Thorpe park!

[D_G]

Hey guys hope everyone is well, i know iv not posted in...well, ages but i have been popping in anonymously 🙂

I need some help please! Im going to thorpe park this weekend and it will be my first theme park visit since becoming diabetic....Im not sure of the rules really (if there are any) i like all the big rides and wondering if they will cause my sugars to rise/fall??

Also with most rides they require you to leave all your bags and stuff on the platform (example: tidal wave) , should i keep some glucose on me stuffed in a pocket somewhere, coz i dont think i could take my testing kit and stuff??

I am a worrier and i guess whats paniking me is me being stuck on a ride thats broken down and iv got nothing on me, what if i have a hypo in the middle of the ride? or am i just being silly

Any comments welcome, thankyou 🙂

 

[Estellaa]

i find when im at a theme park i tend to eat junk which will raise my levels or i would make sure i have eaten something beforehand and had snacks before the ride, the majority of the time i went on rides i thought i was having a hypo but it was just the thrill factor and the scare factor making me think like that.

 

[robert@fm]

Back in the 1990s (can't remember exactly when) the world record for endurance coaster riding was set on the Big Dipper at the Pleasure Beach, Blackpool by an AMerican diabetic (I think he was a T1). Shows that this need not be a bar to thrill seeking. 🙂

 

[Northerner]

Back in the 1990s (can't remember exactly when) the world record for endurance coaster riding was set on the Big Dipper at the Pleasure Beach, Blackpool by an AMerican diabetic (I think he was a T1). Shows that this need not be a bar to thrill seeking. 🙂

There's an article about him here, although it doesn't say what type of diabetes he has 🙂 My personal idea of hell 😱

Sorry Nikki, can't advise as I haven't been to a theme park since 1976, but I'm sure you should be able to take anything required to keep you healthy onboard - although how you'd manage a reading on one of those things I have no idea! I'd give them a call beforehand.

 

[DeusXM]

I wouldn't stress about it. Most rides last about 2 minutes, maximum. You certainly wouldn't need your tester on you for that time. I can't think of a single situation that would necessitate you having a blood glucose tester on a rollercoaster. The same really goes for glucose tablets - you're on the actual ride for about 120 seconds and generally you'll be strapped in an unable to reach your pockets anyway. Riding out a hypo for a couple of minutes isn't a big deal. Finally, the chances of a ride breaking down with you on it are also EXTREMELY slim so don't worry about that either.

You should, however, as a matter of course be carrying glucose tablets with you in your pocket wherever you go. I'd also recommend wearing something with zip-up pockets - that way you can carry your pens and your test without worrying they might fall out on the ride. Otherwise, put them in a bag which you can leave at the platform and pick up later.

Rides may have an effect on your BG - for some people, they raise it, others find they lower it. My advice is test when you're not certain but to be honest, this is a day off. Don't worry too much about your diabetes. If you've got good hypo awareness, glucose and insulin on you, you can't really screw things up significantly.

Here's some really good practical advice for you - Tesco are doing a a 2-4-1 voucher on their own-brand soft drinks for entry to Thorpe Park - get one! And you can also pay with Nectar points if you're not using a voucher. And if you're going by train, you can also get a 2-4-1 voucher at www.daysoutguide.co.uk

 

[Abi]

I would second the advice re glucose tablets in pocket ( preferably zipped and if possible pens/ metre here also). My main concern would be stuff getting "lifted" if I left it somewhere.
As a pumper, if I was going anywhere near those scary rides I would consider a return to MDI for the day as don't fancy an expensive gadget coming detached when mid air/ upside down / whatever and hurtling to the ground possibly destroying itself and colliding with someone's skull in the process. And would be even more worried about detaching it due to risk of theft. But then A , I'm a worrier and B. Not that attracted to the idea of these rides
Have a superb day. Thorpe park used to do amazing ice creams but that was about 30 years ago when I was a kid- real cones not cardboard with multiple scoops of different flavours topped with fresh cream- you'd need plenty of novorapid for those!

 

[caffeine_demon]

glucotabs in a zipped pocket may be a good idea in the rare event of a breakdown, but make sure you can access them around the restraints.

for general storage - they have lockers for a pound a go.

I've never had a problem with stuff being nicked from platforms on rides, no doubt it does happen on occasions (although I think tidal wave may be one of the few which allow you to have a bag on board with you - but it will get soaked!).

Stealth, saw and swarm all have a separate bag drop station, just before you reach the ride and issue a wristband to get your stuff back after the ride.

don't forget to ride swarm in several different seats, there's a BIG difference in the ride...

 

[DeusXM]

Make sure you have a walk round near the Saw live-action thing too - the queue is all surrounded by fences and barbwire, it looks like a concentration camp for people who shop exclusively at Hollister.

I have to say, the best ride I went on was actually the magic carpet one - I love rollercoasters but when I last went, queues were like 2 hours long. The magic carpet? No queue at all and it lasted longer than the 'coasters. Obviously not quite as thrilling but for the queue time:excitement ratio, it's a bit of a winner!

 

[hyper-Suze]

Hey guys hope everyone is well, i know iv not posted in...well, ages but i have been popping in anonymously 🙂

I need some help please! Im going to thorpe park this weekend and it will be my first theme park visit since becoming diabetic....Im not sure of the rules really (if there are any) i like all the big rides and wondering if they will cause my sugars to rise/fall??

Also with most rides they require you to leave all your bags and stuff on the platform (example: tidal wave) , should i keep some glucose on me stuffed in a pocket somewhere, coz i dont think i could take my testing kit and stuff??

I am a worrier and i guess whats paniking me is me being stuck on a ride thats broken down and iv got nothing on me, what if i have a hypo in the middle of the ride? or am i just being silly

Any comments welcome, thankyou 🙂

Hi,
I went to Alton a few weeks back, I actually tested my BG's before and after my first ride(before extensive walking affected my levels...and junk food, like Estella says!)
'Personally' for me, my levels were not affect massively(obvs the general meter fluctuation)

What did affect me was the masses of walking, even with junk food, burgers, sweets, candy floss, ice cream I was still bordering around 3-4...and did so all night once home!

As others have suggested, glucose tabs/gluco gel but I wouldn't use the general lock ups to keep your kit in...if your in a queue for hour or two at a time, you may fall hypo whilst even waiting for the ride and your blood kit may be a 15min walk away! Makes no sense!

I take a small bag with my essentials in, I take no valuables with me and if the bag is unfortunate to get 'lifted' then I keep a second, spare kit in my car(or coach as they are parked up all day)

Hope any of that helps, hope you have fun and that your levels behave!! Report back how you've got on! (we wanted to go to Thorpe in July but can't now I'm expecting, will have to go next year now )

 

[D_G]

Thanks for all the advice guys 🙂

Dues - I have my 241 tickets i have done for ages haha, thanks tho 🙂

Caffeine - Whats the swarm ride like i cant wait to get on it! lol iv not done stealth before, 2 years ago when i last went (before the D) I was in the line and chickened out lol! 🙄

So i will make sure to keep glucose on me at all times, i wont risk carrying pens with me on the rides incase i lose one but will just need to keep a good eye on my bag 🙂

If the weather stays like it has i doubt i will be able to get on much anyway as it will be packed! lol

 

[fencesitter]

I took my kids to Donnington Park shortly after my son was diagnosed. I was anxious all the time, but he was completely fine 😱 The rides didn't seem to affect his bg too much, although all that walking around meant he needed extra snacks. He kept his kit in a money belt type bag and wore it all the time, didn't seem to be a problem at all. I'm sure you'll have a wonderful time 🙂

 

[DeusXM]

So i will make sure to keep glucose on me at all times, i wont risk carrying pens with me on the rides incase i lose one but will just need to keep a good eye on my bag

You might be able to get away with pens in your pockets, if you've got the right pockets. Mine tend to stay quite well in my jeans, particularly as most of the rides put you in a seated position with a great bit bar blocking the entrance to your pockets. But a bag should be ok too.

Don't leave any spare pens or insulin in the car - even in Britain, the inside of the car can get quite hot and kill the insulin.

 

[caffeine_demon]

Caffeine - Whats the swarm ride like

ACE! Went on opening weekend with the guys from coasterforce and we all loved it!

 

[D_G]

As some fo you may have gathered i didnt go on sunday due to plans going totally flat! lol ended up going today instead and had an amazing day!!

Floated around the 10's most of the day, and felt fine, the roller coasters didnt seem to raise or drop my sugars so was happy with that! I think i was being careful not to give too much insulin and risk going low so i may have underestimated it throughout the day but oh well i had fun 🙂

...Oh and the new swarm ride is brilliant (especially if you sit at the front!)

Hope evryone is well x

 

[Northerner]

Glad to hear you enjoyed your day Nikki! 🙂 Rather you than me! 😱

 

[Steff]

Glad you enjoyed your day, I'm such a scardey cat with theme parks etc I'm off to chessington in July think il spend my time by the cafe lol

 

[D_G]

Haha i used to be like that until my mate dragged me on a rollarcoaster years ago and i loved it! altho i did try new rides today, went on stealth for the first time! (last time i went 2 yrs ago, i chickened out in the que! 🙄) and it was soo good i went on it again!

I was adamant i was not going on the saw ride.....after lots of persuasion from my mate i agreed and was really good!

Proud of myself lol! 😛 think im turining into a thrill seeker!

 

[caffeine_demon]

I love saw, me!