Important Information if You Get Sick at Disney
When you’re going on a well-deserved vacation, you do not want to think about someone getting injured or sick. After all, this is your time for fun in the sun, thrills on the rides and laughs and memories with your family and friends. No one ever things about getting sick at Disney…
Be Prepared
First, instead of hoping that getting sick at Disney can’t happen or pretending it won’t it is more important that you prepare just in case it does. The preparation actually begins at home, before you even head out on vacation to the Disney Parks. If you were taking a road trip, you would do a pre-trip check up on your car, so make sure to do a pre-trip check up on you and your children (and whoever else is going) before you go.
This is even more important if you or anyone in your party has any preexisting conditions that could flare up while you’re away. It’s important to make sure you check in with the physician and an obstetrician if you are pregnant, and have the right medication on you.
Packing is Important
Make sure you also pack a medicine bag in your carry on, just in case. Do not pack any important medications in your checked luggage just in case it is lost. This should include, but isn’t limited to, prescription medication, preferred pain and fever medication such as ibuprofen and medication to calm stomach upsets. Large liquid medication bottles may not be allowed on airplanes, so leave those at home. Disney has what you need if something happens.
First Aid Stations
So let’s talk about that ‘something.’ If you’re at the theme parks or water parks, Disney has first aid stations set up to help you should you get sick, injured or even get a bug bite. These stations have nurses available to help you as well as supplies, such as over-the-counter medications and bandages. If you have to carry medication that needs refrigeration, such as insulin, these first aid stations can hold it for you while you enjoy the day in the park.
If you are in your resort hotel and get sick at Disney, you can call the front desk. They will help get you for in-room medical assistance.
Emergencies
For emergencies that require a hospital visit, there are also complimentary shuttles to the local off-site hospitals. For example, in Florida, there is the Florida Hospital Centra Care Walk-In Urgent Care Centers, which are open from 8 a.m. to midnight, Monday through Friday, and 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday.
Since you can’t plan a medical emergency to fall in between those hours you should know that in a bigger emergency, you can call 911 from your phone. (Make sure you check your health insurance policy before you go on vacation so you know what is covered. If you need additional traveler’s health insurance, talk to your travel agent.)
Be Proactive
Do what you can to prevent that ‘something’ from happening too. While you are walking around the parks, make sure you practice good health hygiene. Wash your and your children’s hands frequently to reduce the risk of contamination.
Sanitizer doesn’t take the place of good ol’ soap and water, but it can’t hurt to keep a small bottle or some wipes on you when you’re at the park. Make sure that you stay hydrated, especially on hotter-than-normal days. This will help prevent heat-related illness, such as heatstroke.
Make sure you wear sunscreen and spray to keep the bugs from biting. Make sure that you and your children obey the safety signs around the park.
Most importantly, enjoy your vacation!