Tours and New Ileostomy

[mmouse50]

I have just had surgery to remove my colon and an ileostomy bag was put on. I have a trip to WDW around the middle of November and was thinking about taking a few tours instead of doing all the rides.

Has anyone ever done the tours with a bag? I was looking at the Keys to the Kingdom tour and the New Wildlife Trek at the Animal Kingdom. Would I be able to have a bathroom break if I really needed one? Would I be able to take water along with me?

I am not sure who to ask, I really don't think that the individuals that you book the tour with would be able to answer my questions so I am hoping for some first hand knowledge.

 

[sukhakuli]

My dad has had his for over a year, and he travels all over with it. We've taken him to Disneyland, and he's going to DW with us next month, as well. He does ride the rides, and he takes water with him. He is also doing heavy duty chemo, so he has a thing for orange juice, and drinks it by the gallon. At first, the bag was a major adjustment for him, but now, it is just a part of his life, and he gets by as though he doesn't have it. He's traveled quite a bit, and is even hoping he will be well enough for a trip to Europe next spring.

I don't think he'd be able to do the tours, partly because of the bathroom issue, and partly because he is not well enough for it. Maybe the Keys to the Kingdom, but I don't think he'd be OK with the Wildlife Trek. Since he had prostate cancer surgery, he has to be near a bathroom all the time. They aren't sure why, but he has had several very aggressive cancers for a pretty young guy.

Take care of yourself, and just go day by day. My dad was living with my dh and I when he had his colon cancer surgery, and it took him quite a while to fully recover, and he had a lot of emotions about the ileostomy. Good luck, and I hope you enjoy your trip!

 

[mmouse50]

Thanks - I hope everything works out for the best with your dad.

I had Ulcerative Colitis - diagnosed in May - went through everything including remicade - nothing worked - I decided that removal of the colon was the only way I was going to get my life back - so I chose to do the surgery and hopefully I will have the ileostomy reversal surgery in December. Currently I feel 100% better, just not having to always be on the look out for a bathroom or never knowing when I would need it.

Plus getting up twice a night to empty the bag is so much better than getting up 6 to 7 times a night.

I may ask about the Keys tour when I get there and see if they have any openings - I have a pretty flexible schedule so I can fit it in if it is available. I might skip the wildlife trek until another time.

 

[Jonell]

My husband also had UC and has an ileostomy. Due to complications after the initial surgery his ostomy is now permanent. We've never been on any tours but we know the challenges of WDW and an ostomy. I think my husband knows the location of every bathroom at WDW. I hope you have a wonderful trip. Let me know if you have any other questions that I may be able to answer for you.

 

[LilyWDW]

Thanks - I hope everything works out for the best with your dad.

I had Ulcerative Colitis - diagnosed in May - went through everything including remicade - nothing worked - I decided that removal of the colon was the only way I was going to get my life back - so I chose to do the surgery and hopefully I will have the ileostomy reversal surgery in December. Currently I feel 100% better, just not having to always be on the look out for a bathroom or never knowing when I would need it.

Plus getting up twice a night to empty the bag is so much better than getting up 6 to 7 times a night.

I may ask about the Keys tour when I get there and see if they have any openings - I have a pretty flexible schedule so I can fit it in if it is available. I might skip the wildlife trek until another time.

I don't know what your "timing" is, but I did ask a question once about how often bathroom breaks are for KTTK. What I was told pretty much broke down to at least every 2 hours (which is good timing for me on most days). I don't know if they would stop everyone for a single person to use the bathroom when it is not a normal stop.

 

[daisyduck123]

Thanks - I hope everything works out for the best with your dad.

I had Ulcerative Colitis - diagnosed in May - went through everything including remicade - nothing worked - I decided that removal of the colon was the only way I was going to get my life back - so I chose to do the surgery and hopefully I will have the ileostomy reversal surgery in December. Currently I feel 100% better, just not having to always be on the look out for a bathroom or never knowing when I would need it.

I just want to wish you the best of luck with your upcoming surgery. My DD17 suffered from ulcerative colitis for two years before having a total colectomy last November. She had an ileostomy for 6 months & then had her reversal surgery this past April.

She feels 100% better & life is back to her pre-ulcerative colitis days. Best of luck to you!

 

[mvz]

I am 37 years old, and I've had an ileo for over 10 years. Went to DW two years ago. I had no problems riding rides.

I just had another surgery and only have 100 centimeters left now. Dehydration is an issue now and thinking of using a wheelchair at our upcoming trip, and requesting a disability pass.

Has anyone done something like this?

 

[Forevryoung]

I am 37 years old, and I've had an ileo for over 10 years. Went to DW two years ago. I had no problems riding rides.

I just had another surgery and only have 100 centimeters left now. Dehydration is an issue now and thinking of using a wheelchair at our upcoming trip, and requesting a disability pass.

Has anyone done something like this?

I'm sure you are aware but if you increase your salt intake you will retain more fluid and won't dehydrate as easily (don't overload on the salt!).

 

[madaboutMickey]

I took the Keys to the Kingdom tour probably 6 years ago. We were advised to take a "bio break" before the tour started. And we took 2 more for sure. Then during lunch we all had time to use the restsroom again, if needed.

 

[jdb in AZ]

I am 37 years old, and I've had an ileo for over 10 years. Went to DW two years ago. I had no problems riding rides.

I just had another surgery and only have 100 centimeters left now. Dehydration is an issue now and thinking of using a wheelchair at our upcoming trip, and requesting a disability pass.

Has anyone done something like this?

If you're using a wheelchair or a scooter you won't need a GAC (guest assistance card aka disability pass.)

When we were on the KTTK tour one of the guests requested a potty break and the hostess/guide immediately directed her to a tinkletorium.

 

[LilyWDW]

I took the Keys to the Kingdom tour probably 6 years ago. We were advised to take a "bio break" before the tour started. And we took 2 more for sure. Then during lunch we all had time to use the restsroom again, if needed.

Since I posted on this previously and it came back up right after my trip, I will update.

We had multiple bathroom breaks. One before we left, one half way between the start and lunch, one at lunch, and then one about half way between lunch and the end of the tour. She also offered one other before getting on one of the rides just in case (no one used it that time... I think we were all hungry and lunch would be right after anyway). So plenty of breaks offered.

It was a TON of fun!