Going Home, DLR Help

[mechurchlady]

update, extreme pain, ftigue and hunger and sleepy and pain and Calvin is such a doofkus. hour and a half late, we got caught in rain and i got so cold and freaked out, was crying from exhaustion, so cold and wet.

Loved everything and saw star tours, walked right onto buzz, di space mountain, walked on to nemo, billy hill and the hill billies was his favourite, pirates, ate turkey leg and had drink. he got corn on cob and me got lays plain chips.

will tell more later

Some one in plaid please tell plain named Mark that he helped when I was so cold and hurting and frozen and ready for a major aspie type meltdown. I canont telkl him how much he helped me. long story on calvin having to hstop to eat and me being so cold and the stress and
mark if you read this you are the best plaid I ever met. thanks.

i am crying so tired. walked so much.

[DisneyMom]

WOW, you did it Churchy! And in the rain, too! Might have helped reduce crowds, but it was really pouring up here, so I imagine it was pretty cold.
Next time on a nice day....Disneyland kicks my butt, too, my feet HURT but not 'til the next day :)

[mechurchlady]

I slept over 5 hours after getting home. I may have something in my heel from over a month ago and cannot see what it is but there was a tiny blood stain. Thick skin so I can get bits of glass in my heels and they poke flesh but I cannot see them to get them out.

I told Calvin we were leaving no later than 9 am. I called and he was just getting up. Then he called around 9:45 and was just leaving out the door then he had me drive around the block as he forgot his cough medicine then he thought I was driving fast but I was only 7 mph over the limit and have driven that street for 30 years.

I had a real nice discussion with a CM. I KNOW that with disabled parking on the ground floor you have to walk all the way around a fence and it is about a 3 black walk, very far. Finally he let me go into the bus parking area where we got the second row from the opening to trams. I SAID TO LEAVE AT 9 AM. I was so steamed at him for making me wait so long. Then he was still at the car and I said I was going to start walking to the the tram.

I found that my leaning over the back of the wheelchair and putting my hands on the arm rests I could take a lot off of my body and move pretty fast. I got to the place that crosses the tram road but still no Calvin. He catches up and I cross the road then set in the wheelchair and push to the boarding area. I walk it up the ramp then set and wait. Nice driver and you would not believe what we ended up doing. The tram driver took time out to show Calvin the motor of the tram. Calvin was leaning over the rail ooh and aah and wow over the tractor motor and was so happy. I pushed myself to the line for tickets.

DLR finally got things straight. They have both sides blocked off for bag check. That way guests can park hop without multiple bag checks. I was a good guest and had my bookbag out and my purse open and ready for inspection. I got in line and explained to Calvin about how Disney is making all lines wheelchair accessible and about the passes available. Took a while to sink in. Elyse was funny, sweet and very nice. I got a premium pass and Calvin got a Southern California pass, the better of the two.

I am crying as I do not know how we will make it financially. All the bills are not in and we have about $200 for the rest of the month. that is over 3 weeks. I will try aunt josie but honestly think when all bills are in that we will have about $50 for 3 weeks. Mom does not know and other than apria I know of no way to make money. Clavin had to choose an expensive jacket. It is his fault that we were cold and wet. He ruined my day. I had fun in the parks and when I feel better will tell more. I hurt and my throat and exhausted. Had fun but so much money. we are broke. Mom need a converter box and I lost the coupons. I need a miracle and should not have taken the trip but I had to go back.

hugs
Laurie

[mechurchlady]

NOTE: I am writing this for my dear friends at Disboards and SGT so somethings are more for one board and some for the other.

I rolled over to main gate and handed them the ticket. I got out just before entering as it was too hard to push the chair in that area. I then leaned over the chair so I could put my weigh on my arms that were on the arm rests. I walked over to the bank and got in line for my passport photo. Calvin had to pee. He took so long that I had to let someone ahead of me, lol. Then he could not figure the shortest way to get to me. The bank has an open door and nope he hopped a rope. My picture has mussed hair as when I am nervous i run my fingers through my hair.

We were supposed to go to DCA but nope Calvin wanted to see Disneyland a bit. There is not access to the train for a wheelchair and no street transportation because of construction so I decided we would do Disneyland first then some other day do DCA. We by that time had less than 5 hours to see anything and we would have to feed Calvin. We went to get us two ECVs and Calvin was still dumbfounded. Finally in line he realized that he would get an ECV and that they would store my wheelchair.

A bit confusing as you need to go right to get out of the area where you pay. They hand you a ton of paperwork and I am overwhelmed with all that paperwork. Then hand the guy at an exit a pass and procede to where you drop of your wheelchair, ECV, powerchair or whatever. I let the lady explain everything to Calvin. DLR scooters have a switch to put the scooter into reverse. The good thing is that there is a lever and you can push with your arm or hand or hold down with your hand grasping the lever. Very light touch needed to make it go. They have a knob on the control panel that can go up to 5+ mph and we were really booking it with them scooters. They are big monsters and you get a metal bar in front to protect the housing around the front wheels. They are very easy to maneuver but BIG.

We went over to City Hall to get Calvin a GAC and met a nice lady plaid who stopped and talked with us. I told Calvin about plaids as I want him to be a smart guest who knows everything thus having a great trip. We parked to the right of the City Hall and waited maybe 2 or 3 minutes and were helped by an older plaid lady who was very nice. I got the gluten free listing but no soy list, frustrating but I have a plan up my sleeve, lol. I then told her I needed a GAC for Calvin and that he was hard of hearing and no stairs. It was a piece of cake and we were out of there in minutes. I was teaching Calvin how to get a GAC. Wow they turned the waiting room on the north side into another counter to help people. Great idea. We went out then down the stairs that are farthest north.

We procede north on Main Street then we stopped so I could show Calvin the Elias Disney window. Tourguide Laurie, lol. We then headed up to the Plaza Inn where we stopped so I could show Calvin where the nurse's station is located. Then off to entrance to Tomorrowland where I stopped and showed Calvin the edible landscaping, wow. He likes to know how things work and thought is was neat that they hide with vegetation a piece of equipment. We parked right at the entrance to Buzz Lightyear in stroller parking.

I had the GAC ready but there was no line so the CM told me to go left and it was a bit of a walk and a bit dark. At the end of the line is an entrance to the wheelchair boarding area but we were walking and hopped into a ride vehicle. There is a moving walkway and idiots do not holster their guns when they are done so it can be a nightmare to get onto the ride at times. You have a gun dangling in front of you as you get into the ride vehicle. Calvin was a slow learner but did ok. I think the problem is figuring where your gun is aiming. We had fun and did ok with scores. There is a button that you can push to rotate the vehicle but this is optional. Some people would have trouble because of the noise, darkness and bustle of the stuff as you shoot at them. Did not smell anything in here or see any gasses. Pretty smooth ride. Basically a game where you shoot at targets and fun for me but some people who are not into video games and targets shoot might be bored. Mom would definitely.

[mechurchlady]

We exited and we started to walk to the ECVs but I saw that there was no line for Star Tours. We went over to the front and I finally got Calvin to realize that normally I would use the ECV and enter through the handicapped entrance. OH but he did not know what lied in wait for us. It is a spiraling ramp that goes up one story and is rather steep. For an autistic kid the line could be a bit too much because of the noise spiels of the robots. On a busy day you would be trapped in line with lots of spieling robots. A bit dark at times but not too bad.

They put us in row 5 which is the back of the ride. I could not get to row 5 as the line for row 4 was up to the wall so I stood there and was waiting. This SG couple plowed through and went right in front of me without asking if I was in line for row 4. I told them I was in row 5 and was waiting for row 4 to move. The SG couple then tried to get me to let them have row 5. LOL what SG ninnies. They thought they would get front row seating. I explained to Calvin that the dude in the wheelchair was in the wheelchair entrance and that would be the front of the theater. Calvin gets smarter every minute around me.

When the doors open I walked past the SG couple and let Calvin go in first. It was ok because I was next to the door but one little problem. My feet did not touch the ground. I am average height but only the toes came near the floor. I put the belt on loose and then through the ride kept sliding out of my seat. Nothing in front of me but steps going down to the bottom of the simulator. I needed to glue my rump to that seat. We exited and were last out it seems. Calvin realized then that the GAC was a blessing and he could not have done that steep ramp on certain days. Well lit hallway but steep ramps. First drinking fountains did not work but second did. Kid in front of me sighs with relief from cold water then I do too and Calvin asks if the fountain works. We ended up in the shop and I headed to that ECVs. I wait by near the vendor and no Calvin. Personal issues with nutty family it seems. He just stands there on the phone and I am left walking back. PAIN. No wonder I slept so long that night.

We get back to the ECV and Calvin almost runs over a lady in an ECV who did not stop for him. He parked and waited for me which was way faster than him. The good thing about the lady's restroom there is that the changing area is way in the back for more privacy and less congestion. He then follows me to the exit and then we veer left and down down down ramps until we get to the loading area. I pull to the yellow line and am told to park the ECV past a gate. Calvin does the same. We board and I am first to board. I am very careful to get my feet in the right spot and all set for when the bar comes down. Calvin was squished in tight. The ride vehicle was waiting for us on the siding. A couple of ladies joined the vehicle and Calvin liked the technology of having a siding to let disable guests board at their pace. It is rather simple technology and takes up very little room.

I took Calvin's hat of and probably he did not hear the warning or the CM did not see the cap on his head. The ride was smooth, sound was great and wow my face was frozen cold from the wind. I remember the old days when I could ride this ride while looking at the track for clues on which way to lean so as to lessen the jarring of the ride. Just stars and more stars and wow what a humdinger of a ride. Calvin backed up and back to the exit while I made a nice u=turn. He stopped in the middle of the hall and had me lead. It was getting to where we could do rides or shows and skipped Innoventions and Honey I Shrunk the Audience.

We parked at Nemo and it was a short wait of not more than 10 minutes. I got on the next boat leaving.

I am cold and tired and hungry so I and going to continue later.
Big hugs and chocolates
Laurie

[Elena (aka: Bubble Lady)]

[font="Palatino Linotype"]CONGRATULATIONS![/font] :dancear:

[font="Palatino Linotype"]oh churchy, i'm so proud of you! you did it! you went back to your beloved disneyland...i hope it was everything you'd hoped it would be and more...and now that you've been back the once i hope it's the beginning of many many more trips there for you![/font]