WDW with a Pacemaker

[nollidttam]

Hi all, I've looked through this whole forum and haven't seen anything about pacemakers. My 5 year old has a pacemaker and we need to stay away from magnets.
I ready about magnets and the insulin pumps, so I'm assuming it is the same types of magnets.
I'm not concerned really about the rides, I think most do not use magnets except Rockin Roller Coaster, which he's too young for anyway. Please correct me if I'm wrong in this assumption.
What I'm wondering more about is any type of special affects that could have a strong magnetic field.
Also, we really don't know what to do, we have a single stroller for our 1 year old, but know the 5 year old's stamina won't hold up. I hear the strollers at WDW aren't all that great. Would you bring an umbrella stroller and haul it around for when he needs it, or would you rent a double? He is only 42 pounds.
Any advice would be appreciated!

 

[SueM in MN]

Hi all, I've looked through this whole forum and haven't seen anything about pacemakers. My 5 year old has a pacemaker and we need to stay away from magnets.
I ready about magnets and the insulin pumps, so I'm assuming it is the same types of magnets.

You are correct; the best information we have about magnets is in the thread about insulin pumps.
A couple of additional things - a long time ago (like more than 10 years ago) WDW did list some attractions that they said to avoid with pacemakers. For some reason, they removed that information. I don't know if it was because the attractions were changed to shield the magnets better or if pacemakers are better shielded (which, actually, I know they are better than they were in the past).
I would suggest you contact the doctor to find out just how careful you need to be.

I'm not concerned really about the rides, I think most do not use magnets except Rockin Roller Coaster, which he's too young for anyway. Please correct me if I'm wrong in this assumption.
What I'm wondering more about is any type of special affects that could have a strong magnetic field.

As far as I know, none of the special effects use strong magnetic fields. They use a lot of fireworks, but most special effects are lighting effects with either moving lights or lasers.

Also, we really don't know what to do, we have a single stroller for our 1 year old, but know the 5 year old's stamina won't hold up. I hear the strollers at WDW aren't all that great. Would you bring an umbrella stroller and haul it around for when he needs it, or would you rent a double? He is only 42 pounds.
Any advice would be appreciated!

The WDW rental strollers are not appropriate for a 1 yr old. They are firm plastic and are better for older toddlers.
So, that kind of eliminates a double rented from the parks. There are some off-site rental places listed in post #2 of the disABILITIES FAQs thread that rent strollers or special needs strollers (strollers for larger kids).
If you have or rent a double, be aware that many have a fairly high weight limit for the stroller (like even up to 70 pounds), but many of those have lower limit per seat (like maybe up to 35 pounds per seat that your child may be over.
You would be able to request a Guest Assistance Card (GAC) that would allow you to use a stroller in lines. There is information about GACs in post #6 of the disABILITIES FAQs thread.
One thing to think about for deciding on one stroller or 2 is whether it is likely that you will split up. If you think you will, it might be better to have 2 strollers.

 

[nollidttam]

Thanks so much for this information.
We will definitely talk with his doc and I also spoke with someone at Disney today who said that only the Rockin Rollercoaster was magnetic.

 

[Schmeck]

Make sure you ask the doctor if certain motion is safe - spinning, etc. I'm trying to remember what else was supposed to be avoided, and I'm drawing a blank, but your son's cardiologist would know best anyways!

 

[MousekeMommy]

Hi!
We took DS 5 (pacemaker since he was 18 mos.) to DW when he was 4. I was concerned, as well, but after MUCH research, we rode anything/everything he was tall enough for and he was fine!!! Yes, some of the rides operate on magnets (especially the monorail!), but none interfered with him at all (and he has been known to have trouble with the metal detectors at Target--no, ma'am, we didn't purchase any electronics, yes, here is my receipt--feel free to go through the bags . . .)
The only thing that we did have issues with was his stamina. We went in July (I wouldn't have planned it that way, but we were tagging along on DH's business trip . . .) Anyway, DS has no other heart problems/structural damage, just AV heart block corrected by the pacemaker. But the heat and humidity made him wear out quickly!!! We took an umbrella stroller, and occasionally used a "stroller as wheelchair" GAC for long lines that he couldn't have made it walking through, otherwise (we didn't "skip" any long waits, we were just able to keep him in the stroller as opposed to carrying him. 40 lbs gets to be a real load in a 20 minute wait! Multiply that times the number of rides you do . . .
Anyway, been there, done that . . . if you have any specific questions, feel free to PM me.
Have a FABULOUS TRIP and DON'T WORRY!!!
MousekeMommy

 

[nollidttam]

Thank you sooo much for answering this post. It is so great to hear from someone who has been there done that.
I've been reading and I Think we'll buy a mclaren volo for the trip because I know he won't make it well.
Not related to disney, but I wonder if our kids will ever have the same stamina that a heart healthy kid does.
I'm also glad to hear about the magnets. DS was paced a year ago today, so he has a nice new pacer, and we've never had a problem at Target! LOL That's pretty funny, actually.
Anyway, thanks so much!

 

[MousekeMommy]

I've wondered about the stamina issue for a long time now . . .
All of the doctors have told me that "there's no technical reason why he should have low stamina . . ." That aside, I know there's a difference! My older son is just 16 months older, so I have a constant comparison. Plus, I teach grades k-5 (library media specialist), so I'm constantly around kids the same age--it confirms in my mind that he's a 'low energy', wears-out-easily kid. He is also a "catches everything that goes around" kid. But his AV block (extreme low heart rate at 6 months old) was discovered right after having a virus, so the theory is that the virus caused or triggered the electrical heart damage. Or it could be a complete coincidence . . . But he continues to be more susceptible to EVERYTHING! Including all kinds of allergies. But, once again, this apparent immune problem is 'complete coincidence' according to the doctors . . . I'm beginning to think that when doctors say 'unrelated' or 'coincidence', they mean 'unexplained' or not yet proven or not completely understood . . .
So hang in there! I completely understand where you are coming from. Again, if you have any specific questions, feel free to PM me, or ask here. My best advice is take it slow and thoroughly enjoy what you get to do. We started each day early at the parks, went back to the room for lunch/nap (for 4 to 6 hours!), then returned to the parks in the evening (after 4-6pm or so). We definitely took advantage of extended evening hours, but even so, DS fell asleep on the bus between 9 and 10 pm--we never made the fireworks. But that's okay, because both of our kids had a very relaxed, magical trip, at a pace that suited us all. I can't say enough about using the GAC for using the stroller in line at that age--he was too small for a wheelchair, but he really could not have endured the lines, let alone the walks in-between.
Good luck! Wish we were going too!
MousekeMommy