Injured At Disney | How To Make That Work
It’s the stuff that no one ever really wants to encounter. . . . much less during their Walt Disney World vacation. Oh yeah, you know what nightmare scenario I’m talking about. You’re just going about your magical day and then BAM. . . . someone’s injured themselves.
This vacation will self destruct in t minus 10 . . . 9. . . 8. . . 💣
This very thing has happened to me two times over the course of however-many-years that I’ve been visiting Walt Disney World. The first required a trip to the Emergency Room on New Years Eve and the second landed my husband in a wheelchair in the week leading up to New Years.
[Side Note: I kid you not, fellow mortals, it occured to me just now that both of these things happened leading up to New Years. Looks like I need to take a hint and call WDW off limits during that time frame. Noted!]
All joking aside, whether it’s something big or small, no one wants to be [or see their family member] injured on their vacation. What happens when you are injured though? What do you do? What are your options? Where do you go? That’s exactly what we’re going to talk about today. . . . . and hopefully this information will never be of any use. Fingers crossed!
When It’s Something Simple | First Aid Centers
When most of us find ourselves in need of some sort of attention, of the First Aid variety, at Walt Disney World it’s usually something we can handle ourselves. We reach into our backpack for a travel size First Aid kit and we’re good to go. However, it’s not always that simple and we’re not always as prepared as we’d like to be. In those cases, guests can make their way over to one of the First Aid centers located at the Walt Disney World theme parks and Water Parks.
At these centers, you can get the basics that you might find yourself in need of to include bandages, headache medicine or other quick remedies so that you can get back to enjoying the fun. There are also nurses at these stations who can assist you during normal park operating hours.
First Aid Centers at Walt Disney World can also be helpful for those who are in need of medication that must be kept under refrigeration. The medication can be stored at the centers and special containers can be provided for disposal of hypodermic needles.
For those guests in need of assistance what at their Resort hotel, in-room medical services are available. You can inquire about these services and/or make use of them by simply calling the Front Desk at any time during your Resort hotel stay.
When Things Get More Serious | Urgent Care
For those who are in need of more than a quick remedy, Urgent Care is available at the AdventHealth Centra Care Walk-in Urgent Care Center. Like an Urgent Care facility in your hometown, this is a place where you can get the help you need, but unlike other locations [including the others in the vicinity of Walt Disney World], this clinic is open 24 hours a day 7 days a week. There is also complementary transportation offered to the clinic, which you can inquire about by calling (407) 934-2273.
👻 This is, unfortunately, an area that we here at 2 Foolish Mortals have some personal experience in. Though it was a while ago, and things have likely changed, having to go to the Urgent Care from the Walt Disney World Resort is about as easy a process as it can get. It was pretty much as simple as calling the Front Desk and having them guide us through the process, which included having a taxi come pick us up at our Resort hotel room, take us to the Urgent Care Clinic, wait for us and drive us back to our hotel. Though it is never easy to be in a position where you’re away from home and in need of medical assistance, I think it’s fair to say that Disney’s got you covered! 👻
Medical Emergencies | Dial 911
Just like at home, if you’re in need of immediate emergency medical assistance, you should dial 911 or you can also contact a cast member in your immediate vicinity.
Now that we’ve talked a little bit about how to get the care you need, we need to take some time to discuss what to do once you have. After all, unless we’re talking about something major, there’s a good chance you and your family will want to continue on with your Disney vacation. . . right? Even if not, you still might need some supplies and/or support before your return home.
The Odds & Ends
Whether you’re looking for medicine or bandages, there are plenty of ways to get the odds and ends you need while visiting the Walt Disney World Resort. Of course, the first stop for many is their Resort hotel’s gift shop area. If you’re looking for something really simple, this might be the way to go. Though the prices are often more than you’d pay somewhere off property, it’s usually worth the extra money if you’re not already renting a car or if you’re just looking for that one item.
If you’re looking for food items, though there may be a small selection at all of the Walt Disney World Resort hotels, we recommend making a stop into one of the Disney Vacation Club Resorts to check what they have. Because the DVC Resorts are designed for longer stays, with some rooms that feature full kitchens, they often have a much larger selection of food items that can be prepared and enjoyed in your Resort hotel room. These DVC Resort hotels are located all around the Walt Disney World Resort and getting to them won’t necessarily mean you’re going out of your way. [For example, The Screen Door General Store at Disney’s Boardwalk Resort is located within walking distance of Epcot and the Epcot Skyliner station making it very easy to access.] Again, prices for these food or grocery items are likely going to be higher than they would be if purchased off property, but depending on what and how much you’re looking for, it might be the solution for you.
Of course, we can’t talk about getting odds and ends without making mention of the plethora of options available to you off property. Though many of us like to think of the Walt Disney World Resort as an island, you’re far from isolated while on property. In fact, with ride-share services available at the poke of a smartphone screen, you can get wherever you need to be fairly quickly without breaking the bank. One of our personal favorites, because of the selection and prices, is Walmart, but the list certainly doesn’t end there.
Wheelchairs & Scooters
Most of the time, if someone in your family is going to need help getting around, you’re going to know a wheelchair or scooter is necessary before you arrive at Walt Disney World. However, that’s not necessarily the way things work out. . . . . certainly wasn’t the last time we visited Walt Disney World!
To be quite frank, trying to set up some sort of mobility device for a family member while already in the throws of the Disney magic can be very stressful. There’s no way around it! However, there are plenty of options available to you. The challenge can be knowing where to look and how to make that work.
The first and most convenient [while also being very reasonable] option available is renting a wheelchair, scooter or stroller [if we’re talking about a child] directly from Walt Disney World. Located at all of the four theme parks and Disney Springs, these rentals can be a lifesaver! Though they are only available to be used at the park they were rented from or Disney Springs, they are an ideal last minute solution. They are also a great option for those who may be capable of walking short distances [to the bus and through security], but need assistance for the remainder of the day.
👻 During our most recent trip to Walt Disney World we rented wheelchairs directly from Disney for a few days. The price was reasonable ($12 per day) and the equipment was always well kept and functional.
Convenient as renting directly from Walt Disney World might be, sometime you find yourself in need of that wheelchair or scooter for the duration of your trip; not just while you’re in the parks. In that case, the best option is to rent the equipment from one of the many local vendors in the Walt Disney World area. This can sometimes be tricky when you’re trying to rent equipment last minute, but even during the busiest times of the year it is possible. . . . it just might take a few phone calls. Though there can be some downsides to renting from an outside company, it can be an ideal solution for those who are looking for more specific equipment. For example, an ankle injury doesn’t really require a wheelchair; a knee scooter will do just fine. Though there are no knee scooters available at the Walt Disney World Resort for rent, this is something you can get from one of those outside rental companies. Then again, last minute sometimes means getting what you get. . . . so what’s available when you need it plays a big role here.
Well fellow mortals, I think that about covers it!
Look, both of us here at 2 Foolish Mortals hope that you never need any of the information that I’ve shared with you here today and we hope that you never have a reason to answer the questions I’m about to ask. . . . but I’m going to ask them anyway! Have you ever been injured during your Walt Disney World vacation? What did you do? What was your experience? Let us know by leaving a comment down below.
Until we meet again. . . . stay safe out there! 👻👻