Water Park question

[buffettgirl]

I posted this above but I guess it really does belong here. (I can't link to it.... but it's a post by me in the theme park forum.

I'm wondering if we're allowed to carry items onto water park attractions. My son has a medical condition and we have supplies we'd like to keep with us rather than putting them in the locker, both for his safety and the safety of the items. So I"m wondering if we're allowed to go down the slides while carrying a small water tight bag.

Anyone know?

(and for further clarification)
my child has diabetes and has a lot of "stuff" (glucose meter, insulin pump, and quick acting sugar) Everything could fit in a bag the size of a quart size zippy bag, so we're not talking huge amounts of stuff, but it is all expensive stuff (like $6000 worth of stuff) and, especially the insulin pump, if it were stolen it would essentially ruin our vacation.

Does anyone have suggestions??? The easiest thing would be to just wear a small waterproof pouch and carry it on the rides. But is that allowed?
Even something sized like this larger bag would work:
oh foo.. I can't link to the image...arrgg.

 

[Belle & Ariel]

My 14 year old son has diabetes also. We have annual waterpark passes and go alot. I bought one of the locker things you wear around your neck. I keep several Starburst in there for simple sugars. They sell watertight ones at the parks for about $6. He has been on a continuous glucose monitor for 3 months. We got it just after our last trip. We did have it on our cruise and we took it off after a few days and checked alot because it did keep him from doing stuff.
He is not on a pump. We keep his pens and glucagon in a small 12 pack cooler we bring, in the outside pocket where it will not get too cold or hot.
We cut back on Lantus 10% and also have a lot more snacks as a preventive for lows. We actually had to use glucagon in the theme parks a few years ago--he dropped way low in a show and did not feel it until he stood up to walk out. We probably go back to our chair every hour or so for him to have a snack and check if need be. I cut back his breakfast insulin by a 2 or 3 so he is good the first couple hours. Also be sure to cut back on his overnight basal because he will drop more than usual because of the day's activity.
I do not think you will be able to bring your meter on the slides because they could get lost. I have seen people with the pump insertion part only. Your son will most likely not need insulin while you are in the park because of all the activity. Is it possible to bring shots to cover meals and leave your pump in the room? If not, first aid would probably keep it for you. They also have lockers for about $5.
Hope you have a great trip.

 

[buffettgirl]

do you have someone guarding your supplies all day? I"m just really concerned about leaving his meter - unattended - near a chair or leaving it half way across a park in a locker.

 

[seashoreCM]

Generally things may be brought into a water park with these notable exceptions:
1. Nothing (such as a big picnic chest) pulled or dragged behind you.
2. No glass items or containers.

 

[buffettgirl]

Generally things may be brought into a water park with these notable exceptions:
1. Nothing (such as a big picnic chest) pulled or dragged behind you.
2. No glass items or containers.

no no..I"m not talking about bringing them into the park - I know that is allowed - I'm talking about taking them ON the water rides with me.

 

[Mary976]

Don't worry, Cheshire Figment will know something, I'm sure. He has experience with water parks AND diabetes. Plus I've seen lots of other threads here regarding diabetes/insulin pumps. One other thing that came to mind...my DD does not have diabetes, but she does use a wheelchair and have asthma. Her w/c is custom made and was very expensive (to the insurance company) plus her nebulizer for her asthma is extremely expensive as well. That being said, we have left them unattended in the parks and at TL, when she is on a ride. I figure that medical supplies aren't necessarily valuable to other people the same way they are to me. I mean, I think the average thief would rather make off with a camera or wallet than with a nebulizer! However, I do understand what you mean about it ruining your vacation if something were to happen to the pump. But hopefully you'll get some good advice here that will help you decide what the best course of action for your family is.

Good luck!
Mary

 

[Belle & Ariel]

do you have someone guarding your supplies all day? I"m just really concerned about leaving his meter - unattended - near a chair or leaving it half way across a park in a locker.

Are you talking about a CGM or a regular One Touch? I would not leave his CGM at our chair, but I have left our One Touch many many times. We take 3 when we travel, so if it did disappear, we have backups at the hotel.
My biggest worry is the sudden downpours that happen about half the time soaking it.
How old is your son and how good at realizing when he is low? I ask my son very often if he feels low. I can even feel his heartbeat and recognize the fast pounding when he is dropping.

 

[buffettgirl]

Are you talking about a CGM or a regular One Touch? I would not leave his CGM at our chair, but I have left our One Touch many many times. We take 3 when we travel, so if it did disappear, we have backups at the hotel.
My biggest worry is the sudden downpours that happen about half the time soaking it.
How old is your son and how good at realizing when he is low? I ask my son very often if he feels low. I can even feel his heartbeat and recognize the fast pounding when he is dropping.

just his regular meter - and we also do take backups. so you have a good point, meters are fairly easy to replace. He'll be 9 when we go, so he's ok about lows, but on a day like a water park day, the adrenaline from the rides is going to mimic lows so I think he'll have a hard time telling the difference and we'll be checking constantly - so having the meter as close as possible is so much easier..check, takes 30 sec and be done with it.

BUT I am more concerned about his pump really. If we leave it in a locker we'll have to keep it cool somehow (cooler bag or frio). But if we were to choose to carry it with us how would we carry it and would they allow it on the rides. What if he's wearing it (in a pump pack) are they going to prohibit him from going down the slides????

I was thinking of something like this: (the larger size)

 

[Belle & Ariel]

I would talk to your endo and see if they think you need it for a day at the waterpark. One of the reasons we are not on the pump is they told us when my son has high activity days, he would not use it but shots instead. I have heard that is not what many do, but I know my son uses so much less insulin on a day at the waterpark. I would take him off the pump and not have to worry about it or him being low. There are also a lot of things that could bump him and make it uncomfortable on the slides.

 

[buffettgirl]

I would talk to your endo and see if they think you need it for a day at the waterpark. One of the reasons we are not on the pump is they told us when my son has high activity days, he would not use it but shots instead. I have heard that is not what many do, but I know my son uses so much less insulin on a day at the waterpark. I would take him off the pump and not have to worry about it or him being low. There are also a lot of things that could bump him and make it uncomfortable on the slides.

no, he has no trouble with sites and rough activity. Sites are very forgiving and aren't at all uncomfortable.

during high activity days -like swimming at home - we do disconnect for an hour here or there. The problem with being disconnected all day is that with no long acting in his system he'd develop ketones, hence the need to keep the pump handy to bolus during the day. We could do lantus for one day only - but that's more of a pita than I want. And you're correct, we do use a lot less insulin on high activity days but it's totally doable and I wouldn't give up the pump for the world.

 

[hopefor4]

I would call guest services, and see what they can offer. I would imagine that you can keep everything you need at first aid. They would know you are there, and be prepared if they were called to your aid.

 

[Cheshire Figment]

You cannot carry anything with you outside of your swimsuit on any of the slides, whether body or tube. I know when I have done Summit Plummet I have put my sunglasses inside a pocket in my swimtrunks, but the pockets were big enough to fit them.

There are first aid stations next to Leaning Palms in TL and next to Lottawater Lodge in BB. They will hold medical items for you there.

 

[honugirl]

I am insulin resistant and have Cushing's Disease. I have to check my blood sugar fairly often. The last time I went to WDW was last September. I had my meter in my backpack the whole time and no one touched it. I even left it on my ECV and walked around and it was always there. I wouldn't worry about it too much, leaving a meter out.

 

[daneenm]

We left DS's meter and emergency supplies with our 'stuff' when we visited both TL and BB. We buried them a bit in the bag so it did not look so obvious. No problems. Not sure about the pump...we weren't pumping then and even now he is using OmniPod so he never detaches like a pump with tubing. If it were me, though, I would bring a pack, stick it in the cooler and I bet it will be fine.