dlpmikki
09-27-2013, 05:58 AM
Day 1 - Monday,19th August
We arrive in Walt Disney World about noon. Unusually, we arrive by car along I-4 from Tampa, where we have been for a few days. It is also unusual that we have brought a wheelchair with us. Mikki says Andrew needs it for long distances. Andrew says Mikki just likes pushing him around. Both may be true but I like being able to ride round the parks on Andrew's legs.
Check-in at Old Key West was not too happy: if only the non-functioning automatic door for the wheelchair had been the end of the problems. It seems the "new" computer system can't link bookings using points from different contracts so we have to check out and in again twice during our stay. A manager was called and made sure we would not have to move room (major "Fail" here by Member Services, who said they had done this). We wait to see what housekeeping we get!
Our room is not ready so we go to stock up with basics, by which time we get the text to say room 2411 is ours. It's in the convenient location on Peninsula Road just over the bridge and has a lovely view over the golf course. When we arrive, it also has a cleaner in it rubbing a powerful (to judge by the smell) cleaner into the living room sofas. Fortunately we won't need to sit down for an hour or two. And only two dud light bulbs is not bad for OKW these days. They are replaced.
We expected getting the blind fixed would take a little longer but it was done before the day was out. It probably helped that Mikki reminded anyone who talked about "their own blind" that Disney had bought it for us. While working, the engineer chats to Mikki about the refurb and the comments he has had from other guests. I'll not bore anyone with the history of the blind. It's in a previous trip report.
We unpack and go to Olivia's for dinner. A pre-dinner drink on the balcony in the warmth of the sun reminds the humans what a wonderful place this is.
Day 2 - Tuesday 20th August
Our formula for August heat is to go to the parks in the early morning and evening and rest in the room in the heat of the afternoon. So, we are off to the Magic Kingdom in the morning. We are let in with our old tickets (annual passes issued in January) but directed to City Hall to get them changed to the new system. The line there looks long but there are lots of people working there and it turns out there are several family parties in the line who are dealt with together. Mikki is soon seen.
Staying indoors when we can (yes, in shops, but no purchases today), we get to Frontier land where Mikki heads for Big Thunder Mountain Railway. We are lucky and are offered a double ride - which would have the added advantage that we get back to the side we start from so the wheelchair doesn't have to be moved. Sadly, Mikki gets nervous so we get off after one ride. Big "thank you" to the cast members concerned, however.
It is time for an early lunch and we approach Columbia Harbour House. A cast member notices us, invites us in and directs us to a quiet roped off area reserved for guests with wheelchairs. The humans seemed to enjoy it. We then leave the park for our rest (cuddles for me. Prrr).
Our first evening appointment is in the Studios. We activate our new tickets as we enter. We have a nice time with Christine and Cindy and are sorry not to see Blythe today. We have to leave soon, however, to take the boat to Epcot.
We arrive at the International Gateway, where Andrew's new ticket is rejected. Fortunately, we are let in and we can go to France to meet John from Owner's Locker. He's a nice man and we all had fun. We left as the fireworks start.
Pictures are off our balcony and the view of sunset from France
We arrive in Walt Disney World about noon. Unusually, we arrive by car along I-4 from Tampa, where we have been for a few days. It is also unusual that we have brought a wheelchair with us. Mikki says Andrew needs it for long distances. Andrew says Mikki just likes pushing him around. Both may be true but I like being able to ride round the parks on Andrew's legs.
Check-in at Old Key West was not too happy: if only the non-functioning automatic door for the wheelchair had been the end of the problems. It seems the "new" computer system can't link bookings using points from different contracts so we have to check out and in again twice during our stay. A manager was called and made sure we would not have to move room (major "Fail" here by Member Services, who said they had done this). We wait to see what housekeeping we get!
Our room is not ready so we go to stock up with basics, by which time we get the text to say room 2411 is ours. It's in the convenient location on Peninsula Road just over the bridge and has a lovely view over the golf course. When we arrive, it also has a cleaner in it rubbing a powerful (to judge by the smell) cleaner into the living room sofas. Fortunately we won't need to sit down for an hour or two. And only two dud light bulbs is not bad for OKW these days. They are replaced.
We expected getting the blind fixed would take a little longer but it was done before the day was out. It probably helped that Mikki reminded anyone who talked about "their own blind" that Disney had bought it for us. While working, the engineer chats to Mikki about the refurb and the comments he has had from other guests. I'll not bore anyone with the history of the blind. It's in a previous trip report.
We unpack and go to Olivia's for dinner. A pre-dinner drink on the balcony in the warmth of the sun reminds the humans what a wonderful place this is.
Day 2 - Tuesday 20th August
Our formula for August heat is to go to the parks in the early morning and evening and rest in the room in the heat of the afternoon. So, we are off to the Magic Kingdom in the morning. We are let in with our old tickets (annual passes issued in January) but directed to City Hall to get them changed to the new system. The line there looks long but there are lots of people working there and it turns out there are several family parties in the line who are dealt with together. Mikki is soon seen.
Staying indoors when we can (yes, in shops, but no purchases today), we get to Frontier land where Mikki heads for Big Thunder Mountain Railway. We are lucky and are offered a double ride - which would have the added advantage that we get back to the side we start from so the wheelchair doesn't have to be moved. Sadly, Mikki gets nervous so we get off after one ride. Big "thank you" to the cast members concerned, however.
It is time for an early lunch and we approach Columbia Harbour House. A cast member notices us, invites us in and directs us to a quiet roped off area reserved for guests with wheelchairs. The humans seemed to enjoy it. We then leave the park for our rest (cuddles for me. Prrr).
Our first evening appointment is in the Studios. We activate our new tickets as we enter. We have a nice time with Christine and Cindy and are sorry not to see Blythe today. We have to leave soon, however, to take the boat to Epcot.
We arrive at the International Gateway, where Andrew's new ticket is rejected. Fortunately, we are let in and we can go to France to meet John from Owner's Locker. He's a nice man and we all had fun. We left as the fireworks start.
Pictures are off our balcony and the view of sunset from France