Just Wanted To Say "Hi" (Too!!!)

[GroovyWheeler]

It's me, Samantha (formerly WheelinInDisney). I just wanted to let everyone know that I'm back. My computer died on me-it turned out that the motherboard "crashed" and my mom had to get another one from one of her co-workers that services computers for her workplace. I had a good time in Disney this last year, although I was sad that I wasn't able to take a folding power chair, like I had wanted to. Next time, I'm going to really go for it hopefully, and contact my supplier way in advance (I had contacted them ahead of time, but my wheelchair seating/mobility specialist, who is also a good friend of mine, wasn't able to bring one out to me, until after we were gone).

For those of you who don't remember, I was born with Apert Syndrome, a rare craniofacial syndrome, and the reason why I use a wheelchair, is because of arthritis, scoliosis, and (newly diagnosed by the nuerologist at Mayo this last summer), and dystonia (which is the one causing all of the balance control issues, falling, etc.). I'm engaged to Dan, who has Traumatic Brain Injury and who is one of the "best guys in the world" to ever walk into my life, and we are getting ready to be married in July. Not only that, but I will be moving out of my mom's house sometime in February, and Dan and I will be living in our first home together, both before and after we are married. We're both pretty excited about it, and are especially excited to be able to have kids, after I found out that it would have no "burden" on me, with my back problems, to have one.

Take Care, Samantha

 

[luvstiggertoo]

Hi Samantha!
I'm new here too.
Sounds like you have an exciting year ahead of you. Congrats on your engagement and upcoming wedding.

 

[SueM in MN]

well, hi.
i remember when you were planning. Glad to hear you did fine.

 

[GroovyWheeler]

It was a lot of fun. My brother and his family went also, and my brother loved how easy it was, using me as their "FastPass" for the rides that didn't have them, because I was in my wheelchair, and we would get sent to the front of the line. We also went to Universal Studios (which I haven't been to before), and Dan got me on some of the wild roller coasters there: Hulk, Spider-Man, and another one I can't remember the name of. We also went on some of the movie rides, as well as Dudley Do-Rights Ripsaw Rapids and Popeye's Water Adventure, I think it was called. We got so drenched from having gone on both of them twice, that my wheelchair cushion got completely soaked, and so did our clothes. We didn't have towels or anything with us, so my mom had to lay out her sweatshirt, and my brother's coat on the seats of our rental van, so that we would dry off. Dudley-Do-Right's Ripsaw Rapids was my favorite, because toward the end of the ride (where you get ready to make the last drop, which is very steep), one of the ride operators, dressed as a mountain man, saluted you as you passed him. I could never understand why, though. Although, one of them looked exactly like Dudley, with the same body frame and stature.

Some of the other rides that I haven't been on at all, at Magic Kingdom, were: Dumbo's Flying Adventure and Aladdin's Magic Carpet Ride. My sister-in-law and her two kids went on it, and convinced me to ride it as well.
It was a lot of fun. [/I]

Take Care, Samantha

 

[SueM in MN]

It was a lot of fun. My brother and his family went also, and my brother loved how easy it was, using me as their "FastPass" for the rides that didn't have them, because I was in my wheelchair, and we would get sent to the front of the line.

I wanted to point out that's not how it usually works so people traveling with guest in wheelchairs don't expect to get that same treatment.

If the ride has wheelchair access thru the regular line, you usually have to go thru the regular line. All the Fastpass lines are accessible and people have reported that if there are Fastpasses lefft, they have been told they need to get one. Often, if there are none left, the CM will write out a sort of Fastpass equal to the time you would be in the standby (regular) line and then you bring that back to the Fastpass return when it's that time.
It's the exception rather than the rule to be sent directly to the front of the line. There are a few Fantasyland rides that don't have wheelchair access thru the regular line. For those, you have to go thru the exit or be brought to the front because there is no other way to get in with a wheelchair.
(In fact, I have read that theme parks can get fined for lack of accessibility if they are sending too many people in wheelchairs to the front of the line).