Uh-Oh! Expecting the Unexpected at WDW

You've been planning for months. You've booked your resort, you even marked your calendar for 180 days out from your vacation so you could make all those dining reservations you've been dreaming about. Your suitcase is packed and you're ready to go. You're completely prepared. Then, as you're walking through the Magic Kingdom, it hits you. You're sick.

No one likes to think about it. What a damper on such an exciting (and likely expensive) trip away from the rest of the world! Never fear! I'm here to give you some special trips to help do at least at little planning for the unexpected.

The first and by far the most important thing to remember is to bring any and all prescriptions you will need. Most of us remember medications we take daily, but what about those "as-needed" meds? In my mind, you can never be too careful. Bring them along. You can pack them in your regular suitcase if you wish, but be sure to adhere to the TSA rules. Personally, I take an as-needed prescription for migraine headaches. Can you imagine being on a dream vacation and feeling like you're head is about to split open at any second? Best not to find out. Bring the meds.

Remember that all Disney resorts have a gift shop area that sells basic over the counter medications. True, you'll likely spend a little more money on them here, but the convenience of having these so close is worth the cost. Keep in mind however, that they have a somewhat limited selection, so if you prefer to use something specific, it may be a good idea to bring some along with you.

While at the resort, you should always notify the front desk if you're in need of medical attention. Depending on the severity and nature of your complaints, they may call an ambulance for you, or arrange for transportation to an area hospital or clinic.

So we've covered the resorts. What happens if you're in the parks? All Disney parks have a First Aid Station within the park itself. Be sure to pick up a map (even if you don't need it) to find the best route from your current location. These stations are run by local nursing staff and physicians assistants. While they are not able to write prescriptions, they can assist you with other medical concerns. I actually got the chance to check out the one at Disneyland. We had been walking around all day and about an hour before the fireworks began in front of Sleeping Beauty Castle, I got incredibly ill. They took fantastic care of me and gave me a listing of area clinics and hospitals, should I have needed them.

Another great tip I found (the hard way) is for those of us who suffer from motion sickness. Nothing and I mean NOTHING ruins a romantic Disney honeymoon quicker than a ride on the Orange side of Mission Space and spending the majority of the afternoon praying to Porcelain Pete. Believe me when I say that Dramamine is your friend. You can get the non-drowsy kind as well, but I found that the original worked best for me. I took a bit of a nap back in our room for a few hours, but we were able to go back out that evening and enjoy the parks. Also, if you know that you get motion sickness, do some research into which rides may not be a good match for you. I would suggest forgoing the Mad Tea Cups (Magic Kingdom), Mission Space (Orange Side-EPCOT) and Primeval Whirl (Animal Kingdom) to be on the safe side.

As always be sure to dress for comfort! Remember that Disney isn't a place where you need to be concerned about fashion. The right shoes can be the difference between having a great day and a miserable one. No matter what you think of their style, Crocs are a fantastic shoe that is versatile enough to handle water rides and provide a comfortable walking experience. I also really suggest Reef or Teva sandals for anyone (like me) who prefers flip flops to walking shoes.

If you're looking for more information on hospitals and urgent care clinics as well as pharmacies in the area, check out this great article from the people at examiner.com.

So there you have it! Just a few tips to help make your Disney Vacation that much more enjoyable! Do you have any other suggestions? Share them below!