Question about T1D and Universal

[melancholywings]

Hi all,

We have a trip coming up and are taking a day off from Disney to check out Universal. I am reading some reviews stating that in several of the rides you are not allowed to take in bags or phones; even if you are not riding but just standing in line with your child. Do they have a pass that would allow me to stand in line with her diabetes kit even if I'm not riding? She's suppose to suspend her insulin pump for roller coasters and I worry about it being suspended for a long period of time if the line is long on the popular rides.

 

[Kaytie]

I've read the entire USF Disabilities Guide and there not a single reference to insulin or pumps. Since its supposed to be attached to her at all times (right?), I'd follow the restrictions for prosthetic limbs. As long as it's securely fastened, she should be fine.

 

[gap2368]

was wondering the same thing I am looking at making may way over some time and not sure what to do with my pump I do tend to drop very fast ( went from 98 to 30 in 8 minutes and I am not not kidding) so I will have to have something on me at all times even if it just a few glucose tablets in my pocket. You really do not need the pump attached to you 24 7 but taking it on and off all day could be bad with missing insulin. I would suggest calling universal and asking not sure if there phone team members know more then disney CM.

 

[anorman]

We travelled to Universal last year with my DD13 who requires an insulin pump for her T1 Diabetes. She rode all the coasters with the pump still attached and operational and just ensured it was safely secured while riding. Often she would tuck it well inside the waistline of her shorts and it was just fine. BTW, it doesn't trigger the metal detectors in case you were wondering about that. They do not do a body search before riding, just the metal detectors so you should be able to carry on a low treatment of a baggie of candies, etc. without any trouble but perhaps a zippered pocket would be best for safety concerns. Have fun and don't worry.....we did!

 

[gap2368]

so you have to go thought meter decterors to get on rides? sorry I am not going then I know too many people who's pumps have broken because they went though a metal detector ( and I do not mean to bring up a debate )

 

[nighttowll]

The metal detectors are only for the two coasters, Hulk and RRR. I haven't seen them for any other rides. However, I just got back, and they were making everyone go through metal detectors to get into City Walk. This was right after the shooting, so not sure how long they will keep them up. I've never had to go through them on past trips.

You should be able to carry a bag if you aren't riding. I've carried stuff before when I was escorting kids, but not riding, and I've seen other people doing child swap carry in bags. You just have to keep telling them you aren't riding. It's kind of annoying because they will keep trying to send you back to the lockers, but once you explain I'm not riding, I'm just carrying medical supplies, they will let you pass.

 

[gap2368]

I normily go a lone so I would have to keep my bag on me all the time so this would not work for me. No big deal

There is a smal park amusement park near me they have a few roller coaster you can get a medical tag for a bag and that bag can then be brought on any ride and if you can not they have boxes for you to put them in and one has locker right where you load the rude

 

[Selket]

It is possible to get something like the DAS there (with a return time) if you want to store your pump/medical items in a locker or leave them with someone to get on a ride. That has worked for us in the past. However I dislike not having his emergency meds in line with him (and me) if he needed them - they're still all the way back in the locker even if the wait time is short.

Of course you could stay onsite one night at one of their top hotels and get the express pass (I forget the exact name) that comes with the room - or pay separately for that pass. It will definitely shorten the wait time for most rides. We've done that in the past and I'd probably go that route on our next trip.

He wears a "spibelt" with double pockets and will keep the pump right up against his waist.

I haven't been there since last summer but we could take our phones on the rides and this was before the metal detectors. I think some took pumps and others didn't (we had more than one type 1 in the party we were traveling with). Seems like someone can always go through and take the chicken exit. Some rides have a baby swap area - I'm not sure they'd let you wait there with the medical items - but from other posts it sounds like they do.

 

[gap2368]

It is possible to get something like the DAS there (with a return time) if you want to store your pump/medical items in a locker or leave them with someone to get on a ride. That has worked for us in the past. However I dislike not having his emergency meds in line with him (and me) if he needed them - they're still all the way back in the locker even if the wait time is short.

Of course you could stay onsite one night at one of their top hotels and get the express pass (I forget the exact name) that comes with the room - or pay separately for that pass. It will definitely shorten the wait time for most rides. We've done that in the past and I'd probably go that route on our next trip.

He wears a "spibelt" with double pockets and will keep the pump right up against his waist.

I haven't been there since last summer but we could take our phones on the rides and this was before the metal detectors. I think some took pumps and others didn't (we had more than one type 1 in the party we were traveling with). Seems like someone can always go through and take the chicken exit. Some rides have a baby swap area - I'm not sure they'd let you wait there with the medical items - but from other posts it sounds like they do.

I use the DAS at Disney ( not for diabetes but my other problems ) I really can not handle lines at all normily 15 minutes is my max I have no real plans to go over there but it had been brought up with a friend and we often go to Disney a lot together once in Orlando I tend to stay in the Disney bubble so don't know if I will make the trip over or not just one of the maybe one day type of things so by the time I do go things could change again

 

[katdralion]

My son wears an insulin pump and he was told by his pump company to remove the pump for roller coasters and any rides with magnetic forces.
Universal and IofA made everything so easy for us. He was given a guest assistance card which meant we could use the express line and he wasn't disconnected for too long. All of the big rides had free lockers at the entrance to leave his pump in and he carried glucose tabs and an insulin pen in a spibelt for emergencies.
As for the metal detectors, he just told them that he was wearing a medical device and they used a wand instead. No problem!

Disney on the other hand offer no assistance and have no lockers at the rides so it is much more of a hassle! We wouldn't be able to ride together as his Dad or I would have to wait behind with the pump.
In fact our upcoming Florida vacation will be our third Disney free Florida vacation as all the extra planning involved and the declining standards of service and lack of attention to detail make a Disney vacation seem like too much work for too little payback!

Don't worry about doing Universal with an insulin pump, we've been loads of times over the last three years and they've always taken great care of us! When you arrive, go to Guest Services at the entrance of the park and explain that your daughter has to disconnect from the pump for rides, show them a note from your doctor or pump company and they will give you a card to use the express line for the duration if your stay. I believe they also have medical lockers at the boarding areas of some rides but we didn't use those as my son was fine disconnecting before the line.

Have fun and don't forget to try the frozen Butterbeer! 42 carbs of deliciousness!

 

[gap2368]

My son wears an insulin pump and he was told by his pump company to remove the pump for roller coasters and any rides with magnetic forces.
Universal and IofA made everything so easy for us. He was given a guest assistance card which meant we could use the express line and he wasn't disconnected for too long. All of the big rides had free lockers at the entrance to leave his pump in and he carried glucose tabs and an insulin pen in a spibelt for emergencies.
As for the metal detectors, he just told them that he was wearing a medical device and they used a wand instead. No problem!

Disney on the other hand offer no assistance and have no lockers at the rides so it is much more of a hassle! We wouldn't be able to ride together as his Dad or I would have to wait behind with the pump.
In fact our upcoming Florida vacation will be our third Disney free Florida vacation as all the extra planning involved and the declining standards of service and lack of attention to detail make a Disney vacation seem like too much work for too little payback!

Don't worry about doing Universal with an insulin pump, we've been loads of times over the last three years and they've always taken great care of us! When you arrive, go to Guest Services at the entrance of the park and explain that your daughter has to disconnect from the pump for rides, show them a note from your doctor or pump company and they will give you a card to use the express line for the duration if your stay. I believe they also have medical lockers at the boarding areas of some rides but we didn't use those as my son was fine disconnecting before the line.

Have fun and don't forget to try the frozen Butterbeer! 42 carbs of deliciousness!

just wondering what pump your son has? I have never been told not to take my pump on anything ( they told me they were not sure as they can not test all things or something like this) I have been on RR 6 or 7 times in a row ( all going thought the FP line) with out any problem but glade things work out well for you I would never trust a locker at universal ( my friend went and someone was able to open her locker she was standing right behind then she said that was her locker and they walked away. ( again I have not been in a long long time) but if they do have other lockers that most guest can not get it then you might want to use them( like ones for medical things) but when she told me that also good to know that you can wear spilt belts and I am guessing other belt like them on rides. it will be a few years before I go if I do go and buy that time toysjory land will be open and I will probably want to do that then U


In a total different not have any of the t1d on this thread been too FFL conference on Orlando if not I would highly recommend going next year it is normily around the 4 of July weekend and it is truly amazing for all ages and if you can not afford to go they offer scholarships

 

[SueM in MN]

My son wears an insulin pump and he was told by his pump company to remove the pump for roller coasters and any rides with magnetic forces.
Universal and IofA made everything so easy for us. He was given a guest assistance card which meant we could use the express line and he wasn't disconnected for too long. All of the big rides had free lockers at the entrance to leave his pump in and he carried glucose tabs and an insulin pen in a spibelt for emergencies.
As for the metal detectors, he just told them that he was wearing a medical device and they used a wand instead. No problem!

Just so people are aware, the wands are handheld metal detectors. They are not necessarily as strong as the walk thru ones, but are still metal detectors.

Disney on the other hand offer no assistance and have no lockers at the rides so it is much more of a hassle! We wouldn't be able to ride together as his Dad or I would have to wait behind with the pump.

Universal has a lot of lockers for attractions because more of their attractions are 'thrill type' rides where no one is allowed to bring anything on and everyone has to use a locker.
I am not aware of any WDW attractions where guests are not allowed to bring bags on. Even Rock N Roller Coaster and Expedition Everest, which are 2 of the 'wilder' WDW attractions, allow bags.
Kali River Rapids has courtesy lockers, mostly for things people don't want to get wet, but bags are allowed onto the attraction.

In fact our upcoming Florida vacation will be our third Disney free Florida vacation as all the extra planning involved and the declining standards of service and lack of attention to detail make a Disney vacation seem like too much work for too little payback!

Don't worry about doing Universal with an insulin pump, we've been loads of times over the last three years and they've always taken great care of us! When you arrive, go to Guest Services at the entrance of the park and explain that your daughter has to disconnect from the pump for rides, show them a note from your doctor or pump company and they will give you a card to use the express line for the duration if your stay. I believe they also have medical lockers at the boarding areas of some rides but we didn't use those as my son was fine disconnecting before the line.

Have fun and don't forget to try the frozen Butterbeer! 42 carbs of deliciousness!

 

[katdralion]

Hi gap2368,

My son wears an Animas Vibe and we were told to disconnect for rides with strong gravitational forces and remove it completely for rides with magnets. Since we're not sure which rides have magnets and which don't,we just take it off for all big rides. We were told that metal detectors wouldn't damage the pump but we let the security guards know he is wearing one just in case it sets off the alarm.

In a total different not have any of the t1d on this thread been too FFL conference on Orlando if not I would highly recommend going next year it is normily around the 4 of July weekend and it is truly amazing for all ages and if you can not afford to go they offer scholarships

We are from the UK and can't tolerate the Summer heat in Florida so unfortunately haven't made it to the Orlando FFL conference. We have been to the UK FFL conference which is held in Royal Windsor and it too is an amazing weekend for T1 kids and their families. Gary Scheiner was one of the lecturers last year. He was fabulous and I learnt so much from him! It was held over Halloween last year and they had a costume party for the kids which was so much fun. Unfortunately they couldn't raise enough sponsors to hold the conference this year but I hope they will be back in the UK in 2017

 

[gap2368]

Hi gap2368,

My son wears an Animas Vibe and we were told to disconnect for rides with strong gravitational forces and remove it completely for rides with magnets. Since we're not sure which rides have magnets and which don't,we just take it off for all big rides. We were told that metal detectors wouldn't damage the pump but we let the security guards know he is wearing one just in case it sets off the alarm.



We are from the UK and can't tolerate the Summer heat in Florida so unfortunately haven't made it to the Orlando FFL conference. We have been to the UK FFL conference which is held in Royal Windsor and it too is an amazing weekend for T1 kids and their families. Gary Scheiner was one of the lecturers last year. He was fabulous and I learnt so much from him! It was held over Halloween last year and they had a costume party for the kids which was so much fun. Unfortunately they couldn't raise enough sponsors to hold the conference this year but I hope they will be back in the UK in 2017

If you were told to just desconedt for rides with stopping G forces then you should be fine with just about all rides at disney the only ones I can think of would be rock in roller coaster and mission space orange not sure any other rides have G forces and as fair as magnets the people mover is the only thing with magnets and I know a lot of T1D people that go on it ( 2 years a go there were about 10 people on it form FFL) so I would not worry at all about disney with a pump a lot of people go just like universal and they all do fine.

I was told with the newer pump you should not go through the metal detectors that you should be hand wonded I disney CM came up to me and made sure I want not going thought when she saw my pump she said the week before someone when thought and it erased all the person setting this also happened to a friend going though TSA.

I am glade you go to go to FFL closer to home it is such a great thing and yes Gary is great I went to 3 of his session here. most of the conference is inside so you really do not have to worry about the FL heat but I know what you meant it dose get really hot here.

 

[phamton]

Actually most coasters have powerful electromagnets including Rock n roller coaster.

 

[gap2368]

yeh I forgot about RR wen I hit send but I can see that one having magnets,

my point is is that disney is safe for people on pumps just about every time I go I see some one with a pump 9 including a security officer and a VIP guide both let me know they were on pumps and spend a few minutes to talk to me ) I do not think it takes any more planing to do disney then another park Disney is not really a big roller coaster park I really do not count space 7DMT BTMRR big roller coaster and every other year a few hundred people with T1D go to disney and they give the teens a free day at HS and I am sure most teen are on a pump and most teen will go on RR.

and before anyone says I will not go to Universal no being on a pump has nothing to do with it I just do not have the money and would rather spend my many at disney ( I am such a creacher of habit ) I was just replaying to someone that disney was not doable and I think it is. ( along with the few hundred people at FFL and CM that work there just like universal is doable)

 

[anorman]

My daughter has used the Medtronic at Universal without disconnecting and had no issues. I was worried about it though. It might be worth thinking about to get the disability pass at Universal so that she can store it while riding and minimize her time off pump.

 

[Absimilliard]

Actually most coasters have powerful electromagnets including Rock n roller coaster.

I will add that Big Thunder Mountain use linear induction motors to move the trains in and out of the station area. It all depends on how sensible the pump is since you're sitting at least a foot above where the magnets sit as you go over them. Another ride that received magnetic brakes in the last few years is Space Mountain. Unlike Big Thunder Mountain, those are not powered and instead use rare earth magnets to slow the rockets down before the big drop.