The Nightmare Before Disney...UPDATE Pg. 3

[Amy&Dan]

I am so sorry about your son! What a nightmare. This is why I like going in the middle of my kids' three week break! We go to school year round which means we are "on" 9 weeks then "off" 3 all year. I like to go that mid week so I can isolate them at home the week before we leave! If your son develops a cough try Delsym (over the counter) cough syrup. Recommended by my doctor, really long acting, doesn't taste bad and it works. It doesn't treat any other symptoms or make you drowsy and feeling drugged. I take it with us now when we travel since one of us seems to always have a "motel" cough when we are on vacation. My son caught some viral thing when we went last October. We had one kind of bad day where he felt kind of tired. We just kept riding the railroad around the park so he could rest whenever he felt tired. One time he and I rode it about 4 times in a row while he dozed (it was also really hot that day making us all tired). At least Disney has shows, nice places to sit and rest and some nice, slower rides, ideal for taking a little breather. Good luck!!!

P.S. I am certain a 56 pound child can fit in one of their strollers, I have seen kids way bigger than that in them.

 

[MrsJ Henry]

If the stroller doesn't work for you don't forget you could always get a wheel chair. My friend did this for her son when he wasn't feeling well.He was too big for a stroller.

 

[foxfire]

I'm so sorry this is happening. I have read your posts since you first began planning this trip & know how much you & your family were looking forward to it. I do hope your DS begins to feel better soon. Kids can sometimes throw off a bug as quickly as they got it so maybe this will be one of those times. Sending lots of get well thoughts your way!

 

[jackskellingtonsgirl]

Well, unfortunately I don't have any progress to report.

DS MUST feel like complete crap because he isn't zinging around. We are leaving for the airport in 8.5 hours - he should be elated. He is more surly and combative than excited and happy.

We got a prescription for antibiotics because we know it won't hurt him (he hasn't had them in over a year). The medicine is one he has had before with no side effects. It might not help, but it might help things from getting worse. I don't want it to turn into an ear or sinus infection. The pediatrician and I agree that antibiotics are not to be used indiscriminately, but in this particular instance we are going to try it.

I called Pop (Thanks for the number!) and they were worthless. They can't do anything until we get there. If we are standing there then they can see if a room is available and put a "rush" on having it cleaned. Scary. I don't want to see what condition a room cleaned in a rush might be.

We'll just have to take it easy and see how things go. So far his symptoms are just the sore throat and fever with a cough just beginning. Hopefully we can avoid any intestinal stuff - that would be truly disasterous.

If you see a couple with a blond boy in a stroller (who looks WAY to old to be in one) give a wave. But keep your distance in case it's contagious! At this point if a stroller will save the trip then we'll put him in a stroller. Hopefully we won't bump into anyone he knows!

 

[Gillian]

I'm so sorry to hear about this! I hope your trip turns out well. Sometimes trips where you are forced to take it easy are just as much fun, though.

Our pediatrician also suggeted Delsym for a cough. She said it's the only thing that really works! DS does well with benadryl liquid at night - helps the cough & helps him sleep.

We (me, DH, DS4, DD1) all had the sore throat, achy, cough, stuffy nose thing. All viral. Lots of advil helped.

 

[brunoflipper]

You have my sympathies, but
$1000 says your antibiotics won't help...

as far as "we know it won't hurt him (he hasn't had them in over a year)", i'll assure you that no board certified physician would ever put that in your child's chart or testify to that... additionally, just because "the medicine is one he has had before with no side effects" does not mean he won't anaphylax on it tomorrow... and finally, with regard to "keep your distance in case it's contagious" he most probably is contagious....

good luck, and i genuinely hope he gets better... very soon.

 

[jackskellingtonsgirl]

Brunoflipper -

I don't think the antibiotics will help whatever the primary virus is. I think it might help it not morph into something else. I know he is most likely contagious as long as he is febrile. I am sincerely hoping his fever breaks while he sleeps.

I have heard great things about Delsym, but it doesn't work for DS! We have tried it in the past and it is totally ineffective for him. I know a couple of other people with the same experience. This is horrible, but what really helps DS at night is a half dose of Nyquil Cough. One night he was just HACKING. He coughed something like 37 times in 5 minutes. I gave him some of that Nyquil Cough (NOT regular Nyquil!) and it worked like a charm. I don't advise it for anyone else's child, but it works for mine. It is in the suitcase, just in case.

Thanks everyone for all of your sympathy and well-wishes! Maybe some of that Disney magic will sneak up on him tonight and he will feel great at 4 AM! On the other hand, does anybody really feel great at 4 AM? I only slept about 4.5 hours last night and I probably won't sleep tonight. The one dozing on the Disney railroad tomorrow may be me!

 

[crazy4dizney]

I just came down with similar symptoms and went to pickup Zicam. Its working and I just started it today.

 

[eeyore0062]

SO funny that you mention putting him in a stroller, because I was wondering that exact thing! He is almost 9, but he is small for his age and weighs only 56 pounds. Anybody know the weight limit on the rental strollers? The two little ones I nanny weigh about 60 pounds put together and I push them in the double stroller all the time, so it is something to think about. He might be humiliated, but it would definitely help save his energy!

I have seen full grown adults in the double strollers in MK, Epcot and Animal Kingdom, however the strollers in MGM and DTD are the canvas collapsible jogging strollers and only hold about 40--45 pounds.

 

[eeyore0062]

Well, I called CRO and they said the only suggestion they could offer was to tell the CM at check-in that I have a sick child. They can't guarantee early check-in. Especially since we are checking IN at check OUT time. I don't have a direct number for Pop.

DS has had his first dose of antibiotic, we'll dose him again in the morning. He was pretty toasty around noon. I REALLY hope his fever breaks at some point today. Even if he feels better tomorrow we won't be able to do the "commando" approach we were leaning towards.

But it is still better that he got sick while we were still at home instead of coming down with it after we got to Florida!

Call your resort directly and ask to speak to a manager of is it is during the day, Guest Services. You didn't mention where you are staying. I have the direct numbers from the unofficial guide, if you need them.

 

[Masonpips]

I so feel for you! We went on the 12/28 Disney Magic cruise and I came down with the flu the first night (but didn't know what it was until 12/31 when I finally went to the dr.). I did a dose of antibiotics too because we were at sea and he wanted to see if it would help, but I felt no better after 2 days on them (and they never did anything).

Then on 1/2, DD got it (UGH!) and get this *after* getting a flu shot in October! So we left the ship, headed to the parks with her still running a fever. We kept her on Pedicare Flu/Cold medicine as well as LOTS of Motrin (I tell you I was taking 3-4 myself every 4 hours during my bout and it REALLY helped). We were able to get our room at WL within 1.5 hours of checking in (this was at 10:00 a.m.) by saying we'd take the first available room so she could rest.

We did go to MK that day and immediately rented her a stroller (she is almost 6) and by being on the medicine, she was able to sit back and relax. We rode a few tamer rides (Buzz, Dumbo, Haunted Mansion) and made it for about 5 hours - DS and DH stayed until park closing, but she needed to go and sleep so we left early. We were able to watch Wishes from the WL so that helped end her evening

We let her sleep as late as she wanted the next day (it was past 9) and luckily her fever broke that day. We still rented a stroller (IMO, this is a *must do* until kids are about 10) and took it easier, but she had a blast.

Keep him on pain medication (you can alternate Advil/Tylenol which usually produces good results) and let him rest/keep him hydrated as much as you can.

Just take it easy and don't freak on missing something - Disney will always be there. We had 3 days left on our 5 day Hoppers and ended up only using 2 more, knowing we can always come back later and use that last day!

GOOD LUCK!

 

[kathmzh]

I hope your son feels better! I know how hard you've worked planning this trip. We leave in a few days, and I am living in fear that one us will come down with something. Please post when you get back and let us know how he is and how you trip went.

 

[minkydog]

I so feel for you! We went on the 12/28 Disney Magic cruise and I came down with the flu the first night (but didn't know what it was until 12/31 when I finally went to the dr.). I did a dose of antibiotics too because we were at sea and he wanted to see if it would help, but I felt no better after 2 days on them (and they never did anything).

Then on 1/2, DD got it (UGH!) and get this *after* getting a flu shot in October! So we left the ship, headed to the parks with her still running a fever. We kept her on Pedicare Flu/Cold medicine as well as LOTS of Motrin .

We did go to MK that day and by being on the medicine, she was able to sit back and relax. We made it for about 5 hours - she needed to go and sleep so we left early.

Keep him on pain medication (you can alternate Advil/Tylenol which usually produces good results) and let him rest/keep him hydrated as much as you can.

You know, this it the kind of thing that fries me. You do know that you probably infected half the people there, right? Just because you can get her fever down artificially does not mean she is no longer contagious. The last part of your post is actually good advice, but it is purely for comfort; no cure for the flu

Glad you managed to salvage part of your vacation, but please, next time consider others and keep your germs at home.

 

[pixiedust23]

I was also going to recommend the stroller. You can give him options: A) you ride in the stroller and save your energy so you can stay out later or B) walk around and then have to leave the parks early for a nap. I can pretty much gauruntee he'll pick A!

I feel your pain with a sick kid on vacation. I had pnemonia and an ear infection in Hawaii once. I even had it on the plane ride over, but we didn't know what it was til we went to the dr on vacation. (FYI my parents and I just thought I had a cold, they never would have put me on a plane like knowing how sick I really was). Anyways they just had me take it easy and I got some meds and in a couple days I was up to doing whatever. Just let him take at his own pace!

 

[alicenwonder99]

We just got back yesterday from our trip. We drove there and had a stay over in Tennessee. At around 3:30am, my 6 year old woke up throwing up. We waited until around 1pm the next day, and she still couldn't keep anything down. The staff at the hotel were awesome. They went out of their way to help us. We ended up staying an extra day in Tennessee, and later on that evening, my dd was feeling better and she was able to keep fluids down. We left the next morning for WDW and by the time we got to our resort, dd was feeling fine. Then the rest of us, one by one, got sick (except for my 4 old year ds).

My hard worked plans for the WDW trip were totally scrapped. I called up and cancelled all of our PS's, and made one for lunch at Cindy's on our last day there. We ended up doing nothing on my itinerary, and the teens spent most of the sunshiny part of the day just laying around by the pool (it was in the 80's last week).

This was the BEST WDW vacation we've ever had. I think because we were forced to take it easy and not spend too much time at the parks we actually had a relaxing time. Disney is so much better when you just relax and not try to do everything on one trip. Oh, what also helped was the EMH nights. The teens layed around by the pool during the day, and stayed at the parks all night.

I know the OP has already left on her trip. But if I were her, I would have just tried to get on a later flight. Also, looking at her itinerary it shows she's planning on staying at AK for a whole day...there's not that much to do there!!

I had my 4 and 6 year old sharing a double stroller. They weigh about 75 pounds together.

Mary

 

[jackskellingtonsgirl]

Thanks to all for your kind words, advice, and well-wishes! DS had no fever when we left for the airport on Wednesday. I took his temp at the airport and several other times through the morning and it was normal. We got to Pop Century around 11:30, checked in, and were able to go straight to a room. DS put on some shorts, ate some lunch, and we hit MK from about 1:30 until 9:30. He said he felt fine. He didn't run any fever or feel the least bit sick the whole time we were there! We were VERY lucky - that Disney Magic was working for us!

 

[foxfire]

I have thought of you several times these past few days & was wondering how the trip was going. I had my fingers crossed your DS would bounce back quickly from being sick. :jumping4: Wish my finger crossing could take credit for his recovery but we all know it was the Pixie Dust and that Disney Magic!

I hope you will write a trip report so we can hear how your first family trip to WDW went!

 

[alisonbestford]

You see, whoever posted it was right - it was WDW withdrawal
Glad you had a good time.
Alison

 

[Tiger926]

I hate to come in at the end of threads, but as a parent of a 19 month old with allergies/asthma (she is just like me), and as a teacher, this thread interested me. I get so concerned when parents send sick kids to school, or as in your case, put sick kids (or adults for that matter) on planes or travel to theme parks, malls, etc... Germs are germs - your child should have stayed home the first time you posted in order for 1) him to feel better and not catch anything from anyone else, and 2) So that the rest of us wouldn't catch anything. I so agree with minkydog - when someone is sick, he/she needs to stay home in order to get well and not make the rest of us sick. It's good that you were able to salvage your vacation, but I wonder how many other people you could have passed germs too?

Not trying to lecture or pass judgment, but hopefully others will read your post and think twice about how their actions may affect others. My DH, baby and myself have been sick at Disney, and we stayed in our hotel room for days until (also saw the doctor - small virus he assumed) we felt better as this was for us as much as for all of the other thousands of people we would have come in contact with. By the way, we caught our virus from someone at Disney World since we all had physicals the day before we left! Sure we missed park days (had a Length of stay pass too!), but oh well, such is life!

Tiger

 

[bethbuchall]

Tiger--I can understand your frustration at getting sick from others who are out and about when ill and your concern for your daughter, but viruses have an incubation period sometimes of a week or more. You don't know that you didn't pick that virus up before you left home.