Going Home - My Disneyland Trip Planning

[mechurchlady]

I will skip the back story as it is old and not worth the sadness.

Calvin has to go to a funeral on the 4th so the trip is pushed to 5th. This will allow him to see Billy Hill. Bad news is that it is an early entry day and teh sneak preview of Small World.

I wrote Chris at Disneyland bout my special dietary needs. He was away so I waited until Monday to write. Seems that the only way I can get the Gluten Free/Celiac list is to go to the parks or have someone get it from the parks. So there goes planning. I wrote back explaining that I have all food at least 98% soy free and that I cannot have soy flour for example. I was told to call some else in their office or what ever.

I could have got the ECV cheap but only for a month from a store in whittier. Rascal wants a lot of money as I am not eligible for a scooter despite Scan, medicare, etc. I will be doing teh shopping today at Whole foods then can try to get a lot of stuff at stater brothers using an ECV. This will stress me out, risk of allergies, over eating, and pain from the shopping. I really do not think I can make it all the way to the line, buy tickets and then to the ECV rental. I have a wheelchair which is an option.

I do not want to go as I am getting the flutters and jitters and there was a woman who gave me trouble on a board. I complimented her by saying she was the person I would like meet most at the park. Now the site has a stalking rule implemented and they put it on my trip page. I complement a person and then get that sort of treatment. One of my triggers is security guards, police etc because when I was about 12 or 14 my mom would threaten to call the state mental hospital or police on me. It was just a mother and daughter argument and nothing bad but that was her way to shut me up, with fear. Once a salesman came to the door and she said "See I called the police and they are heere for you" or something like that. She used to threaten to get out of the car when I drover her places.

I have to take Calvin as he is my friend, and the big lug really wants to go. I wanted to go but right now everyday is another road block and more anxiety and stress and nervous wreck. Calvin does not want to do kiddie rides. So Nemo is probably out as is Buzz Lightyear. I would love to ride the Canal Boats, Casey Junior, and Winnie the Pooh but he wont. Tom Sawyer Island is probably out also. Finances are an issue as I would be happy with one meal and popcorn. Inside I want to go home but at the same time my outside is shutting down.

If this was WDW I would have been prepared with tons of info and maps prinited and had a plan. I would have the food lists on me. Disneyland is not like WDW. I am writing this because I am overwhelmed right now. I have to go shopping at three or four stores and pay bills then go through the magazine list and get them for mom. I need the ECV in the morning before most places would deliver so that would be financial worrys for a one dy delivery. I need a hug right now and I just need to get over this overwhelming payday blues and stress.

hugs
LAurie
=====================
I ate chili and that is it. I cannot stop belching so stress or wheat reaction or both.

Jose is not in so I have to wait until tomorrow to find out if they have a list of soy free foods. Van's waffles are gluten free but have soy flour. I am trying to chill but this is not WDW. I would hate to try to do counter service and ask for 3 or 4 things like shellfish, dairy and soy.

 

[pudge the fish]

 

[SueM in MN]

 

[mechurchlady]

Hugs Pudge and Sue

Update
I cannot afford the EVC rentals. They want like 3 days or week. Calvin has not called me in days so I assume it is still on. I am exhausted and broke form shopping as in over $600 in groceries for two people. I have sores on the inside of my nose which means that my immune system is down and I got into some wheat. Not much just a tiny bit.

At Disneyland the southern Californian pays admission then in three days is charged the first payment. For about $100 and $38 a month I can get a premium pass. If I wanted to upgrade Calvin's then I would keep paying base rate for the year and have to pay $100+ for upgrades.

WE ARE NOT IN WDW.
I wrote Chris about allergies and he said to call some one. Monday I email and he says guest services will have a gluten free list. I write back reiterate SOY FREE or 98% soy free to be exact.I called and the dude knew nothing and to wait as he would have Jose call me. WEll it is Thursday and I have no clue as to what counter service and cart service is gluten free let alone soy free.

 

[mechurchlady]

I slept over 5 hours after getting home. I may have something in my heel from over a month ago and cannot see what it is but there was a tiny blood stain. Thick skin so I can get bits of glass in my heels and they poke flesh but I cannot see them to get them out.

I told Calvin we were leaving no later than 9 am. I called and he was just getting up. Then he called around 9:45 and was just leaving out the door then he had me drive around the block as he forgot his cough medicine then he thought I was driving fast but I was only 7 mph over the limit and have driven that street for 30 years.

I had a real nice discussion with a CM. I KNOW that with disabled parking on the ground floor you have to walk all the way around a fence and it is about a 3 black walk, very far. Finally he let me go into the bus parking area where we got the second row from the opening to trams. I SAID TO LEAVE AT 9 AM. I was so steamed at him for making me wait so long. Then he was still at the car and I said I was going to start walking to the the tram.

I found that my leaning over the back of the wheelchair and putting my hands on the arm rests I could take a lot off of my body and move pretty fast. I got to the place that crosses the tram road but still no Calvin. He catches up and I cross the road then set in the wheelchair and push to the boarding area. I walk it up the ramp then set and wait. Nice driver and you would not believe what we ended up doing. The tram driver took time out to show Calvin the motor of the tram. Calvin was leaning over the rail ooh and aah and wow over the tractor motor and was so happy. I pushed myself to the line for tickets.

DLR finally got things straight. They have both sides blocked off for bag check. That way guests can park hop without multiple bag checks. I was a good guest and had my bookbag out and my purse open and ready for inspection. I got in line and explained to Calvin about how Disney is making all lines wheelchair accessible and about the passes available. Took a while to sink in. Elyse was funny, sweet and very nice. I got a premium pass and Calvin got a Southern California pass, the better of the two.

I am crying as I do not know how we will make it financially. All the bills are not in and we have about $200 for the rest of the month. that is over 3 weeks. I will try aunt josie but honestly think when all bills are in that we will have about $50 for 3 weeks. Mom does not know and other than apria I know of no way to make money. Clavin had to choose an expensive jacket. It is his fault that we were cold and wet. He ruined my day. I had fun in the parks and when I feel better will tell more. I hurt and my throat and exhausted. Had fun but so much money. we are broke. Mom need a converter box and I lost the coupons. I need a miracle and should not have taken the trip but I had to go back.

hugs
Laurie

 

[DisDreaminMom]

 

[robin09]

Laurie, I wish that I could do than for you. You have always had kind words during my hard times with Jenna. thinking of you now, as always

 

[mechurchlady]

Thanks for the hugs and ti was bad at times and I am used to being around people who are sensitive, caring, and park savvy. Big hugs to everyone. We need a Disneyland stickied FAQs. Here goes.

NOTE: I am writing this for my dear friends at Disboards and SGT so somethings are more for one board and some for the other.

I rolled over to main gate and handed them the ticket. I got out just before entering as it was too hard to push the chair in that area. I then leaned over the chair so I could put my weigh on my arms that were on the arm rests. I walked over to the bank and got in line for my passport photo. Calvin had to pee. He took so long that I had to let someone ahead of me, lol. Then he could not figure the shortest way to get to me. The bank has an open door and nope he hopped a rope. My picture has mussed hair as when I am nervous i run my fingers through my hair.

We were supposed to go to DCA but nope Calvin wanted to see Disneyland a bit. There is not access to the train for a wheelchair and no street transportation because of construction so I decided we would do Disneyland first then some other day do DCA. We by that time had less than 5 hours to see anything and we would have to feed Calvin. We went to get us two ECVs and Calvin was still dumbfounded. Finally in line he realized that he would get an ECV and that they would store my wheelchair.

A bit confusing as you need to go right to get out of the area where you pay. They hand you a ton of paperwork and I am overwhelmed with all that paperwork. Then hand the guy at an exit a pass and procede to where you drop of your wheelchair, ECV, powerchair or whatever. I let the lady explain everything to Calvin. DLR scooters have a switch to put the scooter into reverse. The good thing is that there is a lever and you can push with your arm or hand or hold down with your hand grasping the lever. Very light touch needed to make it go. They have a knob on the control panel that can go up to 5+ mph and we were really booking it with them scooters. They are big monsters and you get a metal bar in front to protect the housing around the front wheels. They are very easy to maneuver but BIG.

We went over to City Hall to get Calvin a GAC and met a nice lady plaid who stopped and talked with us. I told Calvin about plaids as I want him to be a smart guest who knows everything thus having a great trip. We parked to the right of the City Hall and waited maybe 2 or 3 minutes and were helped by an older plaid lady who was very nice. I got the gluten free listing but no soy list, frustrating but I have a plan up my sleeve, lol. I then told her I needed a GAC for Calvin and that he was hard of hearing and no stairs. It was a piece of cake and we were out of there in minutes. I was teaching Calvin how to get a GAC. Wow they turned the waiting room on the north side into another counter to help people. Great idea. We went out then down the stairs that are farthest north.

We procede north on Main Street then we stopped so I could show Calvin the Elias Disney window. Tourguide Laurie, lol. We then headed up to the Plaza Inn where we stopped so I could show Calvin where the nurse's station is located. Then off to entrance to Tomorrowland where I stopped and showed Calvin the edible landscaping, wow. He likes to know how things work and thought is was neat that they hide with vegetation a piece of equipment. We parked right at the entrance to Buzz Lightyear in stroller parking.

I had the GAC ready but there was no line so the CM told me to go left and it was a bit of a walk and a bit dark. At the end of the line is an entrance to the wheelchair boarding area but we were walking and hopped into a ride vehicle. There is a moving walkway and idiots do not holster their guns when they are done so it can be a nightmare to get onto the ride at times. You have a gun dangling in front of you as you get into the ride vehicle. Calvin was a slow learner but did ok. I think the problem is figuring where your gun is aiming. We had fun and did ok with scores. There is a button that you can push to rotate the vehicle but this is optional. Some people would have trouble because of the noise, darkness and bustle of the stuff as you shoot at them. Did not smell anything in here or see any gasses. Pretty smooth ride. Basically a game where you shoot at targets and fun for me but some people who are not into video games and targets shoot might be bored. Mom would definitely.

 

[ireland_nicole]

Nicole