I’m really looking for people’s recommendations and advice as to what rides etc. would be suitable (if any), for someone fitted with an ICD?
This now my second post on the website…bit of an experienced campaigner now!
I was wondering if any of you have visited Disneyland/ Universal Studios in Orlando with ICD’s fitted and what your experiences were, as I had my defibrillator fitted in May, after experiencing a cardiac arrest. The resorts themselves are somewhat candid regarding offering any type of advice other than seeking and following the advice of your own medical practitioner. No doubt worried about being sued should things go pear shaped!
All being well, my darling wife, two boys aged 14 and 9, and myself, will be flying out in October. (I have a ‘re-pocketing’ op to go through a week on Monday 21st Aug first as well).
The 3 of us boys are all into the high risk dare devil type stuff, whereas my wife tends to scream at the sight of a very small mouse… in a cage… that is fast asleep… with its legs tethered to teeny stainless steel posts! She might well have to overcome her fears to accompany my elder son on the more daring rides with height restrictions. I’m slightly cruel as I’m quite looking forward to the spectating entertainment value!
Many thanks.
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Franksluckypants
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I have visited Orlando many many times. I have always been a white knuckle ride lover and have been on most of them in Disney, Universal and Busch Gardens.
Lots of the rides have warnings and say don't ride them if you have back problems, HEART problems pregnant etc, that being the case I won't ride them again because I believe it would null any insurance.
Sadly many of the seemingly harmless rides have that warning but it is best to be safe.
As I have been to the parks many many times I won't miss any of the rides (or parks) but will certainty have a good time when visit I next year (hopefully)
The rides are great but being alive and enjoying them with family is priceless.
To be honest I have not really consider the insurance aspects, in fact I've not as yet checked my annual family travel insurance and let them know about my latest shenanigans. Have a feeling it may cost me a serious additional sum! Any insurer’s you might be able to recommend if I have a problem with my current providers (RBS Platinum)?
On the ride front. I do expect to be sitting out a considerable quantity of the roller coasters etc., but as I’m a fairly relaxed character it was more just the physical shuddering/ joltyness (is there such a word?) of the particular ride, rather than the ‘scare’ factor I was more concerned about.
Any specific pre-holiday information would be great so we could loosely plan our days as to which ones I could go on and which to spectate/ sit in the bar…
I guess the ones where I would be hanging upside down in loop-de-loop type fashion are probably not the best idea for a bloke with an ICD fitted/ sticking out of their upper chest!
I am lucky when it comes to insurance as I belong to a group scheme (not an individual) and as long as I am not terminally ill, traveling for treatment or traveling against a doctors advice I am covered. I pay a monthly fee that includes this. I do believe though that several recommendations have been made on here for insurance.
I had hoped to go to Australia for 6 months which would mean separate insurance and have looked at dummy bookings with insurance - it is expensive (but not prohibitive) especially as I had a stroke after the angiogram. America is expensive for insurance though so do shop around.
Many of the rides do carry the warning re heart trouble, even some of the water rides, I think you can check on line so you can formulate a plan.
There is no discount rate either whether you ride or not as my elderly mother discovered.
If you have a budget, try and just go to the parks where you can ride more, Busch gardens have lots of wild rides as does Universal Islands of Adventure so it is likely you can do less of them, so if you want to ride, put those at the bottom of the list.
I have never had any problems with insurance but my problems only started this year and I just have a fear of something happening on one of the rides and the insurance not covering me because of a warning - something to think about and prepare for.
I think there is still loads you can do without riding - I know it will be hard as I love wild rides. but the gang do need someone to hold the bags
I am always the driver out there and we have been on several road trips on both coasts as well as the Smoky Mountain. So driving will be fine.
For freedom and convenience the last few years we have always rented a villa, love the fact we have our own pool and don't have to fight for sunbeds. Also can eat all meals outside, eat in when we like and out when we like. Lots of good value rentals about.
Whatever you do you will have a good time. There is a web site called the dibb which is all things Disney but includes much much more including the whole of Florida and there is a section of traveling if disabled - I haven't been on there for some time but I am sure you will get loads of idea and people will answer your questions.
I have yet to go with any health problems but if I can answer any general questions ask away, I may know the answer but I also have many Disney buffs as friends (some in wheelchairs) we are likely to know if I ask them.
Fingers crossed next year is a goer for me. I am just so envious of you!
Some great advice there thanks, and I'll check out the Disney website you mentioned! Also re the Busch Gardens & Islands of Adventure. Just the sort of info I was looking for!
We have booked a nice car for our time there. Unfortunately I'm not allowed to drive for 6 months post VF cardiac arrest event, so my wife is taking to the wheel...I might have to up the beta blockers me thinks!
I love driving out there, once you get used to an automatic I bet she won't want to give up the keys. Driving on the other side of the road is a piece of cake.
I have just done a quick search on Google and there seems to be a bit of info on line about what rides to do if you have some heart problems, some have alternative sitting areas - not quite the same but you do get the experience.
To be fair she's probably a better driver than me, and has been coping really well with my back seat 'advice' regarding reminders that the car has a fifth gear, and the mirrors aren't necessarily there soley to check ones apperance etc etc...excuse my language, but I am a bit of a tw#t and generally can't help myself!
I checked out the website you mentioned before (thedibb) and it looks really good. Any extra info about rides for croc's/ sitting areas would be excellent!
It seems minor, but the holiday organisational thing has been on my mind and I've not exactly been in relaxed/ looking forward to holiday mode. More like fear and trepidation mode!
I am about to have my tea but if I can put my hands on my US GPS you are welcome to borrow it. It should have had free lifetime updates but Tomtom won't honour them!
I have also been to Orlando several times. I was fitted with an ICD last year, not been to Orlando since but going to Disneyland Paris in November so I was interested in your post. I agree with Heather about invalidating your insurance by riding rides with a warning though I must admit I am tempted to ignore advice on the milder rides. A couple of points that I came across when researching this are some rides use strong magnets to slow them down and this might interfere with ICD operation. How big the risk is I don't know but I would imagine it is low as I have never heard of this happening. Also some rides have over the shoulder harnesses and with your recent procedure in August it might damage the wound if you are thrown against the harness. The British Heart Foundation has a list on their website of Insurance companies that will insure us. I am sure you will love Orlando enjoy your holiday.
Thanks for that. Never though about the magnets to slow the thing down? Blimey a lot of things to consider...wonder if they'd comparatively slow me down too...as long as not to a complete stop!!!
Similar thoughts re the milder rides, so I was trying to gauge what constitutes a milder ride, with people's past experiences? Yip the over shoulder harness things I won't be entertaining at all.
Thanks for the insurance info. I'll check it out.
If you want to message me after 22nd Oct I'll let you know how I got on and which rides I could recommend for your Nov trip! I don't fancy 2 and a half weeks of just going on 'Small world' with the toddler group...
As an update for any that might be interested (if there is such a person?). I had an ICD fitted in May and ICD repositioning operation 22nd August.
We are just back from Orlando on Monday and am still alive and kicking! Before going I made a point of speaking to the surgeon/ cardiologist who fitted my ICD to specifically ask him what he would recommend. His advice was that I would need to be in very close proximity to any magnets (by the chest area) for them to have any effect and that I shouldn't worry about it. He suggested that the rides involving restraints over the shoulder might not be a particularly good idea re possible impact damage, but again would in all reality be very unlikely to cause damage to the ICD.
Whilst there I went to Disney guest services before doing any of the rides to also gauge their suggestions. They advised against the passenger travelator which I didn't ride. They also gave me a 'return time' pass which was great as it was like a limitless fast pass avoiding waiting in queues (included our 5 family members)! I did similar at Universal.
I did most rides at Disney and universal studios, avoiding the biggies Hulk, Rip Roaring Rocket, Aerosmith and the major water park slides. I did the Everest, Big Thunder Mountain, space mountain, tower of terror rides, etc, all without any ill effects...other than the 'normal' butt clenching fear everyone else was experiencing!!!
Private message me if you would like more specific info, as I don't want this to turn into War and Peace.
Glad you enjoyed yourself. It is a magical place. How did you get on with your travel insurance? We would love to go back but I don’t want to take out a second mortgage for the insurance!! We are going to Disneyland Paris soon and the advice about Big Thunder Mountain is great as I really enjoy that ride. Thanks for the update it is very helpful.
Just read your report there. Great information. I got and ICD fitted one week ago but already had my holiday to Florida booked. The cardiologist said it won’t be a problem going to Florida but couldn’t really advise on rides as everyone is different. We are going in 9 weeks.
Did you find the ones that are more likely to jerk you (eg tower of terror, Spider-Man and other 3D/4D rides at universal) were ok? I’ll probably give the hulk, Aerosmith etc a miss but was just more worried about simulator ones. I love all the rides!
It was great to feel a real part of the trip rather than having to sit out and watch the rest of the family. I've returned in a much more positive frame of mind than when I left, which is definitely due to being more involved than I had anticipated.
I posted a similar reply in another thread today regarding travel insurance. I took out additional single person insurance covering all of my pre existing heart probs for £251 for 18days to the States via Saga insurance. I don't have any procedures pending which may have helped reduce the cost a bit, but the States is normally more costly than European travel.
Just wanted to say , Thanks for this post . I had a HA six months ago, and now have 5 stents but mostly mild atheroma now and a slightly lower LVEF of 50% ( but hopefully improving now with exercise (and the fact I was ‘fit’ and sporty before the HA) but at 42 with a four year old daughter I have been worrying about how it would limit our holidays - especially the Disney thing; she is all into the Tinkerbell, princess thing now!. Your post has given me confidence I can do these things with her still... even I am just holding the tiara . Tbh I would probably by choice be staying clear of most of the rides anyway- it was more the whole concept of travelling that far. Thanks and best wishes. Richard
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. Tbh I would probably by choice be staying clear of most of the rides anyway- it was more the whole concept of travelling that far. Thanks and best wishes. Richard
Just looking for a bit of reassurance? 
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