A Post Open-Heart Surgery/Anniversary Trip Report!!! Updated 5/30 PTR started!!

[glennbo123]

Hello hello!

Hiya Wingnut!

I woke up one morning in excruciating pain, and to make a short story long, after a trip to the ER and some heavy drugs, we were at disney.

That's how you do it? And to think that all this time I've been laying out big bucks on airfare.


Thanks for your synopsis of the trip Wingnut. I can't help but think that if you had written these few paragraphs earlier, Stringbean wouldn't have had to write all those chapters.

 

[MEK]

Wow - I had no idea about the whole foot thing. that is totally a bummer. Who wants to walk, let alone push a wheel chair through unfriendly park obstacles.

Wingnut - I hope you will give AK another try. I love that park simply because there is so much to take pictures of. But I also like all the rides and the shows. Plus, I think the safari is the most comprehensive, best themed ride of property.

Maybe next time a few "lost on safaris" at the dawa bar would help.

Thanks for the recap!

 

[3prettyprincesses]

Hello hello!

Hi there Wingnut!

I haven't been around for a while and Stringbean has been hounding me to make a post, so here I am. I'm not terribly sure what to write about since the focus of my entire trip was definitely the food. In fact, originally, we were slated to go to disney during the food and wine festival... As you can tell, I am quite the little foodie. But alas, with certain circumstances that surfaced, we had to stave off the trip.

Well, really, Disney IS all about the food. And Epcot obviously! We were supposed to go to Disney during the F&W Festival too but had to postpone it.

I figure I'll just give an overview of my perception of the entire trip (sans food that is) and share with you my highlights. About 4 days prior to the trip, fate struck with quite an irony... although it may not be irony as much as fate being sadistic. I was struck with mortons neuroma of the left foot. I woke up one morning in excruciating pain, and to make a short story long, after a trip to the ER and some heavy drugs, we were at disney.

Oh my word! Disney and foot problems just do not go together, do they. Poor thing!

Personally, I am in love with Epcot. There is some allure to the International Gateway... I am able to visit different cultures, taste international food, and buy things that even as a New Yorker, I cannot find in stores. I love going in and out of the shops and buying candy (see, I keep coming back to the food.) Epcot was probably the most wheelchair friendly of the parks. As I hobbled around, pushing Stringbean in her wheelchair, I must say even navigating through the occasional store wasn't too difficult (although Stringbean did vacate her chariot for most stores.)

Really? You love Epcot? Hmm, strange. Do you know anyone close to you who loves, er is obsessed, with Epcot? Anyone come to mind...*cough*, Sara, *cough*, *cough* I just happen to agree with you both, Epcot is truly one fantastic park, so worthy of visiting multiple times in one trip.

Hollywood Studios (or MGM as I insist on calling it... I'm stubborn) is my second favorite park. I am a huge movie buff, and there is such a great atmosphere created in that park. I thoroughly enjoy the Muppet show, the Great Movie Ride and the Backlot tour (although the only real wheelchair friendly ride in the lot was the great movie ride.) I am always disappointed though when it comes to dining in MGM. Every other park has something that excites me food wise, but MGM falls flat. As a kid I loved the Sci-Fi Dine-In, but I don't like that you can be stuck with another couple/family if you don't take a full car.

Do you know how long it took me to realize that MGM is indeed Hollywood Studios?? Well, too long to admit here that's for sure. This park does lack food options, though we've been happy with Hollywood Brown Derby and Sci-Fi!

Magic Kingdom. Some of my favorite rides are here. Pirates. Jungle Cruise. Haunted Mansion. Enough said. I enjoy this park, but I did feel that the stroller parking was a bit scarce compared to the other parks (we were parking the wheelchair there when we hit certain rides, food, etc.) The only other real note I have about this park was the difficulty navigating Main Street with the wheelchair. The grooves for the trolley kept snagging the wheels of the chair, so I kept having to lift the chair out. Most of the time, Stringbean remained seated as I got her out of the trolley groove, but one particular time she felt the urge to leap out of the chair and help me get the chair up. I just put my head in my hands as we got the dirtiest looks from people who just say a wheelchair bound girl suddenly get the strength to bolt up and lift her chair....

Oh, MK is the quintessential theme park, isn't it? So classic and perfectly themed. I've read elsewhere that the Main Street grooves are horrendous for wheelchairs to navigate. And why do people feel the need to throw dirty looks around?? They don't know Stringbean's story or limitations at the time. So very annoying! I'd have thrown a nice dirty look right back at them.

Animal Kingdom.... I now have horrible memories of this park. And it is totally fueled by my unfortunate situation coupled with a difficulty navigating the park with the wheelchair. I am sure my memory has been unfairly colored. As I mentioned before, my foot was absolutely killing me. I was taking tons of vicodin and ibuprophine, but that only took the edge off. From pushing the chair, I developed a nasty stitch in my back that Stringbean was nice enough to put icy-hot on at night. And to top it off, while at Animal Kingdom, the weather went from freezing to warm, and all the trees and flowers went into bloom. With my horrendous allergies, I developed a sinus infection. So now that you are cringing at my situation, you can understand that I had a lousy time at that park. Stringbean and I weren't able to see much. The Safari and the Nemo show were the extent of our attractions since we couldn't do the rougher rides. I don't mean to be a malcontent, but Animal Kingdom is just not my bag I guess.

I mentioned previously that AK was a park that I was completely unaware of our first trip with our girls in 2008! I didn't even know it existed let alone what it was! Now I enjoy it, though it does seem confusing in it's set up. I get the whole hub and wheel/spoke design yet still I ended up in Dinoland when I thought I was heading to Asia! Moral of the story, don't ask me for directions, ever. I can only imagine how awful your allergy flare up was with AK's landscaping. My oldest DD has terrible seasonal allergies and Disney can really wreak havoc on them.

So that was my trip in a nutshell. I apologize that it seems a little disjointed, I wasn't sure what I could add to Stringbeans' wonderful trip report. The food was wonderful, the weather was cold, the rides were fun... I just can't wait till we go back, in better condition hahahahaha....

Thanks for the recap! It still sounds like you guys had a wonderful time despite the elements working against you!

A bientot mes amis.

Ok, I'm not cultured enough to know what this means. Care to translate?

 

[Stringbean&Wingnut]

(Stringbean, back at the trip report helm)

Hiya Wingnut!

That's how you do it? And to think that all this time I've been laying out big bucks on airfare.

Thanks for your synopsis of the trip Wingnut. I can't help but think that if you had written these few paragraphs earlier, Stringbean wouldn't have had to write all those chapters.

Hahaha no, I still think airfare is the way to go! It cuts out all those copays and IcyHot .

Hey, it wasn't easy getting Wingnut to write this! But I love him anyways...

Wow - I had no idea about the whole foot thing. that is totally a bummer. Who wants to walk, let alone push a wheel chair through unfriendly park obstacles.

Wingnut - I hope you will give AK another try. I love that park simply because there is so much to take pictures of. But I also like all the rides and the shows. Plus, I think the safari is the most comprehensive, best themed ride of property.

Maybe next time a few "lost on safaris" at the dawa bar would help.

Thanks for the recap!

Wingnut was definitely battling the obstacles on this trip, unfortunately!

I think when we are both feeling more like ourselves again, we will give AK another try (I am so so SO intrigued by FOTLK). We did go on the Safari, which is really fun. I don't know, there are bits and pieces of the park that I appreciate, but as a whole I just don't know how I feel about it. I could be overanalyzing a theme park way too much...but isn't that what we do here?

Ooooh themed drinks are definitely helpful! See, and I was going to suggest items from Kusafiri Bakery. Your suggestion is infinitely better!

Hi there Wingnut!

Well, really, Disney IS all about the food. And Epcot obviously! We were supposed to go to Disney during the F&W Festival too but had to postpone it.

Oh my word! Disney and foot problems just do not go together, do they. Poor thing!

Really? You love Epcot? Hmm, strange. Do you know anyone close to you who loves, er is obsessed, with Epcot? Anyone come to mind...*cough*, Sara, *cough*, *cough* I just happen to agree with you both, Epcot is truly one fantastic park, so worthy of visiting multiple times in one trip.

Do you know how long it took me to realize that MGM is indeed Hollywood Studios?? Well, too long to admit here that's for sure. This park does lack food options, though we've been happy with Hollywood Brown Derby and Sci-Fi!

Oh, MK is the quintessential theme park, isn't it? So classic and perfectly themed. I've read elsewhere that the Main Street grooves are horrendous for wheelchairs to navigate. And why do people feel the need to throw dirty looks around?? They don't know Stringbean's story or limitations at the time. So very annoying! I'd have thrown a nice dirty look right back at them.

I mentioned previously that AK was a park that I was completely unaware of our first trip with our girls in 2008! I didn't even know it existed let alone what it was! Now I enjoy it, though it does seem confusing in it's set up. I get the whole hub and wheel/spoke design yet still I ended up in Dinoland when I thought I was heading to Asia! Moral of the story, don't ask me for directions, ever. I can only imagine how awful your allergy flare up was with AK's landscaping. My oldest DD has terrible seasonal allergies and Disney can really wreak havoc on them.

Thanks for the recap! It still sounds like you guys had a wonderful time despite the elements working against you!

Ok, I'm not cultured enough to know what this means. Care to translate?

Aww Molly, someday, we are all definitely going to get to go to the Food&Wine festival!!!

Hahaha it is definitely nice that our theme park tastes align well! (I still can't get used to calling it Hollywood Studios either, don't worry!)

I honestly hadn't even thought to bring allergy medication with us to Disney...now that will ALWAYS be in our bag! I guess I forgot about the millions of plants they have around!

It means "until next time, my friends" in Wingnut's French knowledge. (Don't worry, we're not exceptionally cultured, we just had foreign language credits to fulfill)

 

[Stringbean&Wingnut]

I think it's a fair observation that not everything in life is going to be perfect. This trip wasn't taken while everything was absolutely perfect, of course things didn't pan out perfect, but we still had an awesome time.

And isn't that what's most important?

A few memorable highlights (a lot of food, sorry!):

Non-Dairy malt from Beaches & Cream



This view



Jiko



Venturing around the Muppets.



Treat triumph.



Oh how I love these.



Epic towel animal adventures.



Epcot.



Cupcakes at breakfast.



Epcot.



Grand Marnier squishee.



The slipper dessert.



Relaxing on the Boardwalk.



Thanks for following along on my first TR, everyone!! Wingnut and I do have a trip we are discussing taking in the (too distant for me, but not really that far) future...I haven't decided if I will attempt a PTR, but possibly when things are more set...

See ya real soon!!

 

[Jennifer48]

Boooo to your TR being over!

Let us know if you do start a PTR or a TR when you take your trip. I'd love to follow along!

Thanks for sharing, my new P&F friend! Which reminds me, did you see that P&F are going to be doing meet & greets at DHS this summer??? I need to go!!

 

[Nermel9]

Awww, so sad your TR is over, but I really enjoyed it! Hope you decide to do a PTR for your next trip, I'd love to read it!

 

[kmrein]

Great report and congratulations on your continued recovery!

 

[rndmr2]

So sorry to see your TR come to an end, I really enjoyed hearing about your trip, hope you guys get to go back soon.

 

[MeMom]

The food was wonderful, the weather was cold, the rides were fun... I just can't wait till we go back, in better condition hahahahaha....

I very much enjoyed the report. You had some beautiful pictures. I hope you can enjoy another wonderful trip with both of you feeling topnotch very soon. Thanks for sharing.

 

[glennbo123]

Great job on the TR Stringbean! It's been great getting to know a little bit about you and Wingnut through your adventures, and I hope to see another Stringbean TR in the future.

 

[Stringbean&Wingnut]

Boooo to your TR being over!

Let us know if you do start a PTR or a TR when you take your trip. I'd love to follow along!

Thanks for sharing, my new P&F friend! Which reminds me, did you see that P&F are going to be doing meet & greets at DHS this summer??? I need to go!!

Thanks!! I will definitely let you know!

I DID SEE THAT!!!!!!!! Oh man they'd still better be doing that when I go! I don't really ever seek out the characters, but these are definitely two that I would NEED to meet!!

(By the way, the aglet episode was on this morning - I totally thought of you!)

Awww, so sad your TR is over, but I really enjoyed it! Hope you decide to do a PTR for your next trip, I'd love to read it!

Thank you!!! I'm leaning towards doing one, but will probably wait until our plans are a bit more settled than "we should definitely go back to Disney!" . They're getting there though...

Great report and congratulations on your continued recovery!

Thank you very much!!!

So sorry to see your TR come to an end, I really enjoyed hearing about your trip, hope you guys get to go back soon.

Thank you!!! (I hope so too! )

I very much enjoyed the report. You had some beautiful pictures. I hope you can enjoy another wonderful trip with both of you feeling topnotch very soon. Thanks for sharing.

Thank you so much!! Hopefully a plan will be in the works soon...

Great job on the TR Stringbean! It's been great getting to know a little bit about you and Wingnut through your adventures, and I hope to see another Stringbean TR in the future.

Thank you!!! I've had so much fun writing the TR, I definitely want to do another in the future!

 

[3prettyprincesses]

Aw, Sara, this is too sad! I've so enjoyed your TR, you have a wonderful knack for writing. I hope you do a PTR!

First off, never apologize for their being too many food pics in an update! I love seeing Disney food. Don't you?

That Beaches & Cream malt looks amazing! Do you have an allergy to dairy? I can't recall. Regardless, it looks goooood!

Lovely parting photos too! This is a sweet one of you both:

I'm so sorry the weather was uncooperative. But I have to commend yours and Wingnut's good attitude! I'm sure next trip will be much better. When are you thinking of going? Not the end of December I hope! Congratulations on a trip well deserved too Sara. I hope your recovery just gets better and better as time goes on.

Before I forget, I read this update over on WDW News and thought of you! I know you appreciate Figment as much as I do, he's rare early Epcot gem, isn't he?
Journey Into Imagination with Figment

 

[Stringbean&Wingnut]

Aw, Sara, this is too sad! I've so enjoyed your TR, you have a wonderful knack for writing. I hope you do a PTR!

First off, never apologize for their being too many food pics in an update! I love seeing Disney food. Don't you?

That Beaches & Cream malt looks amazing! Do you have an allergy to dairy? I can't recall. Regardless, it looks goooood!

Lovely parting photos too! This is a sweet one of you both:

I'm so sorry the weather was uncooperative. But I have to commend yours and Wingnut's good attitude! I'm sure next trip will be much better. When are you thinking of going? Not the end of December I hope! Congratulations on a trip well deserved too Sara. I hope your recovery just gets better and better as time goes on.

Before I forget, I read this update over on WDW News and thought of you! I know you appreciate Figment as much as I do, he's rare early Epcot gem, isn't he?
Journey Into Imagination with Figment

Thank you Molly!!! I'm definitely getting more and more tempted to write one hahaha.

Food is one of the best parts of Disney for me! I absolutely love the food! I just wondered if people would be like "why are her favorite things pastry, a drink, and more pastry?" But really, why wouldn't that be my favorite?

Yes, I am lactose intolerant. Basically, I can handle most kinds of cheeses (except for mozzarella and ricotta - and other less aged cheeses) just fine. I can easily eat those with a Lactaid. It's ice cream and milk that I just simply cannot do, Lactaid or no Lactaid. It's fabulous how much Disney includes non-dairy ice cream alternatives, I was thrilled!

Thank you!! This is a picture from last weekend actually, we were at one of my friend's weddings.

Thank you so much!! I have definitely been improving and regaining my old self again! We are contemplating going in January (I went in January 08 with a friend, and we loved it then). Hopefully the weather would be more cooperative than it has been in December! But both of us definitely prefer cold over heat, so the winter months are a better pick for us!

Ooooh thank you for sharing!!!! It looks like they just made a few little tweaks, but how fun to be watch the ride! (And yes, I did go to hold my nose during the smell lab - instinct!...why oh why couldn't he just have done lemon scent? Or cake? Or something other than skunk? )

 

[Stringbean&Wingnut]

Hi everyone!

I wanted to let you know that I have begun my PTR, "A Stringbean, a Wingnut, and a plan!"

All are welcome!!!

 

[petals]

joining in a bit late for the party though and catching up.
Luvin the muppet vision posters.
your stitch towel animals were cool and glad they eventually worked

 

[Stringbean&Wingnut]

joining in a bit late for the party though and catching up.
Luvin the muppet vision posters.
your stitch towel animals were cool and glad they eventually worked

Welcome!!! Hahaha I didn't have anything bigger in mind than the castle, but I'm sure I would have come up with something if mousekeeping didn't take that bait!