dlpmikki
01-30-2010, 06:23 AM
Wednesday January 20th
Today, we didn’t go to any parks and didn’t enter Disney World property until late afternoon. However, it wasn’t quite a “non-Disney” day. We go to “Prime” outlets mall and our first stop is, of course, the Disney Character Connection. Mikki finds a trading pin with Figaro on it so the day is a great success already! They manage to leave that shop with a fairly small bag but things go downhill after that. They find a number of gadgets to try and some shoes.
We then drive to Kidani Village to ask if we can leave their bags there while they go to Bermuda for the weekend. They really like the look of Kidani and are excited about the thought of going there next week. Fortunately there is no problem with leaving the bags. We stop off at Outback for supper on the way back to Cypress Harbour. The humans spend the evening sorting out what to take away for the weekend and what to pack in which case that is staying.
Thursday 21st January
We set off for the Studios where Andrew wants to try the audio description. The park is busy, with longer lines than we are used to for bag searches and crowds inside the gates. We get the handheld device from Guest Relations but the humans seem to have difficulty explaining to the cast member what we want: “audio description” seems to have no effect. Andrew explains carefully that he is sight impaired, not hearing impaired and Mikki even gets out the guide we have and point to what we want on the picture of the set-up screen. We get the device and a Guest Assistance Card to allow Andrew to sit at the front.
Next, we seek breakfast and go to “Starring Rolls” – somewhere my humans have never been before! They enjoy their chocolate croissant and crispy cake.
We check the tip board and think we have time for the Great Movie Ride before the Beauty and the Beast stage show. Arriving at the Chinese Theatre, we change our mind. The 5 minute wait advised by the Tip Board has grown to 25 minutes.
The Beauty and the Beast stage show was anther “first” for us. The story is adapted to allow all the nice songs to be performed. However, the disabled assistance is an interesting story. Approaching the seating area, we get out the Guest Assistance Card asking for front row seating. A cast member is duly attentive and carefully escorts us to the back row, reserved for wheelchairs! We get over that and get to the front where we actually end up with superb seats centre stage. At the appointed time, the show starts and Andrew’s device buzzes to show there is something for him. Yes, it is spelling out the words on screen! We have been given the wrong program – again. The humans are not in their best mood when they get back to Guest Relations. After a little delay, they leave with the right program loaded and try it in “One Man’s Dream”.
“One Man’s Dream” may be a tough test for audio description. There is so much in there it would take too long to describe everything. Even so, Andrew learned some things he hadn’t seen. The only snag he found was that if he moved around one section too much he sometimes picked up the next signal and the commentary jumped on. There was also commentary on the film in the final theatre. It was very well synchronised with the action.
Now we left the park (returning the audio description device) because we wanted to go and get an official Florida temporary disabled parking badge. We went to an Osceola County office. Our Sat Nav (GPS) worked beautifully to get us there. The office was quiet = no line, no need to take a number - and we got the badge easily. The Sat Nav couldn’t switch on getting back but, fortunately, Mikki remembered our route.
In the evening, we had to pack because it is an early start tomorrow. We then take most of the luggage to Kidani Village and leave it with Bell Services. They are kind enough to look after it for us until we get in on Monday.
Friday 22nd to Monday 25th January
We are up very early and drive through the rain and lightning to the airport. We are spending the weekend in Bermuda, travelling with hand luggage only. Of course I go and somehow Floppy cat gets in too. We fly via Atlanta. The flights to Atlanta are full but the flights to and from Bermuda quiet. Today, Friday, the weather delays both flights but everything goes well in the end, if more than a little bumpy.
We have a super weekend with Mikki’s family and arrive back in Orlando about 10 pm on Monday evening but don’t get to our room at AKL Kidani until nearly midnight.
We have a studio here and the humans immediately start to notice limitations compared to the one bedroom units they are used to. One side of the bed has no control over lighting and not even a bedside table. Mikki decides they will swap sides. The queen sized bed is also smaller than they are used to. Andrew piles the four large cushions in the corner where there is no table and announces they will make a nice bed for a toy cat. Sure, and in Pinocchio, Geppetto carved a cute little bed for Figaro. Andrew can put his wristwatch on the pile of cushions. Goodnight everyone.
Today, we didn’t go to any parks and didn’t enter Disney World property until late afternoon. However, it wasn’t quite a “non-Disney” day. We go to “Prime” outlets mall and our first stop is, of course, the Disney Character Connection. Mikki finds a trading pin with Figaro on it so the day is a great success already! They manage to leave that shop with a fairly small bag but things go downhill after that. They find a number of gadgets to try and some shoes.
We then drive to Kidani Village to ask if we can leave their bags there while they go to Bermuda for the weekend. They really like the look of Kidani and are excited about the thought of going there next week. Fortunately there is no problem with leaving the bags. We stop off at Outback for supper on the way back to Cypress Harbour. The humans spend the evening sorting out what to take away for the weekend and what to pack in which case that is staying.
Thursday 21st January
We set off for the Studios where Andrew wants to try the audio description. The park is busy, with longer lines than we are used to for bag searches and crowds inside the gates. We get the handheld device from Guest Relations but the humans seem to have difficulty explaining to the cast member what we want: “audio description” seems to have no effect. Andrew explains carefully that he is sight impaired, not hearing impaired and Mikki even gets out the guide we have and point to what we want on the picture of the set-up screen. We get the device and a Guest Assistance Card to allow Andrew to sit at the front.
Next, we seek breakfast and go to “Starring Rolls” – somewhere my humans have never been before! They enjoy their chocolate croissant and crispy cake.
We check the tip board and think we have time for the Great Movie Ride before the Beauty and the Beast stage show. Arriving at the Chinese Theatre, we change our mind. The 5 minute wait advised by the Tip Board has grown to 25 minutes.
The Beauty and the Beast stage show was anther “first” for us. The story is adapted to allow all the nice songs to be performed. However, the disabled assistance is an interesting story. Approaching the seating area, we get out the Guest Assistance Card asking for front row seating. A cast member is duly attentive and carefully escorts us to the back row, reserved for wheelchairs! We get over that and get to the front where we actually end up with superb seats centre stage. At the appointed time, the show starts and Andrew’s device buzzes to show there is something for him. Yes, it is spelling out the words on screen! We have been given the wrong program – again. The humans are not in their best mood when they get back to Guest Relations. After a little delay, they leave with the right program loaded and try it in “One Man’s Dream”.
“One Man’s Dream” may be a tough test for audio description. There is so much in there it would take too long to describe everything. Even so, Andrew learned some things he hadn’t seen. The only snag he found was that if he moved around one section too much he sometimes picked up the next signal and the commentary jumped on. There was also commentary on the film in the final theatre. It was very well synchronised with the action.
Now we left the park (returning the audio description device) because we wanted to go and get an official Florida temporary disabled parking badge. We went to an Osceola County office. Our Sat Nav (GPS) worked beautifully to get us there. The office was quiet = no line, no need to take a number - and we got the badge easily. The Sat Nav couldn’t switch on getting back but, fortunately, Mikki remembered our route.
In the evening, we had to pack because it is an early start tomorrow. We then take most of the luggage to Kidani Village and leave it with Bell Services. They are kind enough to look after it for us until we get in on Monday.
Friday 22nd to Monday 25th January
We are up very early and drive through the rain and lightning to the airport. We are spending the weekend in Bermuda, travelling with hand luggage only. Of course I go and somehow Floppy cat gets in too. We fly via Atlanta. The flights to Atlanta are full but the flights to and from Bermuda quiet. Today, Friday, the weather delays both flights but everything goes well in the end, if more than a little bumpy.
We have a super weekend with Mikki’s family and arrive back in Orlando about 10 pm on Monday evening but don’t get to our room at AKL Kidani until nearly midnight.
We have a studio here and the humans immediately start to notice limitations compared to the one bedroom units they are used to. One side of the bed has no control over lighting and not even a bedside table. Mikki decides they will swap sides. The queen sized bed is also smaller than they are used to. Andrew piles the four large cushions in the corner where there is no table and announces they will make a nice bed for a toy cat. Sure, and in Pinocchio, Geppetto carved a cute little bed for Figaro. Andrew can put his wristwatch on the pile of cushions. Goodnight everyone.