My trip with Grumpy on wheels.

[jennymouse]

I just returned from my trip with Dad and thought I'd write my report while catching up on the laundry. I'm going to do my report in one thread this time instead of a different thread for different days. If you read my pretrip you know I was worried (and even sort of dreading) about this trip with my 80 year old father I knick named Grumpy (to his face) while we were gone. Since he has bad knees and scarred lungs, I rented him an ECV from Care Medical for the week. Well, here's how it went with Grumpy on wheels.

Friday, January 30th.

Dad hasn't flown in probably 30 years. He has a pilots license and used to fly small planes when I was a kid so he's not afraid of flying. I wasn't worried about him being scared, I was worried about the security procedures. Dad's got a belly. He's not big anywhere else but his belly but he has a hard time getting his shoes on/off, but I had him wear his tennis shoes so he wouldn't have to take them off because they don't have a metal bar in the sole.

Our flight wasn't scheduled to leave until 4:00 pm. We took a taxi to the airport here in Lexington, KY around 3:15 and arrived in plenty of time. I went through security with no problems, but guess who got searched. Dad. His suspenders set the alarm off and after that he had to take his shoes off too. I could tell he was embarrased when he almost toppled over head first out of the chair when he was putting them back on, but he didn't get mad. He even sort of chuckled about it, he can laugh at himself.

The flight to Atlanta was a bit bumpy but it went okay until the flight attendant told him that she'd made the arraingments for his wheelchair in Atlanta. I had told him that I was getting him assistance in Atlanta before we left but he either wasn't listening to me as usual or he forgot. He told her that he didn't need a wheelchair. She looked at me and I nodded yes as I have been through Atlanta many times and know what a walk it is. She just smiled and said it would be there if he wanted to use it. After she walked off, he scolded me for it, but I told him he could walk if he wanted to but it was a long way. He used the wheelchair and was glad he did when he saw how long the walk was.

Now, all the time I spent planning this trip I tried and tried to get Dad to talk with me about it and share in the planning but he wouldn't do it. He had it in his head that he wasn't going to have a good time, he's "hard to impress." "Doesn't like fantasy." and any attempts at sharing the planning was met with grunts. I'd given him the Unoffical Guide to read but he acted like he didn't want to read a "disney book" but I did catch him reading it a couple times. Other than to pick the restaurants, he just wasn't into any details. So after we got to MCO, he started asking "How are we supposed to get to the hotel?" I just smiled and said, "So now you're interested in the details, huh."

As we came down the escelator in MCO, Bob with ******** was waiting with my last name on the card. Bob and I got the luggage and soon we were in the Ford Excursion being wisked away to the Wilderness Lodge where we would spend our first two nights. Bob even talked college basketball with Dad on the way so that was even better.

I thought Dad was going to fall over backwards when we entered the WL as he just kept looking up and up and up. No time to check in just yet, we've got a PS at Artist Point for 9:30 as we haven't eaten since noon! Now, as you may recall, I printed off menus to all of the restaurants that DAD PICKED OUT for him to review before we left, but now Dad's grumbling about there not being a baked potato on the menu. He didn't like the root mash at all, but he did enjoy the buffalo steak. And of course, he grumbled about the prices even though when I warned him about the prices before we left, he argued that they didn't seem any higher than at home.

Dinner over, I asked Dad if he wanted to relax in the lobby while I checked in or if he wanted to check in with me. He wanted to wait. There was no line, but the three CM's working the desk were busy with other guests so there was a little bit of a wait, not bad. We were upgraded to a courtyard room. When finished, the CM, Jenny, went to get Dad's ECV which had been delivered earlier. When I walked back to Dad he was grumbling that it took too long and that they should've had more people working the desk. Jenny came riding the ECV around the corner and even got a smile out of Dad.

Dad's never used an ECV before but he didn't have much trouble getting it up to our room. He even parallel parked it in front of the door nook of the adjoining room. After washing up for bed, he came out grumbling about Disney being tight with their soap that there wasn't but one little bar of soap in the bathroom. I went in and found the other bar of soap for him. At this point, I think he's just looking for things to complain about.

Of course he missed his recliner and those chairs are uncomfortable and the bed it too tall and hard and the Weather Channel says it's supposed to rain the next day. I was sort of glad that the Zippity doo Dah channel was not on anymore as I wouldn't be able to watch it anyway. Dad's grumbling about all the TV stations being Disneyfied and at this point I'm really wishing I'd left Dad at home.

Stay tuned for more fun to come!

 

[jennymouse]

Day Two, Saturday, January 31st.

Note: I don't know why my choice of transportation from/to the airport was *'d out by the Dis in my day one. Is it because they aren't a sponsor anymore? Other companies like Tiffany, Happy and others aren't sponsors either, but their names appear in posts. We used your ride! I wonder if that'll get *'d out too!

It wasn't raining when we woke up but it had been. I thought we'd go to MK today since we were so close to it, but I was worried about Dad getting on the boat to MK with the ECV. I got up early as I usually do in WDW and headed down to buy a fanny pack as I couldn't find the one I thought I packed. I stopped and got a couple refillable mugs of coffee and started to get some donuts for breakfast but didn't as I thought Dad might like to get breakfast at Whispering Canyon Cafe. I spent some time exploring the WL and decided it was an awsome resort but I liked AKL better of the two. Just my preferance, though.

When I got back to the room Dad was up and getting ready. He didn't think he wanted to go eat breakfast at WCC as it seemed loud with a lot of kids last night, so we were going to get something at Roaring Forks on the way out. However, when we went down it was very crowded with a long line. This was around 9:30 and I guess I'm used to hitting those kind of places early as I've never run across a line that big. No matter, we'd just stop at the bakery at MK. I'd been wanting to try the French Toast Loaf I'd heard about anyway.

The sky is looking like it would rain any minute as we made our way down to the boat dock. I'd picked up a zip up sweat shirt and was warm, but Dad didn't have his jacket on and was getting cold so I ran back to the room to get it for him while he waited in the long line for the boat. I got to meet our mousekeeper though and she was so sweet and thanked me for the tip. Back at the boat dock the boat was just pulling up and Dad got on with the ECV with no problems.

There was another long line for the bakery, but I parked Dad at a table by the entrance to the Plaza Pavilion and went in anyway. When I got back to the table, the ECV was there but Dad wasn't and other people were sitting at the table. I sat down at the ECV but couldn't move it because Dad had the key and told the people that I would move it when Dad got back. He'd gone to find a restroom. I guess it's an issue with older men and having to go to the bathroom every few minutes. He found one okay and we ate our breakfast.

Dad remembered the Country Bear Jamboree fondly from back when he brought us to MK when we were kids, so we headed there first. Dad enjoyed seeing those bears again, but that's really about all he enjoyed there. We did the bears, PoC, HM, Hall of Pres, and IASW. It was more crowded than I expected and kids kept running out in front of Dad in thier excitedment and it was getting nerve racking for us both. We weren't having fun so we decided to leave. It started raining on the way and I went in and bought a couple ponchos. We made it back to the room to find that the sweet mousekeeper left us some towel animals. It's the first time I'd ever gotten any and thought it was kinda neat. Dad wasn't impressed though.

Before we left home, I'd made note of when Dad said that the University of Kentucky was playing basketball while we were there and worked that into the tenative itinerary. Dad had told me they were playing Vanderbuilt on Sunday, but when we got back to the room we found out that they'd played that day and we missed it...and UK had lost. According to Dad, they lost because he wasn't watching it to root them on.

We just chilled out in the room for a while. I actually took a little nap and Dad watched basketball on TV. It was still raining when it was time to go to the California Grill for dinner so we took a taxi over since the walkway to the boatdock and the boatdock itself isn't covered. Of course, there's no baked potatoes on the menu here either and Dad just can't understand why these nice restaurants don't have baked potatoes. We both got the pork tenderlion and it was absolutely wonderful. Dad enjoyed his too even though it didn't have a baked potato. Oh, another thing that really freaked him out was that there wasn't any salt and pepper shakers on the tables at Artist Point or Calf Grill. But, he admitted that neither dishes needed seasoning. Both dinners did serve bread though, which is another pet peave of Dad's.

I had planned to stay and watch Wishes from the CG but Dad wasn't interested in it. He said, fireworks are fireworks. Once you've seen one fireworks show, you've seen them all. I didn't want Dad to spoil my first Wishes show so I didn't even try to convince him that Disney fireworks are different. We went back to the room to watch more basketball after dinner.

Are you having fun yet? I'm not!

Stay tuned to "Those Boys Saved My Vacation!" Can you guess who "Those Boys" are?

 

[jennymouse]

Day Three, Sunday, February 1st.

Today is the day we move to BCV and I was excited for my first stay at my home DVC resort. My first DVC stay I stayed at BWV and it was awsome but I was looking forward to trying out my home resort. Dad's wanting to know how we're going to get all our luggage there with no car, but I explained that Disney was going to move it for us while we got the bus to Epcot. He seemed surprised and pleased at this service. We hadn't unpacked so it wasn't a big deal to get our things together and we called for bell services and they were there right away.

We head to the bus stop and it was Dad's first try at getting on the bus with the ECV. He was nervous and embarrased about having all the other people wait while the driver loaded him up. But he got on with no problems. He commented on how far from MK Epcot was. I told him that I was surprised at just how big WDW was now too. We arrived and unload with no problems. I said "See the big Epcot ball, Dad?" "Yes, what's in it?" "You're about to find out!" "It's not a thrill ride is it? I'm not going on no thrill rides." He liked it! Of course we don't do Test Track or Mission Space, I'll have to wait until June for my first MS ride, but that's okay, I wasn't planning on riding it this trip. He liked The Land attractions, and Energy even though he doesn't like Ellen. Things were starting to look up!

We were walking to the International Gateway to go to BCV and check in and came upon an Off Kilter show in Canada where I actually caught Dad tapping his foot and clapping to the music. After the show he pronounced "Those boys are great! Where can we buy a DVD!" Off Kilter, Those Boys, saved our vacation! He ended up loving Epcot! All of it! We were starting to have fun!

We checked in at the BC and went to the villa and he said it was very nice. This was the man who a few months ago, was thinking that DVC was some sort of scam and was afraid I'd get a big bill for my stays. We went and had lunch at Beaches & Cream and looked at SAB before heading back to Epcot WS. We had a great time at Beirgarten for dinner and enjoyed going around WS and seeing all the movies & entertainment in the different countries. Dad was even buying souvineers! We went back and caught another Off Kilter show earlier too. Dad couldn't remember thier name and kept calling them Those Boys.

Another thing that helped the situation was that there were lots of other senior citizens there and some were on ECV's too. We got to talking to some other older folks who convinced him that he should stay and see Illuminations and he enjoyed that too.

A great day!

 

[jennymouse]

Monday, February 2nd.

We both slept in this morning and we went to Yacht Club Galley for breakfast. We enjoyed it very much and ended up going again. After that we went back to Epcot where we went to HISTA and I learned that Dad liked the 3D shows, the Land again, and did some more of WS. Yes, we caught another show by Those Boys and snaked around a bit. It was a perfect day that ended with dinner at Chefs de France. We ended up staying all day and not even taking a break. Dad had plenty of energy since he was in the ECV so he walked my legs off! Walking back to BCV was a breeze as well. Very handy with the ECV.

Stay tuned for Dad at Cinderella's Royal Table.

 

[Minniespal]

Great reviews ~ Thanx for sharing.

 

[anne60]

Thanks for sharing...made me miss my Dad, though. He was kind of Grumpy, too, but always had a "one-liner" waiting when any of us got upset.

 

[jennymouse]

Day 5, Tuesday, February 3rd.

I don't know what evil creature had possessed me to cause me to make this PS at Cinderella's Royal Table. But since I had to forgo my last PS to Cindy's due to my DD thus losing my deposit, I wasn't going to cancel this one and lose another deposit. So off we went to the castle for our 8:55 seating. Fairy Godmother was holding court in the lobby. Dad noted that she sure does age well as she didn't look a day over 20! The lobby was full of little girls in thier princes attire in line with thier autograph books to get Fairy Godmother's autograph. I enjoyed watching them and I think Dad did too, despite himself. The breakfast was pretty good and I took lots of photos of Dad with the princeses! He told Snow White that I was trying to embarrase him and she said "Good."

I had told Dad that it wouldn't be as busy at MK today since it was a Tuesday, but I was wrong. The place was hopping! I was determined to see Mickey's Philharmagic though. We saw it and I thought it was fantastic. Dad was pouting bigger than the little ones there so we made our exit. I knew then that our plans for dinner at LTT and seeing Spectro and Wishes was out of the question.

Dad had said before we left that he didn't want to go to Animal Kingdom as he didn't like zoos much, but we had this whole day to fill and he'd been seeing the Animal Kingdom TV commercials saying that AK was Not a Zoo, so I suggested going there for at least the safari and Festival of the Lion King Show and he agreed. We went on the safari, saw the FotLK and he enjoyed both. We ended up seeing It's Tough to be a Bug 3D show too and he liked that as well. We split a chicken sandwich & fries at Tusker House then headed back to the BCV. I switched our PS from LTT to Cape May Cafe and we enjoyed our dinner. After dinner we watched UK beat the Florida Gators in basketball...barely.

Tomorrow we get to see how Dad likes MGM!

 

[jennymouse]

Day 6, Wednesday February 4th.

We went back to the Yacht Club Galley for breakfast to start our day then caught the boat to MGM. We started off with the Indiana Jones Stunt show even though Dad doesn't like Indy I convinced him it was about stunts not Indy. He liked that. We did Muffets, Great Movie Ride, One Man's Dream, Animation tour where we were trapped for a while, grabbed a snack and I think that's about it. He wanted to go back to Epcot to see Them Boys and some of the countries we'd missed. (He's upstairs listening to the CD of "Them Boys" as I write this.LOL)

I had a late PS at Le Cellier for after Fantasmic, but was able to walk up and change it to before Fantasmic. We both had the mushroom filet and it was awsome, but alas, still no baked potato or salt & pepper here. It starting to become quite funny.

After dinner, we rushed over to MGM to see Fantamic! It was great as usual and we both enjoyed it very much. When we got back we stopped and got ice cream at Beaches & Cream. All in all we had a great day.

Tomorrow we go to Sea World and Cirque du Soleil!

 

[jennymouse]

Day 7, Thursday February 5th.

Dad had wanted to see Sea World so I got tickets before we left home at AAA. After getting some advice on getting Dad's ECV to Sea World with us, I booked a lift van transport with Mears. They arrived promptly and picked us up at 9:20. We saw all the big shows right off the bat and then wandered around the other attractions. I kept getting lost. People say that it's laid out so well but I don't think so, and it all looks the same. I missed Disney already. It was a good day though and saw everything we wanted to see. Mears picked us back up at 3:30 and we went back to BCV and rested up before heading to Cirque.

We both really enjoyed Cirque but Dad's legs weren't working when he stood up to leave. There were lots of seniors there and they were having trouble getting down the stairs with no handrails. One fell, but not hard. We only had four steps to manuver (great seats) and Dad held on to me so we did okay. It was sort of scarry watching all those seniors trying to get down the stairs.

Tomorrow we go home!

 

[jennymouse]

Friday, February 6th...Our last day.

We got up and packed our things then went to our breakfast PS at Cape May Cafe. It was crowded and hectic in there but we got a table in the back away from the action.

Bob with your ride picked us up promptly and got us to the airport. We had delays in Atlanta due to weather, but made it home.

All in all it was a good trip. Things that I had worried about didn't happen, and Dad had a good time. I bought him a Grumpy hat and he wore it proudly home. I'm glad I took him and I think he now understands why I want to come all the time. Before we left he was saying that this would be his last vacation before he died, but when we were leaving he said he'd come back, but only for three or four days next time.

So, if you have a Grumpy of your own, go ahead and take him to the world, skip MK, bring him to Epcot and prop him up right in front of Those Boys to get your trip off to a good start!

 

[lsyorke]

Loved this report!!! I know how stressful it can be to vacation with a "grumpy" but you made the best of it and it sounds like he had a great time. Cherish these moments together!! They are what will carry you through the tough times. I love "those boys" too!!!

 

[MAGICinMYHEART]

I'm am so glad you posted. I had been wondering how your trip went...Yes I remembered your post about all your concerns before you went...So glad you found Those Boy's..

 

[Goofydiane]

Jenifer -

I'm glad to hear you and your dad had a good time on your recent trip. I took my 65 year old parents a few years ago and my dad also enjoyed 'those boys' (who doesn't?? they are great!) I bought him the new CD this year for XMas and he actually suggested another trip! This is from my dad who believes in going everywhere once and nowhere twice.

Let's hope you get to enjoy another trip with your dad

Diane

 

[IloveDMB]

Sounds like the trip really worked out well with your father. I'm sure he's really glad he agreed to go. After all, how else would he have discovered "those boys".

Thanks for sharing your trip, I wondered how it went.

 

[JudithM]

Jenifer, thanks for writing a trip report for us to enjoy. I enjoyed reading about your adventures with Grumpy! Sure glad you found "Those Boys" & thier music for him to listen to.

Next time you might want to ask in the Disney restaurants for a baked potato. At least it is worth it to ask.

 

[Montana Minnies]

Hi Jenifer
Thanks for sharing your trip with us. My sister and I really enjoy your gift of writing.
We take Mom (84 years) with us in August, so it was good to hear how your dad did on the trip.
Take care and greet "Grumpy" for me.

 

[Goofmeister]

I liked your reports. I'm glad things started turning around for you towards the end.

Reminds me of some people I know, like my Dad.

 

[hucifer]

Oh Jennymouse!

Your report was so funny that I read it to Dan. What a character your dad is! I found myself chuckling throughout your reports, curious to hear his reaction to things. I especially loved the reference to "Those Boys."

I think he would make one great character for a short story...you should consider writing one with him in it.

Very amusing and thoughtful writing...thank you for sharing!

 

[gopherit]

From your father's mind to my mother's mouth, I swear, the two are of one cloth!

My 76 yr old mother sees no "M" in the "MK" (unless the "M" stands for misery!) The ONLY -- and I MEAN ONLY -- park she does now is EPCOT. For her, it's not those boys though -- for her it's the World Showcase Players over in UK that do the spoofs of Shakespearean plays. She was over the moon when selected to play Juliet in one of them... hard to believe the same woman who whined over every little thing in the MK and ended up cloistered in some rockers near the entrance saying "Just get me when you're done" is the SAME woman who hammed it up with a pack of 30 somethings at EPCOT. At one point they said, "Juliet began to sigh..." (so mom sighed) "Juliet began to cry..." (Mom mock-cried...) Juliet began to feel woozy...." And before my Mom could do anything, one of the players jumps up in the cart and says, "Hi! I'm Woozy!" with this rascal wink. Well my mom -- the same one who complained about how the teens were dressed too risque over at MK and why is it sex is everywhere, well now she just about dies laughing, and still talks about that to this day! Touche, and weird irony, if ya ask me. And she loves the dining, the music, etc. of EPCOT.. she ALWAYS stays now for Illuminations! When we took her with us last trip, we stayed at OKW and ONLY took her to EPCOT... It made all the difference! (She loved sitting out on the porch at OKW in the a.m. eating her toast and watching the ducks and golfers...golf for my mom is what basketball is for your dad!) Our family all knows to NEVER call my mom when a golf tournament is on, LOL!

How would your dad have felt about ESPN club to watch a game (or would he notlike the rowdy atmosphere?)

Anyway -- so glad you were able to make some great memories together! Enjoyed your report!

 

[Kaycee]

I absolutely loved reading your trip report. Maybe it's because we're from the same place, but I feel like I know your dad. He sounds like a cross between my dad and my papaw. I felt like laughing and crying at the same time while I read your trip report, because I think my papaw would've liked "them boys" too. I hope you both treasure the memories of this trip for many years to come.

Go Cats!!