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Disney at Home

Filed under Grown-Up Disney by aliceinwdw on May 21, 2012 at 11:08 pm {3 comments}

So it’s that time of year again: Home Improvement Time!

Oh yeah! The DH and I love when it’s finally time to open up the windows, break out the toolbox, and get the spring cleaning under way, because there’s always something that needs updating or some sprucing up!

Ok, so perhaps the DH doesn’t actually love this time of year — since the “Honey Do List” is usually pretty long! — but, when all is said and done, he (and I!) are quite pleased with the results. (Even with 37 jars of paint samples! )

So, my question this week is:

Do you design with Disney in mind?

Would You Pick a Color!

I will admit that I don’t go out of my way to purposely buy the Disney paint, figure out which character stencils I want, etc.; however, I do tend to incorporate some hints of Disney into my overall decor.

This time around I’m looking to give my office a much needed, long-deserved update. I mean it’s been 10 years since we moved in and I’ve yet to paint in here! So, as you can see, I have a plethora of paint swatches (from said handful of paint samples!) up on the wall, and once I make a decision, this transformation will finally begin.

However, what’s even more exciting than changing the hue of the room — and by far easier! LOL — is the filling in of the room; i.e. the adding all of those little details where your true “you” comes out and sets the tone for your home. I have such a “detail” that I am super excited about! A couple of weeks ago, I picked up several shadowboxes at my local craft store — ridiculously on sale! — which I will be using to display quite a bit of my Disney pin collection! Oh yes! I will finally be able to showcase my extensive Cheshire Cat and Wall-E pins year-round!

Can you say

How do you showcase your “Disney design?”

I Bet We Could Do That

So, being that the DH and I don’t have kids but obviously love Disney, we still enjoy incorporating Disney throughout our home. A simple, understated decor, like using Disney picture frames (filled with some of our Photopass pictures! ); grouping Jim Shore Disney Traditions figurines here and there (love ♥ love ♥ love them!); adding magnets to the fridge (typically the “year” ones — which we get each visit to commemorate the trip), etc. are all ways I like to add little touches of Disney to our everyday lives.

So, being that my preference is for a more subtle infusion of Disney in our home decorating, some of my major inspirations are definitely the model homes for Disney’s Golden Oak community (if only right??), as well as the Disney Cruise Line — have you seen the atrium on the new Fantasy cruise ship?! These spaces are serene, subtle (I totally see Hidden Mickeys in the chandelier!), and absolutely beautiful! They definitely evoke the same “essence” of Disney in their designs that I want to have in my own home — on just a much, much smaller scale!

What is your Disney style: Bold and daring? Streamlined and classic? Maybe a little of both?

Let me know! I’d love to hear how you incorporate Disney into your home!

Ok, well wish me luck that I pick a paint color soon — before the DH just ends up leaving the wall as is! LOL

Until next time…

Hyper Smash

Disney After Cancer Treatment

Filed under Disney With Hidden Needs by Pamela Dorr on March 26, 2012 at 1:24 am {9 comments}

Trips to Disney World or Disneyland are often seen as a once in a lifetime event. Many families going through major life events like cancer treatments see Disney trips as a celebration of life. Cancer treatments are designed to kill the cancerous cells that ravage our bodies and take over our lives. Several years ago, I underwent a series of Cytoxin chemotherapy treatments. During the treatments I sat in a comfy chair and relaxed while the medicine dripped through an IV into my arm. After each treatment I was exhausted for the next 24 hours.

Cancer treatments, while they save lives, take a major toll on a person’s health and energy levels. Taking a trip to the Disney Parks after cancer treatments requires using different touring strategies than one taken prior to a cancer diagnosis, especially if the celebratory trip is very soon after the conclusion of cancer treatments.

I myself and a “pseudo-commando” style tourist at the Disney Parks. My family and I get to the parks as soon as we can, and we stay for as late as we can. Often, we will park hop to another park with Extra Magic Hours. We make up a list of specific attractions that we feel we must visit in each park. If we are able to hit more attractions than what is on our list, then we are happy to have extra fun. Other Passporter members are “commando” style tourists and will open and close the parks each day. They will hit every attraction in each park as many times as possible during the day. If I had visited Walt Disney World within the first year after my chemotherapy treatments, I would not have been able to tour the parks as much as I did in my last few trips.

For people visiting Disney Parks after cancer treatments the best advice I can offer is: take it easy. Slow down and enjoy a leisurely stroll through the parks. Take a break in the middle of the day to go back to your resort and relax by the pool or in your room. Plan a relaxing meal at one of the wonderful table service restaurants that the Disney Parks have to offer.

Chemotherapy and radiation treatments take a toll on a person’s body. Rest is the best way to allow your body to recover. Visiting the Disney Parks requires a tremendous amount of walking. Even if you have to benefits of an electric scooter (ECV) or a wheelchair, there are often times where you will need to leave your wheelchair or ECV behind while you wait in an attraction queue. Pirates of the Caribbean is one such attraction. My daughter had to leave her wheelchair behind near the entrance to the attraction and walk the entire way through the queue area. In instances like this, a Guest Assistance Card (GAC) is invaluable. At the beginning of your first park visit, stop in at Guest Services and ask for a GAC. Explain that you tire easily while standing and need to have a place to rest while waiting your turn to experience the attraction.

Unfortunately, I have not had the pleasure of visiting Disneyland, so the following advice I offer is specific to Walt Disney World. In all the parks, be sure to stay hydrated. This is key, especially after a cancer diagnosis and treatment. There are certain attractions that will allow you a bit of a rest, while allowing you to stay in the parks.

Magic Kingdom

Enjoy a relaxing ride on the People Mover, the Tomorrowland Transportation Authority ride. This attraction is a leisurely ride through Tomorrowland and some of its major attractions like Space Mountain. Learn a little history in the Hall of Presidents. I have read where some Passporters feel this is a great attraction for a nap. LOL At the very least it is a nice air conditioned place to sit for a while.

Epcot

The Voices of Liberty offers entertainment while guests wait to experience the American Adventure Show.

In Future World there are benches and ledges where you can sit and people watch for a little while. In World Showcase, you have more options for restful spots. Most of the eleven country pavilions have some sort of attraction where you can sit and relax. Canada pavilion had the “O Canada” movie. There is also and area to sit and listen to the music of Off Kilter. China pavilion has “Reflections of China,” a Circle-Vision movie. These are just two of the options in World Showcase. The American Adventure has an (in my opinion) interesting show about the American Dream throughout history. If you are lucky, while you wait in the air conditioned lobby for the theater to open, you can listen to the Voices of Liberty.

Disney’s Hollywood Studios

The American Idol Experience allows you to rest while you listen to (hopefully) good music. Lights, Motors, Action! Extreme Stunt Show is a half hour (approximately) show where you can sit and learn how some of the stunts are created in your favorite action movies. This attraction can be extremely warm, however, especially in the warmer months since it is outside. The Magic of Disney Animation offers a short respite from the heat while you learn how Disney animators work through the process of creating beloved animated characters.

Disney’s Animal Kingdom

Festival of the Lion King offers semi air conditioned bench seating while you enjoy a lively, colorful show inspired by the animated movie and Broadway show. This is a large and rather loud venue, so be prepared. Finding Nemo, The Musical is another enjoyable show that gives you a chance to sit and relax. This park has the least amount of shade and is the hottest of all the parks.

If you have visited the Disney Parks before and after a cancer diagnosis and treatment, please leave a comment about how your touring plan changed, if it did. For more tips on visiting the Disney Parks after a cancer diagnosis check out the Passporters Open Mouse to Walt Disney World and Disney Cruise Line.

Epcot: a big new world!

Filed under Disney Inspired, Fresh Picked Posts, Getting in Shape for Travel by rescuesk on March 15, 2012 at 12:09 pm {3 comments}

So you are well rested after your adventure in the Magic Kingdom yesterday, and ready to take on Epcot, right? Let’s go!

While the Magic Kingdom is the smallest park on property, Epcot sometimes appears to be the biggest. (It’s not.) Epcot is actually divided into 2 lands, FutureWorld and World Showcase, and both will require some walking!

If you arrive at Epcot via Disney bus or monorail, you will have a relatively short walk to the entrance of the park. If you drive your vehicle, keep in mind that the paking ot is rather large. If you want to save your walking strength for the park, take one of the trams that circle the parking area. They will drop you close to the entrance.

Once you are in Epcot, don’t become overwhelmed by the size. (Save that for Animal Kingdom.) Epcot is laid out, in my opinion, very nicely and very convienently for getting to all attractions. You will start by walking past the fountains and the Leave-a-Legacy towards the park’s icon, Spaceship Earth. From there, you can choose to walk right or left, depending on which attractions you want to see. The walk around the park is beautiful.

You will be walking towards World Showcase, but the walk will be made easier because you will be stopping to see so many of the attractions along the way, as well as appreciating the beauty that is Epcot. Epcot always gives me the impression that you have stepped into a futue filled with music, sunshine, flowers, birds and fountains. I have seen the future, and it’s good! The attractions in Epcot are set a bit back from the main path, and they are large attractions! Unlike the Magic Kingdon, where you often stand in an outside queue and enter the building at the beginning of the ride, you will enter many Epcot attractions and find a whole story to go with the attraction. For example, if Soarin’ is your goal, you will enter into The Land Pavilion. Soarin is downstairs and to your left, but there are a treasure trove of other goodies to explore before you get there or while you ar waiting for your Fastpass time to come up. Spend some time in all the pavilions in FutureWorld…you’ll d up your walking steps!

From here, its on to World Showcase! When you enter the park via the bridge between FutureWorld and World Showcase, you will be facig World Showcase Lagoon. From here, you can walk to the left or the right. The path is a big circle around the circumference of the lagoon, passing by the countries on your way around. This can be a long walk, especially on a hot summer aftrnoon. It can also get very crowded during some of the festivals. Take time to rest. There are benches placed all around the lagoon, as well as tables near the outdoor eateries. And one of the nicest perks is the Friendship boats that run the length and breadth of the lagoon. Climb on one for a relaxing and scenic ride across the lagoon. The ships run in both directions with 2 seperate lanes of travel, so you can cut out some, or all of your walking back.

Remember that with every park adventure comes the walk back. You will get tired in Epcot, and then you will have to get back to your resort. If you stay to watch Illuminations, the night time show that is presented on World Showcase Lagoon, you will have to walk from wherever you are in World Showcase, across the bridge into Future World, and then back to your transportation option. The Friendships do not run after Illuminations gets set up, around 7 PM, and they do not run after the show. Unlike the Magic Kingdom, your feet are your only option out of the park.

Once back at your resort, time to rest, relax and rehydrate. Our next park is small but mighty…Disney’s Hollywood Studios. Get prepared to do some walking, but alot of standing. You don’t want to miss the Streetmosphere that goes on in this wonderful park!

Autism at Disney: Tips From my PassPorter Friends

Filed under Disney With Hidden Needs by Pamela Dorr on February 1, 2012 at 3:58 pm {one comment}

A familiar blanket or plush will give a child something to focus on when they begin to get sensory overloaded.

For anyone visiting the Vacationing Your Way: Special Needs forum on PassPorter.com, you will notice many threads about dealing with a variety of special needs at Walt Disney World, Disneyland, and Disney Cruise Lines. In my last few posts I have talked about my personal experiences with Hidden Needs at Disney. However, I know that my experiences don’t reflect every Hidden Need out there. So today, I draw inspiration from my PassPorter friends. (I’m sure I will draw inspiration from them in the future as well, so this is just the start of a – hopefully – long tradition.)

One Hidden Need that is often addressed on the PassPorter forums is Autism. I have read many, many tips for helping kids (and adults) all along the Autism Spectrum to enjoy their Disney vacations. Here are a few of those tips that stand out in my mind. (Of course, this leaves me open to put more tips in another blog later.)

Get a Guest Assistance Card (GAC). So what if your child, or you, doesn’t look like you would need a GAC?? That is why we call our Special Needs “Hidden Needs.” They are not visible to the naked eye usually. We don’t all go around with signs around our necks identifying what is “wrong” with us. That is not to imply that someone with Autism, or any other Hidden Need, has anything wrong with them. They just view and interact with the world in a different way and it is up to the rest of us to see it through their eyes so we can make it easier for them to navigate through life. If waiting in long lines can lead to a meltdown, then explain to the Cast Member that you just need a less crowded place to wait.

Use a stroller. If you have young children, or even older children that are still small enough to ride in a stroller, then use your stroller at Disney. This will be a lifesaver in more ways than one. Be sure to stop at Guest Relations for the first park you visit. In addition to asking for a GAC, you will want to ask for a “Stroller as Wheelchair” tag. This tag will allow you to keep your stroller with you in all the queue lines, since you are usually asked to leave the stroller outside the attraction.

Bring a comfort blanket/item. This one might seem like it is a no-brainer, but then again we may want to leave a truly loved item at home for fear of losing it in a big place like Walt Disney World. A favorite plush toy or a favorite blanket might be just enough familiarity in an unfamiliar place to allow your child to stave off a sensory overload. It can be something for your child to focus on. Also, a blanket or towel can be used to cover the stroller and provide a safe haven. Placing the blanket over the top of the stroller to create a “tent” allows your child to block out everything else for a time.

Sunglasses are for MORE than shading your eyes· Dark sunglasses, if your child will wear them, are another way to block out others. Your child can put them on and “escape” from a visual overload of information. Headphones can be use to block out the auditory overload as well.

Let something else do the talking for you. This one sounds kind of out there I know. However, if you don’t want to spend the whole day worrying about what you are going to say to someone should they get upset or offended at your child’s behavior (and, by the way, you should NOT have to say anything), you could make up small business cards that simply read, “I am blessed with the gift of Autism. I see things differently than you do and I experience the world in a much different way.” If your child wants to meet the characters, but he/she is too shy to actually talk to any of them, you can write a note on the inside cover of the autograph book. I made an autograph book for one PassPorter friend’s son with the note “Hi! My name is _______. I am very shy, but I really want your autograph.”

These tips may not seem like much, but some of the Autism Blessed parents on PassPorter.com have sworn by these tips and tricks. As I remember more tips and tricks I will post them here on Disney With Hidden Needs. Walt Disney World, Disneyland, and Disney Cruise Lines are wonderful about making their parks and attractions accessible to everyone. Sometimes, we just need to help them make things a little less sensory overloading for Autism Spectrum children.

It’s the CAREGIVER’s Vacation Too!!

Filed under Disney With Hidden Needs, Fresh Picked Posts by Pamela Dorr on January 23, 2012 at 6:30 pm {3 comments}

Every day I deal with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, Social Phobia, Generalized Anxiety, Major Depression, and Hereditary Spastic Paraparesis. However, I personally only “suffer” from a mild case of depression. So why do I deal with all those other things? Simple, I am a mom, girlfriend, and caregiver to two wonderful people that are diagnosed with these mental and physical problems. Disney trips are a chance for all of us to forget about the diagnoses for a little while, to an extent.

I am the trip planner. I make sure that my boyfriend gets face time with his favorite characters in an environment where he is more comfortable. This means that I reserve a dinner or breakfast seating at one of those restaurants that has character dining with Stitch or Chip and Dale. (Although, I did surprise myself this last time with a breakfast at 1900 Park Faire where Tigger was in attendance. I really didn’t know he would be there.) If we have to wait in line, he feels rushed and anxious because everyone is “watching” him while he visits with 626 or the ‘munks. Although, one of my favorite photos from his first Disney trip is that first meeting with Chip and Dale outside Innoventions in Epcot. He was able to forget his anxiety and depression for a few moments and be a kid.

I also make sure that my daughter gets time with Goofy and that she is able to enjoy her favorite rides. I push her wheelchair and get her to Splash Mountain or to Goofy’s Barnstormer (when it was there). I worry about how much walking she does because I don’t want her to spend the nights in pain because she over did the walking. She doesn’t always like it when I tell her she needs to use the wheelchair at Disney, but she always thanks me at the end of the day.

However, I have to remember that it is MY vacation too. I get so caught up and trying to make sure that the two of them have all the accommodations they need to enjoy the trip that I forget to make sure we do something I want to do as well.

In 2007, my daughter and I made our first trip to Walt Disney World. Since it was her first visit, I tried to make sure she got to do everything she wanted to do. She didn’t have a wheelchair at that time, so she walked from 7:00 or 8:00 AM to whenever Evening Extra Magic Hours were over.I spent the trip concerned about her legs and making sure that she found some relief with her ibuprofen and hot baths at night. I wanted to explore World Showcase, but because her legs were hurting so much by the time we went to Epcot, we only visited Mexico before returning to Future World.

In 2009, my boyfriend joined us for another trip to Walt Disney World. Once again, I wanted to explore World Showcase. This time, my daughter had a wheelchair, but my boyfriend wasn’t comfortable with crowds in World Showcase the day we were at Epcot due to his social phobia. Once again, the thing I most wanted to do was put to the back burner. I saw it as a reason for another trip to Walt Disney World.

In 2011, I FINALLY realized that I was spending so much time making sure that they enjoyed their vacation, that I had moments where I didn’t enjoy it very much. I found that I would feel a little resentment that we didn’t get to do what I wanted to do while at Disney. So this last time I “put my foot down” that I was going to explore World Showcase. If they didn’t want to explore it with me, then I would meet them either at the resort or at our dinner reservation.

It was “quick” exploration. I didn’t go inside to all the pavilions. However, I did make sure to enjoy something in each country. Admittedly, a few of those enjoyments were of the adult beverage variety, but other enjoyments were things like the attention to detail in the buildings. In Germany, I indulged myself in a chocolate and caramel dipped pretzel stick. (YUM!!!!) In the outpost I enjoyed watching the artisan carve animals from wood. Exploring the World is one of my favorite memories from this last trip. Both of my loved ones joined me in my exploration. They each found something they liked and enjoyed. I even heard them both say that we needed to spend more time in World Showcase next time we go.

What I had finally realized is that these are my vacations too. While I still need to worry about their hidden needs and make sure that they are able to enjoy themselves despite these needs, I also need to enjoy myself and relax. As my daughter gets older, she is also becoming more independent. I can see that on our next trip, she will probably want to go off and explore on her own for a while.

As caregivers to family or friends with Hidden and Special Needs, we often forget to take some time for ourselves. This is a common caregiver lament. Every article I have ever read about HOW to be a good caregiver tells us to take some time for ourselves. However, we rarely do this. Many caregivers have the same line of thinking that I do: “If I don’t take care of it, then who will?” We often put our needs aside to focus on the needs of those we love. (This is a common parental lament as well.) Vacations are meant for everyone to relax a bit. They are a chance to do something other than worry about someone’s special needs. Vacations are meant to give us a respite from our every day lives. As caregivers, we need to recognize that it is not just our loved ones’ vacations. It is OUR vacation too.

So next time you are planning a trip to Disney, or anywhere else, make sure to plan in something YOU want to do. If the others don’t want to do it, that’s fine; enjoy your alone time. If they do want to join you, then it is a happier memory because they took part in something you wanted to experience. So what am I planning for our next Disney trip? Well, we are discussing a Disney cruise and I see some spa time in my future.

Are You a Big Kid Now? Walt Disney World for Grown-Ups!

Filed under Grown-Up Disney by aliceinwdw on January 17, 2012 at 2:09 am {5 comments}

“Hi, my name is Kelly, and I am an adult.“

At least I think I am. Well, no that’s not true. My “number-of-years-on-the-planet” says that I am, but really, most days, I don’t feel like it. I’m actually in denial, I think, about how old I really am because, in all honesty, I still feel like a much younger version of myself. But then, inevitably, reality kicks in: “Oh look I need new tires!”, “I need to call a plumber because you flushed what down the toilet?”, “Why are all these lights on?!” I cannot believe that I am starting to sound like my mother! Yep, and it’s then when I’m reminded that I am, in fact, a grown up.

However, if I have to be a “grown up,” is that really such a bad thing? I mean, I might even go so far and say that it is quite possibly even more fun than being — dare I say it?! — an actual kid (even if you’re like me and are still refusing to admit to, and actually act your real age most days…but I digress). Ok, sure, we typically have to get up and go to work (be it at home or elsewhere), but at the end of the day, for example, we generally don’t come home with armloads of homework (no I’m not counting making dinner, doing the dishes, or taking out the trash — isn’t that what the kids are for?? (I am so getting egged at Halloween…); I’m talking the dreaded book reports, science projects (although those do end up becoming yours, don’t they?), and math assignments, especially those evil word problems! To this day, I cannot tell you, if the train leaving Miami at 8am on Tuesday going 120 mph heading to Albuquerque uphill in a snow storm, then why did the chicken cross the road? What?? Wait, where was I? Oh, right! Homework. Ok, so even if you do have to take work home with you, at least, after all is said and done, you get paid! So, whose inner kid is laughing about getting a recess and naptime now? Huh?? Yeah so is mine, but, come on, do you know what you can do with that paycheck that you can’t do with that game of tag or any of that extra beauty sleep? We can go to Walt Disney World (“WDW”)! Ha ha ha ha ha! So there inner child! Stuff that in your pipe and…

*ahem*

Uh, right, so my point: While it’s very true that I may not always feel like paying bills, getting enough fiber, or admitting that I probably shouldn’t be shopping at Hot Topic anymore (whatever, pink hair is awesome!), I do know that there are benefits of actually being an adult — aside from the no homework! I mean when I am able to spend an inordinate amount of time planning for yet another trip to one of my favoritest (it’s a word; ignore what spellcheck says!) places on the planet, WDW; that’s good enough for me!

Disney World?! Really?!

Oh yes, I said, “Disney World!” Now, I know, you’re either nodding in agreement or asking, “Wait, but isn’t that place for kids??” Well, if you’re here, reading this, then you’re probably just like me (help the world now!), or are a little curious about whether or not it is possible to hit Fantasyland and ride “it’s a small world” as a group of full grown adults and still walk out with your dignity. To which I simply reply:

"it's a small world" in the Magic Kingdom * photo by ghartler

No, you can’t.

Oh, I’m kidding! But if you refuse to ride it (like some husbands I know), it’s ok! There are plenty of other things to do, places to go, things to eat and drink, and rides to ride that more than make up for it!

For those of you who know what I’m talking about, I bet you’ve, at some point, also wandered around the parks with just your spouse, significant other, friend, sibling, cousin, mailman…no, not the mailman, but with that person or persons who are actually old enough to drive, vote, drink, and stand taller than the 40″ ride height “ruler,” and thought, “I l❤ve you for being here with me!”

Well, I know I definitely have! My husband, Brian, who by the way you will get to know as the “DH,” which generally stands for “darling” or “dear husband” (it can also stand for other D-words that shall not be repeated here!); he and I have been married since 2005. Does it show? Anyway, we honeymooned in Walt Disney World and fell so in love with it that we have, without fail, returned for every anniversary since! Currently, our “family” is comprised of several furry critters, all of whom we consider our kids; however, so far, to date, Disney has not redefined its definition of “kids.” So when we travel to WDW, we tend to do so on our own.

So, for this reason (no, not because I can’t ride Space Mountain with my cats , but because I don’t travel with human kids!), I am here, to share my planning and traveling experiences with you. Because, believe me, it can — and should, at least once! — be done!

Planning is A-Mazing!

Actually, planning is half the fun of a Disney trip! No, no, it is! I mean I love it so much that that’s why I am, as you may or may not — but totally should! — know, one of the guides for the Planning Your Adventure forum over at PassPorter.com. It is definitely because one of my favorite things about choosing to go to WDW every year *woot* is all the yummy planningthat goes into it! See what I did there? “Yummy;” i.e. food, plus my referencing to adults who can hopefully drink…oh, there is so much fun to be had!

Ok, wait wait wait, now before I continue and you start thinking I’m just going to babble on and on each post about being one of those people who stroll up to Epcot’s Rose & Crown Pub in the United Kingdom pavilion at, like, noon and grab a Black & Tan and a Guinness, then head out into the Florida sun, double-fisted, ready to get all wild and belligerent during one of the new British Revolution shows…that only happened once.

I’m so kidding, but I totally know who you mean if you’ve seen it!

No, I’m just referring to all of the great things that we, as adults, get to experience and (responsibly!) enjoy at a place that so many think is for kids only. They don’t even realize what they’re missing, and it’s this, the what they don’t know, that I plan on exploring, asking about, reporting on, dreaming out loud about, and maybe even contemplate doing at Walt Disney World because it does have so much to offer for those of us traveling with only one Disney-themed suitcase. *wink*

Wait, all of our suitcases are Disney-themed.

Ok, fine, then this blog will be one that is for those of us who like to get away from the real world and escape to a place where we really are treated like princes and princesses, even if we don’t wear the costumes out in the parks, er, out in public, um…nevermind. What I’m trying to say is that I just hope you will continue to come back and share in all of the wonder that can be had in a place not only meant for kids — but for us big kids too! So until next time…

Welcome to Getting in shape for travel!

Filed under Fresh Picked Posts, Getting in Shape for Travel by rescuesk on January 16, 2012 at 10:05 am {4 comments}

Hello there!! Welcome to the Getting in shape for Travel blog! I am soooo excited to be here!!

Let me start by telling you a little bit about myself. My name is Sue, and I am a moderator for the best Disney site on the Internet, PassPorter! My husband Steve and I are Disney Vacation Club owners, and we love to travel. I am a paramedic in my “other” life, and I have seen first hand what unhealthy eating and poor choices do for people. Steve and I try to maintain a somewhat healthy lifestyle, in fact he recently lost 40 pounds! I am very proud of him. I walk every October in the Susan G. Komen 3-Day for the cure, which is 60 miles in 3 days. So I try to train all year round for that. I love to hike, and I am an avid amateur photographer.

But enough about me, lets talk about YOU! You have come to this blog because you want to get in shape, or eat better, or learn how to make good choices. It doesn’t matter why you came here, the point is, YOU”RE HERE!!! I’m going to talk about many topics in this blog. We will have two main focuses: one will be getting prepared and in shape for travel, and the other will be healthy choices when you are travelling.

We’ll cover pre-vacation exercise, walking (a big part of any Walt Disney World vacation), planning your meals, healthy eating options both on vacation and at home, and how to avoid the excess that comes with vacations such as a cruise. We’ll also touch on health in general. I am by no means an expert, but I hope to be able to offer some great ideas and insights. And we’ll have fun here, too!!

Whatever your focus or goal is, I hope to cover it here! And please, feel free to suggest anything you may want to see in this blog. I am always open to suggestion, and I love to do research and learn about new things. So even if its something I’m not sure about, we’ll talk about it together!

So welcome aboard! Lets get this healthy party started!!!

Disney and Service Dogs

Filed under Disney With Hidden Needs by Pamela Dorr on January 13, 2012 at 12:49 am {6 comments}

It isn’t very often that you see a service dog at Walt Disney World. This past November, if you were there right around Thanksgiving, then you might have seen a beautiful boxer working as a service dog. Merlin is a working service dog for my boyfriend. He will alert us when my boyfriend needs his medication or just capture my boyfriend’s attention to lessen an anxiety attack. Merlin has been a tremendous help in our daily life and has given my boyfriend more freedom. So why WOULDN’T he go to Walt Disney World with us?

The Resort

We stayed at Animal Kingdom Lodge. While Merlin felt the need to warn us about the strange animals outside our room by growling when we first checked out the balcony, he had no problem with giraffes, zebras, and various birds wandering around outside. Once we acknowledged his warning, he didn’t bother with them any more. He LOVED the bed though. Merlin was able to find a comfy spot on both beds, so whichever one he chose to nap on, he was comfortable. We made sure to bring a travel bowl set for him so that we were able to establish a “food area” for him. Because we know Merlin’s verbal cues so well, we knew when he needed to make that trip outside to relieve himself.

This was about the only thing that I felt could have been done better. (I know Disney does everything so well, what could they possibly need to have done better?) There is no designated area for a service animal to relieve itself. I had made sure to notify the resort in plenty of time to allow for any special arrangements that might be needed. We were staying Club level so I had been in contact with itinerary planning since before our 180 day mark. However, when we needed to take Merlin out, we had to walk along the path with grass, trees, or other flora on either side of the walkway. Then we had to find a spot that was at least somewhat accessible for Merlin without completely trampling all over the plants. Not to worry, we make sure to carry poop bags so we can clean up after Merlin.

The Buses

We normally boarded the buses first, not because of Merlin, but because of my daughter using a wheelchair. Merlin didn’t really care for laying on the bus floors. Like the rest of Walt Disney World, the buses were pretty clean. We weren’t worried about nasty stuff on the floor of the buses for him to lay on. No, what Merlin didn’t like about the bus floors was that they were cold. Merlin has short hair, and the hair on his underside is shorter than the hair on his back. So he doesn’t like laying on cold floors. What was the solution? Simple, he just climbed into my boyfriend’s or my lap and took a nap while we rode to our destination.

The Parks

Our biggest concern was the parks at Walt Disney World themselves. We had not taken Merlin anywhere with that many people before this trip. He did a great job. However, if you have a “large” service dog (meaning one that you can’t carry around or keep in your lap in a wheelchair) the one thing you need to watch for are the “petters.” Mostly kids, but some adults, the petters are those that will just walk up to your dog and attempt to pet him, despite the service dog vest. While we heard many kids tell their parents not to touch the pretty dog because he’s working, we also saw many kids try to surreptitiously come up behind Merlin to pet him.

We developed a touring formation to counter some of this behavior. I would push my daughter in her wheelchair while Merlin walked behind me and my boyfriend walked behind him. (By the way, Merlin was on a leash that my boyfriend held.) This way Merlin was able to navigate through the crowds by following behind me, and my boyfriend and I were able to keep people from trying to pet him. However, this formation really only worked when we were moving. While we waited in lines or waited to be seated at our dining reservations, we would stand around Merlin to keep others from coming up to pet him. We learned to do this after our first night at the parks. We had reservation at Cinderella’s Royal Table. We had some great photos taken with Cinderella and then went up to the dining floor. We ate a wonderful meal and our waitress was kind enough to bring Merlin a couple of bottles of water. While we dined, Merlin chose to sleep. When we got up to leave, we heard comments from all sides about how they didn’t even know there was a dog there. The problem came when we were heading to the stairs. (My daughter’s wheelchair had been taken downstairs while we ate because she is ambulatory, but needs the chair for long distances.) As we were at the top of the stairs getting ready to leave a little girl came up behind Merlin and began to roughly pat him on the rear. Merlin barked and scared her, startled us, and generally made his presence known. After that, we made sure that he was not open to others coming up to him. This was Merlin’s first trip to Walt Disney World and he did a fabulous job!

Tips

One thing to make sure of at Walt Disney World, is to stop in at Guest Relations in each park and pick up the Guests With Disabilities maps. These maps tell you which rides are accessible and which rides will require you to transfer from an ECV/wheelchair to the ride cars. They also tell guests with service animals which rides the animals are NOT allowed on and where the service animal relief stations are located. In Animal Kingdom, the Cast Member manning the entrance will need to make a call to let other Cast Members know that there is a service animal entering the park.

If you can’t really figure out where the service animal relief stations are, don’t be afriad to ask a Cast Member. They are there to help.

The Photopass photographers will make sure to get your dog in the picture as well. We even had a couple take pictures of just Merlin. Disney is wonderful at making their parks as accessible as possible to anyone and everyone. Their consideration of service animals is just one more example of that.

Merlin is a big part of our family now and we couldn’t imagine going anywhere without him now. While this was his first Disney trip, it will not be his last. If you or a family member has a service dog, don’t let that stop you from enjoying a truly wonderful Walt Disney World vacation.

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