Wednesday, August 31, 2011

Walt Disney World: Downtown Disney - AMC Dine-In Theatre

AMC Dine-In TheaterDate of Visit: July 31, 2011

Mik and Dad discovered that the AMC in Downtown Disney had Dine-In theaters and Mik just had to try it out.  There are several spots for wheelchairs in the last row.  However, the way they are set up does not work well if the group is more than one person with the wheelchair.  The seating is mostly in groups of four.  The set up for the wheelchair areas has theaters seats on the side and two wheelchair spots in the middle.  While it is nice it allows for two wheelchairs to sit next to each other, it made for an awkward empty area between us.  It would be better have the two seats in the middle or have portable chairs available for companions like they do at a lot of ballparks.

Overall the Dine In theater was a fun experience, but it has one big problem.  The biggest issue is the theater chairs are far away from the table, so you cannot really easily eat using the table.  Mik actually had a better experience because he could roll up just like a regular table and enjoy eating just fine.

The food is a definite plus and way better than a regular theater snack bar.  Plus, you still can get the regular theater stuff with the bonus of a waiter who can bring it to you during the movie instead of having to go refill the popcorn yourself.  Not necessarily worth the price every movie, but if you are going to do dinner and a movie in Downtown Disney anyways this is a great deal.

Destination Info:
Downtown Disney
1490 East Buena Vista Dr
Lake Buena Vista, FL

Monday, August 29, 2011

Walt Disney World: Hollywood Studios - The Great Movie Ride

Great Movie RideDate of Visit: July 2011

The Great Movie Ride is a fun ride through various movie scenes.  The line queue is fun with you going by some props from movies including a carousel horse from Mary Poppins.  It is a nice long ride and a good way to escape the hot humid Orlando weather for a little bit.

Great Movie Ride
All the vehicles for the Great Movie Ride have room for wheelchairs in the back.  This area has wide open area to the right of two benches and probably could fit two wheelchairs with the group being able to sit right next to them.

Destination Info:
Disney's Hollywood Studios - The Great Movie Ride
Lake Buena Vista, FL

Saturday, August 27, 2011

Disneyland: Mark Twain Riverboat

Mark Twain Riverboat RideDate of Visit: August 22, 2011

With all the times we have visited Disneyland, neither Mik nor I could ever remember going on the Mark Twain Riverboat.  I probably did when I was little, but I really doubt we ever took Mik on it before.  Thus on this trip, Mik and I decided to finally go on it.  Of course, we were almost thwarted because when we went over to it first thing in the morning it was temporarily down.  Luckily, it was back up and going within a few hours and we did end up getting to try it out.
Mark Twain Riverboat Ride

They had the wheelchairs load onto the boat first.  Note the boat is not level with the dock and they have you load on backwards.  When we got off they did not seem to care when we unloaded just that you also go backwards going off.  Definitely not a ride to go on when the tippers are on, as they certainly would have been in the way. but we usually leave them off when Mik is not wheeling himself anyways.
Mark Twain Riverboat Ride

The ride around the Rivers of America on the Mark Twain is not all that exciting, but it is a relaxing break from walking around the park and gives a different look at the areas around the River including some parts you can only see from the boat rides (canoes, Columbia, Mark Twain).


Overall the Mark Twain Riverboat is not a bad ride, but you really cannot explore the boat and are stuck on the bottom level with the wheelchair.  One time around every once and a while might be worthwhile, but it would be much cooler if they worked out a way to get wheelchairs up on the Columbia.  Going around the Rivers of America on a pirate ship seems so much cooler!!


Destination Info:
Disneyland
1313 South Harbor Boulevard
Anaheim, CA 92802

Wednesday, August 24, 2011

Walt Disney World: All Star Music Resort

All Star Music ResortDate of Visit: July 27-August 1, 2011

We have never cared about accessible hotel rooms, as they do not really help Mik other than the roll in shower.  Plus, Mik finds handicap raised toilets harder for him. Also, we have heard the accessible rooms are in high demand at Disney World and others actually need them. Thus we never even tried to get an accessible room for the All Star Music Resort.  It was not horrible without, but i certainly would not stay there again without an accessible room.

Jazz Inn at All Star Music Resort
As a budget hotel the rooms are extra small.  We have stayed at budget hotels before, but never anything this small with Mik.  The room was barely big enough to have a place to put the wheelchair anywhere you wouldn't trip over it.  It certainly could barely fit anywhere past the area near the window and door, as the bed was so close to TV stand.  Luckily Mik preferred to relax on the floor and take a break from his chair anyways.

The bathroom is not that big, but that was expected and not really an issue.  I was just surprised at the limited area to move about the room.

We liked that to get to the food court the building had motion sensor sliding automatic doors, so no need for a button.  The same type of doors lead out to the buses from the lobby.  The food court was sometimes hard to navigate through with the crowds and minimal space in the ordering area, but there is plenty of seating and the service was great.  One day Mik got a taco salad and because he could not see what the toppings and such were the CM went through the options one by one asking if he wanted that on his salad.  Plus, since he didn't want certain things she gave extra of the things he liked.

First thing we got at the food court was refillable mugs.  They costs about $15 each, but you get unlimited refills during your stay and we certainly got our money's worth out of them.

Line for Buses from All Star Music Resort
The bus transportation to the resorts worked our pretty good during our stay.  There are lines depending on where you want to go and most have a line specifically for wheelchairs.  However, a few do not.  We did not wait in the regular line for those without one, as they still need to load the wheelchair first and that did not make sense to us.  Instead we found waiting by the sign for these lines worked fine.

Bus to Theme Parks
Note that sometimes the buses arrive full still needing to drop off passengers at the All Star Movie resort and you end up having to wait for the next one.  Also, I noticed every once in a while Cruise Line buses were being used.  These buses are not the ones with lifts.  Luckily, none of the times it affected us, but I felt bad for the two people who had been waiting for a bus that still had to wait when I was leaving Magic Kingdom one night by myself.  However, it does seem these are added in addition to the regular ones to help when the bus lines get long for certain routes and accessible ones still come around at normal intervals.
Bus to Theme Parks
Most buses are kneeling buses with ramps that flip out.  However, some are still old style with a lift.  All can accommodate at least 2 wheelchairs/scooters and some can handle 3.

Destination Info:
Disney's All Star Music Resort
Walt Disney World
1801 West Buena Vista Drive
Lake Buena Vista, FL 32830

Saturday, August 20, 2011

D23 Expo 2011: Mickey's of Glendale

Mickey's of Glendales souvenirsDate: August 20, 2011

We almost did not go to the Mickey's of Glendale shop because I asked Mik if he wanted to go in as we exited the Carousel of Projects and he did not say anything.  Then as we were about to leave the Expo I asked if there was anything left he wanted to see/do and he said the Mickey's of Glendale shop, so we went back to it.  We were glad we did, but it was not a fun experience.

The Mickey's of Glendale shop is very crammed with displays and merchandise.  Even without the crowds of people it would barely be navigable with the wheelchair.  Add people and we got stuck being unable to go any direction for 5 minutes.  I ended up leaving Mik in one stop and looking at the stuff.  Luckily, I found a must have pin for Mik's collection that made the whole experience worth it in hindsight.  It was a Sorcerer Grumpy pin for Mik's Grumpy (Mik's favorite Disney character) pin collection.

Grumpy Sorcerer
It was not fun to be stuck once I came back to him with what we wanted and were trying to get out of the shop, but Mik has keeps bringing up how happy he is to have a new Grumpy pin for his collection, so it was worth the hassle with it being the highlight of the trip for him.  The funny thing is when I came back to him and handed him the Grumpy pin, he gave me a weird look like is the pin your getting what about one for me?  Sorcerer Mickey is my favorite character (I do not collect every pin, though, as too many feature him) and he thought the Sorcerer Grumpy was a Sorcerer Micky pin.  Once he figured out how awesome it was to finally have a new Grumpy pin (its been over a year since he has found one he did not already have), he was speechless until of course he could not stop bringing it up as we were walking to hotel/Disneyland and waiting in line for rides.

We both also ended up selecting a Carousel of Projects pin to buy at Mickey's of Glendale.  Mik also got a red Sorcerer Mickey tumbler cup and I got a magnet with Sorcerer Mickey and a Smashed Penny Mystery Pin (ended up being the New Year's one and not of interest to me, but maybe another thing I could trade).

Destination:
D23 Expo
Anaheim Convention Center
800 West Katella Ave
Anaheim, CA

D23 Expo 2011: Carousel of Projects

Date: August 20, 2011

We got to the Carousel of Projects right before the Expo opened to the public.  It was a little wait to go into the little room that shows a quick movie.  The movie was not that interesting and we ended up stuck in the back because they held the wheelchairs off to the side and ended up in last with others cutting ahead.  Mik was annoyed that he could not see anything, but I could pretty much see everything and it really was not like he missed anything great, although it was kind of cool how the exit thing worked with Tinkerbell opening the curtain to the exhibit.

Carousel of Projects
Inside the exhibit area it was quite kind of crowded, but it was not too bad to go around and see everything.  I liked seeing the concept vehicles for the new Carsland, especially watching the firetruck's eyes.  However, we actually are not interested in the new land, as it does not seem any of the new rides will be the type that can be accessible, although the flying saucer style one Mik would try if we brought along someone to transfer him.

Carousel of Projects
Mik loved seeing the concept vehicle for the new Seven Dwarfs Mine Train ride for the new Fantasyland area at Disney World.  We knew about the ride and he is not actually interested in it, as he is not into roller coasters, but he loves Grumpy and liked seeing him as one of the dwarfs in the ride vehicle.

Destination:
D23 Expo
Anaheim Convention Center
800 West Katella Ave
Anaheim, CA

D23 Expo 2011: Treasures of the Walt Disney Archives

Treasures ExhibitDate: August 20, 2011

After shopping at the Treasure Trove shop, we headed back around to go through the Treasures exhibit.  The exhibit was nice and empty considering it was still only about 10 minutes after the Expo opened for members and people were mostly downstairs for the Arena or maybe had just done it yesterday already.  This was our favorite part of the Expo mainly because there were no crowds to deal with, but also it was set up with more space to move around than most other exhibits/stores.

Treasures exhibitTreasures Exhibit

The exhibit featured a variety of props from Disney movies and shows.  Our favorite part was the props from the National Treasure movies.  We also liked the Tron area, but thought it would have been cooler with the motorcycle or maybe a lightcycle.   The props from the Pirates of the Caribbean movie were also interesting, but the they had a much larger exhibit of the 4th movie props in the main exhibit hall.  Other movies/shows represented included Hocus Pocus, Zorro, Rocketeer, Lost, and Roger Rabbit.

Destination:
D23 Expo
Anaheim Convention Center
800 West Katella Ave
Anaheim, CA