Warning: This post includes some complaining.
Epcot (July 18-Tuesday)
Our first Disney day would be Epcot. It was a little hard to get up and going. I think we got to the park about 11:30/12:00. The RV parking at Epcot is very good. Easy to get to and close to the entrance (something we would really appreciate later in vacation).
Outside the entrance with Dad feigning excitement:
One thing I really like about Epcot is that you can hear the music quite a distance from the gates. Hearing the Disney music fuels the excitement and gets you in the Disney spirit. The strains filled the air and pumped me full of excitement as we entered Epcot.
As always our first stop was…
The bathroom.
No matter what park we go to, the first ‘attraction’ to visit is the bathroom.
Epcot has really nice, easy to find companion bathrooms which I appreciate. I try to use the companion restrooms because 1) They are big enough for my wheelchair and many stalls aren’t and 2) My Dad has to help me so it is more comfortable for all involved.
We used the companion bathroom by gateway gifts and the smoking area-good one. It takes our family 30 minutes to an hour to cycle through the bathroom. After our mandatory rest stop we were off to guest services to get a GAC.
I had never gotten a GAC before because I didn’t need it. But since our last visit, I have acquired a trach, vent, breathing treatment regimen, pain issues, fatigue issues, feeding tube, and GI issues so I felt I really needed a GAC. My primary physician had written a letter I know it’s not necessary but I felt better having it. The cast member scanned it and then gave me a GAC, yay! I breathed a sigh of relief.
Even with the GAC, our average number of attractions per day was 4 and the most we ever did was 6. So I felt justified getting it.
Grandma posing around Epcot:
We then decided to go to a family favorite- Ellen’s Energy Adventure. It is the only ride that we can get on together (3 wheelchairs). Dad especially enjoys it. So, totally pumped and ready for fun, we jaunt over to Ellen’s Energy Adventure.
After waiting in line, the Cast Member tells us rather abruptly and forcefully that “those wheelchairs aren’t allowed.” What?
“The disability guide says no
ECVs-not no electric wheelchairs.” I say.
“Sorry, not allowed-you could transfer to a park chair.” Ya, that will work. I don’t need the molded seat, side props, food pump, or ventilator. (thought this)
I said, “We have ridden this on several other trips.”
“Those wheelchairs are not allowed.” (sounding irritated).
Dad says, “If it’s the electronics you’re worried about them and driving on, I can take them out of gear and push them. That would make it essentially like a manual chair.”
“Sorry, those chairs are not allowed.” Said abruptly and rudely.
Feeling disappointed, dejected, and plain mad (me) we give up and leave.
We also start to wonder if we won’t be allowed on all the rides marked “no
ECV.” This would cut our limited rides in about half…Feeling very frustrated, we head off to The Living Seas. Shake it off-your at Disney!! I later found out the policy was changed because
one person had an accident.
Off to the Living Seas.
I was really excited to see Turtle Talk.
Gadzooks that line is huge!
I wonder how many wheelchair seats there are.
A helpful CM sees our bewildered look and directs us to the wheelchair area (to the left and up quite a bit from the line). Each show has four wheelchair spots. We are signed in and given return tickets to the show with available wheelchair seats…in twelve minutes.
Cool.
Danielle and I go over to Bruce’s Shark World until Turtle Talk.
Mom heads to the bathroom—hurry! Bruce’s shark world was pretty neat. Informative and fun. Mom barely makes it back and we head into the show.
I thought the show was really cute and technologically amazed. My computer scientist parents were awed and mystified by the real time movements and interaction. I loved the expressions, Dory and the whale, and the interaction.
“Hey dudes and dudettes, say like dude as many times as you can today. Your parents will like totally love you for it, dude.”
Dad followed the advice for a while.
Feeling refreshed and in the Disney Spirit, we went to the Land. Down the ramps and to the too small way too busy elevator. Danielle, Dad, and I went first. We wait for Mom and Grandma.
And wait.
And wait.
Hmm I hope they are okay.
A few seconds later Mom and Grandma come out of the elevator visibly upset. Grandma was getting into the elevator and her ECV got caught in the door. Being inexperienced, she grips with her hands which propels the ECV forward and twists the seat. Now she is majorly stuck and the elevator keeps trying to close. Some kind, brawny men came to the rescue and hefted the ECV into the elevator. Mom is really upset and wondering if this was all a big mistake.
Several relatives gave her a pretty bad time about us going, “too dangerous” “irresponsible” “selfish” and other nonsense like that.
Mom was really distraught. All the stress of getting here, still tired, and now the dream vacation starting out rough was just too much.
Time for a break…lunch anyone?
We pulled out my preprinted menus, orders were made, and eating commenced. Eating is my least favorite time. I can’t eat (tube fed) so I just watch them and worry about the time.
But I fought down my old commando spirit. See, I have a confession. I am a commando. My family called me a Disney Nazi. I had promised that this trip I would be patient and go with the flow. I am a reformed commando.
I took a treatment and then went to the bathroom. I knew there was a nice companion bathroom by Soarin’.
Rats it’s busy.
After ten minutes a mother with two little girls (about 5 & 7) came out. This annoyed me. In my opinion, there is no reason for a woman with two girls to use the bathroom meant for people with special needs. I believe that many times people do things out of simply not knowing so a little education.
Companion Bathrooms are for people with special needs. That’s why they aren’t marked on the map and are only found in the disability guide and first aid. Anyway, this was a particularly good companion bathroom.
I came out and Danielle was waiting to go. Before she could get to the bathroom, a mother holding a drowsy toddler went in. I was a bit perturbed but figured she shouldn’t be long.
We waited.
And waited.
And waited.
Finally after twenty minutes, the woman tiptoes out, the daughter asleep, and the bathroom light off.
You have got to be kidding me.
She used the companion bathroom to put her toddler to sleep.
This really effected our day. Danielle has kidney reflux and if she waits too long to go to the bathroom she will have to go every 20-45 minutes. And this happened.
After our ridiculously long bathroom break, we went by The Land ride to double check wheelchair access (due to our earlier experience at Ellen’s Energy Adventure). At first the CM was a bit confused. He expressed concern over the wheelchair turning radius and said they only let on the Hovaround brand??? Mom demonstrated the chairs ability and he agreed to let us ride. Hooray! We got a return time an hour away and were going to go to Journey Into Your Imagination. But first Danielle had to go to the bathroom.
Then we went to Journey Into Your Imagination aka Figment.
I really enjoy this ride. It takes us fifteen minutes to ride this because there is only one wheelchair car so we have to cycle through in turns. We still had thirty minutes before our return time. We played around in the activity area for about twenty minutes.
Dad conducting:
Dad being my hands as I morph into a flower and various animals:
Okay time to go back to the Land.
Danielle had to go to the bathroom. Missed the return time. Headed over to Honey I Shrunk the Audience. There weren’t any wheelchair seats for two hours. We got return tickets and contemplated what to do. We were too slow to trek over to the world showcase. Let’s check the Living with the Land. A ninety minute wait. Danielle had to pee.
After she went to the bathroom, we decided to use the GAC. It would take us about 30 minutes to ride (two trips-Mom and Grandma transferred). We went through the FP line. I got on just fine. The ride was better than I remembered and I liked it. We sped walked to Honey I Shrunk the Audience. Danielle had to pee…hurry!
We got in with about 5 minutes to spare. The pre-show was different then the one in 2002. This one was about memories-funny and cute. I love all the 3D shows. They have thrill moments which I especially enjoy. Some kids by us were really scared. One girl really thought she was shrunk. After Honey I Shrunk the Audience we left.
The day had some rough spots but turned out pretty good. We got home about 9:00. I think I got in bed about 11:00.
I went to sleep hoping we would be infused Disney magic the next day at Magic Kingdom.
Up Next on Wednesday, May 23: Magic Kingdom- The Magic Arrives! and my first pin
Magic Kingdom-Oh, its magic, ya know w/lotsa pics- Page 12, Post #173 & #174
Both aspects were entertaining. Eye candy. Patience is a virtue, Grandma always says. 
Thanks for stopping by. The harder you have to work for something, the more you appreciate it. 
And I still love the report.
Hey, I'm at Disney, I'm gonna laugh easier than usual. 
