Stomach bug at DW...it's happened to us

[matt1979]

First...I feel a little petty complaining in light of the boy who got a skull fracture at HS the other day. My prayers are with them and hope he makes a speedy recovery.

We're on day 3/4 in the parks...supposed to fly home first thing Monday morning. We were actually offsite at Legoland today...and the stomach bug hit out 2yo and 8yo. We also have a 5yo...but he's hanging in there for now. As you can imagine...we're pretty torn up about it...and trying to figure out what we're gonna do. Supposed to have another day at the MK tomorrow...but thinking it may not happen.

We purchased a 3-day Magic Your Way package thru a travel agent...so I'm assuming we're unlikely to get any reimbursement for unused tickets tomorrow.

Then of course the next concern is getting home Monday and wondering if we're gonna have to stick around and extra day vomiting in a hotel room. We're flying JetBlue...gotta check and see what their policies are if we have to put the flight off a day or two. We do have travel insurance which covers illness...but I'm assuming it more covers trip interruption or cancellation versus an extended stay. I'm gonna try to call and figure that out.

In any case...if anyone has any suggestions on how to handle this...I'd appreciate it.

Obviously our 2yo couldn't care less. Our 8yo feels to lousy to care. My 5yo seems unphased...probably until he finds out we may not be able to do MK tomorrow. I'm in a panic just hoping we can get home. And of course my wife is just devastated and I don't think there's anything I can do to say to fix that. Frustrating that this is our first Disney vaca with the kids...and likely to be the last for awhile.

Silver lining is we got to most of our MK must sees yesterday. But that's not much consolation right now.

 

[TexasJule]

Did you happen to purchase Travel Insurance? I always recommend my clients purchase it when traveling during the winter months just because of the weather and sickness. Sending lots of prayers your way!

 

[Nichols4]

First...I feel a little petty complaining in light of the boy who got a skull fracture at HS the other day. My prayers are with them and hope he makes a speedy recovery.

We're on day 3/4 in the parks...supposed to fly home first thing Monday morning. We were actually offsite at Legoland today...and the stomach bug hit out 2yo and 8yo. We also have a 5yo...but he's hanging in there for now. As you can imagine...we're pretty torn up about it...and trying to figure out what we're gonna do. Supposed to have another day at the MK tomorrow...but thinking it may not happen.

We purchased a 3-day Magic Your Way package thru a travel agent...so I'm assuming we're unlikely to get any reimbursement for unused tickets tomorrow.

Then of course the next concern is getting home Monday and wondering if we're gonna have to stick around and extra day vomiting in a hotel room. We're flying JetBlue...gotta check and see what their policies are if we have to put the flight off a day or two. We do have travel insurance which covers illness...but I'm assuming it more covers trip interruption or cancellation versus an extended stay. I'm gonna try to call and figure that out.

In any case...if anyone has any suggestions on how to handle this...I'd appreciate it.

Obviously our 2yo couldn't care less. Our 8yo feels to lousy to care. My 5yo seems unphased...probably until he finds out we may not be able to do MK tomorrow. I'm in a panic just hoping we can get home. And of course my wife is just devastated and I don't think there's anything I can do to say to fix that. Frustrating that this is our first Disney vaca with the kids...and likely to be the last for awhile.

Silver lining is we got to most of our MK must sees yesterday. But that's not much consolation right now.

So sorry..we had the same thing happen to us in October. DS got the stomach bug and was down for the last 3 days of our trip. We just rotated on who stayed in the room with him and who took our DD to the parks. Husband got hit with it our last day. Thank goodness our seats were close to the bathroom on the plane.

 

[matt1979]

Did you happen to purchase Travel Insurance? I always recommend my clients purchase it when traveling during the winter months just because of the weather and sickness. Sending lots of prayers your way!

Yes...like I mentioned though...just unsure of how the coverage works...but it is supposed to cover illness. Gonna call shortly once the kids are settled.

 

[AJPPGH]

This happened to us several years ago too. One stays back while the other takes the well kid to the park is what we did. Stomach bugs usually cycle quickly so hopefully the plane ride home won't be too bad. We didn't try to change ours...just made sure to have barf bag handy. He slept the whole plane ride anyhow. Also-we did take him a bit to the park while sick...we rented one of those huge strollers and bundled him in so that he could at least be there and watch the parade.

 

[TexasJule]

Sorry! I missed where you said you had purchased it. That's great that you did. Trip Interruption Coverage is similar to cancellation coverage, but covers you while you are on your trip for the same list of covered reasons, illness being one. If you are required to return home, insurance will reimburse you for the lost portion of your trip…as well as any additional expenses for the last-minute flight home. Call your TA immediately and let him/her start working on it for you!

 

[JimmyV]

Cruise ships get all the press when it comes to the norovirus, but it can hit anywhere where crowds of people gather. Especially this time of year. Universities, hospitals, cruise ships and WDW.

 

[kittyab]

I would try tummy meds before giving up on a day at the park.

 

[jeneric997]

I have had that happen twice at Disney. I was able to go to urgent care and they gave me a pill that stopped the vomiting and other things. At least I was able to travel within a day. Might be worth it. I hope no one else goes down!

 

[ArwenMarie]

Aw, I'm so sorry.

We all just got a stomach virus over the holidays but it was a very short one, only six hours of vomiting, a few hours of stomach rest, and then we were drinking and eating lightly again by 12 hours.

I hope it passes quickly for you.

 

[mom2rtk]

So sorry your trip got interrupted with illness. Best wishes for a quick recovery!

 

[Michigan]

Did they have flu shots this year?

 

[KrazeeK120]

Did they have flu shots this year?

OP didn't mention any fevers, aches, pains, fever, etc. It sounds like a true "stomach bug" rather than influenza.

 

[Allison]

Did they have flu shots this year?

The flu shot is for influenza, not a stomach bug.

 

[Michigan]

The flu shot is for influenza, not a stomach bug.

It is very common for children to have diarrhea and or vomiting when they have the flu unlike adults. My youngest daughter had H1N1 flu in 2009 and her only symptoms were vomiting and diarrhea but her blood work indicated H1N1. The hospitals and urgent cares here (Orlando area) have been full with flu patients and 3 deaths in the last month.

 

[jujubiee4]

Got back a week ago. Norovirus was alive and well. I thought at first I got food poisoning except my 2 daughters got it also even though we ate different
things.

The weird part was the different degrees we felt. My younger daughter had a couple of vomiting episodes and just general malaise. My older daughter had frequent vomiting. I felt like i was dying and with both ends affected. I dragged myself to an urgent care and got a shot and pills.

The kicker is we are set to fly back in two weeks for the Dream cruise. I was reluctant to go since i have been reading of Noro hitting cruise ships.
I discussed it with my Doctor who informed me it would be highly unlikely if
flat out rare to come down with it twice in 3 weeks. I'm still skeptical.

By the way this is the first time from several trips to Disney that i have become sick. This is also the first time i have not worn GLOVES everywhere in the parks.
Normally I do this to avoid germs as much as possible but completely forgot
them.(just black mitten types).

I read some people say probiotics might help lessen symptoms. I have taken
probiotics twice a day for 3 years and I was sicker than anyone. I really think when it hits it hits. It could come from the airport/plane trip/ rental
car/Magical Express whatever. Try an urgent care for some immediate
relief or at least to lessen symptoms so you can get back home. Good luck!

 

[kapoof]

This happened to us several years ago too. One stays back while the other takes the well kid to the park is what we did. Stomach bugs usually cycle quickly so hopefully the plane ride home won't be too bad. We didn't try to change ours...just made sure to have barf bag handy. He slept the whole plane ride anyhow. Also-we did take him a bit to the park while sick...we rented one of those huge strollers and bundled him in so that he could at least be there and watch the parade.

I never understand why parents do this?? why why take a sick kid out? The last thing one feels like doing is being out when sick, also it spreads germs so others get sick! To the op...keep the sick ones inside and please don't go to the parks sick or anywhere else sick. So sorry this happened to your family on vacation.

 

[BuckeyeBama]

I never understand why parents do this?? why why take a sick kid out? The last thing one feels like doing is being out when sick, also it spreads germs so others get sick! To the op...keep the sick ones inside and please don't go to the parks sick or anywhere else sick. So sorry this happened to your family on vacation.

The PP said that they take the WELL kids to the parks.

We had this happen on our December trip 2 years ago. We have been to WDW countless times, and this is the only trip in which we have picked up this bug. It was ugly. It effected 1-2 members of our 4 person family at a time. Those who were not ill went to parks because there is really no helping those who feel ill. They just want to be left alone to deal with the symptoms.

To the OP, I am sorry that this happened to your family. When this happened to us, I could not have flown home, so severe was my vomiting every 10-15 minutes. No way. My wife and boys had a much milder case and could have flown if it had been necessary, but we probably would not have tried. If you do, please remember - that virus is not spread through the air, but it will spread if the sick person touches things and someone else touches them within a few hours. So, if you fly home while someone is still symptomatic, please have the ill person wear gloves and touch as little as possible.

Also, remember that this virus tends to take its course in 12-16 hours, so if no one else get it, you may be fine to travel.

Good luck, and feel better.

ETA - Even with this bug, this was one our favorite WDW vacations. We were talking about this trip a little while back. As we were discussing the trip, no one brought up the bug. I asked if they remember that we had to deal with that and they all were taken aback. They remembered it only when I brought it up. So this bug need not be something that ruins your memories.

 

[Katd52]

We had this happen to our Party last February. We were a big group of 12 and 1 by 1 each of the kids got the bug w/ vomiting. It started with my sons girlfriend(18) who was travelling w/ us for her first trip to Disney We survived but, it was not a pleasant experience!

 

[kapoof]

The PP said that they take the WELL kids to the parks.

We had this happen on our December trip 2 years ago. We have been to WDW countless times, and this is the only trip in which we have picked up this bug. It was ugly. It effected 1-2 members of our 4 person family at a time. Those who were not ill went to parks because there is really no helping those who feel ill. They just want to be left alone to deal with the symptoms.

To the OP, I am sorry that this happened to your family. When this happened to us, I could not have flown home, so severe was my vomiting every 10-15 minutes. No way. My wife and boys had a much milder case and could have flown if it had been necessary, but we probably would not have tried. If you do, please remember - that virus is not spread through the air, but it will spread if the sick person touches things and someone else touches them within a few hours. So, if you fly home while someone is still symptomatic, please have the ill person wear gloves and touch as little as possible.

Also, remember that this virus tends to take its course in 12-16 hours, so if no one else get it, you may be fine to travel.

Good luck, and feel better.

Keep reading...it was stated she took the sick one to the parks to see the parade.