Flying with Diabetes

[Laura]

Hey everyone! We are heading to Disney World. We found out they are amazing for Celiacs so this will be our first real vacation since he was diagnosed. We haven't told the kids and we fly out at midnight tomorrow night. It's been SO hard to keep the secret.
Anyway, we haven't flown in over a year, since before the whole liquid thing was an issue. We do not have a letter from our doctor, do I need to get one? The insulin has to have the prescription label right? Anything I need to know? I'm also worried about long lines since it's spring break. I guess I will just always have a backpack full of juice.

[Riley'sMom]

hi laura-
we flew in december. i had a letter from the endo, prescriptions for everything, everything was in the original packaging, etc. they didn't look at anything, never even brought the syringes out. the only thing they started to take away was a small bottle of water, then decided to let me keep it. not sure if we were just lucky or not, but it was much less of an ordeal than i expected.
good luck and have a great trip!
jessica

[Mom2rh]

If your son is a pumper, the pumps should not go through the x-ray.

That's interesting about the water...hmmm. Maybe a letter from the doctor that water and juice were medically necessary.

[MrsBadshoe]

We have flown since all the liquid stuff and I have to say they never even batted an eyelash at all the meds. I did make sure everything had a label and it was all in a plastic bag, just in case.

Make sure you pack doubles of everything and pack them in 2 separate carry-ons

While disney is great for celiacs they suck when it comes to diabetics. If you learn any tips you think others would be interested in email us.....also don't forget to visit our site www.disneywithdiabetes.com

[Laura]

We have flown since all the liquid stuff and I have to say they never even batted an eyelash at all the meds. I did make sure everything had a label and it was all in a plastic bag, just in case.

Make sure you pack doubles of everything and pack them in 2 separate carry-ons

While disney is great for celiacs they suck when it comes to diabetics. If you learn any tips you think others would be interested in email us.....also don't forget to visit our site www.disneywithdiabetes.com

I just saw your site after I posted this. It's great! I promise to let you know if I have any tips. We have been with Diabetes before but it was about 3 years ago. The only thing I remember is I dropped and broke a vial of insulin. Luckily, I had 2. :D

[OSUMom]

My son walked through the full body scan with his insulin pump on when flying last August. So, you aren't supposed to do that, Mom2RH? His pump is still fine - but if there's something we should know about that I'd like to read up on it. Would I find that information on the manufacturer's website?

Thanks!

[MrsBadshoe]

My son walked through the full body scan with his insulin pump on when flying last August. So, you aren't supposed to do that, Mom2RH? His pump is still fine - but if there's something we should know about that I'd like to read up on it. Would I find that information on the manufacturer's website?

Thanks!

No walking through the body scan is fine. It is the thing they put your carryon through that is xrays and will mess up the pump.

[OSUMom]

Good information, thank you!!!

[wendyc]

We went in Dec. no problems carrying supplies at all. I made sure I had original packaging, but TSA didn't care. The pump did set off the alarm, but they were forewarned about it, so they had me take it out of pouch and turn on. I had two juice boxes in baggies and they didn't question them. Frio pack also caused no concern. Bottled water did, but we had a medical necessity letter. I think you will find that rules vary from airport to airport. Boston is not at all strict, but Orlando is.

As for Disney and Celiac disease, check out allears.net They have reviews of restuarants etc. It sounds pretty promising. I know when we went to sit down dining, before they even brought us to the table they said "does the chef need to know of any dietary restricitions such as celiac or peanut allergies?" So, they are very in tune. I have heard that fast food dining is a bit harder, but still doable. Animal Kingdom actually has the best options for Celiacs as they have chicken legs (no batter), salads etc.

Have fun! You deserve it, celebrate good health!

[Boo]

We had no problems when flying. I did put all liquids (insulin)/gels into quart sized ziploc baggies. I carried one set of supplies in my carry-on, the second set went in my son's backpack. We were able to carry a juice box on (it went right through the x-ray...I forgot it was in his fanny pack), but I'd take glucose tabs as well too, just in case.

Have fun...I hope he enjoys the secret!! :D

[Anne]

Hi Laura,
If you are worried about long lines, I thought I read somewhere that if you had D you could get a special pass to avoid the long waits. Those of you who are Disney experts,is this so or am I mistaken?
Anne

[wendyc]

Hi Laura,
If you are worried about long lines, I thought I read somewhere that if you had D you could get a special pass to avoid the long waits. Those of you who are Disney experts,is this so or am I mistaken?
Anne


I think it's something you have to really press them for. I called in Dec. and was told that that is what Fast Pass was for.

[selketine]

If your child seems to be having a lot of trouble with highs and lows in the heat and lines, etc. then you can request a Guest Assistance Card at Guest Services in the parks. It isn't a "front of the line pass" - instead it is meant to accomodate your needs. So let them know what you need (a cooler place to wait, etc.) and what problems you are having and you can get a GAC that will help.

We use a good touring plan (http://www.tourguidemike.com) and get fast passes as much as possible. On occassion we've need to use a GAC and it can be very helpful - especially if the weather is hot. You can PM me for more info.

[Momof4gr8kids]

I don't have any advise, just wanted to say HAVE FUN!!!!! Your kids are going to love their supprise!!!!

[Laura]

Thanks everyone! I checked the weather and it should be nice all week (mid 70s). I was mainly concerned about standing in line for an hour only to have him go low when we are about to get on a ride or something. I'll just make sure we have tabs and juices at all times. He doesn't like attention drawn to his diabetes so he probably wouldn't want any special treatment, even if he could get it. All day I've been secretly packing and the kids have no idea. Tonight we are going to tell them to go brush their teeth like we always do then we are going to say ok now get your shoes on. Hopefully, leaving at midnight means they will sleep all the way there. One can hope, right? :p

[Boo]

Hopefully, leaving at midnight means they will sleep all the way there. One can hope, right? :p

HA!! They'll be much too excited to sleep!!

The only other thing I'd recommend is to have all of your dinner reservations made ahead of time if you plan on eating at the parks. Otherwise, you could have long waits at mealtimes.

[Laura]

HA!! They'll be much too excited to sleep!!

The only other thing I'd recommend is to have all of your dinner reservations made ahead of time if you plan on eating at the parks. Otherwise, you could have long waits at mealtimes.

We had to do that because we had to talk to all the chefs about celiac. They are making gluten free mickey shaped pancakes even! It's going to be so nice for him.

[Laura]

So we're back! Things went great. The airport security people never even looked at his insulin or any of his supplies for that matter. I had 3 juice boxes in my purse and no one even asked about them (which shocked me since there were signs all over the place saying you can't have more than 3 ounces of liquid and it had to be in ziploc bags). The only issue at the airport was my son's pump went off when he walked through the security thing. When he had the MM pump he never went off but with the cozmo he does. They pulled him over to another section and searched him.
Disney World was great, although he ran high the whole time. I was expecting a lot of lows from all the walking but that was not the case. His pump had a blockage and we ended up changing sites 4 times in 6 days. We saw quite a few people with pumps. It's always exciting for Jonah when he sees another pump. Anyway, thanks for all the advice!

[wendyc]

Welcome back!
How was Disney when it came to handling your dietary needs? I've read and heard they are really accomodating (mostly sit down places, but still it's better than nothing!)...

[Laura]

They were amazing. Even the counter serve places had gluten free buns and pizza. The chefs at the sit down places came out immediately and went over everything he could have. He actually ended up with bigger meals than the rest of us. They made him gluten free pancakes, mac and cheese, cooked the fries alone for him, gluten free chicken strips and even had gluten free brownies and rice crispy treats at the bakery.

[Mom2rh]

I'm glad things went well. We are leaving for a trip...and hearing about your trouble with sites, I'll go pack a few more! LOL