Well after we all survived (barely) EE we decided it was time for a calmer ride. So, off to the other end of the park. I found we did this much more this trip than past trips. We headed to It's a Bugs Life. I truly enjoy this ride. After EE there is no way I was able to go far without being in the chair, so that is where I stayed. This is one of those rides that being in a wheelchair affects. Two things this trip 1) Obviously the surprise at the end can not happen if you are not in the theatres seats. Which of course I knew. The 2nd thing happened during a couple of attractions this trip. Some of you I'm sure heard of the scandal with travel tours using GAC (guest assistant cards) to attract customers. The speel is they advertise front of the line access. Then they have a guide with a GAC accompany them through the parks. Well, do to this Disney is in the process of changing the policy for GAC. Apparently legally they cannot ask for a doctors note, or the reason for your need for a GAC. So, they are trying to handle it in other ways. 1) limit the amount of days each GAC issue is good for. 2) limit how many people are in your party. I don't know if both or either of these things have been the case all along, or whether they are just enforcing them now. The 1st we had no issue with. We are resort guests, the GAC is issued in my name. NBD I got the GAC for our entire stay. The 2nd was an issue. Our immediate traveling party was 7. With E's family it was 14. Okay, I can see not giving 14 people access. Although that was a pain. More than once I would use the WC access then ask if I can wait to actually board the ride until the remainder of our party caught up in the standby line. That wasn't that big of a deal. I use the SB line when I am able to, park my chair with the strollers, and grab it after the ride. The issue I had was when it was 7 of us. They would only allow me 6 people. Which was foolish IMO. What am I going to do leave 1 person to ride alone. So, I used the WC access then waited when we needed to. Here is where it became an issue. Theatres. For some reason they would not allow all 7 of us to enter the theatre at the area. ??? So what would happen is myself, Miss M, & DH would enter the WC entrance. The remainder of the group would enter the regular access. They would have great difficulty getting to us, so in most cases they just sat wherever they could. Which meant we were split up during the attraction. Which, lets face it, defeats the purpose of a family vacation. Thankfullly, this wasn't an issue very often. Often the theater wasn't full enough that they had a hassle getting to us. Bugs Life it was and Mickeys Philharmagic was ridiculous. They were seated at the opposite side of the theater, and we got out at totally different times. After MP it was raining. So, we stood in the rain waiting for them, then we headed to the next ride. I think Disney needs to think about allowing guests to pickup their GAC cards at their resort and automatically issue them for the amount of travelers in the linked reservations. Then, if the GAC member need additional guests they need to "apply" for that.
I think I've mentioned before, I am happy the GAC lines are being incorporated with general lines. (less comments & stares, not to mention simply more fair) But, they really need to rethink the GAC issue incidents.
Okay rant over. Back to the bugs.
I stayed in the chair, until the cm seemed confused as to where to put me. ahh.... how about in the WC spot. I think alot of the CM's are so afraid of dealing with this situation incorrectly, they are unintentionally treating the GAC guests ..... what is a good word... inferior. I have not complaints. I can only imagine the pressure that is on these CM's. I'm sure Disney is taking this seriously, I'm sure some guests have gotten wind of it, and are asking questions that the CM's aren't prepared to answer. Noone treated me poorly. Just they were distracted and seemed to not want to say too much to me. Maybe suspicious we were one of "those" groups. Believe me the fabulous CM's have always out numbered the less than fabulous ones and this trip was certainly no exception. More than normal however, seemed indifferent or confused with their jobs when I was in the chair. I can't help but think there was a meeting before every shift reminding the cm's not to be scammed by these GAC guests. Which logically I know was not the case. That said, I'm sure it is disheartening or even infuriating for anyone that may watch my particular family with my WC. Like I've said before, I enjoy walking whenever it is possible. Often I need the chair for balance & am the one pushing it. The counter weight of someone else sitting in it is better for me in the event I do in fact lose my balance and sway backward. An empty chair is no help if that is the case. A person in the chair is going to ground me so I won't fall backwards as long as I am holding on. That said, one of DS has a back disease. He takes meds every day of his life, does PT at home every time he gets out of bed. He may some day (I pray not) be crippled. I let him sit often if he starts to get sore. Miss M. has a circulation issue with her legs. Usually not a problem. Going from warm to very cold affects it. Also, with her it is a fine balance between not enough exercise & too much, so she ends up being my counter weight also. So, I'm sure other guests and cm's alike have noticed one person getting out of the wheel chair and someone else getting in. Leading someone observing to beleive we do not actually NEED the wc/GAC. So, I understand the confusion especially if a CM notices this. I know I have gotten off track, I apologize. Now, where are those little bugs....
Oh, yes... I decided so as not to put the cm into overload, I would transfer from my chair to the theater one right beside me. Then DH could just roll my chair away & grab it for me after the show. I prefer getting the entire experience sitting in the theater seat anyway. Flick was a wonderful master of ceremony as usual. Hopper was...scary as usual, and the stink bug, well stunk as usual. All in all we enjoyed the show. I wish the older kids were closer to us. I love to watch K try to predict exactly when the bugs will get her & try to sit differently in her seat. LOL I LOVE this show. Plus it was a nice break from the heat.
We didn't do nearly the amount of rides we wanted to do, but I wasn't feeling that well. And we had 4:50 ADR's for Miss M, DS, myself & DH at 1900 Park Fare, while K & E had ADR's at their date night in Italy at 7pm. We all wanted to shower & change. So, we headed out to the new resort. I was very excited for E. to see this place. He had never been inside.
That's exactly where I got those shirts for me & Fred ...remember now
too many. LOL
take your time & try to rest , we will be here
maybe......
wonderful talking & laughing with you on Sunday
Hi, I read through your TR and am current on it...love it!! Love all the surprises. You are so fortunate that your daughter is marrying into a nice family!! The picture above that I quoted from you, where is this at? It is so beautiful! Looking forward to the rest of your TR.
just left you a voice mail call !
