The Official #$@% Cancer Trip: It's All About Mom PTR/Live-TR - Page 12 - PassPorter - A Community of Walt Disney World, Disneyland, Disney Cruise Line, and General Travel Forums
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There's a serious problem often experienced by those finally able to stay in the GF: The place SERIOUSLY spoils you for staying anywhere else.
Well, actually, that would be DH His Drewness and me, to be frank. Since our initial GF stay, we've only stayed in WL. We left WL agreed that we simply wouldn't return to WDW until we could manage another stay in the splendiferous GF.
So, did the place spoil you, too, for wanting to stay anywhere else? It has that peculiar magic for those with a weakness for being spoiled rotten.
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“People say nothing is impossible, but I do nothing every day.” —Winnie-the-Pooh
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That's a lovely story about your mom in the airport. I've experienced many such acts of kindness in my solo travels and it's always a sweet and touching surprise.
the last i left you, we had just exited the haunted mansion. and we should have gone home.
except we didn't.
at this point it was maybe 2:30pm and we had been in the park for a little more than two hours. we had a hot dog, did pirates, and did haunted mansion. so i was like: would you like to go back to the room? and mom was like: no.
and then i was like: well what would you like to do? and she was like: whatever.
so we walked/scooted. and the first thing we came across was it's a small world. and there was a 15 minute wait. and we thought that was super reasonable. so i walked up to the CM at the gate and asked about mom in her scooter, because at this point i was just asking things. like: hi. mom wants to ride this. how do we make that happen?
and the CM was like: do you have a fastpass? and i was like: no. and he was like: do you have ANYTHING?!? and i was like: (slightly taken aback) no. and he was like 'go over there and ask the guy under the pink awning.
so i did. and that guy also seemed annoyed. it was very clear that they thought we were trying to cut in line by having a scooter. and not to be a jerk, but COME ON. anyone who looked at my mom could tell that she was not just lazy and choosing a scooter. she LOOKS like a cancer patient (i'm sorry. this is the point in the trip when i was most angry, so it is coming through in this report.)
we were FINE with standing in line. or, rather, we would have been fine with sitting in line. her sitting, me standing. also, it was only a fifteen minute wait.
so the guy under the pink awning let us in through the handicap entrance and we were told to park her scooter maybe 20 feet from the exit. and then we were ushered down a ramp and made to wait. except mom can't stand. she just can't. but we had to stand there for maybe seven minutes. we would have left after the first three minutes, but there was no way she could walk back up the ramp to get to her scooter. it was at this point that i repeatedly apologized to her for supporting the whole it's a small world plan. and she was all like 'oh no it's ok'. and i considered picking her up and carrying her.
fortunately we were eventually allowed onto a 'friendship' and as we walked towards it, i said to the CM--she CAN NOT WALK--and she ushered us into the rear seat of the boat because it was the most-near, looking confused.
and then we sailed around it's a small world and mom smiled and it was all good. i helped her back up the ramp to get her scooter; at this point i realized that it was best for me to 'be the walker'. she has a walker that she uses at home, so for the rest of the trip, any time she had to walk, i 'was the walker'--in that i held out my arms in front of me and in front her her and walked backwards while she supported herself on me. fortunately i'm really good at walking backwards. i credit being a teacher for a decade and growing eyes in the back of my head.
now. all of that being said: disney world is THE BEST PLACE EVER for people with mobility issues. in every other circumstance aside from this one day, people--both cast members and guests--went above and beyond to make mom's trip happen. there is legitimately nowhere else in the world that would have been as accommodating. i love disney, and we had a magical time, and mom was super supported. other than these two instances. so please do not read this as me complaining. i was just...it hurts watching someone you love suffer. i didn't know how to deal with it, and so perhaps i failed her.
moving on.
it was at this point that i insisted we make our way out of the park. the plan was to shop our way down main street and then take the monorail to POLY for drinks before dinner. mom knew that i had very, very few things on my must-do list. one was caseys corn dogs (check!) and the other was a drink at trader sam's grog grotto. and we had 5:15 reservations for the aloha show at POLY, so her plan was to go directly there from MK.
however, our shopping plans were foiled by the 3:00 parade, which i now realize exists solely to keep people in the park when they want to leave for the day. we stopped on the walkway from fantasyland to the hub area--the tiny pathway around the left of the castle (the right if coming from fantasyland) and mom put her feet up on the bars of her scooter (she needs he feet to be up because of swelling) (she really should not have gone on this trip, but she did and she was fine. so yay her. she rocks.)
by the time we made it to the monorail there were about a million people there--again, because parade. but eventually we made it to the poly. which i had not seen since the reno ended. it is lovely, and the center atrium area reminds me of sanaa with all of the lovely lighting fixtures.
we followed the signs to trader sam's, and there was a CM at the door to open it for us so mom could go in. we walked in...and walked (scooted) immediately out. because it was MAYBE 50 degrees in there. and mom is always super cold. so it wasn't going to happen, and i didn't want to see it enough to make her shiver. though from what i saw: super cute, yet prohibitively small. and the staff is lovely.
the CM who held the door open talked with us about why we were leaving and where we were headed--we told her we had aloha reservations at 5:15--and she suggested the terrace area outside of the inside tiki bar. which was so much better than the inside bar. there was a waterfall wall, and a view of the lake, and a guitar player. i perused the drink menu and asked the server what was the specialty, and he suggested the spikey pineapple, which is pineapple dole whip with rum. so i had that because...it was pineapple dole whip with rum! it was excellent if filling. there's no way a person could have more than one.
and then more magic...
said server was a boy. definitely college-aged. when i ordered my drink, she asked if they had iced tea. and he said 'sadly, no'. and then he paused, looked at her, and was like 'but i will go get you some from inside' and she was like 'oh no, you don't have to do that' and he was like 'i'll be right back'. and returned in maybe four minutes with a paper cup with a straw and a lid. and she was so happy. (you will recall that unsweetened iced tea is one of the few things that she enjoys with her taste issues.)
and it was slow, so while i drank my spikey pineapple and she sipped her tea, he came over to talk to us. my mom had a great conversation with him about i don't remember what--i think about how he liked working there (mom's all about trying to get a job there when she gets better/retires. i think it is a good plan. more on this later.) and then he offered her a refill on the tea, which she refused because we were headed over to spirit of aloha and he had told her that there would definitely be iced tea there (he also informed me that there would be sangria there, which made me happy. though i did not end up ordering sangria. still, nice touch, spirit of aloha.)
it is fair to say that that one kid made up for all of the less-than-magical things that happened that day. i'm sad that i don't know his name, but i'm looking into it (i'm certain there's a way to find that out). oh, and he was tipped. stupid generously.
i don't know why this single day is taking me so long to write up, but i'm going to hit send on this right now so that i don't lose it and will continue in my next reply. up next: spirit of aloha and my failed attempt at MK EMH.
There's a serious problem often experienced by those finally able to stay in the GF: The place SERIOUSLY spoils you for staying anywhere else.
Well, actually, that would be DH His Drewness and me, to be frank. Since our initial GF stay, we've only stayed in WL. We left WL agreed that we simply wouldn't return to WDW until we could manage another stay in the splendiferous GF.
So, did the place spoil you, too, for wanting to stay anywhere else? It has that peculiar magic for those with a weakness for being spoiled rotten.
so here's the thing: i keep trying to decide if that room at the GF was the best place i've ever stayed. it is definitely a serious contender. but to be fair, i travel a lot. so i'd tie this room with 1. the ridiculous suite we had in costa rica with the private volcanic hot springs pool ($70/night. seriously. i don't ever talk about money unless it is a crazy, crazy low number. costa rica--go there!) 2. a penthouse apartment i was comped in quebec city. however, i believe the GF suite may have slightly edged out both of those places because in the case of costa rica, it had a kitchen. and in the case of quebec, it had a fabulous bathroom. and in the case of both of them: IT WAS IN DISNEY WORLD.
aaaaallllll of that being said: am i forever spoiled for other disney properties? not even a little. i love the boardwalk. the location cannot be beat, and i love the quiet pool. if i had a car and visited in a non-hot time of year, i'd stay at AKL again (kidani, not jambo.) i don't love the pool and it is remote, but THERE ARE GIRAFFES! and three fab restaurant options. i'd also really like to try WL. and really--of the times i've actually paid money to stay in disney? coronado springs and POR riverside were both lovely. i'd go back to either in a hot second.
still. GF was amazing.
Quote:
Originally Posted by lauriep
That's a lovely story about your mom in the airport. I've experienced many such acts of kindness in my solo travels and it's always a sweet and touching surprise.
i continue to be floored by how many kind, helpful people there are in the world. i encountered one woman once, on my own, when i had a total nervous breakdown at the charlotte airport (she walked over and hugged me and talked me down; i was trying to get from miami to chicago after a day of work in time for a 6am start the next morning, and it was snowing. and if i didn't get there, i would be fired. it was a bad day, and i will always be thankful to her.) i would like to be more like these kind, helpful people. and i hope that whatever comes next for me professionally leaves me with enough energy to do some good for other people (instead of mowing them down on the moving walkway at the airport.)
I'm so glad that Cast Member was able to make your day more magical, after some very unmagical encounters earlier on. I am really shocked by what happened at It's A Small World. That was just appalling.
I strongly suggest filing a complaint with guest relations about your Small World experience, because there's a boat that can take a wheelchair on it! Those CM's should have explained to you what accommodation was possible as it was to us. If I recall correctly, there's only one such boat which meant a longer wait than we had the patience for after being told it had just gone.
We considered waiting for it but then saw that there were a couple families ahead of us with significantly disabled children in powerchairs, so DH decided to tough it out and clamber into a regular cramped boat. That did not work well for us either but was our choice. :::shrug::::
So unfortunate that you were both subjected to more agonizing effort and your mom to more discomfort than was necessary! Yep, I would definitely complain.
__________________
“People say nothing is impossible, but I do nothing every day.” —Winnie-the-Pooh
Last edited by Her Dotness; 10-30-2015 at 07:23 AM..
Glad the terrace at Trader Sam's made up a little for the lousy experience at iasw. Forgot to ask, did you go to Guest Services for the little card that says you have an issue that will require you different access? (This used to be called a GAC, and I don't remember the new name) I'm so sorry I didn't think about it/mention it prior to your trip!!!
Forgot to ask, did you go to Guest Services for the little card that says you have an issue that will require you different access? (This used to be called a GAC, and I don't remember the new name)
It's called the DAS (Disability Assistance Service) but is issued only to those with issues other than mobility--things like autism, panic in crowds, extreme sun sensitivity, etc. It usually offers a return time or a quiet waiting area for those with difficulty waiting in line.
Such an extensive amount of WDW has been made physically accessible that those with mobility issues are now expected to use appropriate aids (cane, walker, wheelchair, scooter) and to explain how much additional aid they need if asked, "Can you walk short distances?"
As busy as CM's often are trying to get such individuals onto rides quickly and safely, you must be VERY specific. Not just, "Yes, Dad can walk a short distance" when that means the eight feet from bed to the bathroom, but indicating a nearby landmark and saying instead, "He can't walk further than from here to that pillar there. We will need a wheelchair if the distance is any longer than that."
__________________
“People say nothing is impossible, but I do nothing every day.” —Winnie-the-Pooh
What a lovely story about your mom in the airport! I'm glad that there are people like that out there. I'd like to think I'd be helpful like that, although being on the shy side makes it hard to approach strangers. But we should all try more to be like that.
I'm so glad you encountered such a great CM at Trader Sam's, and it's great that you were able to sit out on the patio. (Although I think when the CM at the door asked why I was leaving, I would have mentioned the arctic temperatures. Maybe should could have done something about it... if not in time for you, then at least maybe for visitors later that day. WDW has a tendency to keep their AC way too cold!)
So sorry about the fiasco at iasw. We enjoyed the terrace at Trader Joe's Grog Grotto much better, too. I had a pineapple wine that was so good! The young man who got your mom ice tea is a jewel.
I'm so glad that Cast Member was able to make your day more magical, after some very unmagical encounters earlier on. I am really shocked by what happened at It's A Small World. That was just appalling.
i was a bit taken aback, too. it was just so unexpected. but yes, the CM at trader sam's totally made up for it.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Tara O'Hara
I am so sorry about your encounter at IASW.. It sounds like your day is getting much better, though!! Your time at Trader Sam's sounds delightful!!
there were definitely more ups than downs!
Quote:
Originally Posted by Her Dotness
I strongly suggest filing a complaint with guest relations about your Small World experience, because there's a boat that can take a wheelchair on it! Those CM's should have explained to you what accommodation was possible as it was to us. If I recall correctly, there's only one such boat which meant a longer wait than we had the patience for after being told it had just gone.
We considered waiting for it but then saw that there were a couple families ahead of us with significantly disabled children in powerchairs, so DH decided to tough it out and clamber into a regular cramped boat. That did not work well for us either but was our choice. :::shrug::::
So unfortunate that you were both subjected to more agonizing effort and your mom to more discomfort than was necessary! Yep, I would definitely complain.
i can see your point, but i'm not really the complaining type. also, i wasn't really assertive enough i suppose. now i realize how very important it is to arrive extremely informed of how to handle mobility issues. i will know better in the future.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Colexis Mom
Glad the CM at the tiki bar was able to give you guys some magic after a frustrating day!
Glad the terrace at Trader Sam's made up a little for the lousy experience at iasw. Forgot to ask, did you go to Guest Services for the little card that says you have an issue that will require you different access? (This used to be called a GAC, and I don't remember the new name) I'm so sorry I didn't think about it/mention it prior to your trip!!!
i did not get the DAS card because i did a bit of research before hand and determined that it would not be valid for her needs (see below).
Quote:
Originally Posted by Her Dotness
It's called the DAS (Disability Assistance Service) but is issued only to those with issues other than mobility--things like autism, panic in crowds, extreme sun sensitivity, etc. It usually offers a return time or a quiet waiting area for those with difficulty waiting in line.
Such an extensive amount of WDW has been made physically accessible that those with mobility issues are now expected to use appropriate aids (cane, walker, wheelchair, scooter) and to explain how much additional aid they need if asked, "Can you walk short distances?"
As busy as CM's often are trying to get such individuals onto rides quickly and safely, you must be VERY specific. Not just, "Yes, Dad can walk a short distance" when that means the eight feet from bed to the bathroom, but indicating a nearby landmark and saying instead, "He can't walk further than from here to that pillar there. We will need a wheelchair if the distance is any longer than that."
this is all good to know. there needs to be some kind of orientation for people going to WDW with mobility issues. i mean, we all have all of this info and support here, but how many disney guests are on PP, you know?
Quote:
Originally Posted by pamcarey
What a lovely story about your mom in the airport! I'm glad that there are people like that out there. I'd like to think I'd be helpful like that, although being on the shy side makes it hard to approach strangers. But we should all try more to be like that.
I'm so glad you encountered such a great CM at Trader Sam's, and it's great that you were able to sit out on the patio. (Although I think when the CM at the door asked why I was leaving, I would have mentioned the arctic temperatures. Maybe should could have done something about it... if not in time for you, then at least maybe for visitors later that day. WDW has a tendency to keep their AC way too cold!)
we did mention the cold, and she agreed that it was freezing; she mentioned that on her break she was going to get a sweater. so i'm thinking she had no control over it. but anyway, the patio was a better choice.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Cam22
So sorry about the fiasco at iasw. We enjoyed the terrace at Trader Joe's Grog Grotto much better, too. I had a pineapple wine that was so good! The young man who got your mom ice tea is a jewel.
i had the pineapple wine last year at food and wine fest. yum! and yes, huge fan of that CM.
ok...to finish the story of wednesday. (man this is taking me forever!)
in review, this day we: checked out of the boardwalk, traveled to GF, checked in, arrived at MK, at hot dogs, did three attractions, waited for the parade to pass, traveled to POLY, and had a rum drink.
now it is time for spirit of aloha.
the kind CM who brought the iced tea directed us to the check in desk for spirit of aloha, we checked in and then made our way across the POLY grounds to the venue. the entry way was a bit disorganized, but we got 'lei-ed' and made our way to the waiting area, skipping the photographers because we were not sure what was up with that. after a short wait we were ushered into the dining area where we were seated quite quickly. i insisted that mom be allowed to scoot to our table, which was fortunately on the ground level and also fortunately on the side with the restrooms. they then had me park her scooter a little bit away, which was interesting because i'd not driven it yet (i didn't hit anything--yay me!).
the appetizer platter was already on the table, and it was HUGE. there was a cold noodle salad, a slaw, a green salad, and chunks of pineapple. mom loved all of it. :yay:
our waiter was super nice and brought mom iced tea and a white wine for me. he kept my glass filled for the duration of the meal and the show, even bringing me a third glass that i didn't need at last call (my second was still half full). but i managed. the meal came out rather quickly as well, while the entertainment began. mom loved the ribs, as did i. i had one piece of chicken, as i'd not had chicken all week (mom has a chicken aversion so i avoided ordering it) and that was quite good too. honestly, the food was better than i was expecting it to be. i was thinking bad wedding food quality. this was actually really very good. and i had one of the sweet rolls in honor of cubfancolleen (yet failed to send the pic to you on fb--sorry colleen! it's the thought that counts, right?)
so here's the thing that i realized about disney at the spirit of aloha show: you know how sometimes you go to an event or an experience or facility somewhere and you think 'that was great but if only they had thought of x,y,or z'? yeah. disney thought of x, y, AND z and figured out how to make it work best. case and point: the entertainment during dinner was ok-ish. kind of cute, with lots of involvement of the children in the audience. the real show--the part you'd want to pay attention to--didn't begin until halfway through dessert. you know, so you could watch it. and you know, so kids would be tired out by that point.
the show was super well done. i'm ashamed to admit how much i loved it. the whole thing was kind of a highlight for me, and it was honestly nice to have something for mom to DO while eating. it took the focus off of what she can and cannot eat and made it more of an experience.
the only issue we had i will share in case anyone is ever in this situation. so: you'll recall that they took her scooter away, as they needed to do because of the way seating works. well, the thing about mom's health is that sometimes she has to use the restroom. and she has to use it NOW. this happened twice during dinner, but the scooter was far away and the restroom was not terribly far but too far for her to walk easily. so twice i had to half carry her to the bathroom. which sucked for her. a lot. and once we had to butt in line.
there's really nothing to be done about this, and really, what i learned on this trip is that she should have had a wheelchair. but i don't know how THAT would have worked, as i could not have pushed her for the entire week, and she can't wheel herself. so. there was that.
still, spirit of aloha was a huge hit. we waited for everyone to clear out before leaving and exiting on the scooter was no issue (and i was thankfully able to drive it back to mom, even after my three glasses of wine. i was a little concerned about that!)
we took the monorail one stop back to the grand floridian, and mom retired to bed. it was our original plan to watch wishes from the beach at the POLY, but mom was too tired. it was then my original plan to go back to MK for the night, as there were EMH until 1am. but...um...*I* was too tired! the whole time i was like 'you are going to regret not going' but i just. could. not. i was beyond exhausted, and even the idea of walking back to the monorail exhausted me. so instead i did a quick google search to figure out where to best view the fireworks from the property of the GF (without a dinner reservation) and i headed out to the end of some pier where i found a bench, sat down and facetimed my husband, and awaited wishes.
right before they began, a woman and her two maybe 20 year old daughters came out. they were from NY (i asked, but you could also tell. i've never heard someone sound so much like they are from queens. and i've worked in queens.) and the mom was there on a conference. they were super not into disney, and were honestly shocked by how nice the fireworks were. they were saying things like 'wow, this is almost as nice as our 4th of july at home' and i was snickering under my breath.
non-disney people. ha!
and then i went to sleep.
it was a long day.
up next: our last (but not departure) day. a final day at MK ending at california grill!
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Pixie Dust
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I am really shocked by what happened at It's A Small World. That was just appalling.
. It sounds like your day is getting much better, though!!
Your time at Trader Sam's sounds delightful!!
The young man who got your mom ice tea is a jewel. 
the whole time i was like 'you are going to regret not going' but i just. could. not. i was beyond exhausted, and even the idea of walking back to the monorail exhausted me. so instead i did a quick google search to figure out where to best view the fireworks from the property of the GF (without a dinner reservation) and i headed out to the end of some pier where i found a bench, sat down and facetimed my husband, and awaited wishes. 
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