lisapooh
HH Pin Crazy Pooh Fan
- Joined
- Mar 14, 2000
- Messages
- 773
On Dec 16 we finished performing in the Miami Christmas Pageant and on Dec we left for Disney World.
Cast: myself, Lisa. 53, wheelchair user and hard of hearing
Jim, dh, 54 and completely hearing and healthy
Sprite, dd, 23 my older musician type
12/18
Left Perrine, south of Miami at 7am and arrived at the Animal Kingdom Lodge at about 12pm. We were in rm 5433 on Zebra Trail.
First thing was to go up to concierge and take care of a few details and say hi to old friends. This is my 3rd stay at AKL concierge. Object of trip was to see shows and parades and get pins. Then off to the MK. bus arrived in about 15 minutes and it had a lift so off we went.
Arrived at MK and went through security. Location just makes it harder on wheelchair guests as it is ihe middle of the area not at the side. Got through there and off to City Hall to get a Guest Assistance Pass for me. With multiple issues castmembers often ignore the hearing issues because of the wheelchair.
As we were exiting City Hall I was telling my husband we would wait until Thursday to watch the parade as there is no interpreter on Tuesday at MK. Deaf and Hard of Hearing need to follow a scchedule if they want to see shows and parades with an interpreter. A castmember stepped up to us and told my husband that this was the last day for the parade and it would switch to the Christmas parade the next day so we decided to watch. Too short but really pretty. DH went to grab a hot dog and drink for us while we waited.
Went to ride Winnie the Pooh and for the first time the castmember did not try to transfer me to a manual wheelchair. Checked out several pin carts and taded with castmembers. At 6pm we had reservations at Liberty Tree Tavern for dinner. Arrived a bit early but it was a really short wait. We went out the front and around to a side door so my wheelchair could enter. Food and service was great. So were the characters. During dinner we traded our MVMCP ticket for wristbands.
For the party we had a schedule for the shows which we followed as each show and the parade were only interpreted once. We were joined by several other deaf for the first few shows but one family had young kids so left early and there was just myself and a returning college program young man for the later shows. Our interpreters were Vince, who I have seen before and Tara, who was new to me. The were both great. Vince is actually incredible! His facial expressions are so great. When he does Goofy he literally looks like Goofy and the same with Pluto! We skipped Belle story telling to get the MVMCP pins. All 3 pins were available and we got our limit of each! Alas our night came to an end after the show at Tomorrowland and we bid goodbye to our deaf castmember friend and went back to AKL and to bed.
12/19 Wednesday
Got up at 8am and headed for cocierge to get some food and then to the bus around 9am. Missed bus so waited 20 minutes and the next bus had no lift! Waited another 20minutes for the lift bus to arrive. I'm panicing now since the Beauty and the Beast Show starts at 10:15 and that is the only interpreted show! Arrive at MGM and the security line is long. It is 10:07. Ack. Get through and race to the Beauty and the Beast Show and slip into place just as the show is starting rolling past the interpreters. Tara is there and a different guy, who I later found out was named Marvin. Tara indicated to the castmember that I was there for them and the castmember placed me in the right area. I was the only one using the interpreter for this show.
After the show I hit the Pin Cart. Skipped Millionaire.
Went and saw Mermaid with reflective captioning. Poor castmember was a bit stumped as to how to do this as it is set up in the front and wheelcahir seating is in the back but after my dh told tehm I can walk a few feet and move to seat it is set up and they move my chair out of the way to the side. Great show! I enjoyed it. I have always liked the visuals but with the captioning and understanding the words it is much better.
Off to grab a hot dog and then to Indiana Jones. Tara was interpreting this. We talked for a bit after and she indicated that she was probably interpreting the Candlelight Show I would see on Friday. Next off to see Hunchback. Get there and the castmember tries to seat me in wheelchair seating. Tell him no I need interpreter and he shakes head no, can't. I get stubborn and insist. See many manual chairs placed in front area and ECV in back. Tell him my wheelchair is NOT AN ECV and finally get seated in the area for the deaf. Great show but Marvin is not as good as Vince was this summer. Close but not quite. Tara is great.
Now off to see the Parade with with both of them interpreting that. Wow what a parade! I am joined by another deaf lady in an ECV. We are at the top of the steps and have a wonderful view. I took a bunch of pictures. This parade is terrific!
Left the park and again the bas had no lift
My feet are freezing at this point and I am complaining. No it wasn't that cold. JUst part of my lack of circulation in the feet. Supervisor pulls another bus with a lift over that is going to AK and that bus drops me at AKL and then goes to AK. Thank you!. We head for concierge lounge for a few minutes, then to our room to meet my daughter. We have dinner reservations at Boma for 8:30.
Boma is wonderful. My daughter is a vegetarian and the Chef, TJ shows her all the food she can eat, then tells her he will make a special vegetarian dish for her. WOW! It was incredible. Layers of veggies and tofu plus rice noodles and each layer had a different taste. I had a wonderful curried seafood stew, salad with basalmic vinigrette, rice, prime rib, chicken on sugar cane sticks and veggies. Dh grazed on just about everything. Then we went to the concierge lounge where they had terrific sugar free desserts for me. Jello with fresh berries, triangles of pastry also with fresh berries and kiwi and chocolate sipped strawberries! They had a differenct sugar free dessert each night for me. WOW! AFter that back to our room and off to bed.
12/20
Up at 8 and after some food at the concierge lounge dh and I head out to MK. My daughter heads to IOA and then to Naples to pick up some music for Naples Symphony and then home after dinner with her boyfriend in Ft Myers. (she's a professional violist)
At MK we decide only to see the interpreted parade as the rest of the shows we saw at MVMCP on Tuesday night. At 1pm I went to the pin talk by Scoop in Exhibition Hall. My interpreter here is Theresa and she is wonderful. Scoop is really knowledgible about pins and pin trading and I really enjoy it. At the end Scoop surprises me with the new Continuing the Tradition Pin. My face dropped! Everyone recieved a certificate including Theresa. Thank you Scoop for not forgetting her.
Dh and I hurry to the viewing area for the parade where we are joined by 2 daef ladies. Vince and Jennye are interpreting this. Jennye is originally from the Miami area and took her interpreter training at Miami-Dade Commuinty College. We know a bunch of the same people from school. I sign to her that the program director Paula remembers her. After the parade she stopps to talk while Vince runs off to put the box the interpreters stand on away. It was nice to see her again.
We then head for Crystal Palace for dinner. There I get attacked by Tigger and end up with tea in my lap. It was really funny. Tigger did not realize I can't hear someone approaching behind me. He bounced up and grabbbed me in a big hug and the glass of tea I had in my hand spilled all over me. My dh didn't even warn me. He ended up laughing hysterically at me. Dinner was good too and the characters were really hamming it up with the guests.
After dinner we went back to get some pins at Exhibition Hall and got some of the picture pins and some LE. Then back to AKL. Got dried off and headed back to the lounge. There was another wheelchair user. It was the famous Kathy that Sue always talks about on RADP. She is the nicest person. Off course we did have to do a bit of manuevering so the two of us could get around but it was good. Tonight for dessert was a banan mousse (not good) and chocolate covered nuts (great). Watched Mulan on the tv there.
12/21
Off to EPCOT today and to Candlelight at 8:15 with Gary Sinese as narrator. Went to Living Seas first, where the Lock Out Chamber and Manatee talks are interpreted. Interpreter is Alan today. Are joined by the same ladies as yesterday today. They are from Boston. So there are 2 of us deaf in wheelchairs. Next is Living With the Land in the Land. I transfer with my cane and let the other lady remain in her chair as she cannot transfer. Alan gets the drivers seat and the driver stands on this trip. A flashlight is shined on Alan so we can see him.
Now we grab some dogs and then head to Innoventions to see if our friend David is working and take the tour of the House. I also hit the pin station and there are 6 new Christmas pins out.
That wheelchair in the House is awesome. The house has been rehabbed and there are some new items there. After the tour Alan tells us that someone else will interpret for the Tapestry of Dreams Parade.
DH and I now head around the World Showcase and hit all the pin carts plus I hit Japan for a pearl. Got a nice one. Then we head for Akerhus for dinner. I was a bit disappointed as dessert is included but they had nothing I could eat. Last time I dined there they had a sugar free mousse but only two dessert where available for the Candlelight Processional people and they both had sugar.
Since I couldn't have dessert I headed to the parade while my dh had dessert. Theresa was interpreting this. She told us that this was the first time she had anyone show up. Because of where the lights are it was difficult to see her. You were blinded by the parade lights. She was still good.
Finally off to the Candlelight Processional. I had a wonderful seat where I could see well and it was beautiful. Tara was the interpreter and she did a beautiful job. I also went to the CP in November with Marlee Matlin as narrator and Angela as interpreter. Angela is better but she has also been interpreting longer. Angela has the grace and beauty of years of expperience. They both have the glow of those who love the message they are giving. WOW! After CP we went to the wheelchair area to watch Illuminations. I ran my power down to almost nothing at EPCOT. It was flashing red as we exited and waited for the bus. Missed one as it was full but they pulled up the bus for AK and loaded us and dropped us at AKL. My dh told me the driver told the ones going to AK that he would drop them at their cars.
12/22
Supposed to go home today after AK but decide to leave on Sunday. AK had the best trading . Lots of California pins on the cast lanyards. Vince and a new girl did the interpreting today. Saw all the shows, but none of my daughter's friends were working. One works in Tarzan and the other is the bird in the Lion King Show. Vince was aawesome in the Lion King Show. He mimicks the Tumble Monkeys and is quite an actor. I told him her signs like he is a deaf person.
Today was catastrophy day! The bus drivers nearly pushed my wheelchair off the side of the ramp at AK. Scared the heck out of me. Kathy got a lift dropped on her knees and had to be extracted from the lift. They called rescue for her but only her knees were hurt. Trooper that she is, she still sang in Candlelight Processional.
Dinner at Boma and another terrific dessert topped off the night.
12/23
Time to go home. PAcked up, loaded the car and bid adieu to AKL but not before going to the lounge. Kathy and I disappointed Beau as we would not drag race our chairs.
The staff in Concierge are the best. Beau, Lynn, Marc, Jack and Don. I definately will return!
To Downtown Disney to check out the pin cart and then off to the turnpike and south to home.
Cast: myself, Lisa. 53, wheelchair user and hard of hearing
Jim, dh, 54 and completely hearing and healthy
Sprite, dd, 23 my older musician type
12/18
Left Perrine, south of Miami at 7am and arrived at the Animal Kingdom Lodge at about 12pm. We were in rm 5433 on Zebra Trail.
First thing was to go up to concierge and take care of a few details and say hi to old friends. This is my 3rd stay at AKL concierge. Object of trip was to see shows and parades and get pins. Then off to the MK. bus arrived in about 15 minutes and it had a lift so off we went.
Arrived at MK and went through security. Location just makes it harder on wheelchair guests as it is ihe middle of the area not at the side. Got through there and off to City Hall to get a Guest Assistance Pass for me. With multiple issues castmembers often ignore the hearing issues because of the wheelchair.
As we were exiting City Hall I was telling my husband we would wait until Thursday to watch the parade as there is no interpreter on Tuesday at MK. Deaf and Hard of Hearing need to follow a scchedule if they want to see shows and parades with an interpreter. A castmember stepped up to us and told my husband that this was the last day for the parade and it would switch to the Christmas parade the next day so we decided to watch. Too short but really pretty. DH went to grab a hot dog and drink for us while we waited.
Went to ride Winnie the Pooh and for the first time the castmember did not try to transfer me to a manual wheelchair. Checked out several pin carts and taded with castmembers. At 6pm we had reservations at Liberty Tree Tavern for dinner. Arrived a bit early but it was a really short wait. We went out the front and around to a side door so my wheelchair could enter. Food and service was great. So were the characters. During dinner we traded our MVMCP ticket for wristbands.
For the party we had a schedule for the shows which we followed as each show and the parade were only interpreted once. We were joined by several other deaf for the first few shows but one family had young kids so left early and there was just myself and a returning college program young man for the later shows. Our interpreters were Vince, who I have seen before and Tara, who was new to me. The were both great. Vince is actually incredible! His facial expressions are so great. When he does Goofy he literally looks like Goofy and the same with Pluto! We skipped Belle story telling to get the MVMCP pins. All 3 pins were available and we got our limit of each! Alas our night came to an end after the show at Tomorrowland and we bid goodbye to our deaf castmember friend and went back to AKL and to bed.
12/19 Wednesday
Got up at 8am and headed for cocierge to get some food and then to the bus around 9am. Missed bus so waited 20 minutes and the next bus had no lift! Waited another 20minutes for the lift bus to arrive. I'm panicing now since the Beauty and the Beast Show starts at 10:15 and that is the only interpreted show! Arrive at MGM and the security line is long. It is 10:07. Ack. Get through and race to the Beauty and the Beast Show and slip into place just as the show is starting rolling past the interpreters. Tara is there and a different guy, who I later found out was named Marvin. Tara indicated to the castmember that I was there for them and the castmember placed me in the right area. I was the only one using the interpreter for this show.
After the show I hit the Pin Cart. Skipped Millionaire.
Went and saw Mermaid with reflective captioning. Poor castmember was a bit stumped as to how to do this as it is set up in the front and wheelcahir seating is in the back but after my dh told tehm I can walk a few feet and move to seat it is set up and they move my chair out of the way to the side. Great show! I enjoyed it. I have always liked the visuals but with the captioning and understanding the words it is much better.
Off to grab a hot dog and then to Indiana Jones. Tara was interpreting this. We talked for a bit after and she indicated that she was probably interpreting the Candlelight Show I would see on Friday. Next off to see Hunchback. Get there and the castmember tries to seat me in wheelchair seating. Tell him no I need interpreter and he shakes head no, can't. I get stubborn and insist. See many manual chairs placed in front area and ECV in back. Tell him my wheelchair is NOT AN ECV and finally get seated in the area for the deaf. Great show but Marvin is not as good as Vince was this summer. Close but not quite. Tara is great.
Now off to see the Parade with with both of them interpreting that. Wow what a parade! I am joined by another deaf lady in an ECV. We are at the top of the steps and have a wonderful view. I took a bunch of pictures. This parade is terrific!
Left the park and again the bas had no lift
My feet are freezing at this point and I am complaining. No it wasn't that cold. JUst part of my lack of circulation in the feet. Supervisor pulls another bus with a lift over that is going to AK and that bus drops me at AKL and then goes to AK. Thank you!. We head for concierge lounge for a few minutes, then to our room to meet my daughter. We have dinner reservations at Boma for 8:30.Boma is wonderful. My daughter is a vegetarian and the Chef, TJ shows her all the food she can eat, then tells her he will make a special vegetarian dish for her. WOW! It was incredible. Layers of veggies and tofu plus rice noodles and each layer had a different taste. I had a wonderful curried seafood stew, salad with basalmic vinigrette, rice, prime rib, chicken on sugar cane sticks and veggies. Dh grazed on just about everything. Then we went to the concierge lounge where they had terrific sugar free desserts for me. Jello with fresh berries, triangles of pastry also with fresh berries and kiwi and chocolate sipped strawberries! They had a differenct sugar free dessert each night for me. WOW! AFter that back to our room and off to bed.
12/20
Up at 8 and after some food at the concierge lounge dh and I head out to MK. My daughter heads to IOA and then to Naples to pick up some music for Naples Symphony and then home after dinner with her boyfriend in Ft Myers. (she's a professional violist)
At MK we decide only to see the interpreted parade as the rest of the shows we saw at MVMCP on Tuesday night. At 1pm I went to the pin talk by Scoop in Exhibition Hall. My interpreter here is Theresa and she is wonderful. Scoop is really knowledgible about pins and pin trading and I really enjoy it. At the end Scoop surprises me with the new Continuing the Tradition Pin. My face dropped! Everyone recieved a certificate including Theresa. Thank you Scoop for not forgetting her.
Dh and I hurry to the viewing area for the parade where we are joined by 2 daef ladies. Vince and Jennye are interpreting this. Jennye is originally from the Miami area and took her interpreter training at Miami-Dade Commuinty College. We know a bunch of the same people from school. I sign to her that the program director Paula remembers her. After the parade she stopps to talk while Vince runs off to put the box the interpreters stand on away. It was nice to see her again.
We then head for Crystal Palace for dinner. There I get attacked by Tigger and end up with tea in my lap. It was really funny. Tigger did not realize I can't hear someone approaching behind me. He bounced up and grabbbed me in a big hug and the glass of tea I had in my hand spilled all over me. My dh didn't even warn me. He ended up laughing hysterically at me. Dinner was good too and the characters were really hamming it up with the guests.
After dinner we went back to get some pins at Exhibition Hall and got some of the picture pins and some LE. Then back to AKL. Got dried off and headed back to the lounge. There was another wheelchair user. It was the famous Kathy that Sue always talks about on RADP. She is the nicest person. Off course we did have to do a bit of manuevering so the two of us could get around but it was good. Tonight for dessert was a banan mousse (not good) and chocolate covered nuts (great). Watched Mulan on the tv there.
12/21
Off to EPCOT today and to Candlelight at 8:15 with Gary Sinese as narrator. Went to Living Seas first, where the Lock Out Chamber and Manatee talks are interpreted. Interpreter is Alan today. Are joined by the same ladies as yesterday today. They are from Boston. So there are 2 of us deaf in wheelchairs. Next is Living With the Land in the Land. I transfer with my cane and let the other lady remain in her chair as she cannot transfer. Alan gets the drivers seat and the driver stands on this trip. A flashlight is shined on Alan so we can see him.
Now we grab some dogs and then head to Innoventions to see if our friend David is working and take the tour of the House. I also hit the pin station and there are 6 new Christmas pins out.
That wheelchair in the House is awesome. The house has been rehabbed and there are some new items there. After the tour Alan tells us that someone else will interpret for the Tapestry of Dreams Parade. DH and I now head around the World Showcase and hit all the pin carts plus I hit Japan for a pearl. Got a nice one. Then we head for Akerhus for dinner. I was a bit disappointed as dessert is included but they had nothing I could eat. Last time I dined there they had a sugar free mousse but only two dessert where available for the Candlelight Processional people and they both had sugar.
Since I couldn't have dessert I headed to the parade while my dh had dessert. Theresa was interpreting this. She told us that this was the first time she had anyone show up. Because of where the lights are it was difficult to see her. You were blinded by the parade lights. She was still good.
Finally off to the Candlelight Processional. I had a wonderful seat where I could see well and it was beautiful. Tara was the interpreter and she did a beautiful job. I also went to the CP in November with Marlee Matlin as narrator and Angela as interpreter. Angela is better but she has also been interpreting longer. Angela has the grace and beauty of years of expperience. They both have the glow of those who love the message they are giving. WOW! After CP we went to the wheelchair area to watch Illuminations. I ran my power down to almost nothing at EPCOT. It was flashing red as we exited and waited for the bus. Missed one as it was full but they pulled up the bus for AK and loaded us and dropped us at AKL. My dh told me the driver told the ones going to AK that he would drop them at their cars.
12/22
Supposed to go home today after AK but decide to leave on Sunday. AK had the best trading . Lots of California pins on the cast lanyards. Vince and a new girl did the interpreting today. Saw all the shows, but none of my daughter's friends were working. One works in Tarzan and the other is the bird in the Lion King Show. Vince was aawesome in the Lion King Show. He mimicks the Tumble Monkeys and is quite an actor. I told him her signs like he is a deaf person.
Today was catastrophy day! The bus drivers nearly pushed my wheelchair off the side of the ramp at AK. Scared the heck out of me. Kathy got a lift dropped on her knees and had to be extracted from the lift. They called rescue for her but only her knees were hurt. Trooper that she is, she still sang in Candlelight Processional.
Dinner at Boma and another terrific dessert topped off the night.
12/23
Time to go home. PAcked up, loaded the car and bid adieu to AKL but not before going to the lounge. Kathy and I disappointed Beau as we would not drag race our chairs. The staff in Concierge are the best. Beau, Lynn, Marc, Jack and Don. I definately will return!
To Downtown Disney to check out the pin cart and then off to the turnpike and south to home.
