As someone living with a stoma following ulcerative colitis, I know that planning any holiday involves much more than packing a suitcase. Every trip comes with questions running through my mind:
Where are the toilets? What if my bag fills while I’m queuing? What foods will I be able to eat?
This summer, my wife, our almost four-year-old daughter and I headed to Disneyland Paris. While travelling with a preschooler is an adventure in itself, adding a stoma into the mix meant plenty of planning. Thankfully, one thing completely transformed our experience – the Disneyland Paris Priority Card.
What is the Disneyland Paris priority card?
If you have Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis or a stoma, it’s worth looking into the National Disability Card (or another accepted proof of disability recognised by Disneyland Paris). Once you have the appropriate documentation, you may be eligible to apply for the Disneyland Paris Priority Card before your visit.
I applied around 30 days before we travelled, and I can honestly say it was one of the best decisions I made.
How the priority card reduced my stoma anxiety
For many people, queueing is simply part of the Disney experience. For someone with a stoma, standing in a queue for 60, 90 or even 120 minutes can be incredibly stressful.
My biggest worry wasn’t the ride itself – it was wondering whether my bag would fill while I was waiting, or whether I’d suddenly need to find a toilet urgently.
The Priority Card significantly reduced that anxiety. We were able to access attractions much more quickly, meaning I could actually relax and enjoy making memories with my family instead of constantly thinking about my stoma.
It also made a huge difference for the parades and evening fireworks. Priority viewing areas meant we weren’t crammed shoulder-to-shoulder in large crowds, and I wasn’t worrying about trying to squeeze past hundreds of people if I suddenly needed the toilet.
That peace of mind is difficult to put into words.
My top Disneyland Paris stoma travel tips
Travelling with a stoma and a young child definitely requires some preparation, but it doesn’t have to stop you having an amazing holiday.
Some things that really helped us included:
- Taking refillable water bottles and topping them up throughout the day to stay hydrated.
- Packing familiar snacks, as I’m always cautious about trying lots of new foods with my stoma.
- Carrying a portable charger – between the Disneyland Paris app, photos, maps and ride bookings, our phones were in constant use.
- Learning how the virtual queue system worked before we arrived, which saved valuable time in the parks.
- Keeping a full change kit with me at all times, including spare bags, disposal bags, wipes and anything else I might need for a quick change.
- Wearing comfortable clothing and planning regular breaks rather than trying to rush from attraction to attraction.
Should people with a stoma apply for a priority card?
One thing I learned is that disability support at Disneyland Paris exists for a reason. So many of us living with invisible conditions feel guilty about asking for adjustments, but those adjustments simply allow us to enjoy the park on a more equal footing.
The Priority Card didn’t give us a better holiday than everyone else, it gave me the confidence to enjoy the same magical experiences without constantly worrying about my medical condition.
For our family, Disneyland Paris was full of magical moments watching our daughter meet her favourite characters, experience the rides and see the fireworks for the first time.
Living with a stoma shouldn’t stop anyone from making those memories.
If you’re planning a trip and think you may qualify for the Disneyland Paris Priority Card, I would encourage you to look into it. For me, it wasn’t just about shorter queues, it was about reducing anxiety, protecting my health and allowing me to focus on what really mattered: spending quality time with my family.
Sometimes, the smallest adjustments make the biggest difference.
Find out more about the Disneyland Paris Priority Card and how to apply.
