Getting my independence back, my first nighttime excursion at Disney with Donald.
I arrived at Disney World and checked in the day before Thanksgiving. I was curious how Donald would take to the crowds, food on the ground at Disney, and the Skyliner ride. I was by myself and had not done this before. I will admit, I was afraid. The night times at Disney were frightening for me without my vision because of the obstacles.
We walked and crossed a road and bridge and managed to get to the start of the Skyliner. A friendly woman on Disney’s Disability contact center let me know I could use the wheelchair lane with Donald. I sought it out though no one encouraged me to use it, but also didn’t tell me I couldn’t use it.
It was straightforward to get on when it was stopped. Had I used the regular lane, I might have been apprehensive. But the Skyliner for us was a piece of cake, well, a piece of popcorn for Donald since all the cars seem to have remnants of popcorn on the floor.
Once in, Donald went to a down position and enjoyed the ride.
Once in the park, I had to go through screening.
I had metal in my bag, so I set off the alarm. The man at the station said I had to go over to the tables and was pointing, but I couldn’t see his arm. So, I asked where the tables were. Again, he pointed, and interestingly enough, another woman was aggravated that I could see, and she joined in with them, saying “right over there” as if I could see. I finally let them know I was visually impaired. Could they please tell me where the tables were? The guard could only manage to bring his arm in front of his body and point. Verbal directions are an art few can master.
The lovely lady at the ticket booth where I could activate my annual pass gave Donald the first-time button. Since I was right at the gate, I ventured into Epcot and only went as far as the UK. Baby Steps. We went back again on the Skyliner to the room.
Once settled into the room, I decided to go back to Epcot on the Skyliner with Donald, but now it was dark.
Donald was fantastic; he knew the route and routine of the Skyliner. We ventured into the UK, I placed an order of Fish and Chips on the Disney App, and we strolled through o Canada. We went into the stores. He found every curb for me and roped off section. He also found every French fry on the sidewalk within two feet of his location.
On the way back to the room, I was tired. My day started at 530 AM with an Uber ride to the Miami VA hospital, an eye injection, and an Uber ride to Disney. So, I said, “Donald find home,” and Donald took me through the maze of look-alike buildings in the dark and found the door to our room. What a great trick! Good job!
I traveled the woods alone at night, cities such as Paris, Berlin, and New York. But once my night vision went and I became legally blind, I never ventured out in the dark again. Donald has restored my ability to carry out my adventures. It is different with a guide dog. But the feeling of independence is the same. I found a way. Change happens, but it doesn’t always have to stop you from doing the things you did before. Yes, I realize Disney is a controlled environment and safe. But that is the best way to experiment and stretch your wings. Now that I have confidence in Team Donald, I can go back to New York City for the Opera.
Change happens to us. We can also make it happen!
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