Senorita Gimpy and Crew Take on Disneyland

[ReAnSt]

So I am posting this here as well as the cruise board. I only plan on posting the beginning hear as I had a hard time finding information about handicap accessibility at Disneyland so I want to share my experience here to help others.

Cast of Characters
Me- Becky 26 lover of all things Disney. Traveling with a fractured right foot. AKA Senorita Gimpy, for some reason my brother started calling me Senorita Gimpy after I got hurt, since we were going to Mexico I figured it fit the title.
Stephen- 24 my brother loves Disney especially Stitch; Nacho1337 on the Disboards
David- My Dad; he loves Disney but gets nervous before traveling; a lurker of the DISboards
Linda-My Mom; celebrating her 50th Birthday on this trip

Back when I was still living in Florida, DCL announced they were going through the Panama canal. I wanted to go. I had never been on a cruise before. I ended up moving back to Pennsylvania. I tried to convince my family to go on the Panama canal cruise. My parents were very leery of cruising. Instead we ended up going on a 4 day Wonder cruise and then to WDW. We had a great time despite the 30 foot waves from Hurricane Rita.

While the Magic was going through the Panama canal I was glued to the webcams. We really did not talk about when we would go on another Disney cruise. In January of 2006 the rumors about the Mediterranean cruises started flying, I was interested in these. But we decided not to do them. Instead around March, my brother and I ended up booking an Eastern and Western Disney cruise in September of 2007. We could not convince our parents to go. We planned on canceling one of the 7 day cruises, this never happened and we ended up doing a Back 2 Back cruise. Here is a link to that trip report.

My brother and I had a fantastic time. I said I wanted to go away from Disney and just do a trip out west. I wanted to hit California, Nevada, Utah, Colorado, Arizona, etc.

In January of 2008, we found out that our Dad had gotten a room for the Panama canal cruise in August of 2008. This was after being on the waiting list for awhile. This was for my Mom's 50th birthday. Her birthday is in May, but this would be her celebration. My brother and I put our names on the waiting list. As after all this was something I had originally wanted to do. Plus my Mom wanted us to be there with her to celebrate.

We waited and called DCL everyday. We checked DCL's website. January came and went, February went by, March and still no room. April not an open room. We knew that the 90 day cancellation period was approaching in May, this would be the time frame when people would cancel. May 2nd we ended up securing a room. This was my Mom's Birthday. She got her birthday wish.

I had to make sure I got time off from work. I should have asked previously, but I just never did. My manager was on vacation. We needed to pay the whole thing at 75 days out. She was getting back on the day that payment was due. We ended up paying before I knew if I could go or not. I got the approval to go.

Less then 75 days to figure out everything for the trip. Normally I am counting down for awhile. My Mom ended up being told by her job that she could not go. If she went she would be put on the sub list. Well she was going whether or not she lost her job. She did fight a bit but she still lost her job.

Summer was moving pretty quickly. Trip preparations were going pretty smoothly. We booked airfare, a hotel room for a few days ahead of time in Anaheim. We would be going to Disneyland. We booked a rental car in Florida and California.

July 26th, I found a hole in the ground. My foot landed sideways. I thought I had sprained my ankle. I went to bed. The next morning I could hardly walk. I ended up visiting urgent care in a pretty icky storm. They did x-rays. I had fractured the 5th metatarsal in my right foot. It is the bone that connects my little toe to my ankle. They splint it and gave me crutches. I had to make an appointment with an orthopedic surgeon.

After a whole mess of medical insurance crap. I had my appointment with the ortho doc. The first solution out of his mouth was surgery, putting a screw in my foot and a cast for 8 weeks. He said it was hard to heal. Asked about other solutions. He said they could just cast it. Asked if I could have a walking boot. He agreed and said it had a 60-75% chance of healing on its own. I was supposed to stay off it. I could swim and take it off to shower. He also said I could take it off and drive.

My Mom was like maybe we shouldn't go. I told her I was going heck or high water. Little did I know the water was going to get much higher.

 

[ReAnSt]

So time went by. I was still not driving. We ended up buying a wheelchair for the trip. So I could get around easier.

We contacted DCL and tried to get a handicapped room. Our travel agent called and was like I had no idea you needed one. Of course there were none available. So we had to explain that I just hurt myself. We also contacted all the airlines, hotels, etc to let them know.

So the Sunday before we are supposed to leave my Dad feels sick and talks about going to the Emergency room. He feels better and does not go. Monday he goes to the doctor. He orders a bunch of tests. My Dad has the tests done on Tuesday. He finds out he has diverticulitis. He still plans on going.

Thursday morning, my Dad is feeling worse. He hem haws around but decides he is not going on the trip. My Mom says she is not going if my Dad does not go she does not think any of use should go.

My Dad calls the doctor, the doctor tells him to go the emergency room for tests, the DR. was ordering. Dr. wanted to know what was going on. So my Mom and Dad head to the ER.

I on the other hand had only gathered stuff together. I was not packed. I did not know if any of us were going at all. My Aunt was supposed to pick us up at 1:30pm so we could head to the airport. My Mom was supposed to help me pack in my gimpy state, as it was difficult. I hate packing to begin with, so I had no desire to do so,as I had no clue if I was going.

I called my brother, to decide if we wanted to go. He was at work. He and I had no idea if we should go or not. We decided we needed to find out if Stephen could rent the car. Some rental agencies are odd about renting to people under 25. I did not think they would let me with my crutches and boot rent a car. I called and they said that, it would be $25 per day fee but he could rent.

I think it was about 12:30 pm, when my brother and I finally decided that we were definitely going. I had called my Aunt to let her know we did not know what was happening. I had also talked to my parents a few times. They were definitely not going.

My brother came and helped me finish packing. Our parents also were released from the hospital. They decided they were taking us to the airport. So I called my Aunt to let them her know we did not need them. Our parents arrived. We finished packing and then loaded up the car. It was later then we had wanted to leave. I was just hoping we had everything due to the craziness.

 

[ReAnSt]

We had a quick drive to the Lehigh valley airport. We did not hit any traffic which was good. We got there and unloaded the stuff. My Mom helped us into the airport. My Dad stayed at the van and was going to pick Mom up after she was finished helping us.

We checked in with our passports and they scanned them. We also canceled our parents flights. Then we dropped off our checked bags at the security screening. We said our goodbyes to Mom.

My brother and I found the elevator and headed downstairs to go through security. I walked through the metal detector. Since I had metal on my boot I had to be wanded down.

We got in another elevator and headed upstairs. Then in another elevator to the level of our terminal.

 

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Once we were on the proper level, we grabbed some dinner at Subway. Then we sat and waited some. We watched the storms roll in, lighting, thunder and pouring rain.

Sitting in the airport killing time; that chair is not comfy. Anytime I could transfer to another chair I did so.

Soon it was time to board the plane. We were flying Continental to Cleveland and then from there to Los Angeles. We got to board first since I was in the wheelchair. Backwards down the ramp I went. An airplane employee helped us down. We tossed our bags as they would not fit in the overhead compartments. Then I hobbled to the back of the plane. That was where our seats where, as we had picked them before I hurt myself. It was not too bad as it was a small plane. The crutches got collapsed and thrown overhead.

The crappy weather, before we took off.

We were not allowed out of our seats the entire flight due to the weather. It was a bumpy flight the entire time.

By the time we got to Cleveland the sun was out again

We got off the plane, their was an airport employee waiting for us. They took us through the super long tunnel, in the elevators and across the airport to where our next terminal was. He even stopped at the potty and waited for us to be finished and then took us to our terminal. Now we had almost 2 hours between flights. So we did not sit at the gate for that amount of time. We walked all over the airport.

A stop at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. OK so not the real thing but I want to go back to the Hall of Fame.

Chanon I may have to just take the first flight to Cleveland and come visit your some time. It was a short easy one hour flight.

A quick trip to the Cleveland Zoo

We checked the boards and noticed that lots of flights were delayed and canceled. A flight to San Francisco that was already supposed to leave was not leaving till tomorrow. They were waiting for a flight crew from Newark. The flight from Philly we were going to take was scheduled to arrive a few minutes before our connecting flight was taking off. Our flight was delayed about 15 minutes and leaving from a different gate. I guess all that bad weather on the East coast was causing havoc across the airways.

We moved to our new gate and soon boarded the plane. We got on first again, well with lots of other people in wheelchairs. We were once again in the back of the plane. Since the flight was sold out they were not moving our seats. I had no problem hobbling to the back. They were getting ready to close the doors and I noticed that our plane was very empty. I guess people from the delayed flights were supposed to be on our plane. That plane from Philly we were going to take landed right before they closed the door on our plane. Their is no way we would have made it. I was so glad we left from Allentown instead.

We took off, the flight was not bad it was bumpy and quite stormy for about 200-300 miles across the midwest.

Lighting

I think this was Las Vegas, but am not 100% sure

Stephen was commenting about how it was dark for so long across the country. I forgot he has not really flown in the dark. He also has only flown up and down the east coast. This was both of our first trips to the west coast.

 

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We arrived in Los Angeles a bit after 11pm, which was around the time we were supposed to arrive. Our delay did not cause us to land that late. An airport employee met us at the gate. They pushed me all the way to baggage claim, helped us collect our bags. Then they pushed us to where the rental car buses pick people up to take them to the car pick up places. Once again we tried to tip them but they refused.

We got on the bus and loaded our stuff. The bus took us to Hertz it was not a long ride. It was lighting here. It was also windy and chilly.

The bus drove into what looked like a deserted fenced lot of parked cars. We drove around in here for a bit and then were dropped off at the main building. By now it was probably about 12:00am. There was a long line at the pick up window. I sat on a bench outside with our bags and Stephen went inside.

I sat and sat some more. Some people came out and were pretty irritated. They were saying something about needing to 25 in order to rent a car. I was like Oh crap, we might be in the same boat. As Stephen is 24 and I doubted they would rent me a car with crutches and a boot. Then I heard them say they were trying to rent a 15 passenger van. I was still hoping that we were not going to have any problems.

It started raining and thundering and lighting. I sat some more. By now it was like 1am. Finally Stephen came out with keys. Turns out they were missing several categories of cars that people reserved and lots of people were waiting for cars to come in. Who returns a rental car at 1am??

He went to locate the car. We ended up with an SUV, a Subaru Tribeca it had less then 600 miles on it. We threw our stuff in the car and headed to get out of the parking lot. I did not care what we had I wanted to get moving.

We eventually found the road we wanted to head toward Anaheim. We started seeing signs that said road closed ahead. We were going we hope not. Turns out I-5 was closed from 12am to 5am for construction. There were signs that led a detour off the road. There were not signs on how to continue going. We followed some other cars with the hope they were taking us the correct direction. We found our way back on I-5.

We eventually made it to the Park Vue Inn. We checked in. We went to our room. Then we got in our car and went to find bottles of water to take on the ship. The first place we went, we got gas at. They only had individual bottles of water, we wanted a case. The suggested we go across the street, so we did. Eventually Stephen found a case of bottles of water but they were not easy to find. We ended up with a 12 pack of 16 oz Dasani bottles. Dasani is not my favorite brand of water, but it is what they had. It was 2am, it would do.

 

[ReAnSt]

Then we headed back to the Park Vue Inn. We ended up with a first floor handicap room. We had only requested first floor but they gave us the handicap room.

Thank you Glynis for recommending the Park Vue in to me. They were very nice, went above and beyond and it worked out very well for our trip. Let's just say someone got to know the hotel staff very well. I will have more about this later. I would definitely stay there again.

We actually called the Park Vue Inn several times ahead of time as the price had dropped, each time they lowered the rate we were paying.

We headed to bed around 2:30am as we planned on getting up at 7am to head to Disneyland.

 

[trodrigue]

Wow, glad you decided to go. Too bad for Mom and Dad though! Can't wait to read the rest.

 

[ReAnSt]

Friday, August 15th, 2008

First Visit to Disneyland

So when we turned in for the night I set my cell phone as an alarm clock as well as the hotel room clock. So the phone starts ringing way to early in the morning I pick it up to shut it off, but I realize it is not the alarm clock ring. Someone is calling me. I answer the phone it is our Mom. She figured we would be up and getting ready to go, as she knew we were supposed to meet our Dad's cousin Diane and her daughters at 8am. She also was 3 hours ahead of our time.

We get up, get dressed and then head to breakfast. Breakfast at the Park Vue Inn is not handicap accessible. It is upstairs on a patio and inside. There is no elevator. I walked upstairs and Stephen carried the wheelchair upstairs. Part of the reason we got the one we did is because it weighed less then 20 pounds. Which was good because it was carried lots of places, it was also very narrow which made it good to fit in smaller places on the cruise ship.

We got a call from Diane, she was stuck in traffic and would be late. She would call us when she got closer. She had our tickets so we could not head to the park for opening. So we headed back to the room for a period of time.

Well I was in the room for a bit. Stephen ended up taking the rental car back to Hetz. There is a drop box at the Park Vue Inn which we planned to use. However if you drive less then 75 miles they charge you $15 for fuel unless you fill it up and show them the receipt. We called Hertz they said to not be charged the ffe, the car needs to be turned into the main office in Anaheim. There was no way with the drop box. So he took the car back to Hertz and then took the shuttle back to the hotel. I stayed in the hotel and waited for him.

She called us saying she was about 10 minutes away so we headed toward the park. It is a quick walk from the Park Vue Inn. I was uber excited as it was my first time in California and at Disneyland.

Lobby and Cold Stone Creamery at Park Vue Inn

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You can see this Disneyland sign from the above area

The walkway was well lit from the hotel to the Esplanade

Baggage Check

Mouse Bench

We ended up spending a bunch of time in the Esplanade as we had to wait for them to park and get to where we were so we could get our tickets

Army Men

Monorail through Golden Gate Bridge

We found Tyra Banks brick

Eventually they found us and we went inside. We have not seen them for years. So it was nice to get to spend time with them.

 

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So we entered the park. We had no problems using the 3 day summer fun passed, designed for Southern CA residents. They are $99 for 3 day park hoppers. They handed us a handicap accessible guide when we entered the park.

The train was in the train station

The three girls

Main Street

I would have loved to have bought a miniature version of these gas lamps

So the tracks in the pavement were a pain as the wheelchair tires kept ending up in the space, then I either had to get out of the chair and remove the chair or had to be pushed along the track till I got up. We eventually figured out that if you push the wheelchair across the track instead of alongside it you would not end up in the track rut.

Matterhorn

Tomorrowland

Castle

They insisted we all have our picture taken in front of the castle. The Photopass photographer took our picture on our cameras. My picture on my camera turned out better then the Photopass picture.

So we headed to Adventureland
We were going to go to the Tiki room, but the show just started and we decided we did not want to wait

 

[ReAnSt]

Instead we went to the Jungle book. We entered the normal line wheelchair and all. We got to a point the wheelchair would not fit. I got up and walked with crutches. Stephen carried the wheelchair through the turnstyle. Opps! We made the mistake of not consulting the handicap guide. There was no one at the entrance of the the regular line to tell us where to go. We should have entered through the exit. They CM's were very understanding, they took the wheelchair to the exit. We got on the boat.

Our Skipper

This was very similar to WDW's Jungle Cruise. There were some differences, I will not share for those of you who have not experienced it. It seemed longer to me. I enjoyed this attraction.

We then headed to Indiana Jone's Adventure. We made sure to consult the HC guide. It said to go through the exit, so we did. This exit was pretty long. I know we missed most of the fun stuff in the line.

So you go to nearby where the track is. I thought you would load from the opposite side of the track, instead they have an elevator. You get in the elevator go up then go across over top of the track, then you get in another elevator to take you back down to the loading level. The system works well except when there are a large number of people needing this. You must repeat this in reverse when you leave the attraction.

I really enjoyed this attraction. I wish they would add something similar to this at WDW. It bounced around some, I was afraid it might be an issue with my foot it was not. The issue I had was I was sitting with this wheel at my knees I kept bumping into it.

Tarzan's Treehouse- I did not experience this. Too many steps, plus there were other things I wanted to do

We then headed to Pirates of the Caribbean. I loved this ride even more then the one at WDW.

So in order to enter this ride in a wheelchair, you have to enter to the left of the Blue Bayou. This is not anywhere near the entrance, it is not well marked as being Pirate's exit. . We actually tried to enter into a closet. Which is directly to the left of the Blue Bayou.This is my one complaint there were not always cast members at the normal entrance to direct us, the instructions in the pamphlet were not always the best, and the signs were not that great.

One of these days I will eat at the Blue Bayou

Wheelchair users load from the opposite side everyone else does. I also should point out as a wheelchair user your party can total 6, including the person in a wheelchair to use the wheelchair entrance. We had exactly 6 people.

The one thing that made no sense is some rides made me take the crutches with others did not.

Pirate's Lair

We split up at this point Stephen and I rode the Haunted Mansion, the rest found lunch. I was warned that this ride was bad for those with walking issues due to the moving walkway. I had no issues with the moving walkway. However it still caused issues.

First of all you leave your wheelchair outside and have to walk inside to the stretching room, you have to stand in the stretching room, from here you have to walk through the hall of statues, then you have to get in the que, then you have the moving walkway. It is a lot of walking for someone who can not walk much. They warn you that you have to walk so many yards. None of this was really the issue. The real issue was at the end of the ride. You get onto the moving walkway alongside the ride, this was still not an issue. The big issue, the normally moving ramp walkway was broken down. It is bouncy and at a pretty good angle. I made it up but it hurt. I rode this the next day it was still broken down. Not sure when or if they plan on fixing it. I was glad I had my crutches on this ride. You then had to walk back outside to claim your wheelchair.

 

[SueM in MN]

I am enjoying your trip report. The pictures are great.
Since we don't have a lot of reports about trips with a wheelchair to DisneyLAND, I'm going to make a link to your trip report and put it into the Disneyland information on the disABILITIES FAQs thread. (link to that thread is in my signature).

 

[travelmel]

Hi!

Great pictures! It seems like you had a good time! We did DL MANY years ago with some people in wheelchairs. I remember, at the time, that it was GREAT.. but, of course, I was not one of the ones in a wheelchair. Big difference. But we were able to avoid MANY lines and back then there were no FP!

Thanks for posting all of your wonderful pictures. They make it feel like I'm walking through the park. Definitely a tour guide eye for pics

 

[ReAnSt]

After the Haunted Mansion we, decided we wanted to find food. We were going to go to Rancho del Zocalo. However our plans changed as the phone rang. The rest of the group was ready to get back together. Since it was only 11 something we decided we would wait to eat. So instead of food we headed to Splash Mountain. Splash Mountain at WDW is one of my favorite attractions. I loved the one at Disneyland as well.

Handicap access is through the exit. When we arrived the exit area was very crowded as there were several wheelchairs already there. Also the ground was slippery because it is a water ride and water was all over the ground.

It is very similar to Splash mountain at WDW. Except you sit in single rows instead of next to someone. I was going to sit in the front, but I sat in the back as I was trying to avoid absorbing all the water in my boot. This was a good plan as Stephen and the others in the front got pretty wet.

Splash down

As we were leaving, Briar Bear came over started hugging all of us. Then he grabbed Rebecca (not me) he started dancing with her and totally took her away. It was a great Magical moment.

Then we went on the Winnie the Pooh ride. This ride loads outside but the ride is inside. Handicap access is through the exit.

This ride was cute. It is definitely different then the one at WDW.

 

[ReAnSt]

At this point we split up again. Stephen and I headed back to the Tiki room as we did not do it in the morning.

Here are some sights along the way

The handicap entrance for the Tiki room involves going in through the regular entrance. Off to the right hand side their is a closet sized elevator. It fits one person in a wheelchair and one other person. You close the door and it raises you like 2-3 feet, then you open the door in front of you and get out.

This is like it used to be at WDW before they changed it to New Management version. It was good to see this version.

While we were in the Tiki room. Stephen got an email on his Blackberry. It was an email from Continental. At first he thought it was a confirmation, for canceling our parents flight. After closer investigation he noticed that it was for a flight on Saturday. Turns out our parents we coming to CA.

As soon as we got out of the Tiki room we were going to call our parents. However the phone rang as we were leaving. It was our parents, Stephen answered with so you're coming to California afterall. They were shocked he knew.

We grabbed Dole Whips before we left the area. We contemplated getting floats but we did not.

We got another phone call and we met back up with the rest of the gang. We headed to Big Thunder Mountain railroad.

It was discussed that our parents were coming to CA the next day. Our parents had thought that we still had a rental car and could pick them up. We had already dropped it off. Diane volunteered to pick our parents up at the airport and bring them to Anaheim. She lives near the airport and was coming that way anyways.

Through the exit we went to enter the ride

It was quickly approaching 3pm, the time that Diane and her girls needed to leave. They wanted to go on Buzz lightyear, so we headed that way, but it was closed. We stopped at the petting zoo. As the girls wanted to stop there.

Before they left though we had to stop at Space Mountain. The Space Mountain at WDW needs to be updated like the one at Disneyland was a few years ago. It was totally awesome between the music, updated ceilings and other things it was a great ride.

Waiting at the handicap entrance to be left in

After Space Mountain we said our goodbyes. They had stuff they needed to go and do.

 

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So actually we had not said our goodbyes quite yet. As we all rode Alice in Wonderland together. I liked this ride, it loaded outside and you went inside but came outside again. They tried to load all 6 of us into one car, we told them no way. It would have been way too crowded.

After this we said our goodbyes. They headed to the park exit. We headed to the Matterhorn. If you go to the left hand side of the mountain, near Alice in Wonderland the line is much shorter then the other side. For the Matterhorn wheelchair access you get in the regular line, then they pull you off to the side when you can not fit through the normal line.

While in line we talked to a nice family. They were trying to join us so they did not need to stand in line for Finding Nemo subs. We told them according to the guide we needed to stand in the normal line or there was an alternate experience. At this time we thought those were the only options. We found out differently later. The family did not end up joining us.

I did not like the Matterhorn. I think it was mostly because of my injured foot. You are basically sitting really close to the floor. My foot kept bouncing around and I tried to keep it from doing so and was sliding all over the place. Watch out for the yeti. I would definitely try riding this again, when I am not injured.

 

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After the Matterhorn, we stopped and talked to the Cast member at Finding Nemo subs. We wanted to know if there was a wheelchair entrance, instead of just doing the alternate experience. I also wanted to know how many steps there were.

He told us there is a handicap entrance, but the access guide does not give you this information. He told us where the entrance was. I was not sure if I could handle the spiral steps or not. So instead we decided to go on the Monorail.

We asked a cast member where the wheelchair entrance was. We got in what we thought was wheelchair entrance for the Monorail. It ended up that we got in the regular line. We went through the regular line, when we got to the turnstyle, I got out and walked through.

They left us leave the wheelchair at the station since we were just riding the full loop and coming back. We were not getting out at Downtown Disney. I was hoping to ride the new monorail but we did not.

All the Monorail does at Disneyland is stop in the park and at Downtown Disney, it is more of a ride then transportation. It goes through California Adventure, Downtown Disney and back to Disneyland

As we left the ride, we ran into the Cast member we asked about the Nemo subs, he asked how we liked the ride. We said we hadn't rode yet but were heading there next.

I was very nervous about whether or not I could make it up and down the spiral staircase. But I was determined to get on this ride. The cast member at the wheelchair entrance asked if I could climb the stairs, I said I hope I make it. They left us be the last ones to load. I made it down the steps without a problem.

Staircase

I really was glad I got to ride this attraction. I love Finding Nemo the movie. This attraction is very well done and I really wonder how they project under water. It is unfortunate that it is so slow loading, as the lines were 60- 90 minutes most of the time we were there.

I do feel bad for the cast member who works in the sub as they spend their time standing in this space.

I survived the trip back up the spiral stairs without an issue.

From here we went to Innoventions, it is built in a circular rotating building

They have all different activities and things of new technology you can try out and look at.

They were starting a show soon with a robot. So we went inside and waited to see Asimo. It has pretty cool technology. Asimo could run, go up and down steps and lots of other things.

So we wanted to leave the building. We were now on the top floor. We left the doors that say exit. We were outside the building. We saw the ramp that says do not run wheelchairs down. There was a sign for an elevator, we went looking for it several times, we could not find it. We found a closet and other things. You can not enter from these doors. There was no cast member up there. So we went down the ramp. We survived the trip down the ramp.

 

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So we were going to head back to the hotel now for a short break and to get dinner. Instead of walking to the front of the park we took the train from Tomorrowland. There is no wheelchair access at Main Street station. You must walk up and down the steps. Which they told us upon boarding. I was going down the steps I did not care.

Down the steps we went at the Main Street station. Stephen carried the chair down the steps.

We left the park. I was almost dumped out of the chair at the curb to the road, as I bottomed out. I did not fly out but we made sure to be careful there from then on.

We went to Perkins right next to the Park Vue Inn, as we thought we had a buy one get one free meal coupon. Turns out it was not good at that location.

I had a salad with shrimp and Stephen had a burger.

We then went back to the room and relaxed for a short period of time. As we wanted to head back to the park around 7pm. To ride the rides in Fantasyland and to get ready for fireworks and Fantasmic.

 

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After dinner and a quick break at the hotel we headed back to Disneyland around 7:15pm.

Our goal was to accomplish Fantasyland and then head to the front of the castle for Remember Dreams Come true

First was Storybook Canal Boats I really wanted to ride this. It is a boat ride by miniature versions of Disney character houses. Wheelchair access is through the exit.

First you get swallowed by Monstro the whale

Don't let the giant ducks bite

Aladdin

Casey Jr Train

So the worst part was getting up in the boat. The seats are kind of low and they want everyone to get up all at once. Well I was not very balanced and almost fell. So if you have issues getting from a sitting to standing position you might not want to ride.

From here we went to Toon Town. As it closed soon and we knew we could come back tomorrow. We rode Roger Rabbit's Cartoon Spin

I really enjoyed this ride. It was neat that Roger Rabbit had a ride. I need to rewatch this movie as I have not seen it for years.

We headed back to Fantasyland. We rode Mr. Toad's Wild Ride. I was so glad that this ride was still at DL because I miss it at WDW.

Then we rode Pinocchio's ride. Monstro was back

Full moon was in a few days

We rode Snow White. Then Peter Pan. They are both similar to the version's at WDW. We would have rode It's a Small world but it was closed.

 

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So we went to seek out a spot for the Dreams Come true fireworks. We found a spot and Stephen, went to go do something. I can not remember what. Turns out what we thought was a spot as well as lots of other people was a walkway. So I told them I would move as soon as he came back for me.

We ended up in front of the partners statue concrete on the pavement, looking at the castle slightly to the left. I'm not sure how early we got there. All I know if that everyone was trying to walk through all the people sitting on the ground. They kept trying to squeeze around the wheelchair. At times I thought I was going to tip over as people kept running into the handholds. They were also stepping on my feet. Can I say it was not a pleasant experience. The people next to me started yelling at people for walking through.

There was a nice walkway behind us. Where I was previously sitting that was hardly being used. Hence the reason we thought it was a place to stand. I have never experienced this at WDW. I am normally in the same area in front of the castle at WDW. I think it is how they route people is different. Not sure but myself and the others around me were not happy with everyone walking through. I thought about using my crutches to whack people.

Putting the crutches to good use

Right before the fireworks were about to start they made everyone stand up. So even though the fireworks were way in the air, I could only see the backs of people's heads. So I stood up. Well there were still people walking through. They almost knocked me over more then once as they walked right into me. Stephen kept telling me to fall on them.

We could have went in a wheelchair area but chose not to. People were not just running into me. They were running into everyone.

We should have been further to the right as trees were in the way.

I loved this fireworks show. It is the best fireworks show I ever saw. My pictures do not do it justice. It is a lot better then Wishes.

After Remember Dreams Come True, we joined the Exodus of people heading to Rivers of America for Fantasmic. It is quite chaotic as they lead everyone that direction, those who are leaving have to u-turn out of the park. We made it to the wheelchair viewing area. It is right at the water's edge across from Pirate's Lair. We went as far left in this area as we could. We had about 15-20 minutes to wait before Fantasmic started.

For those of you who have never been to Disneyland there is not theater with seating for Fantasmic. It is held around Rivers of America, and you just stand there to watch the show. Most people sit until before the show starts.

Splash Mountain

They have a Peter Pan Segment on the pirate ship

I loved this version of Fantasmic. It is some much better being on the actual river then at WDW.

 

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We talked about whether we were leaving or not, as it was approaching 11pm. We decided to go see if Buzz Lightyear was open.

It was open. Since this is a relatively new attraction, you enter through the regular entrance and they pull you aside to board.

This has a moving walkway to the cars. They can slow it down if you want them to. In this version you can remove the guns from the car.

We rode Peter Pan

Then we headed out of the park. We stopped in some shops.

By the time we got back to the room it was basically midnight. We contemplated calling our parents as they should have been up getting ready to go to the airport. Since we had done everything we wanted to at Disneyland, we were not getting up super early to go there. We planned on sleeping in as we were going to go to California Adventure and it only opened at 10am. By the time we got to bed it was probably 1am.