D23 Expo 2013: Dream Store

Date: August 9, 2013

After getting into the D23 Expo taking almost until 10 a.m. this year and seeming to take much longer than last time and from past experience of the Dream Store being crazy, we decided to tackle it first, especially since it was the one store with things we knew we wanted to get.


This expo's experience at the Dream Store was so much better than in 2011 and not just because we did not wait as long to get in (that was only because we went there first, it would have been as long or longer if we went later I am sure).  The main thing that we liked was that inside it did not seem so crowded.  It partly seemed to be easier navigate because there were less on display, but it also seemed they allowed fewer people in at a time or at least the checkout line was contained in the checkout area while we were there.

I quickly found and got the Disneyland 4D puzzle. Since it was not crowded, except around the Vinylmations that they could barely stock as fast as people grabbed them, we also browsed to make sure there was nothing else we wanted before getting in the checkout line to pay and get pins.

Destination:
D23 Expo
Anaheim Convention Center
800 West Katella Ave
Anaheim, CA

Companion Restrooms at Dallas Fort Worth Airport

It has been awhile since I have flown through Dallas Fort Worth Airport with Mik.  In Tucson, we used to always choose Chicago over Dallas because Chicago seems to have fewer weather delays/cancellations and I have often had bad luck with Dallas.  Now that we are in Huntsville, though, Dallas is the only real option unless we are actually flying to Chicago, as Mik hates the narrowness of doing the aisle chair on American Eagle so much he would probably choose flying through Dallas to Chicago just to avoid that situation.  We still ended up spending more time than planned in Dallas, but this time it was because we volunteered to fly out later and earned ourselves some vouchers, which is kind of funny because we had used vouchers to get these tickets to go to the D23 Expo in the first place.

Anyways back to the point of the post, we now like Dallas a lot more because we found the companion bathrooms located by every restrooms we saw.  Mik particularly liked that they were large including having space to roll his wheelchair up next to the toilet to transfer over.

There was also a ledge to put backpacks and such down without actually putting them on the ground. 

The auto flushing annoyed him as usual, but he did like the sink being a sensor to turn on.  However, the sink still did not work all that well for him with the soap being far away and not with a sensor and the faucet being somewhat of a stretch and he has reasonably long arms.  Overall, though, that is minor when all that really matters is not having to decide what restroom to go into because your only companion is not the same gender as you.

Disney Mediterranean Cruise with Greece: Day 11 – Captain’s Gala Dinner @ Animator’s Palate

Date of Visit: June 24, 2013

Appetizer – Mik had the garlic and herb sautéed shrimp, which he thought were only okay.

Entrée – Mik had the Oven-Baked Lobster Tail. He liked the lobster, but he really liked the saffron rice that came with it.



Dessert – Mik had the Tropical Sundae (Sherbet, Coconut Cream, and Coconut Macaroon) and the Warm Chocolate Lava Cake. He liked both other than giving Dad his macaroon since he does not like coconut. However, he wished he had ordered them separately rather than getting them both at the same time because he did not realize he would get ice cream with the lava cake. Once he ate the lava cake with the ice cream the sundae had started to melt and it would have been better still more frozen.

Disney Mediterranean Cruise with Greece: Day 10 – Pirate’s Menu @ Lumiere’s

Date of Visit: June 24, 2013

The Pirate’s Menu is in all three restaurants on the night that there is the Pirates in the Caribbean Party. Around dessert time the servers come out and play Limbo and guests can join in if they wish. Our server entertained us with a pretend banjo made with the pepper shaker and a plate cover.

Appetizer – Mik went with the Pirates Golden “Pot Stickers” for his appetizer.

Soup – Mik enjoyed the Caribbean-style Conch Chowder.

Entrée – Mik thought the Dutchmen’s Dijon Crusted Sirloin of Beef was the best steak he had on the cruise. He substituted the sweet potatoes with a baked potato.



Dessert – Mik tried the Crunch Time Sundae (rum raisin ice cream and pineapple whipped cream) and the Rum Soaked Chocolate Cake. He liked the sundae, but not so much the chocolate cake.

Disney Mediterranean Cruise with Greece: Day 9 – Master Chef Dinner @ Parrot Cay

Date of Visit: June 23, 2013

Appetizer – Mik enjoyed the Citrico’s Shrimp for his appetizer.

Soup – Mik thought the Chicken Consomme soup was okay.

Entrée – Mik loved the Center Cut of Beef Tenderloin and to a lesser extent the Lobster Medallions that came with it.



Dessert – For Dessert Mik was going to order three things, but since it was his birthday he knew he would get a little cake, too. Thus, he started by only ordering the Chef’s Favorite Sundae (rocky road ice cream with roasted marshmallow, chocolate wafer, and fudge sauce) and the Sticky Toffee Date Pudding. He enjoy both, but his favorite was the chocolate Happy Birthday cake. After finishing those three, he ordered a fourth dessert of the Caramelized Apple Cheesecake, which he also liked, but still did not top the cake.

Disney Mediterranean Cruise with Greece: Day 8 – Shopping in Kusadasi

Date of Visit: June 22, 2013

Kusadasi was the one non-tendering port we did not book Mik a port adventure. The reason was there was not a private vehicle with lift option and the only accessible option was a group bus tour. The group bus tour would not have been too bad, but it was about $400 a person. Thus, it would have cost almost as much for him and mom as the private vehicle tours they did, although actually more than the non-lift ones in Turkey. Also, he hates buses in general and it lacked the flexibility you get on your own, so we thought it better to not waste money on it. In the end though, it might have been cheaper to send them on that then let them get off just to shop in Kusadasi.



I encouraged Mik and Mom to get off and just walk around the port a little before Dad and I left on our port adventure, as the dock was right next to the city and Mik wanted to at least say he really had been in Turkey. Well, they did get off, but they did not get far. They only went to the shops on the dock and they did not even get far in there. They ended up buying some leather jackets and a vest before they decided they must return to the ship before they did any more damage. At least Mik has already gotten some wear out of his vest (photo is him in Mykonos) and we did not do the port adventure for them because I have a feeling they would have still gotten the leather.

Disney Mediterranean Cruise with Greece: Day 8 – Mediterranean Menu @ Animator’s Palette

Date of Visit: June 22, 2013

The Mediterranean Menu is another one that is the same in all restaurants that night.

Appetizer – Mik tried the Tapas, Taste of the Mediterranean for the appetizer, but did not particularly like it. It comes with proscuitto, sun dried tomatoes, marinated olives, and parmesan cheese with grissini stick (this was the one thing he liked).

Soup – Mik had the Spicy Andalusian Tomato Soup. It certainly was spicy, but he enjoyed dipping the table bread in the soup (foccacia and rolls, not the pumpernickel that came with the soup).

Entrée – Mik had the Braised Center Cut Osso Bucco “Milanese” and really enjoyed it. He also like the risotto that it was served on top of.

Dessert – Mik was full from all the bread and Osso Bucco, so he almost skipped dessert. He did end up trying the Chocolate Custard, though, and really enjoyed it.