Disney Dreams
Proudly afflicted with TDMA!
- Joined
- Mar 10, 2006
- Messages
- 16,168
Friday, July 2nd, DH and I went to the Park for a few hours with a few specific goals:
1. For DH to ride Star Tours... finally
2. For me to see Soundsational
3. For us to enjoy the 4th of July fireworks
Anything else that we worked into the evening would be bonus. (Spoiler: There was not much bonus by night's end.
)
Additionally, there was a factor to our visit that was different than usual for us that provided me with some insight that may provide valuable information to others here: I was in a wheelchair.
I decided to share this particular visit so others can benefit in terms of:
So... on with my updates and insights.
Arriving
We arrived at the Park around 5:45pm. I was dropped off at the 15 minute parking. Due to a foot injury, I am not able to walk much at the moment. I hobbled my way to wheelchair rentals where I got a wheelchair for the afternoon/evening. DH parked the car in M&F and met me at the Main Gate.
When we called to inquire about how close someone needing a wheelchair could be dropped off via car, we were told 15 minute parking. We found out later a tip that may come in handy for others. Wheelchairs that are rented are not allowed beyond security. Therefore, I had to somehow get myself to the rental spot. Apparently, the lead cast members at wheelchair rental have the discretion to issue a special pass that allows someone to take a wheelchair beyond security to pick up a friend/family member at 15 minute parking and bring them into the area. This would have been great to know! It is important to note however that this is not a guarantee and is at the discretion of the cast member in charge at the time.
So... I'm in my wheelchair, DH meets me, and in the Park we go. Wheeee! Something about seeing Main Street refreshes the spirit almost instantly. The Park was semi-crowded, but to be honest, it was hard for me to judge since I was being pushed in a wheelchair... which is very different from walking through the crowds. First stop: City Hall for a GAC. It was explained to us that with a wheelchair, we did not need one anymore. The wheelchair itself serves as clearance to enter and alternative queues or seating areas as necessary at attractions. This is apparently a change in policy (which is why I am mentioning it for others' benefit). We were also given a guide to all the wheelchair entrances for every attraction. Handy guide! And we were off....
Observations from a Wheelchair
Wow! What an education for me! In a wheelchair you are either completely invisible to people around you or you are offered assistance in the kindest of ways. There really felt like no middle. I cannot count how many times DH had to stop short because people were simply walking right into me. Or... he was trying to get me to a specific spot (maybe to look at something in a store, for example) and people either didn't care or were completely oblivious to the fact that I was there.
On the other side, a complete stranger offered to help push me up an incline during a time when I was on my own and trying to get somewhere for which my arm strength was not prepared. One person helped me pay for an ice cream when I could not reach high enough to connect with the CM selling it... just seconds after two people completely cut in front of me in line because I had not wheeled myself forward the extra three inches (due to another slight incline).
It was a HUGE eye-opening experience. One that I am thankful I had and one that I am thankful is not permanent for me.
The lampposts were decked out for 4th of July
As were the planters
The windows were decorated with red, white, and blue touches, but I was not able to get pictures because, well, when you are in a wheelchair, you are at the whim of someone else’s kindness so my usual photography had to be curtailed some.
Due to being in a wheelchair, I was able to sitting in a special area on Main Street for Soundsational. For anyone who is not aware, if you are in a wheelchair or ECV, there is a designated area at the Hub for viewing the parade. You do not need anything special to be granted access. Simply wheel over to the area and the CM will allow you in. There are also benches there for friends and family of those on wheels.
DH got me over to the above-mentioned area and I locked my wheels. I was ready for the new parade!
DH? Oh, he was headed over to a 110 minute wait at Star Tours. Bye, see you later! 
Soundsational
I have been wanting to see this and have not had time to do so. I liked the parade. I thought it was fun. I liked the floats, the characters, the performers. Ironically, the one thing I thought was disjointed was the music. It didn't really tie together throughout the parade from one segment to the next. However, overall, I loved it. I could see well (a concern I had knowing I was going to be viewing from a wheelchair), it was high-energy, it was "Disney-esque," and I left smiling.
I took lots of pictures, so you can enjoy as well.
Hey look! Minnie! And Mickey! And look! His eyes blink (right when I click my picture, of course! )
Cool looking float
More fun rollin' down Main Street
Oh, oh! Look at the side of it!
Pretty and Fun
Under the sea lalalala Cool costuming effect! And, hey, who's that red-head up there?
Oooh, look! Fiesta time!
Yay! The princesses!
A Little Lion King, Anyone?
One more princess... and her friends
Off to Neverland!
Awww, Mary and Burt! (And their horses went up and down!)
Fun and playful float
Wheeling Around, Solo
After the parade, well, DH was still in line for Star Tours so I decided I was going to go ride the Mark Twain around the river --- something I love doing. All I had to do it push myself right down - that - path to the riverfront. No problem. Well, LOL, connecting back to my observations from a wheelchair, I will just leave this at saying that I never technically left Main Street. Just getting down one sidewalk ramp and up the one of the other side was a lot of work for the arms. I always thought that being in a wheelchair would be sort of cool because you could get momentum going and then just coast, while I have to constantly use energy to walk (left, right, left, right, left). Well, WOW, was that thought WAY wrong. My hands got roughed up, my arms were sore. On the down ramp I was scared I was not going to be able to stop without running into someone (remember those people who completely ignore you in a wheelchair? Yeah, them.) On the way up a ramp, I would coast back down as I readjusted my hands to pull the wheels forward again. I decided to just find a nice little spot in the Hub to park and enjoy the view of Main Street and the castle while waiting for DH. An enlightening experience to say the least regarding life in a wheelchair.
I did manage to get myself over to the Times Board to pin trade (but no pins!). While there I snapped this for all of you (although I”m really not sure how it helps anyone since this was July 4th weekend, but... here you go. July 1st, 7:30pm.
Star Tours
So, I know someone is going to want to know and even though I didn’t go on it, here’s the summary from DH. Wait time was 110 minutes. He says it was pretty close to accurate. DH said that the queue wraps outside, inside, outside, and inside again. Once inside the main queue area, there was a giant video screen showing various Star Tours commercials, showcasing destinations. When DH exited Star Tours, I received a text with two words, “Freakin’ Awesome!” I guess that’s two hours well spent.
Fireworks
While waiting in the Hub, after giving up on actually going anywhere until DH returned, I noticed people started camping out for fireworks. It was about 7:15pm. When standing, I know exactly where I like to be to watch fireworks. Exactly. But where does someone in a wheelchair want to be? Well... I had no clue. So... my investigating began. I wheeled myself around the Hub area talking with various cast members getting their input and ideas. I finally settled on a spot and decided I was going to hope for the best. I always believed that anywhere would be fine for fireworks viewing if in a wheelchair because, well, the fireworks are - up there - right? Well, wrong. If people are standing directly in front of you - or if there is a steady walkway right in front of you - while you are sitting in a wheelchair, your sightline to the sky becomes obstructed. With this discovery, I found what I thought would be an ideal spot. I parked myself right in the middle of the street and waited for DH. The crowds started to form around me. It was about two hours before the fireworks were scheduled to start.
When DH joined me people seemed a little more understanding about the ONE spot I saved next to me. He then went to get us dinner and I had to fend off people from that one spot non-stop. During the next 30 minutes I had people try to move my wheelchair (while I was in it) forward to make space of them behind me where other people already were, people hung bags on my wheelchair handles, and asked if they could put their belongings under my wheelchair since “there’s empty space there.” - sigh - We enjoyed our dinner while waiting for 9:30pm. Then - the voice from the sky:
“Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls, tonight fireworks show may be delayed due to technical difficulties.”
Uh-oh.
This was one of our three reasons for going to the Park. In fact, it was the main reason. It’s only shown for four nights and DH is blocked after the 1st. The fireworks HAD to happen. They just HAD to. And then the voice again. 9:35pm. I look up at the flag from the turret of the castle. It was waving a bit too much. But the announcement was not the specific announcement that we have heard many times regarding wind. They HAVE to happen. They HAVE to. DH looks at me. He takes my hand, stares at me and says, “No whammies.” “No whammies,” I repeat. And look back at the flag that’s waving too fast. Sitting in my wheelchair, needing a little dash of pixie in my world at the moment, I looked down at DH who was sitting next to me, I looked at the people all packed in around the Hub and up and down Main Street and I whispered, “No whammies. No whammies.” At approximately 9:50pm (?) the lights went out and the music started. The fireworks were great. The music was wonderful. The show was, well, true to Disney fireworks shows, worth the wait and very enjoyable.
Now It's Time to Say Good-bye
As we walked/wheeled our way out of the Park after the fireworks, I wanted to wander through the shops on Main Street. In a wheelchair, this proved to be challenging. DH struggled with people walking RIGHT in front of us, cutting us off, and not wanting to run over anyone. It was tricky. We also learned the wheelchair just BARELY fit through some of the Main Street shops’ doors. It turned out to be too much effort and we just decided to head home.
On our way out, I took a couple of pictures of the 4th decor. Here’s a parting shot for you to enjoy to close out my summary of our quick visit. It was a different Disney visit for me, but like all others, good for the soul.
One last dose of pixie dust
After exiting the Park, we went and returned the wheelchair. At this point, DH went to M&F to get the car to pick me up at 15 minute parking and I started to hobble my way there. Without going into all the details, the Cast Members there saw that I was limping along. I heard one of them said something to the other, but couldn’t make it out as I was slowly moving away from their counter. One of them then called after me to come over towards her, to my left where the ECVs are stored. I thought something was wrong with the wheelchair I had just returned. She had an EV all ready to roll and motioned for me to sit down. She informed me that she was doing “an escort” and was going to walk alongside me as I drove the ECV to 15 minute parking where DH was picking me up. So very kind of her. A small gesture, but at the end of five hours, with an injured foot, it meant all the world to me and made a sweet, much appreciated close to a Disney visit.
Dreams (Wishing all of you a safe and happy 4th of July!)
1. For DH to ride Star Tours... finally
2. For me to see Soundsational
3. For us to enjoy the 4th of July fireworks
Anything else that we worked into the evening would be bonus. (Spoiler: There was not much bonus by night's end.
)Additionally, there was a factor to our visit that was different than usual for us that provided me with some insight that may provide valuable information to others here: I was in a wheelchair.
I decided to share this particular visit so others can benefit in terms of:
- Star Tours
- Soundsational
- Fireworks viewing
- View from a wheelchair
- Park Decor
- Wait Times
So... on with my updates and insights.
Arriving
We arrived at the Park around 5:45pm. I was dropped off at the 15 minute parking. Due to a foot injury, I am not able to walk much at the moment. I hobbled my way to wheelchair rentals where I got a wheelchair for the afternoon/evening. DH parked the car in M&F and met me at the Main Gate.
When we called to inquire about how close someone needing a wheelchair could be dropped off via car, we were told 15 minute parking. We found out later a tip that may come in handy for others. Wheelchairs that are rented are not allowed beyond security. Therefore, I had to somehow get myself to the rental spot. Apparently, the lead cast members at wheelchair rental have the discretion to issue a special pass that allows someone to take a wheelchair beyond security to pick up a friend/family member at 15 minute parking and bring them into the area. This would have been great to know! It is important to note however that this is not a guarantee and is at the discretion of the cast member in charge at the time.
So... I'm in my wheelchair, DH meets me, and in the Park we go. Wheeee! Something about seeing Main Street refreshes the spirit almost instantly. The Park was semi-crowded, but to be honest, it was hard for me to judge since I was being pushed in a wheelchair... which is very different from walking through the crowds. First stop: City Hall for a GAC. It was explained to us that with a wheelchair, we did not need one anymore. The wheelchair itself serves as clearance to enter and alternative queues or seating areas as necessary at attractions. This is apparently a change in policy (which is why I am mentioning it for others' benefit). We were also given a guide to all the wheelchair entrances for every attraction. Handy guide! And we were off....
Observations from a Wheelchair
Wow! What an education for me! In a wheelchair you are either completely invisible to people around you or you are offered assistance in the kindest of ways. There really felt like no middle. I cannot count how many times DH had to stop short because people were simply walking right into me. Or... he was trying to get me to a specific spot (maybe to look at something in a store, for example) and people either didn't care or were completely oblivious to the fact that I was there.
On the other side, a complete stranger offered to help push me up an incline during a time when I was on my own and trying to get somewhere for which my arm strength was not prepared. One person helped me pay for an ice cream when I could not reach high enough to connect with the CM selling it... just seconds after two people completely cut in front of me in line because I had not wheeled myself forward the extra three inches (due to another slight incline).
It was a HUGE eye-opening experience. One that I am thankful I had and one that I am thankful is not permanent for me.
The lampposts were decked out for 4th of July
As were the planters
The windows were decorated with red, white, and blue touches, but I was not able to get pictures because, well, when you are in a wheelchair, you are at the whim of someone else’s kindness so my usual photography had to be curtailed some.
Due to being in a wheelchair, I was able to sitting in a special area on Main Street for Soundsational. For anyone who is not aware, if you are in a wheelchair or ECV, there is a designated area at the Hub for viewing the parade. You do not need anything special to be granted access. Simply wheel over to the area and the CM will allow you in. There are also benches there for friends and family of those on wheels.
DH got me over to the above-mentioned area and I locked my wheels. I was ready for the new parade!
DH? Oh, he was headed over to a 110 minute wait at Star Tours. Bye, see you later! Soundsational
I have been wanting to see this and have not had time to do so. I liked the parade. I thought it was fun. I liked the floats, the characters, the performers. Ironically, the one thing I thought was disjointed was the music. It didn't really tie together throughout the parade from one segment to the next. However, overall, I loved it. I could see well (a concern I had knowing I was going to be viewing from a wheelchair), it was high-energy, it was "Disney-esque," and I left smiling.
I took lots of pictures, so you can enjoy as well.
Hey look! Minnie! And Mickey! And look! His eyes blink (right when I click my picture, of course
! )
Cool looking float
More fun rollin' down Main Street
Oh, oh! Look at the side of it!
Pretty and Fun
Under the sea lalalala Cool costuming effect! And, hey, who's that red-head up there?
Oooh, look! Fiesta time!
Yay! The princesses!
A Little Lion King, Anyone?
One more princess... and her friends
Off to Neverland!
Awww, Mary and Burt! (And their horses went up and down!)
Fun and playful float
Wheeling Around, Solo
After the parade, well, DH was still in line for Star Tours so I decided I was going to go ride the Mark Twain around the river --- something I love doing. All I had to do it push myself right down - that - path to the riverfront. No problem. Well, LOL, connecting back to my observations from a wheelchair, I will just leave this at saying that I never technically left Main Street. Just getting down one sidewalk ramp and up the one of the other side was a lot of work for the arms. I always thought that being in a wheelchair would be sort of cool because you could get momentum going and then just coast, while I have to constantly use energy to walk (left, right, left, right, left). Well, WOW, was that thought WAY wrong. My hands got roughed up, my arms were sore. On the down ramp I was scared I was not going to be able to stop without running into someone (remember those people who completely ignore you in a wheelchair? Yeah, them.) On the way up a ramp, I would coast back down as I readjusted my hands to pull the wheels forward again. I decided to just find a nice little spot in the Hub to park and enjoy the view of Main Street and the castle while waiting for DH. An enlightening experience to say the least regarding life in a wheelchair.
I did manage to get myself over to the Times Board to pin trade (but no pins!). While there I snapped this for all of you (although I”m really not sure how it helps anyone since this was July 4th weekend, but... here you go. July 1st, 7:30pm.
Star Tours
So, I know someone is going to want to know and even though I didn’t go on it, here’s the summary from DH. Wait time was 110 minutes. He says it was pretty close to accurate. DH said that the queue wraps outside, inside, outside, and inside again. Once inside the main queue area, there was a giant video screen showing various Star Tours commercials, showcasing destinations. When DH exited Star Tours, I received a text with two words, “Freakin’ Awesome!” I guess that’s two hours well spent.
Fireworks
While waiting in the Hub, after giving up on actually going anywhere until DH returned, I noticed people started camping out for fireworks. It was about 7:15pm. When standing, I know exactly where I like to be to watch fireworks. Exactly. But where does someone in a wheelchair want to be? Well... I had no clue. So... my investigating began. I wheeled myself around the Hub area talking with various cast members getting their input and ideas. I finally settled on a spot and decided I was going to hope for the best. I always believed that anywhere would be fine for fireworks viewing if in a wheelchair because, well, the fireworks are - up there - right? Well, wrong. If people are standing directly in front of you - or if there is a steady walkway right in front of you - while you are sitting in a wheelchair, your sightline to the sky becomes obstructed. With this discovery, I found what I thought would be an ideal spot. I parked myself right in the middle of the street and waited for DH. The crowds started to form around me. It was about two hours before the fireworks were scheduled to start.
When DH joined me people seemed a little more understanding about the ONE spot I saved next to me. He then went to get us dinner and I had to fend off people from that one spot non-stop. During the next 30 minutes I had people try to move my wheelchair (while I was in it) forward to make space of them behind me where other people already were, people hung bags on my wheelchair handles, and asked if they could put their belongings under my wheelchair since “there’s empty space there.” - sigh - We enjoyed our dinner while waiting for 9:30pm. Then - the voice from the sky:
“Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls, tonight fireworks show may be delayed due to technical difficulties.”
Uh-oh.
This was one of our three reasons for going to the Park. In fact, it was the main reason. It’s only shown for four nights and DH is blocked after the 1st. The fireworks HAD to happen. They just HAD to. And then the voice again. 9:35pm. I look up at the flag from the turret of the castle. It was waving a bit too much. But the announcement was not the specific announcement that we have heard many times regarding wind. They HAVE to happen. They HAVE to. DH looks at me. He takes my hand, stares at me and says, “No whammies.” “No whammies,” I repeat. And look back at the flag that’s waving too fast. Sitting in my wheelchair, needing a little dash of pixie in my world at the moment, I looked down at DH who was sitting next to me, I looked at the people all packed in around the Hub and up and down Main Street and I whispered, “No whammies. No whammies.” At approximately 9:50pm (?) the lights went out and the music started. The fireworks were great. The music was wonderful. The show was, well, true to Disney fireworks shows, worth the wait and very enjoyable.
Now It's Time to Say Good-bye
As we walked/wheeled our way out of the Park after the fireworks, I wanted to wander through the shops on Main Street. In a wheelchair, this proved to be challenging. DH struggled with people walking RIGHT in front of us, cutting us off, and not wanting to run over anyone. It was tricky. We also learned the wheelchair just BARELY fit through some of the Main Street shops’ doors. It turned out to be too much effort and we just decided to head home.
On our way out, I took a couple of pictures of the 4th decor. Here’s a parting shot for you to enjoy to close out my summary of our quick visit. It was a different Disney visit for me, but like all others, good for the soul.
One last dose of pixie dust
After exiting the Park, we went and returned the wheelchair. At this point, DH went to M&F to get the car to pick me up at 15 minute parking and I started to hobble my way there. Without going into all the details, the Cast Members there saw that I was limping along. I heard one of them said something to the other, but couldn’t make it out as I was slowly moving away from their counter. One of them then called after me to come over towards her, to my left where the ECVs are stored. I thought something was wrong with the wheelchair I had just returned. She had an EV all ready to roll and motioned for me to sit down. She informed me that she was doing “an escort” and was going to walk alongside me as I drove the ECV to 15 minute parking where DH was picking me up. So very kind of her. A small gesture, but at the end of five hours, with an injured foot, it meant all the world to me and made a sweet, much appreciated close to a Disney visit.
Dreams (Wishing all of you a safe and happy 4th of July!)
