. It's totally up to you.

But do remember that even a doctor wouldn't presume to know enough to give advice under those circumstances. Maybe you shouldn't. Maybe you should! Up to you!

Just food for thought.

 

[bkoehl]

Again, 4 of the 5 things Nikki suggested were EXCELLENT suggestions for ANYONE (stay cool, take breaks, go inside, etc.) Why keep harping on the one thing she suggested that FOR MOST PEOPLE would be excellent advice. Even a person with CHF (who is probably on diuretics) would likely need to increase their fluid intake some when walking around WDW in the heat of the summer. Again, IT IS THE PATIENT'S RESPONSIBILITY TO KNOW THEIR CONDITION AND ADJUST IT TO THEIR SITUATION! And they should know enough on how to monitor their fluid status to adjust their fluid intake accordingly. It sounds like you have some medical background so you should know pt on fluid restriction and with CHF, etc get admitted for dehydration often enough too. It really seemed all the emailer was asking for was good TOURING advice. That's all Nikki was doing.

Maybe Pete's new end of show tag should be a disclaimer "The advice given by the Podcast team should not be construed as medical advice. Please consult your physician before traveling to WDW."

 

[kaligal]

Again, 4 of the 5 things Nikki suggested were EXCELLENT suggestions for ANYONE (stay cool, take breaks, go inside, etc.) Why keep harping on the one thing she suggested that FOR MOST PEOPLE would be excellent advice. Even a person with CHF (who is probably on diuretics) would likely need to increase their fluid intake some when walking around WDW in the heat of the summer. Again, IT IS THE PATIENT'S RESPONSIBILITY TO KNOW THEIR CONDITION AND ADJUST IT TO THEIR SITUATION! And they should know enough on how to monitor their fluid status to adjust their fluid intake accordingly. It sounds like you have some medical background so you should know pt on fluid restriction and with CHF, etc get admitted for dehydration often enough too. It really seemed all the emailer was asking for was good TOURING advice. That's all Nikki was doing.

Maybe Pete's new end of show tag should be a disclaimer "The advice given by the Podcast team should not be construed as medical advice. Please consult your physician before traveling to WDW."

I wasn't trying to harp on Nikki and apologize if it seemed that way to you...or to Nikki.

I was just replying to her statement to me that people could not be harmed by drinking "clean water." I assume she was not harping on me. I certainly didn't take it that way. And I know I wasn't trying to harp on her.

As I stated, I am sure that everyone's heart is in the right place. I don't think anyone was trying to be mean or injurious. I know I wasn't and I'm sure that Nikki was trying to help, too.

I seriously mean no harm. Will you stop with the yelling font now?

 

[DisneyKevin]

If anyone is listening to the Dis Unplugged for medical advice.....well....that's just thinning the herd.

That would be akin to calling your doctor to ask what time Soarin fast passes usually run out or if you need an ADR for Beaches and Cream.

As for the touring advice given not being applicable to 100% of the population....well that's true for all advice.

Continually pointing out that our advice is not applicable to everyone is known as having a firm grasp of the obvious.

 

[kaligal]

I again apologize for pointing out that Nikki was wrong.

I don't apologize for suggesting that people with specific health conditions consult their doctor(s), though. That is my opinion. I stick with it.

 

[k5jm]

I again apologize for pointing out that Nikki was wrong.

I don't apologize for suggesting that people with specific health conditions consult their doctor(s), though. That is my opinion. I stick with it.

I am not sure why you need to emphasize common sense. You are stating the obvious.