Help with Revised Epcot Plans due to Injury (double post, sorry)

[Boo Bear]

I am guilty of double posting, but I am desperate for help! We leave in just TWO days for Orlando, otherwise I'd be patient for replies. I also posted this on the Theme Parks board so I apologize if that breaks any rules or makes people read this twice. Moderators, you can take it down if you need to.

I have a stress fracture in my foot so I had to change all of my touring plans around so I'm not trying to have to get across the parks and back between rides. We're going to try to avoid wheelchairs or ECVs because the doctor said I can walk on it with pain meds. I based my plans on the UG suggestions, but I allotted our time in EPCOT into segments. We're going to be spending the first half of the day next Monday the 4th in EPCOT and then the next day, Tues (EMH evenings) there, minus an afternoon break. So here is the first part of our touring plans:

Monday the 3rd

• catch monorail from CR at 8am
• pick up Times Guide at turnstiles
• head the Land and get FP for Soarin'
• ride w/o FP if line isn't too long
• ride Living with the Land
• see The Seas with Nemo and Friends
• see Turtle Talk with Crush
• tour The Seas Main Tank Exhibition
• return to Soarin' and ride with FP
• see Honey, I Shrunk the Audience
• see Circle of Life
• (Journey Into Imagination with Figment???... time and desire factor)
• eat lunch @ Sunshine Seasons
  
• return to Resort for afternoon rest
  
• head to Animal Kingdom around 3:30 or 4:00 (how much is a taxi from CR to AK?)

Tuesday the 4th (EMH evening)

• catch monorail from CR at 8am
• get FP for Test Track
• ride Test Track w/o FP if line isn't too long
• ride Mission:SPACE (not sure if it'll be a good idea on an already semi-upset stomach from pain killers)
• ride Universe of Energy
• ride Test Track w/ FP
• ride Spaceship Earth
• (eat at Electric Umbrella depending on hunger factor)
• (Club Cool if we didn't just eat)
• head to World Showcase
• take Grand Fiesta Tour (maybe?)
• ride Maelstrom and tour Norway
• (eat at Lotus Blossom Cafe if we haven't eaten yet)
• see Reflections of China
• tour Germany
• pick up C-D Friendship boat back to Future World
  
• return to Resort for mid-afternoon break
  
• pick up monorail to TTC then Epcot around 5:00
• visit Italy
• see American Adventure
• (eat early dinner depending on hunger factor at Liberty Inn)
• explore Japan
• visit Morocco
• see Impressions de France
• visit United Kingdom
• tour Canada
• see O Canada!
• see Illuminations

* stop wherever we see fit to sample tasty adult beverages (where do I find those Grey Goose slushies???)

The only part that I'm not confident about is the beginning portion of our second day. It seems like a lot of jumping around Future World East given the foot factor. What do you think?

 

[Selket]

I hang out here for other issues besides wheelchair use but the two things: stress fracture in foot and pain meds make me say - ECV. Epcot is SO much walking to begin with - wouldn't it be better for you overall to ride between the attractions and park the ECV and then walk around the area? You could even walk/stand in the que's if you felt fine. Maybe you could go with less pain meds - making you feel less sick to your stomach and maybe better overall.

Unless you are supposed to be walking miles and miles and miles a day on your stress fracture then I think your doctor is wrong. I think it best to rent the ECV - if all that walking becomes painful you'll be too ill to tour. Not worth the risk!

 

[Harvestmooner]

I hang out here for other issues besides wheelchair use but the two things: stress fracture in foot and pain meds make me say - ECV. Epcot is SO much walking to begin with - wouldn't it be better for you overall to ride between the attractions and park the ECV and then walk around the area? You could even walk/stand in the que's if you felt fine. Maybe you could go with less pain meds - making you feel less sick to your stomach and maybe better overall.

Unless you are supposed to be walking miles and miles and miles a day on your stress fracture then I think your doctor is wrong. I think it best to rent the ECV - if all that walking becomes painful you'll be too ill to tour. Not worth the risk!

I agree!! That is ALOT of walking and remember it is HOT at WDW in August. Get an EVC and enjoy your trip!!!!

 

[KPeveler]

i would definitely suggest an ECV or wheelchair for Epcot, even if you dont use one anywhere else. that way you can go with your original touring plan and NOT be stoned on pain meds! there is a difference to merely surviving your trip and actually ENJOYING it!!

 

[pumpkinboy]

Like others have said, getting a wheelchair or ECV and staying off your stress-fractured foot is probably the best advice. Then you can stick with the UG touring plan. There are no guarantees that ECVs or Wheelchairs will be available when you get to Epcot's main entrance, but given that you're arriving at the opening, you chould be able to whangle one.

As for the touring plan, it sounds decent. While lunch the first day at Sunshine Seasons is a good choice, I would not recommend either the Electric Umbrella or the Lotus Blossom. Perhaps it would be better to pack a snack and push on to Germany to lunch at Sommerfest, or in Norway at Kringla; our fav lunch counter service at Epcot is still the Tangierine Cafe in Morocco, but you seem to be coming up the other side on Day 2.

Also on your first day, you're thinking of taking a taxi to AK? I'd leave it to the bus as it is almost as fast, convenient and free. AK is a walking park too, so you may want to get some mobility assistance there too.

Good luck and have a great time.

 

[bzzymom]

When the doctor says you can walk on it, that doesn't mean you can be standing on it all day, like at WDW. Keep your plan, but get a wheelchair or ecv. You can always walk some short distances if you wish.

Good Luck!

 

[Boo Bear]

ok I understand that I should get an ECV... I'll get the ECV when we get there if I really feel like I'm going to need it. I've researched the places I can call. Now what about the plans I've made? THAT is the part that I need the most help with... I really appreciate all of the suggestions I've gotten so far... thanks

 

[ireland_nicole]

Two things;
1. re: times guide-if you check Steve Soares before you go, you can probably save a few minutes.

2. the touring plan for day 2 seems potentially a little ambitious if you want to do Energy Adventure; it's 45 min. long (just in case you didn't know)

and I can't help it; reaaally consider the ECV.

 

[J&J'sMOM]

I know you want to avoid an ecv or wc~~and trust me, I understand where you're coming from! I have a broken foot right now and we leave in 12 days. There is no way I could endure all the walking that a WDW vacation requires. I have been going back and forth with it, but the bottom line is, I don't want to damage my foot anymore than it already is. My md said that the only way he could condone me going is with an ecv or wc. So, I am going to rent one from an offsite company and get on with having fun! People will just have to be patient and wait as I drive it on and off the busses, ( that was my biggest fear). I have a walking boot on at all times, but I refuse to be in pain and hobble around the parks! Go and have a good time, but please consider the wc or ecv!!!

 

[Selket]

I've found Spaceship Earth to be crowded to ride in the mornings - we usually ride in the evening and there is no line. I guess you could play that one by ear as to the wait.

I'm not sure what is open at Epcot on an EMH evening - are you taking advantage of the EMH? EMH days at parks tend to bring in big crowds to that park you are going to have slower touring times and more people there all day. The park attendance is going to be huge as evening approaches as people head there rather than away from that park.I would pick another park that day if you can....looks like you don't have dinner ADR's etc. I'm not sure what your whole week looks like.

 

[SueM in MN]

I am guilty of double posting, but I am desperate for help! We leave in just TWO days for Orlando, otherwise I'd be patient for replies. I also posted this on the Theme Parks board so I apologize if that breaks any rules or makes people read this twice. Moderators, you can take it down if you need to.

That's OK; you will get different answers on each board and since you have a short time left before you go, it's important to get as much as you can quickly.
To give you an idea of distance when you look at the map of Epcot, the distance around World Showcase right along the water is about 1.1 miles.

Monday the 3rd

• catch monorail from CR at 8am
• pick up Times Guide at turnstiles
• head the Land and get FP for Soarin'
• ride w/o FP if line isn't too long

There is a very long, steep ramp to get up the hill to The Land building. Even without a stress fracture, it's hard going up and down that hill.
Here's a picture of the path into the Land.

And, once you get inside, there is nothing on the level that you enter. This is a view from the balcony right as you come into the building. There is a steep ramp to get to the middle level where Garden Grill Restaurant and Circle of Life are.

You can see the steep stairway and the escalator that go down to the lower level, where Living with the Land, Soarin' and the food court are.
Soarin' has a very, very long walk in the queue.
The first post in this thread has a lot of picture guides for the Land attractions.
The first guide of Soarin' shows the queue and each picture in that guide is an equally long bit of the queue.

• ride Living with the Land
• see The Seas with Nemo and Friends

Just to be aware, the queue for Nemo is a long distance. It weaves around and around. Even if the wait is not long, there is quite a distance.

• see Turtle Talk with Crush
• tour The Seas Main Tank Exhibition

If you decide to skip Nemo, you can enter the Seas building at the exit. It is on the side of the building to the left of the entrance.

• return to Soarin' and ride with FP
• see Honey, I Shrunk the Audience
• see Circle of Life
• (Journey Into Imagination with Figment???... time and desire factor)
• eat lunch @ Sunshine Seasons

Just this part has 3 trips in and out of the Land building. I would want to avoid going in there as much as possible because of the long ramp and the difficulty getting in and out of that building.

Tuesday the 4th (EMH evening)

• catch monorail from CR at 8am
• get FP for Test Track
• ride Test Track w/o FP if line isn't too long
• ride Mission:SPACE (not sure if it'll be a good idea on an already semi-upset stomach from pain killers)
• ride Universe of Energy

As was already mentioned, Universe of Energy is a 45 minute attraction (preshow plus ride). There are a few benches in the preshow, but there is no gurantee you will get a seat. The longest part of the attraction is a ride, where you will be seated.

• ride Test Track w/ FP
• ride Spaceship Earth
• (eat at Electric Umbrella depending on hunger factor)

We do like Electric Umbrella; it's nothing special, but is OK for basic.

• (Club Cool if we didn't just eat)
• head to World Showcase
• take Grand Fiesta Tour (maybe?)

If you decide to go into Mexico, don't climb the stairs in the front of the building. Go past the Mexico building toward Norway and look for the wheelchair symbol marking a ramp that goes up the side of the building. It's kind of hidden in the trees.

• [*]ride Maelstrom and tour Norway
  [*](eat at Lotus Blossom Cafe if we haven't eaten yet)
  [*]see Reflections of China

This is a standing show. There are lean rails, but you stand for the entire movie. (It is worth seeing, though).

• tour Germany
• pick up C-D Friendship boat back to Future World
  
• return to Resort for mid-afternoon break

The monorail station at Epcot has a long ramp to get up to the 2nd floor level station. The ramp goes partway up, makes a turn and then goes up again. THis makes it less steep, but a longer walk.
There is an elevator on the right as you enter the monorail station to leave Epcot. You can't see the elevator, the wall at the back of it faces the entrance, so you have to go around.

• pick up monorail to TTC then Epcot around 5:00
• visit Italy
• see American Adventure
• (eat early dinner depending on hunger factor at Liberty Inn)
• explore Japan
• visit Morocco
• see Impressions de France
• visit United Kingdom
• tour Canada
• see O Canada!
• see Illuminations

That's a lot of walking to start with.

* stop wherever we see fit to sample tasty adult beverages (where do I find those Grey Goose slushies???)

I had slushies at France, at one of the small buildings along the water. There are 2 flavors - Grey Goose and Grand Marnier.
The one thing I noticed is that slushy frozen alcohol seems much colder than just alcohol on ice. I nearly froze my mouth - highly recommend VERY small sips.

I've found Spaceship Earth to be crowded to ride in the mornings - we usually ride in the evening and there is no line. I guess you could play that one by ear as to the wait.

If you go in the morning, the wait may be 1 hour or even more in our experience. By mid-afternoon, it's more like 10 minutes. Same thing for Honey I Shrunk the Audience.

 

[pumpkinboy]

I've found Spaceship Earth to be crowded to ride in the mornings - we usually ride in the evening and there is no line. I guess you could play that one by ear as to the wait...

Excellent point, Selket! I agree wholeheartedly.

And isn't it great to have our beloved Admin, and her encyclopedic resonse to the OP's question. Well done SueM in MN! The OP may have more questions, but this response really covers most of the ground she was looking for.

Good luck Boo Bear!

OK, so now you need to send SueM in MN a nice bunch of flowers , dontcha Boo Bear.

 

[Boo Bear]

Thank you so much, SueM in MN, that's exactly what I was trying to get from this post!!! I need to sit down and take your advice seriously and re-arrange a few things... (and omit Universe of Energy, UG for Adults boo's it anyway... I love Ellen but not for 45 min of informational movie)

 

[SueM in MN]

Excellent point, Selket! I agree wholeheartedly.

And isn't it great to have our beloved Admin, and her encyclopedic resonse to the OP's question. Well done SueM in MN! The OP may have more questions, but this response really covers most of the ground she was looking for.

Good luck Boo Bear!

OK, so now you need to send SueM in MN a nice bunch of flowers , dontcha Boo Bear.

Thanks for the thanks.
I think it's almost time for me to go back and do more research

Thank you so much, SueM in MN, that's exactly what I was trying to get from this post!!! I need to sit down and take your advice seriously and re-arrange a few things... (and omit Universe of Energy, UG for Adults boo's it anyway... I love Ellen but not for 45 min of informational movie)

Hope you have a good trip.

 

[Boo Bear]

Thanks for the thanks.
I think it's almost time for me to go back and do more research


Hope you have a good trip.

Thanks I know I will! Those of you who are interested, I'll be posting updates from our Resort computer and posting tons of photos when I get back. (I'm a photographer, it's in my nature... I'll probably get over 1000 pictures)

Bridgette

 

[pumpkinboy]

Thanks for the thanks.
I think it's almost time for me to go back and do more research
...

I'll be doing research in a few weeks now, seeing how DS does in the sauna-like heat of August in WDW riding in his black-seated wheelchair. He is a redhead (the real Pumpkinboy) and has trouble managing his internal temps anyway, so we're going keep an eye on things and keep ice nearby to chill him down.
We'll be doing research on accessibility at the SSR and BCV pools too, that's for sure.

Boo Bear, I think you're smart to use the UG touring plans. Selecting out less interesting attractions (e.g. Universe of Energy, which we do in alternating years) can allow you to spend more time on the stuff that's really interesting to you. I also recommend that allow yourself some time to just enjoy the atmosphere, and stop places that look interesting (instead of racing from attraction to attraction); WDW staff have expended a lot of time and energy unifying the look and feel of the place, and there's lots to appreciate (esp at EPcot and AK, IMO). But the UG's best suggestions are always: arrive when the park opens and take a break around lunchtime. We're coming up on our 11th trip (10 for the kids) and we still find it necessary to save some stuff for next time so we can enjoy more of something that is striking our fancy this time.

Enjoy!