Walt Disney World: Epcot - The Seas with Nemo & Friends

Date of Visit: July 27, 2011

Mik was interested in The Seas with Nemo & Friends ride because it is actually wheelchair accessible unlike the sub ride at Disneyland (makes total sense why this is not accessible and many think the alternate experience is better).  The clams for the Nemo ride reminded us of the new Little Mermaid ride at California Adventure.  However, instead of Triton's chariot, the wheelchair vehicle is just a giant clam.

Overall we enjoyed the Nemo & Friends ride, but we were surprised how long we had to wait for the clam to come around.  The ride was basically a walk on, but it felt like 15 minutes before the wheelchair clam finally came around.  They do at least have an okay area you can wait in so the line can go past you as you wait.


To get in the clam they slow the walkway, pull out the platform, and fold out the vehicles ramp.  The CM loaded Mik on, as they have the companion get in first.  It is actually pretty cool, as they just push the chair straight up onto the platform, then put the ramp back up and turn the platform back into the clam.  Like The Little Mermaid ride and the Disney World's Buzz Lightyear ride they are usually able to do this without having to stop the ride.

The ride reminded me a lot of the sub ride, but is actually better.  Now that we have done this ride, Mik does not feel like he is totally missing out on the sub ride anymore, although I still keep trying to convince him to try the alternate experience for that one.

Destination Info:
Epcot - The Seas with Nemo & Friends
Lake Buena Vista, FL

Walt Disney World: Epcot - United Kingdom Pavillion

Date of Visit: July 27, 2011

Mik was most excited about stopping in the United Kingdom Pavilion for Fish & Chips.  We got them from the Yorkshire County Fish Shop and then took the ramped way down to the waterfront, as the tables were all crowded despite it being mid afternoon and not an actual meal time.  It actually worked out better, as there were several empty benches and it was much quieter plus a little breeze off the water to make the hot humidity not seem so bad.  However, Mik was slightly disappointed in the fish and chips.  They just are not the same to him as when he fell in love with fish and chips on his trip to London years ago.



Other than eating Fish and Chips we also wandered around the UK pavilion a little.  There is a nice garden area in the back.

Destination Info:
Epcot - United Kingdom Pavillion
Lake Buena Vista, FL

Walt Disney World: Epcot - Canada Pavillion

Date of Visit: July 27, 2011



We started our journey through the World Showcase with the Canada Pavillion.  Mik's original goal was to eat his way through the countries, but he ended up giving up eventually because some place like Canada only have sit down places.  However, in Canada he did decide to get a Wunderbar candy bar from the gift shop.  It sounded interesting to him because it is a peanut butter caramel candy bar and he loves peanut butter.  He did not really like it, though, because he is not a fan of the stickiness of caramel.



We did not spend much time in the Canada Pavillion because the area is pretty small other than the restaurant area.  We just went up to the waterfall.  There are ramps to the side of the stairs to get to the shop and then up to the waterfall.  However, to get to the movie there are stairs, so you have to go back down and through the restaurant entrance, but Mik did not feel like seeing it.

Destination Info:
Epcot - Canada Pavillion
Lake Buena Vista, FL

Walt Disney World: Downtown Disney - AMC Dine-In Theatre

Date of Visit: July 31, 2011

Mik and Dad discovered that the AMC in Downtown Disney had Dine-In theaters and Mik just had to try it out.  There are several spots for wheelchairs in the last row.  However, the way they are set up does not work well if the group is more than one person with the wheelchair.  The seating is mostly in groups of four.  The set up for the wheelchair areas has theaters seats on the side and two wheelchair spots in the middle.  While it is nice it allows for two wheelchairs to sit next to each other, it made for an awkward empty area between us.  It would be better have the two seats in the middle or have portable chairs available for companions like they do at a lot of ballparks.

Overall the Dine In theater was a fun experience, but it has one big problem.  The biggest issue is the theater chairs are far away from the table, so you cannot really easily eat using the table.  Mik actually had a better experience because he could roll up just like a regular table and enjoy eating just fine.

The food is a definite plus and way better than a regular theater snack bar.  Plus, you still can get the regular theater stuff with the bonus of a waiter who can bring it to you during the movie instead of having to go refill the popcorn yourself.  Not necessarily worth the price every movie, but if you are going to do dinner and a movie in Downtown Disney anyways this is a great deal.

Destination Info:
Downtown Disney
1490 East Buena Vista Dr
Lake Buena Vista, FL

Walt Disney World: Hollywood Studios - The Great Movie Ride

Date of Visit: July 2011

The Great Movie Ride is a fun ride through various movie scenes.  The line queue is fun with you going by some props from movies including a carousel horse from Mary Poppins.  It is a nice long ride and a good way to escape the hot humid Orlando weather for a little bit.


All the vehicles for the Great Movie Ride have room for wheelchairs in the back.  This area has wide open area to the right of two benches and probably could fit two wheelchairs with the group being able to sit right next to them.

Destination Info:
Disney's Hollywood Studios - The Great Movie Ride
Lake Buena Vista, FL

Disneyland: Mark Twain Riverboat

Date of Visit: August 22, 2011

With all the times we have visited Disneyland, neither Mik nor I could ever remember going on the Mark Twain Riverboat.  I probably did when I was little, but I really doubt we ever took Mik on it before.  Thus on this trip, Mik and I decided to finally go on it.  Of course, we were almost thwarted because when we went over to it first thing in the morning it was temporarily down.  Luckily, it was back up and going within a few hours and we did end up getting to try it out.


They had the wheelchairs load onto the boat first.  Note the boat is not level with the dock and they have you load on backwards.  When we got off they did not seem to care when we unloaded just that you also go backwards going off.  Definitely not a ride to go on when the tippers are on, as they certainly would have been in the way. but we usually leave them off when Mik is not wheeling himself anyways.


The ride around the Rivers of America on the Mark Twain is not all that exciting, but it is a relaxing break from walking around the park and gives a different look at the areas around the River including some parts you can only see from the boat rides (canoes, Columbia, Mark Twain).


Overall the Mark Twain Riverboat is not a bad ride, but you really cannot explore the boat and are stuck on the bottom level with the wheelchair.  One time around every once and a while might be worthwhile, but it would be much cooler if they worked out a way to get wheelchairs up on the Columbia.  Going around the Rivers of America on a pirate ship seems so much cooler!!


Destination Info:
Disneyland
1313 South Harbor Boulevard
Anaheim, CA 92802

Walt Disney World: All Star Music Resort

Date of Visit: July 27-August 1, 2011

We have never cared about accessible hotel rooms, as they do not really help Mik other than the roll in shower.  Plus, Mik finds handicap raised toilets harder for him. Also, we have heard the accessible rooms are in high demand at Disney World and others actually need them. Thus we never even tried to get an accessible room for the All Star Music Resort.  It was not horrible without, but i certainly would not stay there again without an accessible room.


As a budget hotel the rooms are extra small.  We have stayed at budget hotels before, but never anything this small with Mik.  The room was barely big enough to have a place to put the wheelchair anywhere you wouldn't trip over it.  It certainly could barely fit anywhere past the area near the window and door, as the bed was so close to TV stand.  Luckily Mik preferred to relax on the floor and take a break from his chair anyways.

The bathroom is not that big, but that was expected and not really an issue.  I was just surprised at the limited area to move about the room.

We liked that to get to the food court the building had motion sensor sliding automatic doors, so no need for a button.  The same type of doors lead out to the buses from the lobby.  The food court was sometimes hard to navigate through with the crowds and minimal space in the ordering area, but there is plenty of seating and the service was great.  One day Mik got a taco salad and because he could not see what the toppings and such were the CM went through the options one by one asking if he wanted that on his salad.  Plus, since he didn't want certain things she gave extra of the things he liked.

First thing we got at the food court was refillable mugs.  They costs about $15 each, but you get unlimited refills during your stay and we certainly got our money's worth out of them.


The bus transportation to the resorts worked our pretty good during our stay.  There are lines depending on where you want to go and most have a line specifically for wheelchairs.  However, a few do not.  We did not wait in the regular line for those without one, as they still need to load the wheelchair first and that did not make sense to us.  Instead we found waiting by the sign for these lines worked fine.


Note that sometimes the buses arrive full still needing to drop off passengers at the All Star Movie resort and you end up having to wait for the next one.  Also, I noticed every once in a while Cruise Line buses were being used.  These buses are not the ones with lifts.  Luckily, none of the times it affected us, but I felt bad for the two people who had been waiting for a bus that still had to wait when I was leaving Magic Kingdom one night by myself.  However, it does seem these are added in addition to the regular ones to help when the bus lines get long for certain routes and accessible ones still come around at normal intervals.

Most buses are kneeling buses with ramps that flip out.  However, some are still old style with a lift.  All can accommodate at least 2 wheelchairs/scooters and some can handle 3.

Destination Info:
Disney's All Star Music Resort
Walt Disney World
1801 West Buena Vista Drive
Lake Buena Vista, FL 32830