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There are a variety of situations that could be considered emergencies – from medical emergencies to the theft of your property to a lost child to an auto accident (along with numerous others). Each of these situations must be dealt with in its special own way.
The following information can be helpful if such a situation should arise while you’re vacationing.
Medical Emergencies
Unfortunately, someone on a family vacation may need medical treatment. In case this should happen to you, this chapter offers a list of area hospitals, walk-in care facilities, doctors who make house (or hotel) calls, as well as emergency dental-care service.
Be Prepared
Always remember to keep the phone numbers of all your doctors handy. Include not only your own physician but your children’s pediatrician, your dentist, and the number of your hometown pharmacy. If you have prescription medicines for yourself or your children, keep them handy too. In addition, keep a list of your prescription medications.
Be sure to include the name of the drug, the prescribed dosage, and the prescription number.
Remember never to pack your prescription medications in your checked luggage.
In certain cases, doctors may provide a written script for medications that you may need to fill while you’re traveling. For example, if your child is particularly susceptible to ear infections, your pediatrician may write a script for an antibiotic to take along in case there’s a reoccurrence while you’re away.
There’s likely to be a grocer or pharmacy within minutes of your hotel - some even offer a prescription delivery service, while others feature a drive-through, making a tough time just a bit easier.
Click on Shopping in Orlando for additional and detailed information as well as the locations of grocers and pharmacies located throughout the tourist areas.
Walk-In Care Facilities
In the case of a medical emergency or illnesses, there are several emergency-care facilities located throughout the Orlando area.
Lake Buena Vista--
Lake Buena Vista Centra Care
Location: 12500 Apopka Vineland Road (near the Crsossroads Shopping Center and
Downtown Disney)
Phone: 407-934-2273
Hours: Monday through Friday 8:00 a.m.-midnight; Saturday and Sunday 8:00 a.m.-8:00
p.m.
Universal Orlando/I-Drive Area--
Vineland Centra Care
Location: 6001 Vineland Road; Suite 108
Phone: 407-351-3382
Hours: Monday through Friday 7:00 a.m.-7:00 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday 8:00 a.m.–6:00 p.m.
Main Street Physicians
Location: 8723 International Drive
Phone: 407-370-4881
Hours: Monday through Friday 8:00 a.m.-.8:00 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday 8:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.
Sand Lake Hospital
Location: 9400 Turkey Lake Road (runs parallel to I-4 between the Universal Orlando area and the Lake Buena Vista area)
Phone: 407-351-8500
Hours:24 hour emergency services
Kissimmee--
Formosa Gardens Village Centra Care
Location: 7478 West U.S. 192 (between mile marker 4 and 5)
Phone: 407-397-7032
Hours: Monday through Friday 8:00 a.m.-8:00 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday 8:00 a.m.-5:00
p.m.
This is the closest location to most hotels along the U.S. 192 area, but there is a second location farther down in the opposite direction near the Medieval Times and Wal-Mart Super Store.
Kissimmee Centra Care
Location: 4320 U.S. 192 (between mile marker 14 and 15)
Phone: 407-390-1888
Hours: Monday through Friday 8:00 a.m.-8:00 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday 8:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.
Each Centra Care offers 24-hour in-room medical services, free transportation to the clinics, on-site X-ray and lab services, and accepts most major insurance plans. For inroom service, call 407-238-2000. For free transportation, call 407-239-6463
After Hours Pediatrics
After Hours Pediatrics is an urgent-care facility especially for infants, children, and young adults. There are 3 area locations, but the 2 closest to the tourist areas are listed below.
Lake Buena Vista--
Location: 12535 S.R. 535 (at the Crossroads Shopping Center)
Phone: 407-827-7113
Hours: Monday through Friday 5:00 p.m.-11:00 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday 1:00 p.m.- 11:00 p.m.
Universal Orlando/ I-Drive Area--
Location: 5018 Dr. Phillips Boulevard (Grand Oaks Shopping Center)
Phone: 407-363-5753
Hours: Monday through Friday 5:00 p.m.-11:00 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday 1:00 p.m.- 11:00 p.m.
Doc at Your Door
Phone: 407-970-3138
Hours: on call 24 hours a day
This is a service that provides house or, in this case, room calls. They are on call 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to treat illnesses and minor ailments (generally not requiring an X-ray or lab work). They do expect payment by check, cash, or credit card but will provide a detailed bill for you to submit to your insurance.
Dental Care
If you or your children find yourselves in need of emergency dental services, whether a for a toothache, abscess, or injury, emergency dental services are available.
The 24-Hour Dentist
Location: 7259 International Drive
Phone: 407-903-0320
Five Star Dental
Location: 7800 W. Sand Lake Rd.
Phone: 407-226-350
Keep in Mind
Many insurance providers now require that you call them, or at least your physician, prior to receiving emergency care. Always have these phone numbers handy and remember to call them immediately if someone in the family should require medical care. In some instances, if you have not called your physician for a referral or approval prior to receiving care, the care you receive may not be covered by the insurance company.
As much as we would all like to think that vacations are going to be enjoyed without incident, don’t fool yourself into thinking that this can’t happen to you. Looking back over the years, there have been trips to the emergency room or walk-in care facilities on at least half of our vacations, whether for an ear infection, a high fever, or the usual bumps and bruises. In one instance, however, we were faced with a case of Lyme disease - you just never know. Hopefully you will never require any of the services listed above, but it’s good to know they’re available to those who may need it.
As a Note: Included in the list of providers are area doctors, dentists, and health care facilities - all of which located in or near Orlando’s most popular tourist districts. There is no implied endorsement.
In the Case of Theft, Fire, or Burglary
To reach the police, ambulance, or fire department, dial 911 from any phone (including your cell phone). If you are a victim of theft, it is suggested that you call the local nonemergency number for the police. Also, something to keep in mind - insurance claims require a police report.
Orlando Police Department (non-emergency) 407/246-2401
Kissimmee Police Department (non-emergency) 407/847-0176
Always keep a copy of your insurance information with you whether it’s for your car, your renter’s policy, or your homeowners policy (including your policy number, your agents name - address - and phone number, the claims phone number, and any other pertinent phone numbers that may be necessary in the case of an emergency).
Financial Emergencies:
Lost or Stolen Credit Cards or Travelers’ Checks should be reported immediately. To
report missing credit cards or travelers’ checks call the issuing company and they will
direct you how to proceed. The following is a list of toll free numbers to call should you
find that your cards or checks have been lost or stolen:
CreditCards
American Express: (800)528-4800
Diners Club: (800)234-6377
Discover: (800)347-2683
MasterCard: (800)826-2181
Visa: (800)336-8472
Travelers’Checks
American Express: (800)221-7282
MasterCard: (800) 223-9920
Thomas Cook: (800) 223-7373
Visa: (800) 227-6811.
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