WDW with a Trach

[ndlsmm4]

My dh has a trach (no ventilator). He is really worried about being singled out and embarrassed during our upcoming trip to WDW because of his trach. As it is, complete strangers come up to him and treat him as if he has escaped from a hospital - I want to avoid as much of that as possible.

He does plan to get his doctors approval to ride he scarier rides like Tower of Terror, but given all of the health warnings that are posted he is worried that a CM will see his trach and keep him off of those rides. Any thoughts or experience with this?

Thanks!

 

[Cheshire Figment]

A CM cannot bar a person fom a ride unless they pose a hazard to themself or others. Something as an arm in a cast and held out from the body. And I can't think of any situation where a CM would be willing to make such a decision.

 

[SueM in MN]

Here's a link to a thread that might be interesting to you - eternaldisneyfan's WDW trip. She has a trach and a ventilator. Her sister has a trach. Because they both use power wheelchairs, their situation is quite a bit different from yours. I thought it might be interesting to you anyway.

The warnings that WDW has for attractions are for guests to consider whether or not it is a good idea for them to ride. The warnings are out there and it's pretty much up to you to make the decision (except if it would be a hazard for you to ride, as Cheshire Figment mentioned).

You can look at the park maps for the attractions with warnings - they are marked with a red triangle on the map and also on a sign at the entrance to the queue.
The wording for the general warning is:
WARNING! For safety, you should be in good health and free from high blood pressure, heart, back or neck problems, motion sickness, or other conditions that could be aggravated by this adventure. Expectant mothers should not ride.

For Epcot here are the attractions with warnings:

• Mission Space
• Test Track

For Magic Kingdom:

• Splash Mountain
• Big Thunder Mountain Railroad
• Tomorrowland Indy Speedway
• Space Mountain
• Goofy's Barnstormer (this doesn't have a triangle warning sign on the map, but does say that pregnant women should not ride, so it's not totally tame)

For Disney Studio

• Star Tours
• Rock N Roller Coaster
• Tower of Terror

For Animal Kingdom:

• Kilimanjaro Safari
• Kali River Rapids
• Expedition Everest
• Primeval Whirl
• Dinosaur

 

[dclfun]

I also have a trach and vent. In years past I actually had just the trach ( and only used my vent for sleeping),was ambulatory and rode everything at WDW. I doubt anyone would say anything to your husband- no one said anything to me. I have seen other ambulatory guests and guests in w/c's with trachs before, so it's not that uncommon.---Kathy

 

[ndlsmm4]

Thank you all for for the reassurance! SueM, thank you especially for the link to Eternaldisneyfan's trip report. It was both inspirational and informative. After sharing the trip report with dh, we are both so much more relaxed and excited about our upcoming trip.

 

[SueM in MN]

Thank you all for for the reassurance! SueM, thank you especially for the link to Eternaldisneyfan's trip report. It was both inspirational and informative. After sharing the trip report with dh, we are both so much more relaxed and excited about our upcoming trip.

You are welcome.
Her trip report was very entertaining and well written. I share it whenever it seems like it might be helpful.

 

[alizesmom]

We took our son with trach to WDW a few years ago and had no problems with getting on rides we chose. He also had physical problems which did reduce what we could choose but there were no comments made whatsoever. We plan to take our daughter (also trached) this winter. I do admit however that I am very good at not hearing rude comments. Karen