Whew! That was a close one!! If we had been stuck in the Pop lobby a minute longer, we mightev wasted another precious snack credit in the food court! I was saving those bad boys for quality snacks like Dole Whips, school bread, kaki gori, and a host of other DIS suggested snacking choices. I had already wasted one on the overhyped tie dyed cheesecake. I should have gotten the twinkie tiramisu as recommended by the giant poster in the elevator. And not just because it had the word twinkie in it. Every trip in the elevator reminded me of my poorly chosen snack option. Thank you fellow DISers!
So where were we? Oh yes, discovering the wonderful world of
ECV loading and the joys of Disney transportation. Warning: a little rant is coming! I have a new found compassion for the EVC and wheelchair bound. I am very thankful to have two perfectly working legs as well as no other hidden health conditions that necessitate the need for walking assistance. I just cant imagine that anyone would willingly waste so much Disney time just for the sake of pure laziness. I firmly believe that anyone who would subject themselves to all of the nasty stares and delayed Disney gratification is ONLY doing so because they really do have a legitimate need. Now I am not speaking of abuse that may or may not happen within the parks. This rant is strictly related to Disney transportation. Im not criticizing Disney transportation; Im just saying that it takes time to do things in a safe manner. And while during an entire trip, you may be delayed 2 or 3 times due to EVC loading, remember that these people have this delay for EVERY load. Ok, rant over!
Now you are probably thinking
when are you gonna get to the good stuff? Like rides, shows, eating? All you seem to be talking about is herding this group of cats. Well, sorry to disappoint, but most of this trip was about moving this group of 11 from one place to another and is the source of the drama and entertainment! The few rides and shows are just fillers. Nothing really exciting happened once we were in the parks
well, except for a near death experience
and a few other things. Oh no, here comes another rant: Why did someone not tell me that quite often the bus stops are further from the parks than the
AAA diamond parking lot? In some cases (most) we should have driven to the park so we could ride the tram! While you cant get an EVC on the tram, MIL could drive herself while the rest of us rode the tram. Rant over
maybe. I believe the Pop stop at Epcot is at the very end of the depot. We had yet to secure a ride for Grandma, so she had to walk. The details are a little foggy, but Grandpa rented a wheelchair at Epcot, but the chair stayed there. (he had a paper to get a chair at other locations) I know I didnt explain it well, but youll see soon. Finally, we get this herd into Epcot, and get EMH bracelets. OMG! Lines for this, lines for that
I need a drink, or a snack
wheres that kaki gori? By the time we got bracelets, we only had time to do one thing. I wanted to take this crew to Soarin, but no time. Spaceship Earth was right there and no line
..but where is the handicapped entrance? I quickly ask the CM, and she says go to the 4th bush and take a left. WHAT? To me that was hilarious! Now, one would think that since I am the pack leader, that everyone is paying attention to me (its all about me!) and will just follow me, right? Oh yeah, keep in mind that in the distance from the bus stop to Spaceship Earth, I have already yelled at Whiner about 5 times for getting ahead of the group. Each time I send him to hold his fathers hand and I mumble to Sirius
why isnt your brother watching HIS child? I am busy trying to round up Whiner. Meanwhile Grandpa is heading up the ramp pushing Grandma and being chased down by a CM
.Sir, sir, this isnt the wheelchair entrance. Of course, the remaining 9 of us are yelling from about the 2nd bush, GRANDPA, GRANDPA, THIS WAY! Since there is nowhere to turn around, he has to back down the ramp while people are trying to go up the ramp. By now, a large crowd has formed as there is a major road block, and nobody understands what is going on. Grandma is mad and fussing at Grandpa for not paying attention. They both were acting so ugly! See why we didnt ride much? Its because we cant even find where to enter the rides, much less get on them!! Finally, we are all heading for the 4th bush when what do you know? Whiner announces the need for a potty break. What Im thinking is: hold it you little brat! What I actually say is: hold it you little brat. Just kidding! I say, go tell YOUR parent. I hear BIL tell him he can wait. So, a left at the 4th bush, and what do we see? A set of stairs. Ok, everyone, please laugh along with me, cause thats all I could do at that moment!

In the background, Grandpa is yelling, come on now, this is a bathroom. At last we spy a tiny button to push
.like for the family bathroom at the mall. You push the button and wait to be deemed worthy of group waste removal. Id like to say that the door opened, we entered, and had an uneventful ride to the top of the golfball
..