Amtrak arrived in Fullerton on time Friday, a small miracle by itself. We taxied to the hotel, left our luggage and got to Disneyland just before opening. Or, we would have, if my hip hadn’t started hurting. Aware that walking was going to be a problem, I rented an electronic scooter. That would have been perfect if the park hadn’t been packed. Adults looking at their phones and children running around made it hazardous to drive. And scary. And frustrating. But I did the best I could. Which wasn’t very good.
One of the perks of being on a scooter or in a wheelchair is that sometimes you can go to the head of the line for rides and attractions. But I felt, somehow, that I was not really “disabled.” I just couldn’t walk without pain. A lot of pain.
Disney is known for animatronics. Strange then that the most memorable things for me were the gorgeous beds full of flowers and the “wild” life. On the Jungle Cruise, there was a female Mallard asleep on a rock while two ducklings had a “beak fight” nearby: much more interesting than the fake critters on the ride. None of the resident birds and squirrels seemed worried about the people. They just went about their business finding … or stealing … food. There was always a least one that was very interested in whatever we were eating.
In spite of having had a “ride,” I took 8,237 steps in Disneyland, a record for me. Since that didn’t feel too bad, I decided to forego the scooter in California Adventure the next day. How much harder could it be to walk with a cane than to dodge parkgoers? I would find out.
California Adventure Park was cold and drizzling, but don’t complain to Californians: they pray for rain! First on the agenda was to buy a warm hoodie.
We rode rides, ate food, then went back the hotel. But it turns out that the 13,884 steps I took in California Adventure left me with swollen ankles and feet and painful hips that would last the rest of the vacation.
***
***
So, who is the more disabled: the one in the wheelchair, or the one who denies that she needs the help?