Visiting as a Type 1 Diabetic - travel, in the parks and managing diabetes devices and blood sugars!
Along with being a bit mobility challenged I'm also a bit insulin producing challenged!
I have been a Type 1 Diabetic for over 20 years and alongside travels to Disneyland Paris I have also travelled to other places and taken a lot of flights!
I currently use a Libre 2 glucose sensor and an omnipod dash insulin pump, but I have also visited while using different tuned pumps and while using Dexcom. While I usually travel via Eurostar I have flown many times as a diabetic.
Travel to Disney
I remember the first time I took a flight as a diabetic and how worried I was about security and carrying sharps with me. I contacted the airlines, read and re-read all the info I could find online at the time and I got to the airport super early, declaring everything at the check in desk, and clutching my letter as I approached security. Now when I fly I don't even mention it unless asked and actually I have never been asked. Saying that I do still make sure I do turn up a little bit prepared!
Packing
When I travel I work out how much I'm likely to need then at least double it, and as a pump user I also take back up pens, long acting insulin, back up meter and extra strips. Everything is always packed in my hand luggage, I have had a missing case before, and I need to know my supplies will be with me all the time.
Insulin gets put in my clear bag for liquids if I am flying, if using Eurostar there is no need to separate liquids. I keep the original packaging with the pharmacy label on me, though sometimes I flatten the boxes to save space.
Security
Check the manufacturers guidance for your equipment to know what screening methods are safe for your devices. For me Omnipod and Libre are both advised as safe to go through airport x-ray screening and metal detectors but Libre advise that full body scanners may be an issue, I personally have gone through them with no issues but you may wish to ask for a pat down instead. As I now use a wheelchair I get a pat down anyway! I carry a copy of my prescription and my diabetes nurse has given me a letter but I have not personally ever needed to show anything, but it's always better to be prepared!
Park Security
As you enter the Disney Village area you need to pass through security. This consists of placing all bags through an x ray machine and walking through a metal detector.
As with airport security you should check the guidance for your own devices. I again just put everything through in my bag and have had no issues but I have heard from others that security tend to be good if you ask for a visual inspection instead. They have never asked anything about any of the supplies in my bag.
You are allowed to take food and drink into the park, just no alcohol or glass bottles, so any supplies you need like snacks or juice is fine.
Rides with an Insulin Pump
People are sometimes concerned about riding some rides with an insulin pump, or other medical device, if the ride uses strong magnets.
Unfortunately, Disneyland Paris don't really provide information on how the rides actually work and whether any use magnets strong enough to cause an issue.
I have ridden all the rides at Disneyland Paris and have used other tubed pumps before I started using Omnipod and I have personally not had any issues with rides and my pump. For a tubed pump you may be bale to consider removing it during the ride if you do have concerns.
The only thing I do consider is pod placement, this was less of an issue with tubed pumps as the actual site is smaller but with the pod, as it's larger, if I have it on my belly the lap bar can press on it a bit. Saying that it's never been anything more than a little uncomfortable, but I do sometimes try to place the pod out of the way of where I think the lap belt will fall.
Food and Carb Counting
So lets get the big thing out of the way! Disneyland Paris do not provide carb counts for any food! While allergen files are available other nutritional information is not so when it comes to carb counting it's really down to how good you are at guesstimating.
If you choose to eat low carb there are some options but these can be harder to find. All quick service places will offer salad or vegetables as an alternative side to chips or rice, and the buffets all have salad options and meat options. Eating low carb as a vegetarian however is pretty hard. Hotel breakfast buffets have plenty of cheese, eggs, and meats so are a good option to fill up on a morning.
There are of course lots of yummy treats at Disney, and I don't really eat low carb so I just guess a lot of the time. I personally ten to run low at Disney due to increased activity, excitement and adrenaline so often those sweet snacks come in handy to stop me dropping low! I do also tend to reduce my basal a little, but everyone's diabetes is different so only you will know the best way to manage it.
Fridges, Frio and Final Thoughts
I have seen fellow diabetics ask about whether Disney Hotels, or other hotels, have fridges available in rooms. For the most part most hotel rooms do not but there are some exceptions. For Disney Hotels the club level rooms at Sequoia and Newport Bay have fridges but the standard rooms do not, all rooms at Hotel New York have fridges and so will all rooms at the Disneyland Hotel when it reopens. Davey Crockett Ranch is self catering so does have fridges.
As you can leave insulin out of the fridge as long as it is used within 28 days the lack of fridges has never really been an issue for me, but if I was bringing more insulin than I would use within 28 days, for example extra spares, all the Disney hotel receptions have fridges for medication and are accessible 24 hours a day. I also know some people like to use Frio wallets while travelling, again not something I use but there would be no issues using them when visiting Disney if that's your preference.
Some offsite hotels will have fridges, but you would need to check with the hotel.
It's also worth mentioning that if you do encounter any issues while at Disney, such as a low or high blood sugar, the first aid staff are fully trained nurses and the fire and rescue service are also very good, they will come to you anywhere in the parks, village or Disney hotels, and can assist and advise if further medical assistance is required. If you are in a Disney hotel room you can use the phone to request help and it will be sent to your room.
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