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There are other changes as well.
Why? Well, the world has changed. And change with it, we must. The lyrics to "We Go On" for IllumiNations say it best:
We go on to the joy and through the tears
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Moving on with the current of the years.
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To a new day, we go on.
It's time to move on and move forward.
PassPorter is a small business, and for many years it supported our family. But the world changed, print books took a backseat to the Internet, and for a long time now it has been unable to make ends meet. We've had to find new ways to support our family, which means new careers and less and less time available to devote to our first baby, PassPorter.
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So we are retiring this newsletter, as we simply cannot keep up with it. Many thanks to Mouse Fan Travel who supported it all these years, to All Ears and MousePlanet who helped us with news, to our many article contributors, and -- most importantly -- to Sara Varney who edited our newsletter so wonderfully for years and years.
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If you miss us, you can still find some of us online. Sara started a new blog at DisneyParkPrincess.com -- I strongly urge you to visit and get on her mailing list. She IS the Disney park princess and knows Disney backward and forward. And I am blogging as well at JenniferMaker.com, which is a little craft blog I started a couple of years ago to make ends meet. You can see and hear me in my craft show at https://www.youtube.com/c/jennifermaker . Many PassPorter readers and fans are on Facebook, in groups they formed like the PassPorter Trip Reports and PassPorter Crafting Challenge (if you join, just let them know you read about it in the newsletter). And some of our most devoted community members started a forum of their own at Pixie Dust Lane and all are invited over.
So we encourage you to stay in touch with us and your fellow community members wherever works best for you!
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Our trip to Disney is going to be in October and it looks like I will be using a scooter. I've got info on companies and places to rent from. My concern is about rides and attractions and getting on them. My issue where I need to use a scooter is recovering from a twisted knee complicated with arthrititis. I have trouble standing long or walking long distances as well as I still have trouble climbing stairs(must go very slow). What attractions have stairs? A friend told me Lights, Motor, Action involved stairs. Astro-Orbitor is not a problem since I don't want to go on it. Do they have a separate entrance for scooter/wheelchair? My son wants me to go with him on Splash Mountain and I am wondering how difficult it will be getting into the "car". Any help/advice you can given me will be greatly appreciated.
My husband is walking disabled (needs a cane to walk limited distances) and always rents a scooter at WDW. Most rides are easy to get to. There will be a separate line or entrance at many for those in chairs or elevators that takes you directly to a point where you can transfer into the ride vehicle. You'll need to be able to do that yourself or have someone who can help if needed. CM's are not permitted to assist in transfers. On some, you'll have to park your scooter and use a provided manual wheelchair. There will be a designated parking area for your scooter where you'll likely see several others.
You may want to contact Guest Relations to see if they'll send you their book advising those with special needs such as yours, or you can get one at GR when you arrive.
As far as rental places are concerned, we've always rented from Randy's Mobility and have been delighted with their service. When we had a problem with the scooter once, they sent a technician out right away who met us at our hotel (where the chair malfunctioned luckily) and traded it out for a different scooter.
Getting around will be lots easier than you think, I expect. We've never had a significant problem other than my having to say, "Hey! I'm getting tired. Please reduce speed, sweetie."
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“People say nothing is impossible, but I do nothing every day.” —Winnie-the-Pooh
Btw, I meant to add that if you're flying and will be using Magical Express, be SURE to request in advance one of their vans with a wheelchair lift even though you aren't confined to a chair.
DH found getting up the steps into the DME bus extremely difficult. I thought the steps quite steep and the treads somewhat narrow for me at 5'4" with size 7 feet, so I can only imagine how very hard it was for him to get up the four or five steep steps into the bus since he's 6'4" with BIG feet.
Worse still, several people in the front seats watched him struggle to get up the steps and not one got up and offered him their seat. We had to go two-thirds of the way back in the bus to find empty seats. Not saying that that's typical, but we found it unbelievably inconsiderate.
We've already reserved a wheelchair lift van for our planned trip over a year from now and expect that to be very much easier for him.
Oh, and when you wheel up to get onto a bus to get you from park to park, don't be surprised if it takes quite some time to get your scooter onto the bus and strapped in place. We stay in one of the deluxes on the monorail and rarely go anywhere but Epcot or MK because the buses can be so tiresome. Much depends upon how experienced the driver is at securing a scooter or wheelchair. Last time we were there, we had to grab a bus to get back to our resort from one park, and the driver turned out to be very new at it. Felt like it took him half of forever to get the lift to work, the scooter secured on it and then secured in the bus itself. Never an easy process to endure when you're tired from touring and want to get back to your resort, that's for sure.
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“People say nothing is impossible, but I do nothing every day.” —Winnie-the-Pooh
Last edited by Her Dotness; 08-16-2012 at 07:18 PM..
Reason: add info about buses
All WDW shows have a way for disabled guests to enter the theater. Lights. Motors, Action has elevators. All rides have a stairs free entrance. Snow White used the exit, for example. Toy Story Mania has a mainstream line until it splits off into a seperate loading area for disabled guests. Some rides require you transfer to a wheelchair that your family pushes through the line but on occaision CMs have let me use the FP line or another entrance. As for Splash Mountain you have to step down into the boat or sit on the dock and pivot into the boat. You can chicken out at any point while waiting in line.
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Mom calls to check on me and reminded me to pay the gardener. I love her so much.
Disneyland was fun with flag retreat and pickles. I have a home here, thank you. GAC is NOT a "front of the line pass".
She is gone but keeping signature. Laundry is getting done. My purpose in life is to help poor people in FL. Farewell, will miss you.
Thank you for answering quickly and both of you have info that set my mind at ease. This will be the first time I have had to use a scooter(although after a couple days of walking the World in our other trips, I wish I had had a good excuse to use one) but this time I don't want to take the chance of further damage to my knees.
There are less attractions with stairs than there are attractions where you have to step down into the vehicle (and then back out again). The only "stairs" attractions I can think of are Swiss Family Treehouse (which you have to walk to do), Splash Mountain (but once in the line, you'll be redirected to the exit when you reach that point), Big Thunder Mountain (again, you'll be directed to the wheelchair entrance), Soarin (there's an elevator over to the left of GG restaurant, as you're facing the restaurant), TSM (you'll again be directed to the wheelchair entrance) and LMA (but there are elevators the CM will direct you to).
Now rides where you have to step up and down - Jungle Cruise (unless you wait for the ECV boat, which can be quite a while), PoTC, Splash Mountain, IASW, Indy Speedway (if you have anyone interested), Test Track, Living with the Land, Mexico boat ride, and the Norway boat ride. Plus too are the attractions with the moving belts (which might be a problem with your knees) - Peter Pan, the new Little Mermaid, Haunted Mansion (although this one can and does get stopped) Peoplemover, Buzz Lightyear, the Living Seas, and Spaceship Earth. The ECV will be a huge help for you around the parks and it will help you avoid the stairs, but as I've pointed out, with bad knees I think the stairs are the least of your concerns, KWIM? At each attraction, stopping to think about how you get on and off of it (entering with left leg, exiting with right, stepping down, moving platform etc) might decide whether you even want to try it. Good luck
I used an ECV for the first time last Sept. in WDW and had no problems. I have moderate to severe arthritis in my spine, hips and now affecting the knees. At the time I had no problems with rides., CMs were very helpful with alternative methods of entering. I also used a walker to transfer ( I bring with me in case I want to walk for awhile....especially in stores).....from ECV if it was necessary. My next trip will be a year from now...and my walking is now becoming "a shuffle"......so I know rides with moving belts are no longer something I can enjoy...I'm not fast enough to load......and rides with a steep step I think now is a no-go. Knowing what I feel comfortable with (I would be so embarrassed to fall) that day will make the decision. You'll just have to decide what you will be able to enjoy.......WDW does make it easy. Enjoy your trip.
My trips now are a "girls get-away" with friends......but since Arthur-itis and Ben-gay come with me......sometimes we include Sam Adams, Johnny Walker and Captain Morgan.....
My trips now are a "girls get-away" with friends......but since Arthur-itis and Ben-gay come with me......sometimes we include Sam Adams, Johnny Walker and Captain Morgan.....
Our trip to Disney is going to be in October and it looks like I will be using a scooter. I've got info on companies and places to rent from. My concern is about rides and attractions and getting on them. My issue where I need to use a scooter is recovering from a twisted knee complicated with arthrititis. I have trouble standing long or walking long distances as well as I still have trouble climbing stairs(must go very slow). What attractions have stairs? A friend told me Lights, Motor, Action involved stairs. Astro-Orbitor is not a problem since I don't want to go on it. Do they have a separate entrance for scooter/wheelchair? My son wants me to go with him on Splash Mountain and I am wondering how difficult it will be getting into the "car". Any help/advice you can given me will be greatly appreciated.
They have separate wheelchair entrances for just about everything - even if it's a matter of walking you 'round the side, to an "employees only" entrance if need be.
Your first day int he parks, you should stop by Guest Relations and ask for a Guest Access Card (GAC). That will smooth the way for you where lines and such are concerned: one of your group can wait in line with your GAC in hand, and when they get to the head of the line, show it to the Cast Member there - at which point you'll be brought up to join them, and ride together.
[QUOTE=Her Dotness;4014571] This site seems pretty detailed regarding which rides require you to transfer from the scooter or chair, which have special entrances and so forth. Guests with Mobility Disabilities at Walt Disney World
You may want to contact Guest Relations to see if they'll send you their book advising those with special needs such as yours, or you can get one at GR when you arrive. QUOTE]
Thanks for the link to the site. I will look into that site and the book.
Quote:
Originally Posted by CinderAbby
There are less attractions with stairs than there are attractions where you have to step down into the vehicle (and then back out again). The only "stairs" attractions I can think of are Swiss Family Treehouse (which you have to walk to do), Splash Mountain (but once in the line, you'll be redirected to the exit when you reach that point), Big Thunder Mountain (again, you'll be directed to the wheelchair entrance), Soarin (there's an elevator over to the left of GG restaurant, as you're facing the restaurant), TSM (you'll again be directed to the wheelchair entrance) and LMA (but there are elevators the CM will direct you to).
Now rides where you have to step up and down - Jungle Cruise (unless you wait for the ECV boat, which can be quite a while), PoTC, Splash Mountain, IASW, Indy Speedway (if you have anyone interested), Test Track, Living with the Land, Mexico boat ride, and the Norway boat ride. Plus too are the attractions with the moving belts (which might be a problem with your knees) - Peter Pan, the new Little Mermaid, Haunted Mansion (although this one can and does get stopped) Peoplemover, Buzz Lightyear, the Living Seas, and Spaceship Earth. The ECV will be a huge help for you around the parks and it will help you avoid the stairs, but as I've pointed out, with bad knees I think the stairs are the least of your concerns, KWIM? At each attraction, stopping to think about how you get on and off of it (entering with left leg, exiting with right, stepping down, moving platform etc) might decide whether you even want to try it. Good luck
This is just what I was hoping someone would give me, at least I can be prepared somwhat. It does seem so many of my favorites are ones that have moving floors(HM, TTA, Buzz Lightyear, the Living Seas and Spaceship Earth. All the advice has been good and useful. Have a couple of questions what is IASW and KWIM?
Quote:
Originally Posted by rella
I used an ECV for the first time last Sept. in WDW and had no problems. I have moderate to severe arthritis in my spine, hips and now affecting the knees. At the time I had no problems with rides., CMs were very helpful with alternative methods of entering. I also used a walker to transfer ( I bring with me in case I want to walk for awhile....especially in stores).....from ECV if it was necessary. My next trip will be a year from now...and my walking is now becoming "a shuffle"......so I know rides with moving belts are no longer something I can enjoy...I'm not fast enough to load......and rides with a steep step I think now is a no-go. Knowing what I feel comfortable with (I would be so embarrassed to fall) that day will make the decision. You'll just have to decide what you will be able to enjoy.......WDW does make it easy. Enjoy your trip.
My trips now are a "girls get-away" with friends......but since Arthur-itis and Ben-gay come with me......sometimes we include Sam Adams, Johnny Walker and Captain Morgan.....
I am walking better than I was in the last week since that doctor put me a a different medicine. I understand about being embarrassed about falling, me too as well as I hate to slow things up. I don't just jump out of cars or seats anymore.
I'm really not into sam Adams and the others but like CinderAbby, include Jack Sparrow and I'll be there in a heartbeat(my ds16 would be so jealous since it is a girl get together.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Pax
They have separate wheelchair entrances for just about everything - even if it's a matter of walking you 'round the side, to an "employees only" entrance if need be.
Your first day int he parks, you should stop by Guest Relations and ask for a Guest Access Card (GAC). That will smooth the way for you where lines and such are concerned: one of your group can wait in line with your GAC in hand, and when they get to the head of the line, show it to the Cast Member there - at which point you'll be brought up to join them, and ride together.
I will look into getting that GAC. Thank you for the information. Every one is so good to give advice for those of that are newbies(whether a first timer to Disney or having to do something new after other trips). It is really wonderful to have then issues answered.
Darlene.............there will be space, if you want to come....really. I'm planning next Sept at BLT. I will be getting a 2 bedroom villa...sleeps 8 and only 6 of us are going......We usually go Sun to Fri.......another "girl" from MA would be great......Think about it......I know you work for the school systems here and school will probably be just starting...but if you can work it out.... you are welcome to join us.....it would be great to physically meet a good friend......and we can try to find Captain Jack Sparrow, too.
Darlene.............there will be space, if you want to come....really. I'm planning next Sept at BLT. I will be getting a 2 bedroom villa...sleeps 8 and only 6 of us are going......We usually go Sun to Fri.......another "girl" from MA would be great......Think about it......I know you work for the school systems here and school will probably be just starting...but if you can work it out.... you are welcome to join us.....it would be great to physically meet a good friend......and we can try to find Captain Jack Sparrow, too.
I promise I will think about it but I can't make any guarantees this far out. Sometimes when things change in the school system, lots of changes happen at once and at the last minute so making plans far out for during the year isn't wise.
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