Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
30
that you can easily obtain refills or replace-
ment prescriptions if yours becomes lost.
If, however, you use a pharmacy not on
the national network, in most cases, you
may be able to call your physician, who
can then call in a script good for the time
you are out of town. Note that while phar-
macies and several grocers are well stocked
with over-the-counter medications, many
hotels often stock a very small supply of
trial-size over-the-counter medicines in
their gift shops, though prices are gener-
ally astronomical.
COMMON AILMENTS
SUN/ELEMENTS/EXTREME WEATHER
EXPOSURE
Limit your exposure to
Florida's strong sun, especially during the
first few days of your trip and, thereafter,
during the hours from 11am to 2pm, when
the sun is at its strongest. Use a sunscreen
with the highest sun protection factor
(SPF) available (especially for children),
and apply it liberally. If you have children
less than a year old, check with your
pediatrician before applying a sunscreen—
some ingredients may not be appropriate
for infants.
In addition, the hot Orlando sun (cou-
pled with high humidity in the summer
months) can easily cause you to quickly
overheat—even to the point of dehydra-
tion. Drink plenty of liquids (water is
preferable to sugary or alcoholic drinks)
throughout the day (even if you don't feel
thirsty) to prevent any ill effects (dehydra-
tion can sneak up on you very quickly).
In addition to the sun, seek protection
indoors or in a safe location during one of
the city's not-infrequent summer electrical
storms. Central Florida is the lightning
capital of the United States, and while the
storms are often stunning to watch, you
do not want firsthand experience with a
lightning strike.
Disney, Universal, and SeaWorld all
have at least one first-aid station (usually
staffed with medical personnel who can
provide basic medical care) at each of their
parks. If you find yourself feeling ill or
become injured while at your hotel, call
&
911
if the situation is life-threatening;
otherwise the hotel concierge will be
happy to put you in touch with the appro-
priate medical personnel and/or services.
Select hotels, including the Orlando
Grande Lakes Resort (p. 115), have their
own on-site doctors.
WHAT TO DO IF YOU GET
SICK AWAY FROM HOME
Always carry a list of phone numbers that
includes your hometown physician, your
hometown pharmacy, and your insurance
provider, as all will likely be necessary if
you find yourself in need of medical atten-
tion while away from home. If you suffer
from a chronic illness (or even if you're just
under the weather prior to your depar-
ture), consult your doctor before your
departure. Always pack
prescription
medications
in your carry-on luggage (so
they are readily available even if your
checked luggage isn't), and carry them in
their original containers, with pharmacy
labels—otherwise they won't make it
through airport security.
If you do need medical assistance while
traveling in or around Orlando, there are
several options.
Emergency room care is available at
The Florida Hospital
(
&
407/764-
4000
), located at 400 Celebration Place in
Celebration, just minutes south of the
main U.S. 192 tourist area); you can also
try
Sand Lake Hospital
(
&
407/351-
8550
), at 9400 Turkey Lake Rd. near
Universal Orlando.
Centra Care
(www.centracare.org)
operates walk-in-care facilities in Lake
Buena Vista (
&
407/934-2273;
12500 S.
Apopka Vineland or S.R. 535, near Down-
town Disney), in Kissimmee (
&
407/397-
7032;
7848 W. Irlo Bronson Hwy. or U.S.
192 in the Formosa Gardens Plaza), and
near Universal (
&
407/351-6682;
6001
Vineland Rd., Ste. 108). Additional
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