Re-entering a line

[candielips]

My DS2 is now potty trained and cannot hold his urine if he has to go due to severe kidney issues.
Will the CM's let me leave the line with my DS and re-enter to join the rest of my family after?

 

[clanmcculloch]

Unfortunately this is something that's very difficult to do. There are no access points in the queues for getting back together with your family so you'd be having to squeeze by a lot of people who will be VERY unhappy with you over it (you should see some of the nasty and hostile threads over on the Theme Park boards over this subject; yikes). Even if a CM wanted to allow it (they'd probably want to if it was up to them), it's just not practical or feasable unfortunately.

I would strongly suggest that you use a good touring plan service that will help you avoid long waits in the first place. Most people who use these kinds of services never wait more than 10-15 minutes max for anything. In addition, don't wait for him to say he needs to go to the bathroom. Make him at least try on regular intervals. He's still young and even kids who don't have kidney problems benefit from this.

Because he's so young, would he (or you) object to using pullups in the parks just in case? It's amazing how the excitement of being in the parks can make kids deny needing to use the bathroom resulting in accidents. I know that the last thing you want to do is to encourage a regression or make him feel bad about himself or his kidney problem but it might safe him the embarassment of an obvious accident.

 

[candielips]

Unfortunately, we cannot put him back in diapers or pull-ups. He needed to be rushed out of diapers to try and prevent more infections. He has already had surgery and we are trying desperately to prevent any more renal scarring caused by infections, caused by holding his urine.
Without getting into a huge long story about all of his kidney problems, he is on the verge of having his right kidney "wrote" off as being useless. It already has such a low function % that we want to save as much of it as we can and avoid a removal.

 

[greengeen]

I hate to say this, but maybe theme park vacations with long lines are just not for you right now. It sounds like pure torment for a child with those kind of issue, so why do it? Take a beach or mountain cabin vacation.

 

[kadesha]

Hi! Our kids may have the same issue. My daughter, now 8, had severe urinary reflux. She was also rushed out of diapers and on antibiotics daily for years. Her left kidney is very damaged and only functions at 26%. We took several Disney trips during her hard times and they all went off without a hitch! My husband would hold the place in line and I would take her to the bathroom as necessary. Yes, some people give you snarky looks. But your child deserves to enjoy the magic just as much as everyone else. I've had to explain the condition to CM's and they have always been fine with me leaving the line. Sometimes I would tell the person behind us that she had a kidney condition, just out of courtesy so they would understand. I would always try to stop at the bathroom A LOT! At least once an hour, and that helps a lot. I know it's inconvenient, but if you just stop at the bathroom whenever you go by I think that you'll be surprised to see that you won't have to leave the line very often. As other have said, do your best to plan well and ride the attractions that carry long lines early in the morning or late in the evening.

And just to let you know, my daughter reimplantation surgery to correct her reflux when she was 4 and hasn't had any problems since then. And we haven't had any problems with the low functioning kidney.

 

[Friend of a Mouse]

I worked in Fantasyland where a lot of the kids rides are and this happens all the time. Even with kids without disabilities. We never batted an eye at it. Yes, some guests will be rude, but they will let you pass. And most guests are understanding of a little kid that has to potty.

Another thing that I have done for parents in the past if they were getting close to the front of the line was to give them fastpasses. The CMs are very understanding and will work with you.

 

[peemagg]

As someone who has fought with this problem all my life, I sympathize with you and all the issues that come with it.

One thing that I found for me that helps greatly is to never pass up any bathroom. Something else that will make it more difficult for me is what I am drinking and how much. If I am drinking something with caffine or sugar, I need to make more trips. I pretty much only drink water. I stay away from pop, and juices, and coffee. If I do decide to have them, it is in very limited amounts.

I assume that your doctors have already given these same type of instructions, but I am always amazed to find that the exact opposite is usually the case.

My sister did this type of thing with her children when they were potty training. None of the kids had any kidney issues, but her son was particularly difficult to train. Once she limited things like juice and milk to only meals, and water in small amounts in between, it wasn't long and he was trained and doing well. Maybe re-evaluating how your son gets drinks and what and how much, especially at Disney, will make things much easier for all of you.

 

[bookwormde]

your child would qualify for accommodations under ADA2009.

 

[maxiesmom]

Most people would not have a problem with a child leaving a line for a potty break. The thing is leaving and re-entering is not as easy as it sounds. To leave you either need to push past people, or hope you are in a line that winds back and forth and has outside ends that you can climb around to get out. Many lines just go deeper down and towards the attraction so leaving will take some time and a lot of excuse me's and pushing.

I do think you have been offered a lot of good advice on potty breaks and watching how long the lines are before getting in. I hope everything goes well and you all have a great vacation.

 

[candielips]

Hi! Our kids may have the same issue. My daughter, now 8, had severe urinary reflux. She was also rushed out of diapers and on antibiotics daily for years. Her left kidney is very damaged and only functions at 26%. We took several Disney trips during her hard times and they all went off without a hitch! My husband would hold the place in line and I would take her to the bathroom as necessary. Yes, some people give you snarky looks. But your child deserves to enjoy the magic just as much as everyone else. I've had to explain the condition to CM's and they have always been fine with me leaving the line. Sometimes I would tell the person behind us that she had a kidney condition, just out of courtesy so they would understand. I would always try to stop at the bathroom A LOT! At least once an hour, and that helps a lot. I know it's inconvenient, but if you just stop at the bathroom whenever you go by I think that you'll be surprised to see that you won't have to leave the line very often. As other have said, do your best to plan well and ride the attractions that carry long lines early in the morning or late in the evening.

And just to let you know, my daughter reimplantation surgery to correct her reflux when she was 4 and hasn't had any problems since then. And we haven't had any problems with the low functioning kidney.

It's hard going through this. We just had surgery in June, a bilateral deflux injection, to try and bring his reflux down. His right side is still a severe, grade 5, reflux, and his left was brought down to a grade 4. When he was 4 months old his right kidney was only functioning at 17%. We are going for another scan in a week to see if the function has gone down anymore in the last 2 yrs. But the right kidney has barely grown in 2 yrs so they are not too hopeful. The reimplantation surgery will be coming next yr, but more to try and take some stress off the left.

You would never know there was anything going on in there. he is the happiest little boy I have ever met.

Thank you all for your advice. There is no way I would postpone a trip to WDW for a problem he is going to have for life, unless it posed a serious risk to his health.

People will just have to deal with us coming and going from the lines. We planned our trip for next month in the hopes that the lines wouldn't be too long.

Hoep everyone has a great new years eve!

 

[SashaFarce]

I have a bladder disease and for years had to go every 30 minutes or so (even in the night) so I can understand how difficult planning is. Definitely stop by Guest Services and explain his issue to them. Perhaps there's a Guest Assistance Card type that will be able to help you guys have a better experience? I haven't gotten one and thus am not sure, but the worst they can say is no so doesn't hurt to try.

 

[kadesha]

It's hard going through this. We just had surgery in June, a bilateral deflux injection, to try and bring his reflux down. His right side is still a severe, grade 5, reflux, and his left was brought down to a grade 4. When he was 4 months old his right kidney was only functioning at 17%. We are going for another scan in a week to see if the function has gone down anymore in the last 2 yrs. But the right kidney has barely grown in 2 yrs so they are not too hopeful. The reimplantation surgery will be coming next yr, but more to try and take some stress off the left.

You would never know there was anything going on in there. he is the happiest little boy I have ever met.

Thank you all for your advice. There is no way I would postpone a trip to WDW for a problem he is going to have for life, unless it posed a serious risk to his health.

People will just have to deal with us coming and going from the lines. We planned our trip for next month in the hopes that the lines wouldn't be too long.

Hoep everyone has a great new years eve!

My daughter had 2 rounds of Deflux injections. I don't know why that is even an approved form of treatment. It was a temp fix for her. It had helped but only for a few weeks, the reflux went right back to the way it was originally. They tell me that it happened because at some point she held her urine and caused the plugs to "blow." Who doesn't hold their urine at some point? It made me mad that they didn't tell me that was likely to happen before they did it.

The reimplantation surgery was wonderful! I stressed about it for a long time, but it really isn't as bad as you think. If you want to talk more about it just message me!

 

[livndisney]

I have to agree with clanmcculloch, re entering lines is challenging at best. There is not a GAC for potty breaks. And instead of just demanding people "deal with it", I suggest a good touring plan that keeps you out of lines. Depending on when you are going in January, you should have shorter lines. Make use of fastpass

If you do find yourself in a line and you need to leave, I stongly encourage you to find a CM and explain the situation, if it is possible they will help you get back to your family.

 

[A Mickeyfan]

I have to agree with clanmcculloch, re entering lines is challenging at best. There is not a GAC for potty breaks. And instead of just demanding people "deal with it", I suggest a good touring plan that keeps you out of lines. Depending on when you are going in January, you should have shorter lines. Make use of fastpass

If you do find yourself in a line and you need to leave, I stongly encourage you to find a CM and explain the situation, if it is possible they will help you get back to your family.

I agree here with explaining to cm. I have always had a weak bladder & even had surgery in 1995 (I was 38) for it. When I have to go, I have to go. Holding it isn't an option. I also get frequent UTI's which makes it worse at times. I try to hit a restroom prior to entering a line, but there have been times I got stuck on a line & had to go. I have always explained to a CM & have been allowed out back in. The guests around me knew I was not cutting n when I returned. The CM would usually have you wait for your party at an opening & then let you join them as opposed to weaving your way through a line of guests who may or may not really understand

 

[Bete]

watch him very carefully at home and get a good understanding of his schedule at home with going potty and that should help on vacation. Follow the same eating and drinking schedule at Disney as home; so, there are no suprises this way.

Do more eating and drinking away from the parks when it's more convenient to go potty. Hopefully, he will want to drink less at the parks if he drinks more elsewhere. Be aware of what makes him go more like diary (milk), soda or water products and perhaps avoid the worse ones. Limit the amount of drinking before entering a long ride line.

If you know a ride will have a longer wait absolutely try for potty ahead of getting into the ride queue. Also, avoid long ride queues after just eating and/or drinking; until, he did a potty break. I would go as far as rewarding him for going potty ahead of getting in the ride line queue. Make the reward something not related to food or drink like a sticker perhaps. Praise him to high heaven for going potty before entering a long ride queue.

For shows like the Lion King, Nemo, and so forth make sure you absolutely go ahead of time for potty. Between waiting in line to get in and seeing the show and getting out it's a very long time. Parades and fireworks should be handled the same way.

Considering he's two I would still wear a child's diaper or bring extra clothes with you just in case there's an accident. In regards to the diaper maybe you can place it over the underwear or clothes and not have direct contact with his insides. I hear you about infection, but you can quickly change him if the worse happens. Bring along a cleaner; so, you wash the area if an accident happens. There are many products for the elderly that allow cleaning of the area as a no rinse product. I would think it's better than a wipe. Make sure an adult product is okay for a child. Your doctor may have recommendations. I'm thinking he'll be napping at times, too. At those times it's likely he may have an accident. Being at Disney is a lot of stimulation for a two year old and I'm sure he will go more often there even if you follow a similar schedule as home.

If you are experiencing too many accidents and too many potty exits from the ride lines and shows you may have to consider doing less rides with him overall.

I would dot all my i's and cross all my t's for the trip. Coming home with a sicker child will make you have many regrets about going in the first place.

 

[maxiesmom]

Be aware too that there are a few rides you absolutely can't leave once you are on, without having to cause a full ride shutdown. Carosel of Progress is one, Ellen's Energy Adventure is another. Both are fairly long rides, and there is no way out once on. EEA is over 40 minutes long. Most theater shows you can leave, once they are in progress. However at Lion King you have to ask for assistance to leave, and you may have to wait a little for the way to be clear, and the performers use the same walkways as the guests.

 

[CoffeeCup]

People just have to deal with us coming and going from the lines.

This attitude is one of the main reasons for so much bashing of people with disabilities. While I support your hopes for a wonderful Disney experience for your family and would make every effort to let you and your child out of line and back into the line, I resent constantly being told I just have to deal with everything for the convenience of others. I am a considerate and polite person, I try to help people and make life easier for them, and I don't have a problem with what you may need to do. However, so many people, both disabled and abled, feel entitled to do what they wish to do with no regard for anyone else that your statement offends me a great deal. I really doubt that you feel the entitlement that so many people express on many of the Dis boards, but please be careful of adopting the attitude that your child is more important than everyone else. Of course, he is more important to you, but there will be many children standing in those lines who have issues that are important to them and to their family.

 

[A Mickeyfan]

Yes, there are some shows you cannot exit, ie: CoP is one for sure sure. When in doubt (of being able to hold it), go without (of doing it) is my motto for some attractions

 

[A Mickeyfan]

People just have to deal with us coming and going from the lines.

This attitude is one of the main reasons for so much bashing of people with disabilities. While I support your hopes for a wonderful Disney experience for your family and would make every effort to let you and your child out of line and back into the line, I resent constantly being told I just have to deal with everything for the convenience of others. I am a considerate and polite person, I try to help people and make life easier for them, and I don't have a problem with what you may need to do. However, so many people, both disabled and abled, feel entitled to do what they wish to do with no regard for anyone else that your statement offends me a great deal. I really doubt that you feel the entitlement that so many people express on many of the Dis boards, but please be careful of adopting the attitude that your child is more important than everyone else. Of course, he is more important to you, but there will be many children standing in those lines who have issues that are important to them and to their family.

Very well said and so very true! All of our children are special to us, but they not more entitled to something over any other child.

 

[candielips]

I would never think my child is more important than others. Ever. I have never been one to cause problems for others and am not talking about the mere issue of having to go pee. It wouldnt even phase me if we werent dealing with a possible kidney REMOVAL.
No worries, I will chat with guest services prior to entering the park and see what they have to say.
Thanks.