Visiting WDW while on Dialysis

[soccerdad4]

I know I can travel while on Dialysis, since I have done it already. Its not too difficult to setup.

But, I was wondering if anyone has been to WDW while they need dialysis. I would like to make our yearly trip, but I am worried about the dialysis. I go to a local center now, and I am there 3 days a week, for 3 1/2 hours per day.

My question is, has anyone done it, and how close it the center? What I really don't want happening, is driving an hour to a center, sitting there for 3 /1/2 hours, then driving an hour back. That would be almost 3 days that I would miss out on.

I would encouage my wife and son to go to a water park those days, due to the fact I can't go swimming. I am connected to dialysis via a cathater, and it can't get wet ( you should see me take a shower!! ).

So, any help would be great!!!

 

[Cheshire Figment]

Hi and to disABILITIES!

The first thing I would suggest is talk to a social worker at your center. They will handle everything that is necessary.

Your first choice of locations will be Celebration (the Zip Code is 34747 but it may list as Kissimmee). Second choice is Kissimmee, and third would be the Dr. Phillips/Bay Hill area of Orlando. Once you get beyond these it can take longer.

 

[SueM in MN]

If you check out the disABILITIES FAQs thread, there are also some links to past threads in post #3 of that thread.

 

[dclfun]

My son had his dialysis treatments during our family visit to WDW in December. Someone at his local clinic set up his treatment at the Celebration center ( which is very hard to find, BTW) and that particular location has alot of visitors/guests due to being near the theme parks. It's on the outskirts of the town of Celebration and isn't a long drive from WDW. Unfortunately my son thought it was quite uncomfortable there with the type of chairs and set up they had but of course it was still the best option and he had to tolerate it. He was just glad he wasn't there permanently. The center in Celebration is a DaVita center so if you already go to a DaVita center they reciprocate when someone travels. You can set up your appointments/treatments ahead of time via your clinic social worker.---Kathy

 

[okcarrie]

I did my treatments at the Celebration Center last fall. Really no complaints, they were nice and once we figured out where it was and how to get there, it only took us about 15-20 minutes to get there from POR.

I am now doing Peritoneal Dialysis which I do daily at home while I sleep, so I will be arranging for Fresenius to deliver supplies to my hotel for our trip this fall. Hopefully that will go smoothly.

HTH,

 

[dclfun]

Just as an FYI there is now a center in Kissimmee that does overnight dialysis. I'm not sure though if they take "visitors" vs. regular clients due to demand but it might be worth looking into. My son is getting ready to try the overnight dialysis in Plant City which is closer to our home in Lakeland but that's way too far for a resort guest to drive. If you do choose the center in Celebration be sure to get directions or you'll be driving around awhile!---Kathy

 

[KevinCG316]

Ive done dialysis 2 times in Disney, both times i went to BMA in West Orlando it took me about 30 minutes to get there. I am on the machine for 4 hours. Knowing how it would take up so much time of the day i went at 6 am and would be back at the resort by about 11 am. By the time i got back my wife and kids were ready to go out. It was very hard with doing the treatment and going right out, but i did take a nap midday than sleep a little later the next day. BMA wasnt bad, the chairs were fine and they had touch screen tv's. You could either watch TV, listen to satellite radio, or go on the internet, which all made the time go by fast. You could always sleep the time you are there like i have done a few times and be ready for the day ahead. I just cant wait till i can goto Disney and not have to worry about dialysis at all!!!!

 

[dclfun]

To those on dialysis and waiting for a kidney I'm sprinkling pixie dust for that miracle to find a match. Where I work there are two post-transplant recipients and one person waiting, plus my son...just in my little "world" so I realize that renal failure is more prevalent than I ever thought. I volunteered at the Kidney Transplant 5K over at Epcot this past Feb. in the freezing cold and loved every minute of it. My son in law ran for my son who can't run- there was a 9 year old girl there who'd just gotten her new kidney in October- I couldn't stop the tears.----Kathy