Tips about Health
I saw in your tips that someone mentioned buying disposable earplugs for their children who don't like loud noises. As an audiologist I would like to recommend contacting your local audiologist and getting Swim Plugs prior to your visit. They're custom-made earplugs in vibrant colors with a cord to keep them together, and they float! That way you get double duty: they reduce sound while in the parks and keep your ears dry while swimming. - Cristin Richards
I wanted to remind Walt Disney World visitors about what a wonderful resource the first aid stations are at the Disney theme parks. At no charge, they can give you temporary help with many minor health issues. I had been bitten by insects called "no-see-ums" while birding at the shore the day before and the itching was so intense I was driven to distraction. The very kind nurse at the Animal Kingdom First Aid Station gave me several individual packets of an antihistamine/antiseptic gel to apply to the bites. This saved me from having to leave the park and go directly to a pharmacy. Don't hesitate to visit a Disney first aid station for some TLC should you need it. - Debbie Gneshin
For anyone with a wobbly leg (or two), here's a tip I learned the hard way. For attractions that load/unload with a conveyor belt (Buzz Lightyear, Haunted Mansion, etc.), make sure that the wobbly guest enters first. Yes, you may experience a challenge getting seated in time to let your ride partner get in before the vehicle closes properly. However that makes you the second person out upon exiting so that you'll have a steady hand (your ride partner's) at the ready when getting off, thereby allowing you to land gracefully and be able to walk immediately on the moving belt. - Christa
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We bring earplugs with us for use in some of the noisier ride queue areas and the rides themselves (e.g., Test Track, Rock 'n' Roller Coaster, Space Mountain), especially for older members with us, and youngsters with sensitive ears. Works great, takes some of the "scare" out of the rides for the younger ones, buffers some of the loud music and sounds. - Mike M.
When I have a few pills to be taken while in the parks, I put them in a contact lens case with screw-on lids. The case is small and fits easily in a zipper pocket or waist pouch. Since the case is made to keep liquid inside, it is also waterproof and keeps pills dry! - Mary Vinson
It has been brought up before about the different trigger smells that affect asthmatics, but no one's mentioned the skunk smell from the ride Journey into Imagination with Figment. I have tried it twice and both times it left me happy that I have my emergency puffer with me at all times. I never really have problems, but this one ride really throws me for a loop. None of the other smells from rides or shows have this affect on me. - Kerry
We are from Houston so we are pretty used to the heat, but for our last three trips we've brought cool packs for the back of our necks. You freeze the inserts and can keep extras in a small ice chest in the bottom of the cooler. This year we also got a 12x12 cool pack that we will use behind our one year old's back while she is in the stroller to keep her cool. - Gretchen
After my son's first trip to Disney when he picked up a nasty stomach bug, we've since learned to pack a travel-sized hand sanitizer to carry with us inside the parks. We use it to disinfect hands not only before eating, but also after EVERY encounter with the characters. When you stop to think about all the children who are touching and kissing Mickey, it just makes sense. My son stayed well all the way through the subsequent two visits to Disney. I can't say for sure that's what kept him well, but it certainly couldn't have hurt! - Terri in Bermuda
If you have a personal walker, wheelchair or crutches you are currently using, and you want to rent an electric wheelchair at the theme parks, they will hold your personal devices in the rental area with your name on them, until you return and check your vehicle back in. They also have "courtesy wheelchairs" that you then can use to get to the buses or parking lots. This was good to know, as I was wondering what to do with my mom's walker once we rented an electric scooter. - Amy
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If you are planning to rent an ECV and have the use of only one hand, make sure you have a conversation about that when making the reservation. My family rented an ECV for my sister, whose right hand is paralyzed, and it never occurred to me to ask for an ambidextrous ECV. The "forward" mechanism was controlled with the right thumb, requiring her to use a digit on the left to PULL the mechanism toward her while steering. By the end of the trip, her left hand was really ragged! The fellow from the rental company suggested renting a motorized wheelchair powered by a joystick next time, but warned that the company doesn't like to rent them to people who don't already know how to maneuver them, as they are difficult to handle. I'll remember that next time. Nonetheless, the ECV made SO much possible for all of us on this trip. It was well worth the investment, operational difficulties notwithstanding. - Susan Barnaby
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When our 6-year-old broke her arm, we thought that swimming would be out of the question, a fact that, when discussed, brought nearly as many tears as the original injury -- until we were told about the waterproof cast materials they have! The office charged us a little out of pocket as insurance doesn't cover this "luxury" item, but it is well worth it. She can shower, wash her hands, and even swim -- something that is a necessity on those hot steamy Florida days! (There are also heavy rubber cast covers that I was investigating prior to finding out about the waterproof casts. My friend has used them and they work very well also.) - Naomi
Another important thing to think about in relation to heat exhaustion is sodium intake. Sodium in your body helps it maintain healthy fluid levels. If your sodium is depleted, rehydrating will be more difficult. So, for example, if you've had a WDW morning where you skipped breakfast, had just a piece of fruit mid-morning, and then are getting heat-exhaustion symptoms mid-day, along with rehydrating, you need some fries or chips or something with some salt. Of course, if you suffer from high blood pressure or other cardiovascular issues and are on a limited salt intake, be sure to ask your doctor if it is OK to increase your sodium intake in the case of heat exhaustion BEFORE going to WDW. - Rhoda Smith
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