Thursday, July 27, 2006
This was a sleep in day. We would also be park hopping between Epcot and Magic Kingdom.
The wildlife:
First we headed to Epcot to ride Soarin’. This time the CMs were a bit more concerned. When they saw that I had to be physically supported they asked if I would be okay and almost seemed to want me to get off the ride. They also didn’t like the seat belt trick. Dad made like he was changing the seatbelt…but didn’t.
For those of you that help to physically support a disabled member on a ride-never, ever mention this fact. At
Disneyland Dad asked about Soarin’ and mentioned that he would need to help support me. The CM said that I couldn’t ride unless I could support myself. I wasn’t with Dad when he inquired. But when I went to ride, the CM looked at me suspiciously and said, “Can she support herself independently?”
Our answer, “She’ll be fine.”
Any transfer to a ride is carefully thought out. Soarin’ was our only transfer. Mom has always had the policy that she will try the ride (milder form of Muscular Dystrophy) and decide if we (Danielle and I) can ride. I still remember that thrill of happiness at DL when Mom proclaimed the ride safe.
I had that happy anticipation as I loaded on Soarin’ for the second ride this trip. And then we were off. The wind in my hair as I swooped and glided across the countryside. I think this ride is extra special to me because there is absolutely no way I could ever hang glide. But Disney gives me a taste of that adventure.
It is currently impossible for me to visit foreign countries. But I get a sampling of each one in World Showcase. I will never be able to travel to Africa for a Safari. But I can experience one at Disney. So many adventures and experiences.
Mom was much more relaxed this time around.
Next we decided to visit Figment and Journey into our imaginations. This is one of my favorite rides. At the dump shop, I inspected pins. I almost traded for
but didn’t. When I came home and discovered that it was a cast member pin, I kicked myself.
I could’ve gotten a good trade for that. Live and learn.
We decided to swing by Innoventions for the Fantastic Plastic exhibit cause you get a free souvenir.
After putting together our little robots, we headed to the monorail to park hop. I had heard horror stories here on the dis of the monorail to Epcot closing and people being stuck. So we asked how long the monorail to Epcot would run. I believe they said midnight. I breathed a sigh of relief and loaded.
It was pretty late so we hurried over to the wheelchair seating for Spectromagic.
Nuts. The second row.
These CMs weren’t as on top of things. The second row is definitely not as good. It would have been much better if the people accompanying the person in the wheelchair weren’t standing with them. This kinda annoyed me. Of all people, someone with a person in a wheelchair should know the importance of not standing in front of someone in a wheelchair.
The CMs didn’t do anything about it. Mom politely asked if the people standing in front of us could move. One group looked embarrassed, got a look of ‘duh,’ apologized, and moved. The other group gave a superior glance
and didn’t move. Well it was better.
One of the games played in the street before the parade involves throwing/bouncing this large ball around. Well, there were some very enthusiastic players and the ball kept bouncing towards the wheelchair group. There was a very nice elderly couple in front of us and after being almost clobbered twice, two sweet granddaughters set up a guard-bouncing the ball back.
I was appreciative of this, too.
You see, my head is a bit of a ball magnet. It doesn’t matter how far away I am. If there is a ball in the general vicinity, it will find its way to my head. Sure enough, the ball soared past the protectors and pounced on my head.
Thankfully, it was rather soft.
The parade was pretty good, not as good as the first time. I think the butterfly recognized me. I will always enjoy the sparkling, whirling, twirling, musical spectacular of Spectromagic. But our primary reason was to have good seats for Wishes.
“Star light, star bright, first star I see tonight. I wish I may, I wish I might, have the wish, I wish tonight. We'll make a wish, and do as dreamers do, and all our wishes (all our wishes), will come true.” And the eyes started to fill with tears.
And by the finale
“Wishes! Dream a dream (fate is kind)
Wishes! Set it free (she brings to those who love)
Wishes! Trust your heart (the sweet fulfilment of)
Just Believe (their secret longing)
Just Believe (just believe)
Like a bolt out of the blue,
fate steps in and sees you through.
When you wish upon a star, your dreams...come...true
Make a wish, and do as dreamers do (just do as dreamers do)
Make a wish!
(Wishes!) Dream a dream!
(Wishes!) Cross your heart!
And your wish...will...come...true!”
I was crying.
That song just makes me want to drop all my inhibitions and go for my dreams. It makes me believe that they can happen. Even Dad liked it this time.
Grandma as we left MK:
As we were doing our bathroom rounds outside Epcot, we discovered a strange phenomenon. These black clouds were swooping around the globe and making a strange noise.
Wait.
Those aren’t clouds…
They’re bats!
Well, um, at least they’ll keep down the mosquitoes…
And then, alas, it was time to go home.
It was a good day-but I was sad. Tomorrow was our last day. Then we had to leave the magic and return to the real world.
And drive
All the way back…
Still one more day, though.
To MGM!
And it would start out quite dramatically cause we got majorly trapped!
Stay tuned for all the adventure on Saturday, August 11.
Trapped! Our last visit - Page 31, Post #457
Thank you so much for the pictures of Cinderellabration, we never saw that. I am sorry things didn't go better for you, I hope your remaining days at Disney were less stressful and full of magic.
.
Precisely.
The good definitely overshadowed the bad.
Great to see you back! I love hearing of Disney's good deeds. Our life is definitely a roller coaster...
took over and you had better days!!!
Stickin' with ya girl. By the way have some of these....
KIM
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