Help! I'm sick!

May 5, 2018
4 min read

Happy Cinco De Mayo, everyone!

Unfortunately, I've been feeling under the weather lately, so this topic was inspired by that. The truth is, one can get sick anywhere. Some might argue it's even more likely you'll get sick on vacation because of the new pathogens you'll come into contact with.

Between the flight, touching things everyone else touched at the airport and on the airplane, and then coming into contact with people from all over the world at Walt Disney World, chances are you may one day find yourself sick at Disney.

So, should the unthinkable happen, here's some advice on what to do to get yourself back on your feet ASAP.

If you get ill or hurt in the park, stop at a First Aid Station:

There is a First Aid Station at each of the theme parks. Nurses are available during park hours and can provide small amounts of over the counter medicine and bandages. These stations can also store medication that needs to be refrigerated.

Below is each location in the 4 theme parks. If you remember to look to your left, you should find them pretty easily, as you'll see from the descriptions below:

Magic Kingdom - between Casey's Corner and Crystal Palace. Walk down Main Street and turn left to go toward Adventureland.

EPCOT - the Odyssey restaurant building which is on the over-the-water walkway between Test Track and the Mexico pavillion of world showcase. Head toward World Showcase from futureworld, and take the first bridge to your left.

Disney Hollywood Studios - to your left just as you enter, between Guest Services and Sid Cuenda's.

Animal Kingdom - cross to Discovery Island from the Oasis and go around the left side of the tree. First aid will be on your left before the bridge to Africa. The ladybug shaped lampposts mark the location.

At your resort:

Most resorts have a store with convenience items and sundries. This is a good place to look for small packages of over the counter medicine like Tylenol or Tums if you forgot to bring it along.

If you need additional assistance or first aid, you can also contract the Front Desk.

If you need more than over-the-counter medicine:

If you need a prescription filled, there are several Walgreens and CVS within a short drive of Walt Disney World Resort. But if you are really sick and don't want to drive or don't have a car with you and don't want to take a cab or Uber, you can also contact Turner Drug. This drug store is based in Celebration, FL, and will deliver prescription medication to your room.

If you need to see a medical professional:

You have a few options here. The most convenient urgent care center is Centra Care. You can arrange transportation to the Centra Care center with the front desk, so you don't have to worry about having a car.

However, Centra Care receives mixed reviews. Some complain the wait is too long and the price is too steep. But this is true for urgent care centers anywhere.

Those who don't care for Centra Care suggest going to Celebration Hospital's ER. You will need to arrange your own transportation, however, unless it is truly an emergency situation. Reports have the wait times lower than those at Centra Care, but being an ER, the price may wind up being more than you'd pay at an urgent care such as Centra Care.

Another option, and possibly most convenient but most pricey, is Doctors On Call, which is a service that will send a doctor to your room to check you out. However, this service doesn't bill your insurance, so you will have to pay up front and submit your receipt to your insurer, who may or may not cover the expense. Many insurers do not cover services rendered in a hotel room.

Finally, my favorite option, if you are fairly certain you know what your malady is and just need a doctor to write a prescription (for example, UTIs, Strep throat, ear infections, pink eye, etc) is teledoctors. If your insurance covers teledoctors, all the better. A teledoctor is a doctor you have a phone conversation with, possibly even a facetime conversation if you are capable. They ask you several questions and can order prescriptions if needed. I have used MDLive in the past. Even when my insurance doesn't cover it, it's been a $59 payment for the teledoctor conference, which is nowhere near as pricey as stepping into an urgent care center or ER.

You're recovering... now what?

I hate to say it, but try to rest until you are better. If you must go out, sanitize, sanitize, sanitize, and cover that cough. Once you are no longer contagious, but if you still feel weak, there is no shame in renting an electric scooter to help with getting around those parks while you're feeling weak from your recent bout with illness.

It's the vacation of a lifetime and it sucks to be sick during it, but remember Disney will always be there. Treat your body well. Get yourself a refillable mug and drink lots and lots of liquids and rest in your room until you can get into the action again.

I hope you never, ever get sick at Disney, but if you do, then I hope the above advice helps get you back to your vacation as soon as possible. Until next time, be well!