Managing Medical Needs at Disney
Planning trips to Disney can be complicated if you or a loved one has medical needs. I’m sharing the following list of tips to help make this process easier for everyone involved. Please note that I am not a medical professional. Please discuss any medical concerns you or your loved ones may have with the appropriate doctor or medical practitioner before going to the parks so that you can plan for a magical and healthy day!
My suggestions are based on my personal and professional experiences. My son Noah was diagnosed with profound autism at age 3 and Type 1 diabetes at age 14. I also have experience as a teacher of students with special needs, including complex medical needs.
Tip 1: Make a detailed list of any medical needs.
Use your phone, computer, or a piece of paper, and make a thorough list of the medical needs you will need to plan for. Make sure to include anything you or your loved one will need for a successful day in the parks. We have a separate travel diabetic supply kit for Noah with supplies that don’t need to be refrigerated. I restock this kit after every trip.
We also have a packing list of other things we know we need: a freezer pack, his two insulins, his daily medicines, snacks, etc. The more time you spend planning, the easier packing will be, and the less likely you will be to forget something you or your loved one will need.
Tip 2: Know where to find First Aid stations and companion restrooms.
First Aid stations are available in all four Walt Disney World parks and in the Disney Springs area. They are also available in Disneyland, Disney California Adventure, and the Downtown Disney Districts. These are staffed by nurses, and refrigerators for medicine and sharps containers are available.
First Aid stations are also equipped with cots if you or your loved one need an extended flat surface to attend to medical or hygiene needs. Additionally, if you are staying at a Disney resort, you can call the front desk and ask for first aid assistance. In case of a medical emergency, always dial 911.
There are also companion restrooms available throughout the parks. The advantage of using companion restrooms is having extra space and privacy. It also may be easier for some individuals who use wheelchairs to transfer in the companion restrooms, as there is only one door to navigate.
These bathrooms are also very important for families with individuals who are not able to successfully use the toilet independently. After a certain age, it is uncomfortable to take individuals of a different gender into the bathroom. For example, I am not comfortable taking Noah to the ladies’ room. He’s 6’ tall and 23 years old. However, I don’t want toileting to always be my husband’s responsibility, so we use companion restrooms whenever we can.
Read more: Managing Sensory Overload at Disney
Tip 3: Pack more supplies than you think you need, just in case.
I always pack about twice as many extra supplies as we realistically need. I load Noah’s backpack with clothes, snacks, sunscreen, hats, and a First Aid kit. It’s better to bring more than you need than scramble to find replacements in a moment of stress.
Tip 4: Consider staying on property.
For our family, the main benefit of staying in the Disney World bubble is the ease of access to the room and our supplies. You will generally get to your room faster using Disney transportation instead of wrestling with I-4 traffic. It’s important to be able to get back to your room quickly to address or prevent an issue.
When you stay on Disney property, you can easily unpack, organize your supplies, and handle any medical needs before heading to the park. At a minimum, the rooms will have mini-refrigerators. These will keep medications in the safe temperature range. We live somewhat locally and travel with a sharps container. If you don’t have one with you, you can ask at the Front Desk, and they will provide it.
Planning for Disney when you or a loved one has medical needs takes a lot of effort. I hope that if you follow the tips that apply to your situation and use the support that Disney provides, you and your loved ones have a magical trip!
