Ulcerative Colitis (Digestive Disease) and the Disney Parks

[hb123]

Hi,

I was wondering if anyone knew what options Disney offers to guests suffering from Ulcerative Colitis? I know Universal Studios offers line passes and was wondering if Disney has any options available.

Thanks!

 

[Piper]

There are no front of the line passes at Disney. You need to be sure to take a restroom break before you enter the line.

 

[jdb in AZ]

If you have a "sudden urge" I would tell a CM that you'll be right back -- hopefully they'll have the compassion to let you back into the line via Fastpass.

Meanwhilst, use Fastpass and a touring plan as much as possible. And doing the parks off-season helps too.

 

[Escape2Disney]

UC is one of many diseases I deal with daily. When we do disney parks, I do a few things to make life a little easier:

1. Know where ALL of the bathrooms are in the parks. Making frequent stops and always knowing where the closest bathroom is can make all the difference.
2. Use the Fast Pass system whenever possible.
3. Either bring food, go to a grocery store, or order groceries online. That way I have bottled water (less likely to cause issues than tap), breakfast, lunch, and snack foods that I ususally eat at home. I tend to have less issues if I am consistent with the foods I eat.
4. We eat one meal in the park a day. I always check out the menus before we go so that I can make smarter choices for my digestion.
5. Bring immodium and any other meds that will make life easier.

Hope you have a great trip!

 

[casjen]

I know where pretty much every bathroom is in the world. I have never gotten a guest assitance card for that b/c even a fastpass line doesn't guarantee I won't need to go and go now. I also bring safe snacks from home, limit all veggies, and avoid all meat and poultry. I have a dairy intolerance so I also stay dairy free there (I highly recommend the allergy mickey waffles). The realit yis I do get a little off on vacation but my typical tough times are before 11am. My family is undertanding and I am usually o.k. to go all day after 11. Not sure why 11 but it is. Know your body's routine and try not to throw too many new or offensive foods at it.

I find I need to be hydrated also so we always have bottled water with us and I am stopping alot b/c I have had alot to drink.

Good luck. I know the naxiety u/c can cause in crowded places with long bathroom lines.

 

[mom23kids]

There are no front of the line passes at Disney. You need to be sure to take a restroom break before you enter the line.

If you personally have UC or CD you would know going to the restroom before getting in line doesn't mean you won't have to go again a few minutes later

 

[Jonell]

As someone who has personally dealt with UC-my DH had it for many years he now has an ostomy, maybe I can offer a few tips. Know the location of the nearest bathrooms, there is always a restroom nearby except at Libery Square in the MK. Pick a time to visit when the parks are less crowded, like Sept or Jan and use Fastpass. I have been to WDW during crowded times and stood in line a while for the restroom. Avoid longer rides after you have eaten. Avoid foods that cause flareups, and take your meds on schedule while on vacation. It also helps to take Immodium 2-3 times a day. Just relax and enjoy your vacation

 

[daisyduck123]

DD17 suffered from UC for 2.5 years before having a total colectomy last year.

During our WDW trips, she did nothing differently than what she always did at home....carried lots of water, walked at a slower pace, ate smaller meals more frequently (rather than larger ones).

 

[kjbean]

We are planning our first family vacation since our DS4 was born and DH was diagnosed with UC 4 years ago (when our 2nd son was only 6mo old). We have concerns about how to make sure we have the easiest time possible while at the parks, so I'm glad I found this thread. While drs believe he may have IBS in addition to UC, and a few food allergies found, he is now at his target goal of being up to 80% of his old self.

We have never stayed onsite before and DH is pretty much a newbie to Disney (having gone once as a kid and once with me 7 years ago to Epcot only). Not only for promotions and affordability reasons, we chose to go in September for being an off-peak season in hopes that the crowd levels are manageable for the transportation, and lines for the bathroom and rides (even considering fastpasses). We will have our own car, so we could drive to the parks (which for DH is easier rather than relying on a potentially bumpy bus and unsure of times and needing to go). However, I do want to try at least one trip on the monorail for my kids' sake (and ok for me, too) because to me, part of Disney is the monorail.

We are planning on doing 3 of the parks and to do them only once each. While it is highly recommended to take a mid-day break, the travel time we usually have to allot for my husband makes it longer than normal. So we agreed that we will make the best of our day, stay at the park the entire time, but go at a slower (than I prefer) pace. That way DH won't feel so rushed and anxious.

We are also first-timers trying the dining plan, which I think will also help in some of our table service dining, to be able to discuss with the chef his restrictions (it is noted we have special diet requests on our reservations). For my husband, plain grilled chicken and rice seem to be the easiest for my husband. He can't have brocolli, corn, garlic, onion, red meat, peas (allergic), almonds (allergic), any kind of beans, tomato-based items, soy sauce, lettuce, and fruits with seeds.

1. Know where ALL of the bathrooms are in the parks. Making frequent stops and always knowing where the closest bathroom is can make all the difference.
2. Use the Fast Pass system whenever possible.
3. Either bring food, go to a grocery store, or order groceries online. That way I have bottled water (less likely to cause issues than tap), breakfast, lunch, and snack foods that I ususally eat at home. I tend to have less issues if I am consistent with the foods I eat.
4. We eat one meal in the park a day. I always check out the menus before we go so that I can make smarter choices for my digestion.
5. Bring immodium and any other meds that will make life easier.

This is helpful, thank you.

typical tough times are before 11am.

My DH also has the worst time in the mornings. There are 2 days that I want us to get to parks early (DHS for Jedi Training sign-ups and MK amEMH), the rest I worked out to be resort days, or an Epcot day we don't have to be there so early.

Pick a time to visit when the parks are less crowded, like Sept or Jan and use Fastpass.

One reason we are going in September

WDW during crowded times and stood in line a while for the restroom

I'm worried for my DH with this. I have heard that through the Crohns and Colitis Foundation they do have a Medical "Cut the line" bathroom pass, but we are not members to get this card. I wonder if his Dr would write some sort of 'note' explaining his UC and the frequent urgency to use the bathroom. Maybe to not necessarily abuse this and cut the line to be rude, but if in a dire situation has medical proof to show people (other guests or CMs) he was truly in need of the bathroom immediately.

Quote:
Originally Posted by Piper
There are no front of the line passes at Disney. You need to be sure to take a restroom break before you enter the line.


If you personally have UC or CD you would know going to the restroom before getting in line doesn't mean you won't have to go again a few minutes later

I agree with this. For my DH, we sometimes can't drive 10 minutes away without him having to pull over in the woods b/c he can't wait. We can be trying to walk somewhere and while he ALWAYS goes 2 or 3 times before we leave to 'make sure' he'll be ok, 9 out of 10 times, he has to go back after we've started leaving to go again.

 

[Alexander]

kjbean,

Since it is your DH with UC, take comfort in knowing that most lines for the bathrooms are in the women's room! The men rarely have a line. The main exception to this is the bathrooms in Africa near the Kilimanjaro Safari. Otherwise I cannot recall there being a line for the men.

DS was diagnosed with UC and Celiac when he was 10, so we have been dealing with his digestive issues for about three years now. We recently took a 7 night cruise on the Disney Magic and that boy could point out every public restroom on the ship. Sadly it doesn't get any easier as the time passes.

 

[livndisney]

I'm worried for my DH with this. I have heard that through the Crohns and Colitis Foundation they do have a Medical "Cut the line" bathroom pass, but we are not members to get this card. I wonder if his Dr would write some sort of 'note' explaining his UC and the frequent urgency to use the bathroom. Maybe to not necessarily abuse this and cut the line to be rude, but if in a dire situation has medical proof to show people (other guests or CMs) he was truly in need of the bathroom immediately.

http://www.myibd.org/RestroomMedAlert/index.php
If this is the card you are talking about, I dont see how it would help you. I really doubt WDW is going to be willing to allow a guest backstage to use the restroom. Any note will not be read by a CM.

Quite honestly, you don't know the issues those in line at the restroom are facing. If you do encounter a line there is always another restroom nearby. The CM's CAN direct you to the nearest restroom. They CAN assist you if you find your self in line and needing to leave. Speak to the CM at the the line and they will not only be able to tell you were the nearest restroom is, but they may be able to help you get back into line.

 

[kjbean]

If this is the card you are talking about, I dont see how it would help you. I really doubt WDW is going to be willing to allow a guest backstage to use the restroom. Any note will not be read by a CM.
Quite honestly, you don't know the issues those in line at the restroom are facing. If you do encounter a line there is always another restroom nearby. The CM's CAN direct you to the nearest restroom. They CAN assist you if you find your self in line and needing to leave. Speak to the CM at the the line and they will not only be able to tell you were the nearest restroom is, but they may be able to help you get back into line.

That is the card I was thinking of. While we have never used it since we don't have it I had just heard of it and wondered if it could be something useful for my husband in an emergency case. But, I also don't think that any CM at Disney would be so unaccommodating or discriminating to a medical condition if my husband did have a situation in which he did need to have a medical documentation for. That's the problem for those with this disease, that another bathroom could be too far to make it. Especially if getting to the original bathroom was hard enough. We're hopeful that with all that we will do to make sure he avoids a flare, and that going during a less crowded season helps, but it's still a disease that is incurable and very dibilatating to say the least. I'm sure that it will be just fine since he's been better lately (one reason we were finally able to plan this trip), but in the back of our minds we're concerned something during the trip could trigger a flare up, so we're trying to be as prepared as we can be.

Since it is your DH with UC, take comfort in knowing that most lines for the bathrooms are in the women's room! The men rarely have a line.

Alexander, thanks as that is reassuring for us. I know I'm not the one that has to deal with the physical aspect of UC, but while I'm planning this trip I'm the one having to be as considerate as possible and take bathroom breaks into account. I know as a woman at a theme park or crowded event, it's not fun having to wait, and I'm usually the one that has always had to be concerned with potty-training children and long lines. But I also know that for my husband, often times when he has to go, he has to go immediately, and those times are usually worse than a potty training child encouraged to hold it.

 

[livndisney]

That is the card I was thinking of. While we have never used it since we don't have it I had just heard of it and wondered if it could be something useful for my husband in an emergency case. But, I also don't think that any CM at Disney would be so unaccommodating or discriminating to a medical condition if my husband did have a situation in which he did need to have a medical documentation for. That's the problem for those with this disease, that another bathroom could be too far to make it. Especially if getting to the original bathroom was hard enough. We're hopeful that with all that we will do to make sure he avoids a flare, and that going during a less crowded season helps, but it's still a disease that is incurable and very dibilatating to say the least. I'm sure that it will be just fine since he's been better lately (one reason we were finally able to plan this trip), but in the back of our minds we're concerned something during the trip could trigger a flare up, so we're trying to be as prepared as we can be.


/QUOTE]

I said nothing about CM's not being helpful. I said CM's will do what they can. But I can tell you they will not allow you backstage to use CM restrooms. But allowing guests backstage is not an option. There is not "documentation" for that. And in most cases a CM restroom is not going to be any closer.


To further clarify to you the card you mention is for businesses without public restrooms. It asks that the person be allowed to use the employee bathroom. It would not apply in Disney and as far as I can tell Florida has not enacted the law.

So instead of spending time on a plan that won't work, I would focus on knowing where the public restrooms are. There is a great post here (I think Sue has it in the stickys) that lists all the public restrooms and has pictures. So you can see which one have the most stalls etc.

If you are traveling to the parks by bus Epcot has a restroom before bag check. The one at MK is just after bag check, near GS. The studios has one to the left of the entrance (after bag check).

You may also want to think about long rides like Ellen and the COP which can't be stopped and have no restroom inside.

 

[kjbean]

I said nothing about CM's not being helpful. I said CM's will do what they can. But I can tell you they will not allow you backstage to use CM restrooms. But allowing guests backstage is not an option. There is not "documentation" for that. And in most cases a CM restroom is not going to be any closer.

To further clarify to you the card you mention is for businesses without public restrooms. It asks that the person be allowed to use the employee bathroom. It would not apply in Disney and as far as I can tell Florida has not enacted the law.

I apologize, but I was not even thinking of using the CM Employee restrooms and suggest that. If that's what the card is intended for, then I misunderstood. My husband had mentioned it before, but I had not ever looked into it actually. My thoughts were the intent of the regular public restrooms that may have a long line that if my husband needs to politely ask to 'cut' in front of someone, he could have this card or a dr's note of some sort to explain why he would do that. Or that if he has to leave a line, he could easily explain to that CM working the ride when he is trying to return to us as we would have moved on ahead. Since this card is only for use of an employee restroom when a public one is not available, then this is not a card we need.

So instead of spending time on a plan that won't work, I would focus on knowing where the public restrooms are. There is a great post here (I think Sue has it in the stickys) that lists all the public restrooms and has pictures. So you can see which one have the most stalls etc.

Trying to have a plan of knowing where the public restrooms are and doing touring plans and researching lengths of rides to see if he would even want or be able to ride is what we are doing and what I hope to find information about in this thread. I will look for that post with the information on the public bathrooms. Thank you.

 

[dclfun]

I've been waiting in restroom lines before when an adult or adult with child has rushed in and asked all of us if they can be next as they have an emergency. Never has anyone said "no". I would think that the other men in the restroom, if there are any in line, would let your husband use the next available stall if he were to come in and need it right away.

If walking stimulates his bowels, he may want to think about renting an ECV or having you push him in a manual chair. I have a friend who has UC and before having a colectomy she found that exercise, particularly walking distances, would cause her to have a lot of urgency.

I feel for your DH and anyone else with this condition. It's very painful and often not well understood by other people, plus the constant worry about finding a restroom or having an accident are not pleasant. I hope you can enjoy your vacation fully- don't hesitate to ask for assistance from any CM you can find if you are in an emergency situation.

 

[I Love Pluto]

The only advice I can give is what others have said. Don't get on any attraction line unless you know where the nearest bathroom is. It's important.

I have had to leave a line, so I know first-hand that your "place" is not kept for you.

 

[buffettgirl]

the thing with the men's rooms at Disney - and maybe one of the guys can chime in - but there aren't a ton of stalls in each location. I know that my son had a lot of bathroom trouble last year near the end of the trip (I think we both got a mild bug) and dh would run him off to the mens room and sometimes he'd barely make it because the one or two ( or 4 or whatever) stalls were taken already. Sometimes dh also said he felt bad because our son was in the stall for a long time and people were waiting to use it as well.

So while there might not typically be a wait in the bathroom there might be a wait for a stall.

 

[SenecaWolf]

My DS14 is currently being evaluated for UC/CD, we just had our first visit to the World and managed to make it thru without a problem. As someone mentioned before, there was alot of research as to where bathrooms were on the maps and then once there we made sure we knew exactly where they were. There was only one time he had to leave the line but fortunately the bathroom was very close. He also mentioned that there werent many stalls in the mens room.

Staying hydrated has been key for him. We took our resort cups and got ice water from the QS places frequently. Unfortunately his episodes strike anytime and I think the most difficult part for him is getting used to carrying around spare clothes and wipes for the just in case moments. Since we havent even been to the GI specialist yet (he goes in a couple weeks) his pediatrician has told us no Immodium So needless to say we were a little worried.

 

[StuartJax]

I was diagnosed with UC in 1995. My wife and I go to the parks on a regular basis. If you are having an off day or your anxiety is high because you are worried about a "bathroom" situation, I highly recommend you ask for a GAC (Guest Assistance Card). I ask for one no matter what park we go to. The castmembers have never made me feel awkward and it gives me the piece of mind that I will not have to wait in a long line or explain myself when my disease is acting up. My trips are much more enjoyable knowing I am in control.

 

[momstable]

I have IBS, as does my older son. I never know when a flare up may occur, but have still managed to go to WDW twice and Disneyland many times. Like others here have suggested, listening to your body, having supportive family, and knowing where the bathrooms are is the key to survival. I bring a backpack with a complete change of clothes with me, which gets put in a locker at every park we are visiting or I carry it with me (it's a very light day pack). I have a spare pair of underwear in my belt pack. I carry imodium always. I also carry my own bottled water in a brand that I'm used to drinking, so that I'm not putting a different mineral balance into my system. I also tend to wear a menstrual pad even if it's "not that time" as a just in case measure. Your DH may want to consider something similar from the control aisle. Just that little bit of reassurance takes a lot of stress off of me.

I know that certain foods, like carbonated drinks, trigger an attack, so I avoid them. Otherwise, I try to enjoy myself. It works.

I hope you have a wonderful, incident free visit.