disney world dreamer
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Apr 23, 2010
i'm not sure how most people organize their trip reports but i'm just going to give you a day by day run down.
dates: april 12th early AM to april 16th early PM.
guests: just me! went solo for the first time and i'm visually impaired.
resort: pop century in a standard room
tickets: 5 day base ticket
dining: paid OOP at QS restaurants
weather: more like summer instead of spring. hot, humid, sunny, and while there was lots of rain around i was lucky enou that most missed disney world.
SUNDAY APRIL 12TH
i arrived at the buffalo airport at 3:30am and i was assisted through security and to my gate.
my flight left on time at 5:30am.
i arrived at MCO at 8:10am.
i was assisted to DME and left within just a few minutes.
we stopped at AOA before going to POP.
i opted for direct to room check in and received an email with my resort room number and a resort map about 15 minutes prior to my arrival at POP.
i dodged the CM's stopping guests to give them the peil of what to do if you need to check in, checked in online, or opted for direct to room check in.
since i already knew i could head to my room thats what i did.
i freshened up and headed to MK.
i was eating lunch at cosmic ray's starlight cafe at 11:30am and there were plenty of seats to choose from.
i then went on TTA and COP.
after that i met gaston and i made it just in time because they cut off the line as soon as i got in.
then i met tiana and again the line was cut off after me so i made it just in time.
at that point i watched enchanted tiki room.
after that i used a FP+ for jungle cruise which i would not normally do but because it was closing for refurb i decided that would lock in one of my all time favorite rides.
while still in adventureland i took the opportunity to meet jasmine and aladdin at 3:30pm.
there were only a few groups ahead of me.
i wanted to go on POTC but i did not have time as i needed to get to my splash mountain FP+.
after splash mountain i went back over to POTC and waisted in line for 15 minutes.
at that point i made my way back to tomorrowland for my space mountain FP+.
i ate dinner at cosmic ray's starlight cafe again at about 6pm and again there were so many open tables and chairs it was strange for prime dinner time.
MONDAY APRIL 13TH
i woke up at 6:45am and arrived at HS at 8:15am.
RD occurred at about 8:50am.
i headed directly to RNRC and had to wait until exactly 9am for them to open the line.
i was among the second group into the preshow.
i was in and out within 15 minutes.
around 9:15am i went on TOT.
i was way ahead of the schedule that i had planned out and i knew i probably would be but i just wanted to give myself a realistic time frame.
my FP+ for TSMM started at 9:35am and i walked right on the ride.
no one and i mean no one was in the FP+ line.
i was out of there at 9:50am so i headed to the 10am show for VOTLM.
that ariel had a great voice!
around 10:10am i was in line for GMR.
usually i just walk right through the line and don't stop until i'm in the movie previews room.
oddly this time i experienced quite the wait.
it was backed up outside and around that portion of line.
idk how long i actually waited but once in the movie previews room i was on the ride within 5 minutes.
i went to muppet vision 3D after that and i hit it at the right time because the show was starting in 3 minutes.
it was only 11:50am at that point.
i knew i had plenty of time to eat so i had a mac n cheese hot dog at fairfax fare.
AND because i used a disney visa rewards redemption card i was given a fre cupcake!
that was a real surprise and delicious too.
i sat and relaxed for a few minutes then went to BATB for the 1pm show.
i haven't heard a good belle in a number of trips so i was so happy with how amazing this belle can sing!
i had a FP+ for TOT from 1:20pm-2:20pm so i went on that just before heading back to POP.
at POP i swam since mousekeeping was still a couple rooms away from cleaning mine.
after that i got ready to go to DTD where i had planned to shop and world of disney and then eat at earl of sandwich.
now HERE is where my painful "trip" report comes into play lol.
i walked behind the days of christmas store to go to the bathroom on the other side before i went off to shop.
as i came out of the bathroom heading full force looking towards the carousel i suddenly ended up on the ground!
i had flew right over a short section of brick coming out of the wall (like the bricks that are surrounding the planted areas but this brick had no plants and idk why its even there).
my lower legs were stopped by the brick but the rest of me just kept going.
i tried to put my arms out but it was too late.
the bottom of my chin slammed into the concrete ground.
at first i thought my head was gonna pop off.
i jumped up in shock and noticed that nobody saw it happen.
i walked over to a guy sitting about 20 feet away looking at his phone and said i think i need help.
he said "yeah you do you're bleeding a lot!"
he got a could of CM's and then ran to get me paper towels.
911 was called and the paramedics said it would need stitches.
i opted to go to urgent care which was onproperty and only 5 minutes away.
prior to going the paramedics helped me to the bathroom to wash my hands that were covered in blood from holding them to my chin before i got paper towels.
then a CM came and gave me a frozen t-shirt to change into because my shirt had blood on it.
they joked and said i went to extremes to get a free souvenir.
i t was a little tight but i am very grateful that they were thinking of me and trying to do what they could to make my situation better.
the urgent care offers a free shuttle there and then back to your resort when you are discharged.
everyone there was very nice and i would definitely recommend going there if you are injured or sick but not to the point that you'd need a hospital.
i received 3 stitches, a tetanus shot, and antibiotics and my insurance is truly amazing!
i was afraid it was going to cost me at least a couple hundred dollars since its out of network but it only cost me $70.
a kind of expensive "souvenir" but nothing i couldn't handle.
the fall happened around 6pm and i was back at my resort at 9:45pm.
since i had not eaten dinner yet i grabbed some pizza and salad.
between talking to my parents, sisters, and best friend and then getting ready for bed i did not go to sleep until 12:45am.
TUESDAY APRIL 14TH
i did not sleep very well but that made me feel less tired somehow so when the alarm went off at 6am i actually was able to get up.
of course we took some scenic route to get to epcot when it was standing room only.
i arrived just a few minutes before the 8am EMH.
i went straight to TTand among the second group into the preshow room.
after that i went on spaceship earth.
then took a leisurely stroll to figment.
then i went on living with the land.
i was getting hungry at that point but i wanted lunch not breakfast.
i cahnged my soarin FP+ to an earlier time so i didn't have to sit around waiting.
after that i ate at sunshine seasons and there were plenty of tables available.
after i was done eating my sister called so i relaxed and talked to her.
after that i took off this giant band aid i was SUPPOSED to wear for 24 hours but i did not want to have it on during pics.
luckily because its on the under side of my chin you cannot see it unless i left my head up so pics came out great.
i did the disney visa meet n greet/free 5x7 experience and met minnie and pluto.
i headed to WS and was in time to meet alice and then mary poppins in the UK.
in france i took pics of the beauty and the beast topiaries and had an ice cream sandwich then waited in line to meet belle.
i continued walking around WS and met snow white in germany.
i did single rider line for TT then relaxed in the breezeway for a while since it was soooo sunny and hot!
i had dinner at electric umbrella around 6pm and the place was practicall y empty!
i then went to get my free 5x7 pic at the photo shop.
then i went back on figment and since i had plenty of time before illuminations i decided to go to the character spot where i waited for about 20 minutes.
i met mickey and goofy.
minnie were there as well but since i had already met her i skipped over here.
i then found a nice place around WS with a high fence to lean on and called my sister (not the one i talked to after lunch).
illuminations was amazing as always and i always get teary when the song "we go on" plays.
WEDNESDAY APRIL 15TH
got up at 6:45am.
arrived just in time for the welcome show.
i headed straight for fantasyland and was happy to here the song "meet me in st. louis" as i walked down main street usa.
that song just makes me feel good.
i went on peter pan's flight.
then i realized small world was closed
i watched mickey's philharmaic, rode winnie the pooh, and rode under the sea by 10am so i sat and relaxed until my 10:45am BOG reservation.
i walked right in and they confirmed my order and i found a seat.
i was leisurely about eating so i was in there for a good 45 minutes.
it was just so hot and sunny outside i didn't want to leave lol.
i then had a FP+ for BTMR.
then changed my splash mountain FP+ for a slighntly earlier time.
after that i changed my space mountain FP+ to an earlier time because i was becoming overheated and exhausted even with drinking a couple of bottles of water thus far that day.
i was going to go on TTA one last time but oddly the line was long so i passed.
i got back to the resort around 2pm and took a nap.
at 4pm i decided to try DTD again.
i successfully was able to shop and get earl of sandwich without incident lol.
i took my food back to POP so i could eat in peace in my room instead of in the crazy loud restaurant.
it was then that i realized how much more organized the bus area is from DTD to the resorts.
a bus for POP was there within a few minutes.
after i ate i started packing to go home.
i knew that any souvenirs i bought i wanted them to go in my checked luggage so i went to AOA to look to see what they had.
i found a couple things but i wanted to sleep on them before buying.
as i walked out of there it started raining and thundering and lightning.
needless to say that was not a very pleasant experience to walk back to POP.
and of course i did not have my poncho. i had decided i "wouldn't need it" so i just had my wallet and cellphone in my pockets.
THURSDAY APRIL 16TH
initially i had planned to go to HS just to ride RNRC and TOT one last time but i decided i rather 'sleep; in" until 8an and be able to do some last minute shopping before taking my checked luggage to RAC.
i went back over to AOA and did buy a couple things.
then i went to POP and bought a couple more things.
by 10am i was back in my room putting my souvenirs into my luggage
at 11am i took my luggage to RAC and then had a bite to eat and waited for my DME to come.
at 12:30pm i got on DME and was at MCO at 1:10pm.
the driver was awesome and we had a ot of fun with him talking about different attractions on the way instead of watching the video.
they are now dropping everyone off at the same spot instead of having 2 drop off locations.
when i got inside i was assisted through security and to my gate.
my flight did take off on time at 3:30pm even though it had started raining.
there were several portions of the flight that ere very turbulant.
i arrived back at buffalo at 6pm and was assisted to get my luggage.
then my friend picked me up and took me home.
my final thoughts...
i was very pleased with my direct to room check in experience.
i requested the 50's section , lake side, and early arrival and all my requests were honored.
everyone i came in contact with was very much ready to assist me when i needed help due to being visually impaired and not being able to see well in dim lighting.
i don't believe tripping over the brick was due to my visual impairment like many may think.
i just think it was a poorly chosen spot to have a random short brick area.
had i been looking down i would have noticed it but i was looking ahead and walking swiftly with a purpose.
i feel like some people would have allowed that experience to ruin their vacation but i don't let things like that get to me.
instead i bounce back and continue to have a great time.
and the CM's were so good about the situation and had they not helped so immediately i may have freaked out.
they kept me calm and i did not even shed a tear throughout the whole ordeal.
going solo with a visual impairment was very scary for me at first but i became more configent and realized that when i needed help all i had to do was ask a CM or even a random stranger.
did i have fun going solo?
yes.
would i do it again?
i'm not sure.
during some attractions i felt like i was not "in the moment" insted i'd have thoughts of where i needed to go next.
i feel like when i'm with others we've decided on a plan and i can just hold on to their bag while walking and let myself take it all in and when in an attraction i don't have to think about what time it is or the timing of it all because the person i'm with is sort of "in charge" of those things and i know that person is not letting the plans and timing rule their mind as much as it ruled mine.
if i do go solo again i will only do 3 park days and i will make sure i have more down time.
dates: april 12th early AM to april 16th early PM.
guests: just me! went solo for the first time and i'm visually impaired.
resort: pop century in a standard room
tickets: 5 day base ticket
dining: paid OOP at QS restaurants
weather: more like summer instead of spring. hot, humid, sunny, and while there was lots of rain around i was lucky enou that most missed disney world.
SUNDAY APRIL 12TH
i arrived at the buffalo airport at 3:30am and i was assisted through security and to my gate.
my flight left on time at 5:30am.
i arrived at MCO at 8:10am.
i was assisted to DME and left within just a few minutes.
we stopped at AOA before going to POP.
i opted for direct to room check in and received an email with my resort room number and a resort map about 15 minutes prior to my arrival at POP.
i dodged the CM's stopping guests to give them the peil of what to do if you need to check in, checked in online, or opted for direct to room check in.
since i already knew i could head to my room thats what i did.
i freshened up and headed to MK.
i was eating lunch at cosmic ray's starlight cafe at 11:30am and there were plenty of seats to choose from.
i then went on TTA and COP.
after that i met gaston and i made it just in time because they cut off the line as soon as i got in.
then i met tiana and again the line was cut off after me so i made it just in time.
at that point i watched enchanted tiki room.
after that i used a FP+ for jungle cruise which i would not normally do but because it was closing for refurb i decided that would lock in one of my all time favorite rides.
while still in adventureland i took the opportunity to meet jasmine and aladdin at 3:30pm.
there were only a few groups ahead of me.
i wanted to go on POTC but i did not have time as i needed to get to my splash mountain FP+.
after splash mountain i went back over to POTC and waisted in line for 15 minutes.
at that point i made my way back to tomorrowland for my space mountain FP+.
i ate dinner at cosmic ray's starlight cafe again at about 6pm and again there were so many open tables and chairs it was strange for prime dinner time.
MONDAY APRIL 13TH
i woke up at 6:45am and arrived at HS at 8:15am.
RD occurred at about 8:50am.
i headed directly to RNRC and had to wait until exactly 9am for them to open the line.
i was among the second group into the preshow.
i was in and out within 15 minutes.
around 9:15am i went on TOT.
i was way ahead of the schedule that i had planned out and i knew i probably would be but i just wanted to give myself a realistic time frame.
my FP+ for TSMM started at 9:35am and i walked right on the ride.
no one and i mean no one was in the FP+ line.
i was out of there at 9:50am so i headed to the 10am show for VOTLM.
that ariel had a great voice!
around 10:10am i was in line for GMR.
usually i just walk right through the line and don't stop until i'm in the movie previews room.
oddly this time i experienced quite the wait.
it was backed up outside and around that portion of line.
idk how long i actually waited but once in the movie previews room i was on the ride within 5 minutes.
i went to muppet vision 3D after that and i hit it at the right time because the show was starting in 3 minutes.
it was only 11:50am at that point.
i knew i had plenty of time to eat so i had a mac n cheese hot dog at fairfax fare.
AND because i used a disney visa rewards redemption card i was given a fre cupcake!
that was a real surprise and delicious too.
i sat and relaxed for a few minutes then went to BATB for the 1pm show.
i haven't heard a good belle in a number of trips so i was so happy with how amazing this belle can sing!
i had a FP+ for TOT from 1:20pm-2:20pm so i went on that just before heading back to POP.
at POP i swam since mousekeeping was still a couple rooms away from cleaning mine.
after that i got ready to go to DTD where i had planned to shop and world of disney and then eat at earl of sandwich.
now HERE is where my painful "trip" report comes into play lol.
i walked behind the days of christmas store to go to the bathroom on the other side before i went off to shop.
as i came out of the bathroom heading full force looking towards the carousel i suddenly ended up on the ground!
i had flew right over a short section of brick coming out of the wall (like the bricks that are surrounding the planted areas but this brick had no plants and idk why its even there).
my lower legs were stopped by the brick but the rest of me just kept going.
i tried to put my arms out but it was too late.
the bottom of my chin slammed into the concrete ground.
at first i thought my head was gonna pop off.
i jumped up in shock and noticed that nobody saw it happen.
i walked over to a guy sitting about 20 feet away looking at his phone and said i think i need help.
he said "yeah you do you're bleeding a lot!"
he got a could of CM's and then ran to get me paper towels.
911 was called and the paramedics said it would need stitches.
i opted to go to urgent care which was onproperty and only 5 minutes away.
prior to going the paramedics helped me to the bathroom to wash my hands that were covered in blood from holding them to my chin before i got paper towels.
then a CM came and gave me a frozen t-shirt to change into because my shirt had blood on it.
they joked and said i went to extremes to get a free souvenir.
i t was a little tight but i am very grateful that they were thinking of me and trying to do what they could to make my situation better.
the urgent care offers a free shuttle there and then back to your resort when you are discharged.
everyone there was very nice and i would definitely recommend going there if you are injured or sick but not to the point that you'd need a hospital.
i received 3 stitches, a tetanus shot, and antibiotics and my insurance is truly amazing!
i was afraid it was going to cost me at least a couple hundred dollars since its out of network but it only cost me $70.
a kind of expensive "souvenir" but nothing i couldn't handle.
the fall happened around 6pm and i was back at my resort at 9:45pm.
since i had not eaten dinner yet i grabbed some pizza and salad.
between talking to my parents, sisters, and best friend and then getting ready for bed i did not go to sleep until 12:45am.
TUESDAY APRIL 14TH
i did not sleep very well but that made me feel less tired somehow so when the alarm went off at 6am i actually was able to get up.
of course we took some scenic route to get to epcot when it was standing room only.
i arrived just a few minutes before the 8am EMH.
i went straight to TTand among the second group into the preshow room.
after that i went on spaceship earth.
then took a leisurely stroll to figment.
then i went on living with the land.
i was getting hungry at that point but i wanted lunch not breakfast.
i cahnged my soarin FP+ to an earlier time so i didn't have to sit around waiting.
after that i ate at sunshine seasons and there were plenty of tables available.
after i was done eating my sister called so i relaxed and talked to her.
after that i took off this giant band aid i was SUPPOSED to wear for 24 hours but i did not want to have it on during pics.
luckily because its on the under side of my chin you cannot see it unless i left my head up so pics came out great.
i did the disney visa meet n greet/free 5x7 experience and met minnie and pluto.
i headed to WS and was in time to meet alice and then mary poppins in the UK.
in france i took pics of the beauty and the beast topiaries and had an ice cream sandwich then waited in line to meet belle.
i continued walking around WS and met snow white in germany.
i did single rider line for TT then relaxed in the breezeway for a while since it was soooo sunny and hot!
i had dinner at electric umbrella around 6pm and the place was practicall y empty!
i then went to get my free 5x7 pic at the photo shop.
then i went back on figment and since i had plenty of time before illuminations i decided to go to the character spot where i waited for about 20 minutes.
i met mickey and goofy.
minnie were there as well but since i had already met her i skipped over here.
i then found a nice place around WS with a high fence to lean on and called my sister (not the one i talked to after lunch).
illuminations was amazing as always and i always get teary when the song "we go on" plays.
WEDNESDAY APRIL 15TH
got up at 6:45am.
arrived just in time for the welcome show.
i headed straight for fantasyland and was happy to here the song "meet me in st. louis" as i walked down main street usa.
that song just makes me feel good.
i went on peter pan's flight.
then i realized small world was closed
i watched mickey's philharmaic, rode winnie the pooh, and rode under the sea by 10am so i sat and relaxed until my 10:45am BOG reservation.
i walked right in and they confirmed my order and i found a seat.
i was leisurely about eating so i was in there for a good 45 minutes.
it was just so hot and sunny outside i didn't want to leave lol.
i then had a FP+ for BTMR.
then changed my splash mountain FP+ for a slighntly earlier time.
after that i changed my space mountain FP+ to an earlier time because i was becoming overheated and exhausted even with drinking a couple of bottles of water thus far that day.
i was going to go on TTA one last time but oddly the line was long so i passed.
i got back to the resort around 2pm and took a nap.
at 4pm i decided to try DTD again.
i successfully was able to shop and get earl of sandwich without incident lol.
i took my food back to POP so i could eat in peace in my room instead of in the crazy loud restaurant.
it was then that i realized how much more organized the bus area is from DTD to the resorts.
a bus for POP was there within a few minutes.
after i ate i started packing to go home.
i knew that any souvenirs i bought i wanted them to go in my checked luggage so i went to AOA to look to see what they had.
i found a couple things but i wanted to sleep on them before buying.
as i walked out of there it started raining and thundering and lightning.
needless to say that was not a very pleasant experience to walk back to POP.
and of course i did not have my poncho. i had decided i "wouldn't need it" so i just had my wallet and cellphone in my pockets.
THURSDAY APRIL 16TH
initially i had planned to go to HS just to ride RNRC and TOT one last time but i decided i rather 'sleep; in" until 8an and be able to do some last minute shopping before taking my checked luggage to RAC.
i went back over to AOA and did buy a couple things.
then i went to POP and bought a couple more things.
by 10am i was back in my room putting my souvenirs into my luggage
at 11am i took my luggage to RAC and then had a bite to eat and waited for my DME to come.
at 12:30pm i got on DME and was at MCO at 1:10pm.
the driver was awesome and we had a ot of fun with him talking about different attractions on the way instead of watching the video.
they are now dropping everyone off at the same spot instead of having 2 drop off locations.
when i got inside i was assisted through security and to my gate.
my flight did take off on time at 3:30pm even though it had started raining.
there were several portions of the flight that ere very turbulant.
i arrived back at buffalo at 6pm and was assisted to get my luggage.
then my friend picked me up and took me home.
my final thoughts...
i was very pleased with my direct to room check in experience.
i requested the 50's section , lake side, and early arrival and all my requests were honored.
everyone i came in contact with was very much ready to assist me when i needed help due to being visually impaired and not being able to see well in dim lighting.
i don't believe tripping over the brick was due to my visual impairment like many may think.
i just think it was a poorly chosen spot to have a random short brick area.
had i been looking down i would have noticed it but i was looking ahead and walking swiftly with a purpose.
i feel like some people would have allowed that experience to ruin their vacation but i don't let things like that get to me.
instead i bounce back and continue to have a great time.
and the CM's were so good about the situation and had they not helped so immediately i may have freaked out.
they kept me calm and i did not even shed a tear throughout the whole ordeal.
going solo with a visual impairment was very scary for me at first but i became more configent and realized that when i needed help all i had to do was ask a CM or even a random stranger.
did i have fun going solo?
yes.
would i do it again?
i'm not sure.
during some attractions i felt like i was not "in the moment" insted i'd have thoughts of where i needed to go next.
i feel like when i'm with others we've decided on a plan and i can just hold on to their bag while walking and let myself take it all in and when in an attraction i don't have to think about what time it is or the timing of it all because the person i'm with is sort of "in charge" of those things and i know that person is not letting the plans and timing rule their mind as much as it ruled mine.
if i do go solo again i will only do 3 park days and i will make sure i have more down time.
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