Driving 6000 Miles for the Magic: A Miracle Trip

[SueM in MN]

PS - I enjoyed all your 'getting ready' posts on the disABILITIES Board and I'm enjoying your trip report. Especially the great descriptions and the pictures.

 

[meeskamouska]

I am so sorry that your first day was so filled with stress!!! Hopefully MK is goign to bring a lot more smiles than frowns!!! Can't wait to see!!!

 

[jackdis]

Christamae and Danielle -- loved this chapter. You are so cute to be forewarning of complaining. You truly had something to complain about!!! I cannot believe how rude that CM at EEA was to you. And honestly I did not realize that companion restrooms were intended only for wheelchair guests. I thought they were for families with little kids, too (such as if a dad needs to take a little girl to potty and shouldn't really bring her into the men's room ) But gosh bringing a toddler in to get them to sleep seems a bit much, espcially if there is clearly somebody else waiting to use the room! Argh.

First of all, I must say that I am enjoying your trip. Your report is wonderful! You have an amazing family!!!

I must agree with KPK89. I never realized that the companion restrooms were not for families with small children. I totally agree that using it as a place to get your child to sleep is not its intended use. I have been on the "waiting" end to use the restroom for well over 15 minutes when a woman and her child (finally!!) emerged. However, I have also used the companion restroom when I have been alone with my two children...one in a stroller (approx. age one) and one that I was not comfortable letting out of my sight to go to a restroom alone. This in fact is one of the many reasons that Disney is such a great family destination. They think of everything!!

Can't wait for your next installment!!!

 

[CatStarr]

The mom tried to avoid eye contact as they went in. I said we had hurried as much as possible, but that it made things much harder for us to have someone knocking on the door every few minutes and that the only toilets we could use in the whole park were the Companion Restrooms. The mom said her son had kept knocking and that they thought the person in the bathroom was "a child who had locked the door." I said people inside the bathroom could hear a lot more of the outside noise than people thought. Her face got really red and DD and I left.

Way to go!! Shame on her for blaming her child!!

Cathie

 

[zigzagzerr]

This is a wonderful report. Your family is beautiful and you all have such a tremendously good attitude -- on our trips, I always see people yelling and complaining about the smallest things. You have obviously learned to take the good with the bad and take pleasure in what you have in that moment. We should all strive to be more that way. Thanks so much for sharing your story with us.

 

[tinawv]

What a wonderfuly family you have; especially your father. Looking forward to reading more about your family trip.

 

[eternaldisneyfan]

I hope I didn't offend anyone. I just thought that sometimes people don't know. Like on a different Epcot day, we were waiting in line for the companion bathroom and this lady started talking to us, "I just love these bathrooms because there is rarely a long line. I always use them when the other line is long. I try to get other ladies to use them but they just look at me like I am crazy, I wonder why???"

I answered very calmly, "Probably because these restrooms are intended for those with special needs." The poor lady got so embarrassed and offered to let us go ahead. But we let her go ahead-she was speedy.

jackdis: a baby is a special need and I totally understand that
kpk89: I don't get upset when I see father's take daughters in cause the alternative can be traumatizing for the girl

The things that irk me are mother's taking all their older children in, people using them to change clothes, people using them to cut lines, people using them to put kids to sleep My preference and request is that people only use it when there is no feasible alternative.

Anyway, hope I didn't offend anyone and thanks for all your postings!

 

[eternaldisneyfan]

DisneyJo: Thanks for all the comments and compliments.

ellindea: I counted ‘em. Didn’t mean to embarrass you. This really was a big aspect to that Epcot day.

eyeheartgoofy: Thanks. After the whole trip missing that ride wasn’t too big of a deal but because it was the first day…

CatStarr: I wrote Disney and suggested they put a sign…I am glad I have a fellow pin trader onboard. I get my first pin in the next installment.

whogirl’smom: Thanks for your posting and understanding. We do love us some Disney.

DebIreland: Thanks for the quotes/post. As the week got longer the arrivals got later. But the next couple days were good (especially the first MK day). I do love Crush and his comments And thanks-my patience was a learning process.

hrsmom: I was sad about Ellen…but we got to experience a lot of other awesome things. And thanks

nts4wdw: Aw, thanks…

Our2Girls&Disney: A GAC is a special card to tell CMs of a person’s special need so they can experience equal enjoyment in the park.

Goofyluver: Things get magical at Magic Kingdom Mom took 95% of the pictures. Her first digital so she went wild

greenmickeyfanatic: Thanks for joining and it gets much better!

disneymoon 0307: Thanks for joining. Your comments are so nice. I enjoy writing and am glad that people like it.

kpk89: Thanks for staying on for the ride. The next day was a “bright, bright sunshiny day!”

SueM in MN: Thanks for joining and your good info post. I remember you posting that bathroom story on the disabilities thread…

meeskamouska: Magic Kingdom was a smiley day!

Jackdis: Thanks for joining. Next installment Wednesday, May 23

zigzagzerr: You are so kind.. Life is full of ups and downs-ride the highs-can’t have good without bad or we wouldn’t know the difference. And thanks for joining.

Tinawv: Thanks for joining-lots more to come.

Magic Kingdom-Wednesday 23rd and it was Magical...Thanks to everyone!

 

[Our2Girls&Disney]

Christmae:

I can't speak for everyone, but you certainly did not offend me. I always assumed that companion bathrooms were for people of the opposite sex assisting someone in the restroom (like your Dad helping you). I would never in my wildest dream consider using it to put my child to sleep. I would have been pretty ticked off myself.

 

[jackdis]

Can't wait for the 23rd and your next great installment!!! See you then!!!

 

[dismom9761]

Hi, just another Diser enjoying your report.My favorite aspect of trip reports is seeing Disney through other's eyes.Looking forward to more installments.

 

[eternaldisneyfan]

Our2Girls&Disney: Thanks for your reassurance

jackdis: Thanks! Just gotta upload the pictures to photobucket...

dismom9761: Hello to my newest subscriber! These eyes are focused on July 19, 2006

Okay faithful followers-I am uploading my slew of photos and then will post the magical Magic Kingdom!

 

[eternaldisneyfan]

A little note on the Dissers way of finding a good bathroom. Before we left, I did bathroom research. A lovely disser (whose name escapes me) made a website that was a bathroom guide. It listed the busy bathrooms and unbusy bathrooms and the number of wheelchair stalls. I also listed the locations of all the companion bathrooms. Danielle transferred all the info to notecards.

We also had the attractions listed saying the number of wheelchair cars, whether it was FP, and how long it was. For example, Journey Into Your Imagination with Figment was in the Epcot section, Future World, 1 wheelchair car, 5 minutes. All air conditioned counter service restaurants with their locations was also listed.

This was our 3 x 5 wonder notebook that helped immensely.

Now, to Magic Kingdom!

A belated Disney sign

This was the first day when the magic was palpable. It was also the earliest we got to a park: 10:30. I soon discovered that it would be very HOT and of course, I forgot my sunshade.

But once I stepped onto Main Street the scorching heat faded and was replaced by pure Disney magic. The strains of Zippah-dee-doo-dah filled the air as street performers sang out exuberantly. As I continued my magical stroll, I spotted the highly acclaimed Dapper Dans singing barbershop quartet with simple dance moves. Definitely ones to please a crowd, they even sang about getting their picture taken. Further down Main Street a fellow was jamming a ragtime melody on his piano. It made me think of the song ‘Ragtime Melody’ that I sang in middle school. “I play my rag piano hear me play. I tickle the ivories in a raggedy way until my fingers are a travelin’along to a ragtime melody. R-A-G, R-A-G-T-I-M-E It’s raaagtime (slide) any old time riggity raggity time for me.”

After that magical entrance, we entered First Aid to use the companion bathroom. This bathroom was super small. Not fun. But with some acrobatics and maneuvering we managed. After our bathroom cycle and some Tylenol we headed off to Tomorrowland.

First we tried Buzz Lightyear. We got separated from Grandma when she parked the scooter. I eagerly pulled up the ramp into the ride and …didn’t fit. I think my midline control was in the way. Danielle didn’t fit either…off by about two inches. Darn. We exited and realized Grandma was missing. Oops. Dad and I waited by the exit for Grandma. Thankfully we only had to wait about 5 minutes.

Once reunited we headed to Carousel of Progress. We have seen this attraction on every trip and really enjoy it. I especially like the song, “There’s a great big, beautiful tomorrow, shining at the end of every day, there’s a great big beautiful tomorrow and tomorrow’s just a dream away. Man has a dream and that’s a start, he follows that dream with mind and heart. And when it becomes a reality it’s a dream come true for you and me!” The wheelchair seating isn’t the best. It’s on the far left or far right so it’s hard to see everything. Also the parking is on a slope so unless your wheelchair tilts (like mine) it may be a bit uncomfortable. Still the show was enjoyable as usual.

Next we headed off to Stitch. Stitch was a new attraction for our family. The CM kindly told us that he didn’t think that electric wheelchairs could fit on the ride but he would check with his supervisor. She came out and explained that the harness that pulls down isn’t compatible with electric wheelchairs because of the batteries, back, and (in my case) headrest. Okey dokey. I wasn’t upset because they responded so graciously and I wasn’t that interested to begin with.

Mom was complaining about being hungry. I suggested that she get a snack because it was 12:30. I reasoned that since it was peak eating it would take thirty minutes to an hour just to get food. But she wasn’t hearing of it.

We headed over to Cosmic Rays. Boy was it crowded. It took us 15 minutes just to find a seat. And we barely beat another family to it. Another 10 minutes deciding what to eat. 20-30 minutes in line. All told a 2 hour lunch. I felt like screaming, I told you so and was feeling a bit cranky. But all I said was, we should’ve waited. I caught glimpses of Sonny Eclipse. He was okay. But all told this lunch was really long and stretched my post commando self almost to the limit. After lunch everyone had to go to the bathroom. It was busy and once again families were using the companion bathroom. I also started to notice the loud, obnoxious, rude teenage tour groups. After waiting thirty minutes for the bathroom to become available, we left to find another. We went to the companion bathroom between space mountain and carousel of progress by the smoking section. This bathroom was practically deserted and everyone finally got to go to the bathroom. I think our lunch/bathroom break took 3 hours.

My commando self was trying to rear its head.

No.

I will suppress the commando.

Shake it off.

Things are going to get better.

‘K—Fantasyland anyone?

First stop, it’s a small world. Took two trips for three wheelchairs. I think this is a cute, fun ride. Lots to see. There were some new characters since my last trip (summer 2002). Mom took lots of pictures:

Next we headed to Philharmagic. I was super excited about seeing this. I love the 3D shows. This one was definitely the best. I especially like the flying carpet scene. A really nice aspect of the show was that I experienced all the effects from my wheelchair. It was one of my favorite attractions! We all came out smiling and excited.

Now for The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh. I got loaded into the wheelchair car and the ride wouldn’t start. Oh dear, have I done it again?

See in 2004 on our Disneyland trip I broke Winnie the Pooh.

Yep.

The ride at DL only gives 2 minutes to load. I took too long and they had to reboot the ride or as the Cast Member cleverly put, “Pooh spilled honey on the tracks and they had to clean it up.”
Anyway back to Disney World. After my flashback…the ride started. Schew.

I really like the Winnie the Pooh ride.

The Heffalump part is my favorite. Dad was play screaming as we encountered the Heffalumps. Hehehe. I hope he didn’t scare some little kid.
(I reached my picture limit-continued in next post)

 

[eternaldisneyfan]

continued from above

It takes 3 rides to get us all through. While I waited for Danielle, Grandma, and Mom I looked around the store (bought a CD) and “talked” with a cast member Marjorie. I put talked in quotes because I was on my vent so Dad was lip reading.

At one point I was trying to tell Marjorie that I liked her pins. Dad was not getting the word, “pens, pinch, pine, pench???”

Marjorie interrupted and says, “no pins!”

I shook my head and smiled.

“Which one?”

I directed her to one I liked.

She then proceeded to give the pin to me. Thanks! Wow. Cool.

By this time Danielle had joined Dad and I. Marjorie asked Danielle if she liked a pin and gave her one, too.

Before I go any further I have a confession to make. Before the trip I had looked into pin trading and thought pfff what are those people thinking?! They’re pins for Pete’s sake.

But now that I had my own shiny souvenir, pin trading was looking appealing. I was catching the pin-trading craze. The pin that started it all:

We went on a search for a bathroom. Dad enquired about the companion bathroom by Cinderella’s Royal Table. It was inside the waiting area for the restaurant…but after a glance at our party the CM let us in to use the bathroom.

Wow!

The theming was incredible! I really felt like I was in a castle. Even the bathroom was intricately decorated (unusual for a companion bathroom). The CM was playing games (trivia) which made the wait for everyone to get through the bathroom much nicer. After I came out of the bathroom, I learned that Danielle had had a magical moment. A CM had Cinderella talk with her and Mom took a picture.

Pretty cool considering we didn’t have a reservation. I missed out. That’s okay. As we were coming out, we ran into a family with a girl on a trach/vent. The poor family was really nervous because their daughter’s vent battery was dying so they were searching for a outlet. I said a little prayer for them and was even more grateful for my ventilator with its long-lasting battery and my parents ingenious set up that hooked my ventilator battery into my wheelchair batteries for longer life. So after our magical bathroom break we headed to liberty square.

I felt a bit like Mater driving on Lighting McQueens first attempt on the road going over the bricks at Liberty Square. After a quick pic at the Liberty Bell,

we were off to Hall of the Presidents. The realism of the Presidents is pretty impressive. Grandma especially enjoys Hall of the President. I have seen Hall of President’s with George Bush, Clinton, and George W. Bush.

After our presidential tour, we decided to ride the railroad. We always do a round trip. Mom and Grandma transfer and Danielle and I ride in our wheelchairs.

I am taking a breathing treatment on this last one:

I think I would have enjoyed the ride more if the conductor wouldn’t have been blasting the horn the whole time. After our loud trip we headed to Adventureland.

We saw the firework explosion at the end of Cinderellabration as we crossed the bridge to the Tiki room. We paused at the Magic Carpet’s to decide whether to try to ride. “Christine…what do…” Dad trailed off because Mom and Grandma were gone.

Missing.

Not in sight.

Vanished.

Uh-oh.

Following the lost rule we went back to where we last saw them, the bridge. A little further down we spotted them. Turns out that Mom had stopped to take a picture of the wildlife…a rabbit.

She’d yelled to Dad but the KABOOM of the fireworks ending of Cinderellabration interfered with the message. Some pictures enjoying the wildlife:

We all just chuckled and headed back towards the Tiki room.

I think both the “under new management” and classic Tiki room have good points. After narrowly escaping the Tiki god’s wrath we exited to find a bathroom. We used the companion bathroom inside the Pirates gift shop. It was a little tight but manageable. Then it was off to park for Spectromagic and Wishes.

Next installment, Wednesday, May 30: “On this magic night!”

Some castle pics to tide you over:

Christamae

"On this Magic Night..."- Page 14, Post #196

 

[nts4wdw]

Another great installment! I love Philharmagic too. It's one of those attractions that I have to do or I don't feel like I've been to Disney. Looking forward to next Wednesday!

 

[CatStarr]

Christmae

How wonderful your TR is! I am in awe of you and your whole family. You make me feel as if I am there with you. Love the commando!!

Now tell me what pin is your Holy Grail??

 

[dismom9761]

Another great installment! I also love Mickeys Philharmagic.

 

[SueM in MN]

The 2 companion restrooms at MK that you had good luck with are ones we have had very bad luck with.

When we went to Cinderella's Royal Table, there was a long line of people waiting to get in so their little girls could change into their Princess dresses for their 'royal breakfast'. Let's just say they were not pleased with someone who actually needed that bathroom to use the toilet rather than to change. After waiting in line behind about 8 families (some with multiple girls), we got in, but had people banging (and I do mean banging) on the door every few minutes until we came out. I got sworn at by people saying "Because of you, my DD won't be able to have her picture taken with her princess dress on."
I think it's probably not that bad if you go there after the breakfast seatings. I don't think lunch is as busy with parents & children.

The other one that is sometimes bad is the one by Pirates. Because people see them before they see the regular restrooms, so they tend to use them.

I'm enjoying your trip so far.

 

[Goofyluver]

Wow...I'm loving the pictures!

Did you get more pins? Because we are entering the world of pin trading on this trip...we'll see how that goes!

 

[Our2Girls&Disney]

I got sworn at by people saying "Because of you, my DD won't be able to have her picture taken with her princess dress on."

Are you kiddling me? A bathroom is meant to be used a bathroom not dressing room. Not to mention they wanted the companion bathroom. Some people are so inconciderate of others.