[blparent] Disney World

Wed Aug 31 19:29:33 UTC 2011

Hi,
WOW, 5 times. I have never been, this trip will be the first.
I didn't know they had a permanent fast pass. I will have to check in to
that, but I was just thinking to have one of the grand parents that will be
with us, run and do the fast pass thing. A permanent one would be much
easier.

I am not a dog user. I have had many opportunities to get one, different
people and organizations willing to pay for me to go, but, for the most part
we have lived in small towns, population 500 or less, so I felt a dog would
be wasted on me. 

We can only go during summer months, my wife is a teacher, and we have 2
kids in school now. I am NOT going to take a kid out of school for a
vacation. I know this has been debated on many Disney discussion boards, but
I am against doing so. Then there is the fact my wife don't get vacation
time, so she couldn't take it off anyways.

I have actually read that December, around Christmas time is one of the most
busy. I have read of people who were turned away from the park, because by
law, they can only allow x amount of people in. same around the 4th of July
holiday.

While early June is not idea, for the times we can go, it is the best. It is
still consider mid season, so rates are not as high as in high or peak
season. Of course this depends on the hotel. We are actually going to be
staying off Disney property. We will need two rooms, and even at the value
hotels during the time we will be there, we are looking at over $200 a night
total. These are rates direct from Disney. We are driving down, I will not
fly anymore unless it is a life or death situation. I refuse to put up with
the TSA's crap and the ridiculous fees for every little thing from the
airlines. The perks for staying on Disney property aren't all that important
to me. The extra park hours, well I won't have my kids out at midnight
waiting to go on rides, and my wife don't wake up well, so there is probably
no way we would be there for the early hours anyways. Assuming any parks are
doing the magic hours during our stay. There is the free parking as well,
but I can pay $14 per car and still come out ahead staying off property. We
probably won't buy much on property either, the prices are pretty high, and
the same stuff at lower prices can be had at Disney outlet stores.

All that being said, if I were going by myself, or just our family so we
could use only one hotel room, staying on sight would be more appealing. 

The plan is to check in on June 4th, and check out on June 18th. We are also
planning on visiting universal and Sea World, and taking a trip to Tampa.
I hope to get a couple character meals in for our girls. That will depend on
how fast they book up. I have heard of some booking within minutes of
opening for reservations. The reservations open 180 days before the date you
want, if you are staying off site, so I am hoping others will be busy with
the winter holiday celebrations and forget, or put it off.

Thanks for the tips and suggestions,
Michael

-----Original Message-----
From: blparent-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:blparent-bounces at nfbnet.org] On
Behalf Of Erin Rumer
Sent: Wednesday, August 31, 2011 11:52
To: 'NFBnet Blind Parents Mailing List'
Subject: Re: [blparent] Disney World

Hello Michael and all interested,

I've been to DW 5 times now and it's one of my favorite places in the world
to go.  I don't know about cast members assisting if you want to go on a
ride by yourself, but definitely ask about that.  I get what's called a
permanent Fast Pass when I go which allows you to go through a faster line
than the main line to get on the rides quicker.  You may know this already
but nearly every ride has what's called a fast pass ticket machine where
people take a ticket and it tells them what time to come back to that ride
to be able and go through the fast pass lain.  That wouldn't work well for
us since we can't go running from ride to ride quite like people with sight
so DW is great in accommodating folks with disabilities by providing a
permanent fast pass.  This way you can carry your card and not worry about
hopping from ride to ride for those silly tickets just to come back again
later.  I think you just need to go to the customer relations office at
whatever park you decide to visit first to obtain your fast pass but make
sure and confirm that with DW when you call.  I don't know if you're a dog
user but if you are please let me know because I have more info I'd be happy
to share if you're interested.

As for the cane I think your idea is a good one and I'd carry a spare or two
for emergencies encase that telescoping cane decides to give out on you.  Do
you have any identification canes?  Those are a nice folding light-weight
option as well.

Are you planning on staying on the property?  If so I recommend staying in
one of the Value Resorts because this way you're in one of the cheaper
hotels which are plenty nice and still qualify for their meal plans, luggage
perks that take your luggage from the airport right to your hotel, charging
perks that allow you to use your room key as your credit card and meal
ticket and more.  DW also has this great option where you can have a store
anywhere on their property send your purchased items right to your hotel
room so you don't have to carry what you bought.  This is only an option if
you're staying in one of their hotels.

I'd love to hear of your plans and I hope you and your family have an
amazing time.  Have you got the dates planned yet?  If not, I strongly
recommend going to DW in December because that's the least rainy month in
Florida with beautiful temps and one of the most magical times to go with
all of the Christmas festivities.

Chow,

Erin

-----Original Message-----
From: blparent-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:blparent-bounces at nfbnet.org] On
Behalf Of Michael Baldwin
Sent: Tuesday, August 30, 2011 8:01 AM
To: 'NFBnet Blind Parents Mailing List'
Subject: [blparent] Disney World

Hi,
I know some of you have been to DW on here, and we are planning a trip for
June 2012. My question isn't really parenting related, because there will be
4 adults, and 3 kids, so the kids should not create an issue for 1 blind
dad. 

What is the best kind of cane to take. I was thinking the telescoping kind.
Easy to collapse before getting on rides, and it will be small enough I can
just put it in the stroller with a kid if I don't feel like using it at the
time.

if I am the only one who wants to go on a ride, will the Cast Members
assist, or will my wife need to go to help me get on, but then she not get
on herself.

Other tips for a blind adult at DW?

I know of the Braille maps and guides, but those don't interest me much,
unless I can get them ahead of time. I don't want to take time away from the
kids' play to read a guide.

Thanks,
Michael
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