Excited AND worried...

[rottie155]

Hello all!!

Not long for me to go now (just over a month) until our extremely short visit to DLP so that Nan can finally see the magic for herself!

As you may all remember, after seeing all of my previous DLP trip photos - my Nan said that she would love to be able to see it just once in her life (obviously knowing full-well she is unable to do a lot of the rides, etc - but for her - just BEING there would be magical enough).

So I booked an overnight stay in the Disneyland Hotel to take my Mum and Nan in July so they can see the fireworks and Nan could enjoy a little nose throughout the parks... thinking that the travel / doing / staying would all be a bit TOO much for just the one night - I booked train tickets for a day earlier (this meant going to Gare du Nord instead of direct, but still got us there a day early) and booked a room-only stay at Sequoia Lodge.

The plan was to arrive on the Saturday - show Nan around the hotels and resort then have a meal *somewhere* ( ) in the resort, grab a cocktail (or two) then have an early night ready to wake-up, check-out of SL, check-in to DLH and then hit the parks and see Nan's face light up as she finally takes the walk towards the Castle

Now, things have taken a bit of a nose-dive and Nan may need a major operation... unfortunately, as of yet none of us know when this is going to take place and at the moment it is looking frightfully close to the upcoming trip. Nan is gutted (as am I) - so we're just hoping it will be AFTER our trip.

So, planning as if all is still going ahead - I am now needing to work out a rough itinerary so that Nan will enjoy the time she has in the resort. Due to the need for operation I am looking at the possibility of hiring a wheelchair for her (just incase) as her mobility is becoming increasingly limited.

My main issues now are booking meals - trying not to have any of them clash with parades / shows / fireworks - and deciding which rides will benefit Nan the most (IASW is a definate).

Aaaargh!!! When did Disney EVER become stressful?!

 

[mommy2ash]

that is such a lovely thing you are doing for your nan. i really hope the operation is after your trip. if mobility is an issue definitely rent a wheelchair, it will make the trip so much easier.

booking meals is always my main issue as well lol. i wish they brought out the schedule earlier. we normally book meals for lunchtime as that is when we would usually have our big meal of the day. if i can remember correctly in the summer the main parade is on at around 5 o clock. so you would either need to eat at lunch or after six not to miss it.

 

[jothp]

I really hope it all works out for your nan's trip

 

[rottie155]

Thank you both - and I have my fingers crossed that all works out fine so Nan gets to see DLP...

Sonya, that's actually really helpful - thank you! I will look into having either a really big late lunch (around 3pm ish?) or a snack around midday and a big dinner at 6pm ish so Nan can enjoy the parade and also still get to see the fireworks in the evening.

The only plus-side in the planning is that rides are not as much of an issue as they would've been during a normal DLP trip planning exercise Nan has already said to me she doesn't care if she doesn't do a single ride - she just wants to experience it all...

I think she's going to enjoy the Studios as she can sit and watch Animagique, Cinémagique, Stitch LIVE, Moteur Action, etc... But I will definately look into hiring a wheelchair for the day at the Main Disneyland Park, I especially do not want her to have to stand and wait for the fireworks - so it will be a lot easier for her to have the chair at her disposal whilst watching the parade/show/fireworks.

 

[Ware Bears]

Oh Adam, sometimes life sucks I really hope your Nan's operation will be after your trip so that you get chance to show her everything.

if i can remember correctly in the summer the main parade is on at around 5 o clock. so you would either need to eat at lunch or after six not to miss it.

I thought once summer hours started it changed to 7:15pm? I know we always used to book a table at Walt's for 6:30pm to watch it from there.

 

[mommy2ash]

Thank you both - and I have my fingers crossed that all works out fine so Nan gets to see DLP...

Sonya, that's actually really helpful - thank you! I will look into having either a really big late lunch (around 3pm ish?) or a snack around midday and a big dinner at 6pm ish so Nan can enjoy the parade and also still get to see the fireworks in the evening.

The only plus-side in the planning is that rides are not as much of an issue as they would've been during a normal DLP trip planning exercise Nan has already said to me she doesn't care if she doesn't do a single ride - she just wants to experience it all...

I think she's going to enjoy the Studios as she can sit and watch Animagique, Cinémagique, Stitch LIVE, Moteur Action, etc... But I will definately look into hiring a wheelchair for the day at the Main Disneyland Park, I especially do not want her to have to stand and wait for the fireworks - so it will be a lot easier for her to have the chair at her disposal whilst watching the parade/show/fireworks.

be thankful you dont have to factor in every character meet as well as the random im wearing my cinderella dress mammy i have to show her

 

[mommy2ash]

Oh Adam, sometimes life sucks I really hope your Nan's operation will be after your trip so that you get chance to show her everything.I thought once summer hours started it changed to 7:15pm? I know we always used to book a table at Walt's for 6:30pm to watch it from there.

ooops i could well be wrong as i haven't been in the summer

 

[Nightmaremum1]

Sorry for the bad timing, Adam, but hopefully with waiting lists the op will be after your trip and your nan can enjoy the magic.

 

[ICECUBEQUEEN]

Just a though Adam, but should your Nan be in a wheelchair for the trip, can't you get some sort of pass from City Hall which allows you to board rides quicker / queue jump? May be worth looking into to help you get the most out of your stay xxx

 

[Happy Tappy]

Hi Adam,

Sorry to hear your bad news. I hope she's well enough to really enjoy the parks.

It's worth noting that if she was in need of a wheelchair (a doctors note would help), she would be entitled to an easy access pass meaning she shouldn't have to queue long for rides.

There are also disabled spots reserved for the parade which mean she wont have to be part of the general crush.

They do have limited availability on the wheelchairs so make sure it's the first thing that you do when you enter the parks. It's also worth noting that they expect a €150 deposit.

 

[rottie155]

Hi Adam,

Sorry to hear your bad news. I hope she's well enough to really enjoy the parks.

It's worth noting that if she was in need of a wheelchair (a doctors note would help), she would be entitled to an easy access pass meaning she shouldn't have to queue long for rides.

There are also disabled spots reserved for the parade which mean she wont have to be part of the general crush.

They do have limited availability on the wheelchairs so make sure it's the first thing that you do when you enter the parks. It's also worth noting that they expect a €150 deposit.

Oh really? The ride part isn't an over worry as we are going to be limited to IASW, POTC and Phantom Manor quite likely... but it would certainly benefit Nan if she was able to sit in a disabled area for the parade so she would be able to sit down and still get a clear view. I'm not worried at all about Mum and I as we've seen it all before - obviously with my Mum's cancer treatment she can't stand for long periods neither but she's been there / seen it and done it all before.

In all fairness I'd pay whatever deposit fee they asked for if it meant Nan could get around the park comfortably and just enjoy the magic

Just a though Adam, but should your Nan be in a wheelchair for the trip, can't you get some sort of pass from City Hall which allows you to board rides quicker / queue jump? May be worth looking into to help you get the most out of your stay xxx

This is definately food for thought thank you my love!! As Happy Tappy said, should Nan've had the operation and is still able to go - I will look into a doctor's note advising she is unable to stand and will speak with City Hall.

Regardless of the easy access pass, I will still be looking into hiring a wheelchair just so that she can comfortably visit the park.

Sorry for the bad timing, Adam, but hopefully with waiting lists the op will be after your trip and your nan can enjoy the magic.

Thank you This is the first time in history where the queuing system with the NHS could actually work in our favour. Fingers and toes crossed

be thankful you dont have to factor in every character meet as well as the random im wearing my cinderella dress mammy i have to show her

Sonya, you say this but we are looking at a character dinner so that Nan can get to have her very own photo with Mickey Mouse etc ... although this will probably be the first night in Café Mickey...

Oh Adam, sometimes life sucks I really hope your Nan's operation will be after your trip so that you get chance to show her everything.I thought once summer hours started it changed to 7:15pm? I know we always used to book a table at Walt's for 6:30pm to watch it from there.

Thank you Elaine... I'm keeping everything crossed!!!

Oh really, I've never been to DLP in the Summer so just assumed the parade was always 5pm?! If it works out later then that would probably be better as we would have an early dinner at 5ish and can then settle down ready for the parade.

So, does this mean the light parade will be on too? Fantillusion I think it's called now?

 

[A Small World]

I hope she can still get to DLP with you Adam.

We took my Mum a few yrs ago - she was in her late 70s. She really enjoyed her meal at Cafe Mickey and also enjoyed riding Its a Small world, Phantom Manor, Pirates and the other fantasyland rides. She also enjoyed watching the parade and was quite happy sitting people watching with a cup of coffee while we went off and did BTM (with FP so we didnt leave her too long)

Yes there will be fantillusion and fireworks on if its in the summer season.
I think Elaine is right Im sure the parade is about 7/7.30 in summer and fantillusion about 10.
The restaurants get very busy between these 2 parades as everyone tries to eat then so if you can eat earlier it will be much better

 

[Kazzabelle]

awww Adam i am so sorry your nan is having to go through an operation send her our love.
I really hope all goes to plan and you still get to go i know how long you have wanted your nan to see the place that makes you so happy.
Sending you big hugs

 

[rottie155]

I hope she can still get to DLP with you Adam.

We took my Mum a few yrs ago - she was in her late 70s. She really enjoyed her meal at Cafe Mickey and also enjoyed riding Its a Small world, Phantom Manor, Pirates and the other fantasyland rides. She also enjoyed watching the parade and was quite happy sitting people watching with a cup of coffee while we went off and did BTM (with FP so we didnt leave her too long)

Yes there will be fantillusion and fireworks on if its in the summer season.
I think Elaine is right Im sure the parade is about 7/7.30 in summer and fantillusion about 10.
The restaurants get very busy between these 2 parades as everyone tries to eat then so if you can eat earlier it will be much better

Thank you so much, I really hope Nan can still make it too.

That's really helpful - thank you. My Nan is in her late 70's too and it sounds like we will be doing pretty much as you did with your Mum.
I will bear that in mind re the restaurant busy times... the first part is working out exactly where we will be eating, the timing is the next hurdle!

 

[A Small World]

Another thing to consider Adam is that some rides have a moving walkway to get on (Buzz, Phantom Manor, Story book ride) - if your Nan is going to struggle with this you can ask them to stop it.
Mum was Ok with it but I had to hold on to her to help her. However when we were there once we did see someone fall into the water trying to get onto story book ride as she couldnt get into the boat in time so worth bearing in mind.

 

[xitaliax]

sorry t hear bout your Nan! hope all goes well and she enjoys all the magic it has to offer her!!!

 

[rottie155]

awww Adam i am so sorry your nan is having to go through an operation send her our love.
I really hope all goes to plan and you still get to go i know how long you have wanted your nan to see the place that makes you so happy.
Sending you big hugs

Thanks Karen I am REALLY hoping we can get her there still, just trying to keep positive now...

Another thing to consider Adam is that some rides have a moving walkway to get on (Buzz, Phantom Manor, Story book ride) - if your Nan is going to struggle with this you can ask them to stop it.
Mum was Ok with it but I had to hold on to her to help her. However when we were there once we did see someone fall into the water trying to get onto story book ride as she couldnt get into the boat in time so worth bearing in mind.

Oh thanks for that! I forgot about the moving walkways... I hope the person was ok who fell in the water?! I bet that was quite a scene to behold!!

I think the hardest part at the moment is we just dont know the extent of how bad Nan is going to be until the time comes - as it is now, she would be fine with everything, just need regular breaks (which goes without saying really)... but if the op takes place before our trip she could be wheelchair bound for a few months... It's just such a nightmare to predict.

Your help and thoughts have really meant a lot to me though, thank you

sorry t hear bout your Nan! hope all goes well and she enjoys all the magic it has to offer her!!!

Thank you so much, I am going to pass on everyones messages to Nan - I know it will mean a lot to her

 

[justfi]

Sorry to hear your Nan will need an op.

Just a thought, and I know your Nan isn't fussed about rides, but some of them have cars which can be quickly adapted so the wheelchair rolls on. The magic carpet ride in the Studios is one, only know this as an over enthusiastic cm whizzed my son on in his wheelchair (he can't walk far but can transfer and always has done previously). I think the slinky ride has an adaptable car too, can't find the brochure to see which others are accessible. There is one boat on the story book ride which they keep for disabled guests and it did stop but the wait for it was so long it really daft, and I never did work out/get an answer as to why there was only one boat which could stop. Maybe it was installed after the person fell in!

Hope you have a wonderful trip and your Nan has a great time.

 

[rottie155]

Sorry to hear your Nan will need an op.

Just a thought, and I know your Nan isn't fussed about rides, but some of them have cars which can be quickly adapted so the wheelchair rolls on. The magic carpet ride in the Studios is one, only know this as an over enthusiastic cm whizzed my son on in his wheelchair (he can't walk far but can transfer and always has done previously). I think the slinky ride has an adaptable car too, can't find the brochure to see which others are accessible. There is one boat on the story book ride which they keep for disabled guests and it did stop but the wait for it was so long it really daft, and I never did work out/get an answer as to why there was only one boat which could stop. Maybe it was installed after the person fell in!

Hope you have a wonderful trip and your Nan has a great time.

Thank you so much for that, I never even knew technology like that existed!

So they actually roll the wheelchair onto the ride?! That would be such a blessing if things took a turn for the worst and Nan was in a wheelchair, at least she would be able to enjoy a couple of rides (just to say she has been on at least *something* in Disneyland).

Thanks again, everyone has been so lovely!

 

[DLPdaft]

The Small World ride and Buzz Lazer Blast ride also have the wheelchair-adapted cars/boats .