Pooh sized and Phobic

[SlightlyGoofy]

We are leaving in less than two weeks for a 20 day trip to DW. This will our personal best as far as length of stay.

I am adding several new things to the trip to make it a bit different from our many other trips. (hey, each trip is always unique).

I had thought of riding the front of the monorail but since am scared to death of heights and have some problems just riding the monorail in the first place I am thinking I will see if my DH can do it while I ride in the back. I hate for him to miss out on things because of me.

I was lucky enough to be invited to join an Illuminations cruise and am now a bit scared. I am a large lady (have lost 90 pounds but am still big), have balance issues, cannot swim and am just plain a scaredy cat.

Can some give me some info to help me cope with the idea and not be a burden on my fellow passengers? I looked for hours last night and only found a couple of pictures of the boats but could not glean much info from them.

Thank you for any help.

Slightly Goofy and more than slightly silly

 

[SueM in MN]

I had thought of riding the front of the monorail but since am scared to death of heights and have some problems just riding the monorail in the first place I am thinking I will see if my DH can do it while I ride in the back. I hate for him to miss out on things because of me.

I think if he would enjoy it, that is very nice of you to offer him the possible chance to ride in the front. Maybe someone who has ridden in the front car (I never have) can help you out with some information that will help yout o get comfortable with the idea of riding up there with him.

I was lucky enough to be invited to join an Illuminations cruise and am now a bit scared. I am a large lady (have lost 90 pounds but am still big), have balance issues, cannot swim and am just plain a scaredy cat.

There are only 2 kinds of boats that I know of that they use for Illuminations cruises. One is a reproducation of 1930's cruiser, called the Breathless. There is a good picture of it on Deb Wills site. The Breathless is a different price, so your friends would be able to tell you what they rented.

The other is a pontoon boat. I couldn't find an actual picture of one of the Illumations boats, but they are similar to the pontoon boats about 2/3 of the way down the page on this site. Pontoon boats have big flotation 'pontoons' that the deck rests on. They are sturdy and don't feel as 'tippy' as other boats. They are almost impossible to capsize. Also, they carry floatation devices for each passenger. If it makes you feel safer, you can wear one for the whole trip.

Hope this eased your mind some.

 

[LuluLovesDisney]

Sue's given you some great info on the boats, and I don't have anything else to add with that, but I have ridden in the front of the monorail and you do feel the motion a little more up there since you have this panoramic view in front of you. Yes, you could ride in the second car while DH rode up front. (I rode with my cousin while our parents rode in the back car)

Since you were looking for something unique, I wanted to ask if you'd ever done the trolley ride up Main Street? I did it for the first time this trip and it was great! Bench seats, lots of room and a really fun experience! I can still hear the clip clop!

Congrats on the long trip, the weight loss and everything else. Have a great trip!

 

[kaytieeldr]

Yes, your DH can ride in the front car while you ride elsewhere and just connect with him on the platform.
How to do it? Ask the CM directing Guests to the waiting area for each car if he can ride in front AND let them know you're willing to wait (there may be other parties ahead of you). Up to four people can ride up front with the driver; they don't all have to be together.
Sue posted links to the pictures of the possible boats you could be in. They're very stable, and there are lifejackets aboard for every passenger. Don't feel silly if you choose to wear one the entire time aboard (it may even be required, I don't remember).

 

[SlightlyGoofy]

Sue, I spent a good couple of hours on the Internet googling "Illuminations Cruise" hunting for a picture of the pontoon boats. I found one that had people seated so I could see a bit but not exactly how big the boat was as it was a closeup. I think I would be comfortable in the midsection and as it looks as if those seats would be less desirable (to some) it should ruffle no feathers. The worst part of being so phobic is the embarassment when you are not able or are afraid to do some things.

kaytieeldr, now all I have to worry about on the monorail ride is that my hubby and I get off at the same place. I am phobic but he is hopeless and has no embarrassment at all. As far as me wearing a lifejacket I fear they would not fit (maybe would since the weight loss but I remember me sort of hiding the fact that the ones on cruises did not on the lifeboat drills). I carry my own inflatable devices though. I would die of a heart attack if the boat capsized so I do not really have to worry about drowning.

LuluLovesDisney, I just finished reading about your trolley ride on another thread and added it to my 'to do' list. I remember how disappointed my oldest grandson was when he went on his first trip and he could not ride the double decker buses as they had just stopped running. He had seen them on my Disney videos and still talks about that.

Thank you all for the help and support. Maybe we might meet one day? I just had a special lime green t shirt done up with my screen name etc. on it for our upcoming trip. I love to meet DISers.

Slightly Goofy

 

[fostrmom2mny]

I'm a Pooh sized woman of 330 lbs. I was part of a Wishes cruise on a pontoon boat. The seats are very comfortable, large connecting shapes, not single seats. I am afraid of heights and suffer from vertigo sometimes, but I had no problems at all. Relax, you will have a wonderful time. Stop trying to beat yourself up. Your DH would rather not be anywhere but with you. Give him encouragement to ride what he'd like, but don't feel bad if he chooses to stay with you instead. Sharing your love of Disney is a blessing in itself.

Have a wonderful trip, relax and have a Magical time.

Gerri

 

[SlightlyGoofy]

fostrmom2mny, hi there! I have not run into you in a bit. Thanks for the reassurence. Since my DH is absent a butt I can usually borrow a bit of his seat when it is connecting.

One pleasure, among many, of having lost at least some of my extra weight is that I no longer require end seats or Lane Bryant.

The only reason that my husband would not want to be anywhere except with me is that I have much training in his wants and needs. He has given me total control of his life as it is far too much trouble for HIM to deal with it. I need not fear him wandering too far afield as I have the money, room keys and card for the free FOOD!! Job security.

Slightly Goofy

 

[SueOKW]

If you don't require Lane Bryant, you certainly won't have any probs on the boat. Even if you DID require Lane Bryant, you wouldn't have any probs on the boat.

We have one and they are very stable. I promise. Try not to sit near the front, though. (I speak from experience!)

 

[kaytieeldr]

kaytieeldr, now all I have to worry about on the monorail ride is that my hubby and I get off at the same place.

Nah, they announce each stop. Plus, if he can get in the front car going from the Magic Kingdom to Epcot (the best ride, in my opinion, because the monorail circles over part of Future World before stopping at the station), you'd know that's the right - aka only - stop

As far as me wearing a lifejacket I fear they would not fit

I would not worry about this. I'm sure it'll fit.

 

[SlightlyGoofy]

Kay and Sue, I have a rather wry sense of humor and sometimes it does not translate with the written word.

Trust me, it is entirely possible for my hubby to get off at the wrong stop even if it is the ONLY one. I will tell the driver to kick him off at the stop and all will be well.

I have confess that I am not much better as the real reason we stay at the All Stars is because it is at the end of the main road so I cannot possibly get lost (unless I turn the wrong way and even I can figure that out and turn around- eventually)

Sue, there are certain parts of my body that do not lose weight so it does not matter if the lifevest fits or not as I carry my own "Mae Wests".

My vacation purse is now packed so I am halfway ready.

Slightly Goofy/Linda

 

[TravelinGal]

I'm quite Pooh sized - here's a picture of our group on a pontoon boat - this was the front of the boat - there's a fair amount of distance from here to the back where there are more seats (and all with a good view).

(I'm the one in the center trying to hide behind everyone, including my adorable {if I may say so myself} son)

 

[TravelinGal]

This isn't the actual pontoon boat, but the seating was close to this. (the bench in back didn't go all the way behind the captains chair) and there weren't any tables. The captain provided a smooth calm ride - I was never concerned for the safety of my 18 month old.

 

[SlightlyGoofy]

TravelinGal, you are so kind. I so appreciate your taking the time to post these pictures. I remember those days of hiding behind my kids. Please take my advice and just show off your glorious self. I promise you that everyone else is far too busy worrying about themselves to notice a bit of belly. That advice cost me $7,000 and almost my life and I am giving it to your for free. (also,I learned that black makes you look a couple of pounds thinner but it also makes you look depressed and depressing, wear red, go for it!!!)

Sue, let's see if I can remember. Front of Kilamanjaro Safari and back of Illuminations Cruise.

10 days to go, so much to do. I cannot wait until we pull out of the driveway. After that all is better but the best is driving onto property and knowing I am 'home' for a few weeks.

Slightly Goofy/Linda

 

[fostrmom2mny]

I'm excited for you!! Have a great time, and just go WILD
Gerri

 

[SlightlyGoofy]

fostrmom2mny, and just what makes you think I am not already wild?

We had a community reading day yesterday and I spent it at the elementary school, with a big red clown's nose, reading book after book. I can read upside down.

Thank you all for so much good advice. I hope to post a report when I return.


7 days to go!!

Slightly Goofy/Linda