The Fractured Fairy Tale- Day 1 About This Page:

[stonewall]

Alright, we're home, and I'm somewhat recovered, so it's time to write. This is going to be "the whole truth and nothing but the truth", warts and all report!Having booked the Deluxe Magic Plan, I assumed that everything was taken care of..WRONG...!
Early departure,7:15 am. Thanks again to Kathi for fixing the seating problem-at least we were all together on the plane.Our little guy,age 7, loves anything mechanical, and loved the window seat! No wheelchair service at any of the connections, despite the requests-thank you US Airways.
Finally arrived at Orlando airport(11:30am), and latched onto a wheelchair. No flight could ever be as harrowing as being pushed by my daughter(then 9!) through a busy airport! At long last we found the National Car Rental counter! Now, keep in mind that Disney Travel had booked this trip, and had assured me that everything was going to be as promised...
The mini van was supposed to have a lift in it for my ECV(according to Disney Travel), a slight problem since National doesn't have those type of vans!90 minutes later, I had persuaded them to at least remove the 3rd seat, but despite everything, they still would not bring the van to curbside. Another 30 minutes navigating the hot parking garage-none of the National attendants spoke English, so I had to go along to translate!
Off to the WL, where we were staying and had a PS at Whispering Canyon for lunch at 1pm. Check in: augghhh! I wear a full leg brace due to a severe knee injury and have rheumatoid arthritis(not in remission) so had requested,since March, a close in room, no long hallways or ramps. The room they had assigned(and the only one available with bunk beds) was 4020, of course, down 3 long hallways and a long ramp!I asked them WHY they did this given all of the alerts on the reservation and the CM at the desk told me "that they didn't think that the handicap was that serious". Nice to know that Disney CM's now have MD's!Another 90 minutes at the front desk, trying to plead with a young asst mgr. who kept insistint that there was nothing that they could do...
OK, the kids and my partner are starving, so I elect to take the room and talk later. The room really was in a nice location, if one could walk well, quiet, view of the fireworks and a small pond with otters!
Whispering Canyon was nice and the staff were funny. At that point, I would have eaten Mickey himself if he had materialized!The baked beans and fried chicked were heavenly.....
I really must say here that the WL is unbelievably beautiful! Cool,majestic and serene, it was the perfect respite from the opressive heat and humidity that overtakes Orlando in August. I could have spent days in there just looking at everything!
Quick wash and change and it's off to Cirque. That was easy to find and the staff there was quite helpful.Disney Travel goofed again and despite empty seats, put me on the side to accomodate a left knee injury instead of the right! No matter, as the aisles were large enough. This show is INCREDIBLE!!! 90 minutes of sheer amazement!
All of us were still talking about it as we headed to Fulton's Crab House for dinner, and what a great dinner it was!
They seated us on the Constellation Deck, with a gorgeous view! The fried shrimp were the best I ever had! The waiter was super,offering to design special plates according to my parner's taste, which ran to lobster tails and filet mignon!Remembered to pick up our free wine glasses which they wrapped securely for us. IF any of you have a disability, please remeber the free valet parking at the resorts and at Downtown Disney(the WL didn't tell me about this until 6 days after we arrived!).
Back to the WL for a good night's sleep. The burning question was whether or not the very vocal frogs outside were real or the produst of the Imagineers... they are LOUD, and, it turns out, very real and tasty to the river otters!
MK tomorrow! More later.....

[Starshine]

Can't wait to hear more!

We're also going to go to Cirque De Soliel with reservations at Fulton's afterward. I'm glad to hear how much you liked it! (Especially since they each take two Magical Wishes- ouch!)