{"id":151,"date":"2010-06-30T17:19:58","date_gmt":"2010-06-30T21:19:58","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.themouseforless.com\/blog_travel_adventures\/?p=151"},"modified":"2022-05-05T14:12:15","modified_gmt":"2022-05-05T18:12:15","slug":"traveling-walt-disney-world-and-the-disney-cruise-line-on-oxygen","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.themouseforless.com\/blog_world\/traveling-walt-disney-world-and-the-disney-cruise-line-on-oxygen\/","title":{"rendered":"Traveling Walt Disney World and the Disney Cruise Line on Oxygen"},"content":{"rendered":"

Nothing makes you stop and think about how easy you have it like traveling with someone who has a health issue.\u00a0 My mom smoked for well over 30 years and, in 2003, was diagnosed with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD).\u00a0 From the day of that diagnosis on, she was on oxygen 24 hours a day.\u00a0 In 2007, we invited my parents to travel with us to Walt Disney World and in 2008, they came with us on a Disney Cruise.\u00a0 Here are some of the things we learned while traveling with someone on oxygen:<\/p>\n

1.\u00a0 Driving to your destination is almost a must.\u00a0 While it is possible to fly with oxygen, it becomes very complicated and very expensive very quickly.\u00a0 By driving, my parents were able to bring along Mom’s oxygen concentrator from home and not worry about getting one at Walt Disney World.\u00a0 They did have to rent one for the cruise though (more on that below).<\/p>\n

2.\u00a0 Make sure the person on oxygen has a full tank when you leave in the morning for the parks.\u00a0 Also, make sure that a replacement tank is nearby.\u00a0 Several days, we had missed we had brought an extra and stashed it in a locker.\u00a0 Not having a spare meant going back to the room to swap tanks.<\/p>\n

3.\u00a0 If the person on oxygen usually carries their tank on their shoulder, consider a rolling backpack or rolling rack for the parks.\u00a0 Oxygen tanks get heavy fast!\u00a0 We all took turns carrying Mom’s tank as the day went on.\u00a0 We said we were her “oxygen sherpas.”\u00a0 But, we had to be very careful to stay close to Mom when we were doing this or we would yank the tube out of her nose!<\/p>\n

4.\u00a0 When arranging for oxygen to be delivered to your Walt Disney World resort, get explicit instructions on drop off and delivery.\u00a0 When arranging for oxygen delivery for your Disney cruise, insist that it must be delivered no later than 2:00 pm.\u00a0 Mom’s concentrator and oxygen tanks were late and didn’t arrive until almost 4:30 pm.\u00a0 That meant Mom had to miss the safety drill because she had to wait in the cabin for the delivery.\u00a0 Disney Cruise Line was great helping with this by the way.\u00a0 It was totally the medical equipment company’s fault, but DCL Guest Services jumped in and helped save the day.<\/p>\n

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5.\u00a0 Realize that someone on oxygen is probably going to need a slower pace and more breaks.\u00a0 This is not the time to do a commando trip.\u00a0 Slow down and relax.\u00a0 Everyone will be better off if you do.<\/p>\n

6.\u00a0 Consider avoiding rides and attractions that use heavy scents.\u00a0 We specifically avoided Spaceship Earth and Soarin’ because of this.\u00a0 Someone nearby wearing too much perfume could set off Mom coughing so we didn’t want to take any chances.<\/p>\n

7.\u00a0 Finally, take really good notes and keep documentation for everything.\u00a0 Have the telephone numbers for every contact easily available and, if more than one person has this information, that’s good too.<\/p>\n

Being on oxygen 24 hours a day may slow you down.\u00a0 But, it doesn’t have to spoil your Disney fun!<\/p>\n

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