You’re done with all the pre-Disney trip planning which took months (or years), bought all your tickets for the parks, got all your transportation in order, packed up your luggage, and are ready to go and have some long-awaited fun. Everyone’s bright-eyed and bushy-tailed ready to eat some delicious Disney snacks, ride a bunch of attractions, watch some parades/cavalcades, and have an amazing time. Then BAM, you or someone in your party gets sick! Perfect timing, right? I remember once sitting on a bench on Main Street at Disneyland, it was super-hot, and I didn’t feel so good. I was watching all the guests having fun, but I was MISERABLE. It was the first time I ever got sick at Disney, and I was so disappointed. I ended up returning to the hotel and resting which helped immensely, even though I looked like Grumpy from the 7 Dwarfs. What should you do when you’re at the “Happiest Place on Earth”, but you feel terrible?
WHAT TO BRING ON VACATION IN CASE OF EMERGENCIES
The onset of sickness can come anytime on vacation, even before you’ve even reached your destination. Here are some things you can pack in your bag or luggage ahead of time to help in case that happens. Keep them in easy-to-reach pockets of your travel bags for fast access. (Not in your check-in luggage).
- Plastic Bags/Barf Bags: In case you or anyone in your travel party gets queasy or gets carsick easily, have plastic bags ready.
- Extra Clothes: Accidents happen, and you’ll need a change of clothes right away.
- Medicine: Have some pain relief medication such as Tylenol or Advil, or stomach medicine, to help with the discomfort or pain.
- Dramamine or Sea-Bands for motion sickness: If you’re prone to motion sickness, have some Dramamine handy or wearable Sea-Bands for your wrists to help alleviate the dizziness and nausea.
- Medical Card: Have everyone’s medical cards on hand in case you need them for Urgent Care or hospitalization.
- Phone Numbers Written Down: I know we all have cell phones now and most of us don’t remember phone numbers anymore. In case you lose your phone, write down your important phone number on a piece of paper and keep it in your bag or pockets.
- Covid At-Home Test: When you’re far from home, it may be hard to find a Covid testing center or get an appointment. If you are concerned you have symptoms, it’s less stressful if you have at-home tests handy instead of scrambling to look for one on vacation.
- N-95 Masks: If you or someone in your travel party gets Covid, it’s helpful to have some N-95 masks handy in case they have to quarantine or have to be around other members in the hotel room.
- Travel Insurance: You can research options for travel insurance just in case you get sick or cannot proceed with your trip due to illness to give you peace of mind.
YOU’RE SICK AT DISNEY, NOW WHAT?
Sometimes, getting sick is unavoidable, so it’s good to know what to do or where to go once you start feeling not so good on your vacation. It can range from a sore throat to dizziness, dehydration, nausea, fever, heat stroke, headache, or any ailment that puts that dark cloud over your Disney vacation. Here are some tips to help you out:
- First-Aid Centers: Disneyworld has First-Aid Centers in all of their parks & resorts, with nurses on-site with over-the-counter medications if needed. They’ll even store your medications for you if they need refrigeration. There is also an Urgent Care Center with Advent Health Centra Care at Lake Buena Vista which is open 24/7. Disneyland also has First-Aid centers in all of their parks and resorts. A cast member will always point you in the right direction in all parks.
- Rest in your hotel room: I know it’s tempting or disappointing to have to return to your hotel room when you’re at a Disney Park when you feel sick. But it’s always important to listen to your body and get the rest you need to get better enough to resume your vacation.
- Hydrate: Sometimes we forget to hydrate in all our excitement, and we can suffer heat stroke or dehydration. Always remember to drink plenty of fluids, especially in hotter months at the park.
- Rest Areas in Parks: If you feel like you just need a break, or are feeling too hot/dizzy, you can rest in one of the air-conditioned buildings throughout the parks. First Aid centers will also let you rest or lay down if you need to.
- Utilize Food Delivery services or Room Service: If you’re really feeling sick and you can’t make it outside of your hotel room, you can utilize all the different food delivery services like Uber Eats, Grub Hub, Doordash, or even call room service to bring food or things you need from the grocery.
- Hospitals/On-Call Doctors: Having your medical card or information on the local hospital ahead of time can help if you need to go to the doctor. Some hotels can also give you information on on-call doctors.
Sometimes, as much as you prepare, illness on vacation may happen, even at the Happiest/Most Magical Place on Earth. It never hurts to be prepared in case that happens to make your vacation as enjoyable as possible. If sickness does ruin your vacation, you may consider extending your vacation if you feel better or plan a “do-over” trip. Since I got sick this year in June of 2022 at Disneyland and didn’t get to enjoy much of the food and some attractions, I immediately started planning a 2nd trip for Halloween. Guess what? I got sick, AGAIN. This time, I was prepared and brought all the essentials I needed. Thankfully I felt better after a day and was able to enjoy Halloween at the parks and ate all the awesome food I wanted. I had an amazing time!