Disney info for JaxTellersOldLady and roundthebend4

[silverfrog]

Hi, I was recently on threads with both of you about Disney holidays.

well, we are here. flight (with Thomson) was ok. seats a bit uncomfy, but then that is me being precious (far too used ot business class ).

Sanford airport was a breeze - really easy to negotiate, no massive crowds etc.

about an hour from disney (we hired a car, didn't use Magicl Express)

w are staying in an Old Key West villa. it is fab. loads of space. the dds have the bedroom, there is a separate entrance to the bathroom, and we are ont he sofabed int he sitting room. really lovely peaceful location - not a hint of Disney or Mickey in sight of our room - just look out onto a golf course, lake with fountains etc. nice to get away from the frenzy

we went to the Magic Kingdom yesterday (sunday). it was busy, but not stupidly crowded. th longest we waited for anythign (eg the monorail from carpark to entrance) was 20 mins or so.

roundthebend4 - the GAC is brilliant. no hassle getting one - they just worte it out and handed it over. we are mostly going on smaller rides (dds are 6 and 4), but again, longest we have waited is 20 mins - and even that is straight into a shaded area to wait along wiht other disabled/SN people. we did 4 rides in an hour yesterday afternoon - small but popular ones, like It's a small world, or the Peter PAn flying one (which is ace). the queues were looooong, but we went straight in through the disabld entrance, waited int he nice cool airconned interior, and were on the ride within 20 mins.

allergies (can't remember if anyone waiting on this info) are handled really well. chef comes out to talk you thorugh all the options, and then will happily cook something not even on the menu if necessary. even at a McD's type fastfood place, we spoke to the manager, who pulled out a book listing all their meals and ingredients, made up a special combo meal deal as parts weren't suitable etc - all fantastic. and the food is getting a big thumbs up form both dds - the gluten/dairy free choc brownie cake is to die for, honestly. very yummy.

if thereis anythign in particular either of you want to know - do ask. will check back in each evening/night probably (rather crappily have raging toothache, so not much sleep happening, and need to do something to pass the time ) - we will either have already experienced it, or be about to!

Off to Epcot today - girls are looking forward ot getting bck to see Mickey

Sounds fab. I'm missing mickey myself. Am hoping we can go again next year, though we tend to go to California as it's cheaper :)

thank you

found it have been laid up with spinal surgery .

But we are booked did it before this all hit.We go next September for 21 nights staying at port orleans french .

we booked accomidation direct ith Disney and flights are with VA.(best way to get round there only being one adult)

Did you notice if theres seperate line for customs immigration.am thinking how ds will cope and how mnay toes could be squashed.

Am glad the GAc works will defintley be getting one did you need any proof? just so know to pack it.

you planning to do seaworld at all ?and pleased food is sortable .

Florida is my physio goal and so looking forward to it .So will enjoy your reports and most of all enjoy yourselves

we are back now

but we had a ball. the dds loved it - all of it.

port orleans french looked nice but the food court there was not our favourite (was a little tired looking). are you doing a dining plan at all? I owuld recommend it - along with a sit-down meal eg lunch every day. gets you out of the heat, and with the GAC, we found we didn't spend all day queuing, and the break form all the frenzy was good for all of us.

can thoroughly recommend Crystal Palace for lunch - was amazing. Cinderella's Royal table not worth it, imo. there are reports that the Royal Banquet in Epcot is better, but didn't go ourselves. Cinder's gaff was very crowded, rushed, and probably the worst meal (both in temrs of being rushed, and in terms of food quality and service quality) that we had all week.

dd2 loved it though (obviously!)

sorry ot hear about your surgery - hope you are feeling as well as possible? I would factor in hiring a mobility scooter, if possible. dh had to for a couple of days (recently had knee surgery), and it made life more comfortable for him.

no spearate line for immigration, afaik, but the wait was not too bad for us - we were through in 25 mins or so. lots of lines open - are you flying to Sanford, or Orlando? think only charters fly to Sanford, so there may well be a disabled/SN route at Orlando for immigration. Sanford was tiny - so no queue for anyhitng.

GAC: no proof needed, as by law they are not allowed ot ask for it. but we took dd1's Statement along (lists all her issues). we don't get DLA or anyhting, so Statement and dx letter is all we have. they wren't interested, and just wrote out the card, no questions asked. took 5 mins. we didn't investigate areas for parades or anything - just took our chances. but was a godsend for the rides.

we only did the 4 Disney parks (not even the water parks - we are sun shy!), so can't report on Seaworld etc. but we only had 7 days there, so wanted to crack on

overall, depsite it being obviously tiring, was the easiest holiday we have ever had - everyone was very good with dd1 - eg if she strayed the wrong side of a line, the assistant woudl engage with her, and have a chat about (eg) the princess she was hoping to see (even thoguh dd1 was mostly chatting nonsense back), instrad of just barking orders to move behind the line, like would happen in UK - dd1 had a great convo with an attendant in Animal Kingdom as she wanted ot get up close to the window at the gorilla bit - he took the time to chat, and after 5 mins or so, dd1 happily came back behind the line. the food issue was my biggest worry - but the dds had a ball, and feasted on just about everythign they wanted - all cooke dot order if there was nothing on the buffet/menu to suit. and several of the restaurants also gave us extra snacks to take away (eg extra GF brownies, or cookies) in case we couldn't easily find them at the snack carts etc.

fantastic glad you enjoyed it and yes dont think we will be doing water parks lol though of hauling ds up the stairs .and im so glad about assistants being understanding as one of my biggst worries his Pd you can see his others not .

I shall play by ear about moblity scooter not sure how would work that with ds chair to convoys anyone . i have quite some time as its not till next year shall review plans when know how surgery works .And the holiday well it shall be bigger than ever now.DD is not a princess girl so can miss that out if we decide

and yes we are on the DDp so can take it easy .We will be at a slower pace though as we have 3 weeks booked.

Went with pofq after i followed your links to the dibbs and evryon rccomnd as the smalls resort .I caN NOt wait now

we saw quite few people had rented a mobility scooter form outside the parks - delivered to the resort etc - might be worth investigatig whether there are any 2 seater ones? (if appropriate, sorry if not suitable for your ds). I didn't see any, but then I didn't look, iyswim? both dds hopped up with dh for a few minutes here and there, but that's not the same thing at all...

dd1 was not a princess girl - or so we thoguht! - before we went. now it is all she talks about . they met all of the princesses at on point or other - there is a meet and greet just inside the entrance to the MK that is really orht it - you wait a bit, but then there are 3 princesses waiting, and you get a good few minutes with each of them.

surprisingly, dd1 found it easier to relate to the real-life people than to the characters. dd2 did as well - I think because the characters don't talk, so harder for little ones to interact (other than a quick hug), whereas dd1 was ecstatic to be able to show the princesses her new watch (and bless them, again, they were fabulous at talking to her, and drawing her in etc)

can hihgly recommned the BEach Club food court - had the best burger I have ever had there.

are you goign to rent a car? would recommned it, even if staying in Disney hotel -much easier than waiting for bus.

No sadly car rental not a option as would not held my uk licence long enough or otherwise I would of .but mine pretty used to hoping on and of buses so should be ok and will check out the beach club

Yes but sadly under18 not allowed officaly on the cars but yes ds walks a bit but tires easily hence taking his chair but luckily as no posture support needs and since were there longer can build in plenty of rest that be for me pretty sure the kids will keep going long after I want to collapse

but if nearer the time it's looking like I'm going to need more help will get one of the older dc to come or maybe my mum.hmm ok that makes it even more determiinded ro work at physio lol 3 weeks with my mum I love her but!!