WDW with Epilepsy

[bowmandanielle]

Ok bear with me please this is my first trip to Disney and I am still trying to figure things out! I am epileptic and will be traveling with my DH and my two children DS9 and DD7. My seizures are brought on from stress,anxiety and feeling confined. I realize Disney may not be the smartest trip...but I cant punish my kids for my problems. I am reading about the DAS and wondering if the anxiety and risk of seizure while in a crowded line would count for a DAS? I look like a normal healthy 28 year old but when I get over whelmed by a situation my seizures come on quick. I take medicine obviously but there are break throughs. If i was to ask for the DAS and them tell me "uhm no you are fine" I would be so embarrassed. So trying to see if its even worth the try.

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

Are you getting treatment for your anxiety issues? There are lots of things you can do to help with this.

Even with a DAS, you're still going to be in a lot of crowded lines and crowds.

 

[lanejudy]

As PP mentions, there will still be lines and crowds to deal with even if using a DAS. Some reports from busy days in the parks have mentioned FP+ lines up to 20-25 minutes long. You will need to have additional coping mechanisms in place to help you deal with the confines of a queue and crowds in that queue regardless of whether you have a DAS.

One obvious suggestion is to plan your trip for a "low season" when crowds aren't too bad at WDW. Peak times with high crowds are holidays and typical school vacation times (summer, year-end, spring break).

Using a good touring plan along with FP+ (and DAS if available) can help you plan your day to be in the park with lowest crowds, and in areas of that park with lower crowds at various times of the day. Crowds are everywhere, creating stress and anxiety for even the most laid-back of guests trying to get everything done. Realizing upfront that it's impossible to see and do "everything" at WDW in a single trip will help with that anxiety and stress. I suggest your family decide on the most important rides/attractions to do, get those scheduled as FP+ or work out your touring plan, and have a more relaxed approach to the rest of it. Also, plan for breaks -- either in the park or back at your resort.

Enjoy your vacation!

 

[StitchesGr8Fan]

I hate when I have a response typed up and I lose my connection! I'll try again.

Yes, you should try to get a DAS. It sounds like you would benefit from it. Don't worry about what a CM might think or say.

But you need to prepare yourself for crowds anyway. You will run in to a crowd at WDW. It can happen in FP lines, park entrances, transportation waiting areas and the vehicle itself (I recommend you rent a car), restaurants, parade routes, even shops. The DAS can't help you with those. You need to build your anxiety toolbox so you have ways to deal with the surprise crowds you will encounter on your trip.

 

[bowmandanielle]

Thank you. I think that's my biggest worry, what people think. I constantly worry about having a seizure in public...I don't like drawing attention to myself ever and talking about it to someone who might not understand is worrisome for me. Yes I am receiving treatment for the anxiety, and will be taking my meds as my doctor ordered them increased for this trip. We arrive on the 13th, I know NOW that it will be crowded because of spring break but I didn't really realize it when I booked it. We are driving down so we will have a car to bypass the bus system. I haven't booked any reservations for meals so I wont be stressing over having to be some where at a certain time. So we can try to just go with the flow and enjoy our trip. Thanks for all the feedback.

 

[SueM in MN]

Seizures brought about by stress are more related to panic attacks than seizures caused by abnormal discharges of electrical activity in the brain.
Taking medications (including anti-anxiety medications) on schedule are very important, but other things usually suggested for epilepsy to lower the seizure threashold - such as, avoiding dehydration and avoiding sleep deprivation - typically don't help for stress related seizures.

If you have not looked at the WDW DAS thread near the top of this board, I would suggest checking out post 1 of that thread. (There is a similar thread for DL).
Kind of in a nutshell - (Disability Access Service) DAS allows guests to get a Return Time for an attraction. Any time after that Return Time has passed, the DAS can be used to enter that attraction. There can only be one unused DAS Return Time at a time.
In most cases, when returning, you would enter thru the Fastpass line, which would still mean a wait time of 5-20 minutes (some people have been reporting occasional longer waits).
Guests can also use Disney's Fastpass system in the same way as other guests.
DAS is designed to be used with Fastpass, so works best when they are used together.
To obtain a DAS, guests need to explain their needs/issues related to waiting in the regular (Standby Line). It is important to explain needs, not diagnosis.

Even with using DAS, you will need to be prepared for crowds, crowded places as the other posters mentioned. All of the things they suggested are things I would also highly recommend.
DAS only provides assistance for lines; you will still experience crowds, confined spaces and other possible anxiety provoking situations.
I would suggest looking at post 22 and post 27 on page 2 of the disABILITIES FAQs thread (located near the top of this board or follow the link in my signature). Post 22 is about attractions where guests need to stand for a period of time. Post 27 is about attractions where posters gave experienced claustrophobic feelings - many are part of the attraction itself, not in the lines getting into the attraction. DAS won't do anything to assist with the attraction related parts, so you will need to prepare for that.

 

[SueM in MN]

Thank you. I think that's my biggest worry, what people think. I constantly worry about having a seizure in public...I don't like drawing attention to myself ever and talking about it to someone who might not understand is worrisome for me. Yes I am receiving treatment for the anxiety, and will be taking my meds as my doctor ordered them increased for this trip. We arrive on the 13th, I know NOW that it will be crowded because of spring break but I didn't really realize it when I booked it. We are driving down so we will have a car to bypass the bus system. I haven't booked any reservations for meals so I wont be stressing over having to be some where at a certain time. So we can try to just go with the flow and enjoy our trip. Thanks for all the feedback.

We are here now and it is quite busy.
We usually plan to come during a quieter time, but because of scheduled surgery for my daughter, we could not come earlier in the year and because of some work schedule things, we would not be able to come until July, when it would be too hot for my daughter.

I would suggest looking at these 2 planning websites:
www.easywdw.com
www.touringplans.com

Both of them have suggestions for touring that will put you in the least busy part of the least busy park. That is very important right now.
If you are staying on-site, book your 3 Fastpass Plus selections now. That will give you 3 attractions already scheduled with minimal waits. We are doing that and then filling in time with attractions that have minimal waits and DAS Return Times. You can book Fastpass Plus the day of the visit also.

 

[bowmandanielle]

Thank you SueM I will look at the FAQ tonight! I was diagnosed with Epilepsy over 17 years ago, the seizures from anxiety didn't start till I was pregnant with my daughter (7 years ago). The wonderful thing about Epilepsy just when you think you have it under control something seems to change with your body or meds or environment and throws you off. I really appreciate all the input and suggestions! We are staying on site and already booked our FP's based on the parks that didnt have EH...so now plenty of rest, stay on schedule with meds, and try to relax about the little things!

 

[bookwormde]

Most anxiety at WDW is created by 3 situations, the environment and your expectations. and your perceptions

DAS, FP+, taking park breaks and mid day resort breaks, staying on site can all help with the environment.

Expectations are up to you and your family. If you are willing to take if slow and not treat the day or trip as if you will never be retuning to WDW, then stress can be minimized. Of course your family has to buy into and support this.

The good thing is that you only have to deal with one thing while at WDW, having fun as long as you can let everything else go.

As for seizures in public, as long as it is not a safety or medical crisis, who cares about the public, you are there for your family. Those of use from Autism families learn this as our first lesson.