Rides Long and Short and a Resort
by Andy Vladimir
Amtrak’s Auto Train
I’m a sightseer. I love to sit and watch the scenery go by. That’s why I love train rides.
It’s fun to see kids going home from school, the back sides of lumberyards, rivers and lakes and streams, and other places you’d never see if you weren’t in a train. It’s very relaxing.
The Tweetsie Railroad in Blowing Rock, N.C., was one of my favorite places to take my children when they were growing up. In fact, one of the best assignments I ever received from a travel editor was to ride the Orient Express from Venice to London.
In recent years, since I started traveling in my scooter, I’ve assumed that trains were inaccessible, so I’ve stayed off them.
I decided to check out Amtrak’s Auto Train, which takes both you and your car from Florida to the Washington, D.C., area. Amtrak says they’ve replaced most of the old equipment with new accessible cars. I found this to be only partly true.
Amtrak’s ticket prices vary according to availability, but the further ahead you make reservations, the greater your savings will be. I paid less than $600 to get myself, my companion and my car from Orlando, Fla., to Washington.
I left Miami early one morning in June and arrived in Sanford, Fla., (just north of Orlando) in plenty of time for the 2 p.m. boarding. The station was accessible, though it was a bit crowded checking in, and there was no special line for travelers with disabilities.
I’d reserved an accessible sleeping compartment for my assistant, Mario Ow, and myself. All compartments cost extra, and vary in cost according to availability. The train offers comfortable reclining seats that some people might find adequate for the trip, but I prefer to sleep in a bed so the added cost was worthwhile to me.
There was, however, an unanticipated cost: No other cars were accessible from the sleeping car because of stairs in the sleeping car. The coach cars, though, are accessible, with places to park your wheelchair, and they offer accessibility to the dining room and lounge car.
After checking in and turning the van over for loading, I wheeled right up to our assigned car, where they lowered a ramp. The accessible cabin was located at the end of the car, with large picture windows, two single seats facing each other and a folding table between them.
The seats could fold down to form a lower bunk, and there was an upper bunk as well. On the other side of the room were a toilet with bars and a sink.
Clemenscine — bright, friendly and attentive — was the onboard attendant for our car. Her service was great and very customized; I was impressed.
Clemenscine said the regular sittings in the dining car were at 5 p.m. and 7 p.m., and a movie would be shown in the lounge car that evening. Neither dinner nor the movie was an option for me because there were stairs to those cars.
Clemenscine offered to bring our dinner anytime I wanted. The menu offered a choice of filet mignon, chicken breast or poached salmon. Among the desserts were carrot cake and cheesecake.
The train left promptly at 4 p.m. Complimentary wine and cheese were served shortly after departure.
Clemenscine served our meal punctually with a complimentary bottle of wine, and the food was excellent. After dinner we read until bedtime, when Clemenscine made up our berths.
The sleeping compartment was very comfortable; Mario even found the upper berth comfortable. In the middle of the night, though, I woke up when our smooth ride turned quite bumpy. Evidently Amtrak still has a lot of work to do on the tracks.
The next morning the train arrived at 9:30 a.m.
The Lorton, Va., station was also accessible, and I had the opportunity to see some of my fellow passengers while we waited for our vehicles. There were young families and a lot of older people, several in wheelchairs — a real mix.
The ambience of the trip was relaxed. We had two hours between check-in and departure, which gave us lots of time to settle in. The train moved slowly as well (at least while we were awake). But if you have the time, moving slowly lets you take in the scenery.
I give Amtrak high marks on the whole. I wish they could make the ride smoother, and I understand they’re trying. The problem is that passenger trains and freight trains use the same tracks. Also, although the service was of a high order, accessibility issues made the service a necessity. I hope Amtrak will continue trying on this count as well.
You can make reservations or plan your trip at www.amtrak.com, or call (800) 872-7245.
Universal Studios
Many people plan a Disney World vacation in Orlando, but neglect to schedule time to visit Universal Studios’ two theme parks, Universal Studios Florida and Islands of Adventure. That’s a shame because these parks offer thrills and adventures you can’t get from Mickey Mouse.
I spent two days and nights at Universal Studios and had a ball. I stayed at the Royal Pacific Resort, a South Seas-themed, luxurious Loews hotel. Your room key from any of the three hotels in the parks serves as an express pass to bypass regular waiting lines so you never have to wait more than about 15 minutes to get into attractions or rides.
My goal was to judge the accessibility of all the rides. My first day was at the Islands of Adventure park, which scored well. As at Disney World (see “To Boldly Go,” June 2002), I had to transfer from my chair in many cases. The transfers were easy and the staff very efficient in getting me on and off.
The rides in both parks are inspired by Universal Studios movies and television shows, and bring you into the action. I like water rides, and there are two good ones here. On the Bilge Rat Barges, a whitewater raft trip, I helped Popeye rescue Olive Oyl. On the Jurassic Park River Adventure, our escape from the raptors entailed an 85-foot plunge in total darkness.
The Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man was a new and satisfying 3-D ride over the city. The Cat in the Hat was more than I had bargained for — lots of abrupt spins and swerves. But it was fun, and how can you hate the Cat in the Hat?
Besides, I’d been warned. Universal has a thorough “Rider’s Guide for Rider Safety and Guests With Disabilities” that tells you what to expect on every ride.
The next day at the Universal Studios Florida park I headed first toward the Men in Black ride, where, as an agent trainee, I got to zap zillions of aliens. It was a great way to spend the morning because it made me feel so in control!
Next was Twister. This gives the short but thrilling experience of being right in the middle of a furious tornado. The wind picked up, I saw the twister approaching head on, and then stuff started flying. It was awesome.
To calm down, I stopped next at Shrek 4-D. This was a wonderful 3-D movie that continues the adventures of Shrek, Donkey and Princess Fiona. The fourth D is Ogrevision, a special seat that makes you feel the action. I didn’t transfer for this one so I missed that part of it, but I enjoyed the movie anyway.
The new Revenge of the Mummy was opening the following week so I missed it. But the nice people at Universal took me inside for a preview to see the special transfer system they’d devised to get wheelchair users on board.
I commend Universal for its care and sensitivity to visitors with disabilities. Go and enjoy! For information, visit www.UniversalOrlando.com or call (407) 363-8000.
Hyatt Regency
The Hyatt Regency invited my wife and me to its Hyatt Regency Coconut Point Resort and Spa in Bonita Springs, Fla., so I could take a look at its accessibility. It’s worth a special mention because Hyatt, as a company policy, puts a pool lift in every one of its resorts across the country.
Although the beach is accessible only by boat at high tide and the bathrooms lacked some amenities, I give Hyatt thumbs up for their efforts in making customers with disabilities comfortable. You can learn more at www.coconutpoint.hyatt.com or call (800) 633-7313 for reservations.
Dinosphere
The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis has opened “the largest display of real juvenile and family dinosaur fossils in the United States.”
The exhibit transports children and their families back in time 85 million years to the Cretaceous Period via a multilevel, multisensory immersive environment. The whole exhibit is fully accessible as well as being lots of fun.
For more, go to www.dinosphere.org or call (800) 820-6214.
San Francisco Access Guide
Access San Francisco 2004 includes details for more than 100 area attractions, restaurants and hotels, as well as information on accessible transportation, local disability organizations, wheelchair rentals and medical supply dealers.
Compiled by Access Northern California (ANC), the guide is available free from the San Francisco Convention and Visitors Bureau at (415) 391-2000. More information on the Golden Gate city can be found at AccessNCA.com.
Accessible African Safari
Epic Expeditions enables travelers with disabilities to experience the thrill of an unpredictable southern African overland adventure in a highly planned, accessible and supportive atmosphere.
The weeklong safaris, originating and terminating in Johannesburg, South Africa, cost from $992 to $1,150 per person. This includes all tour transport, accommodations in accessible tents and bungalows, three meals a day, all entrance fees and excursions.
Travelers must be independent or have their own assistance and be prepared to sit in a lift-equipped safari truck for periods on unpaved roads. For more information, contact Epic Enabled, 14 Clovelly Road, Fish Hoek 7975, South Africa; telephone ++27 (0)21 – 782 95 75; e-mail info@epic-enabled.com; or visit www.epic-enabled.com online.
To send feedback or questions about “To Boldly Go,” write to Andy Vladimir in care of Quest or at andyvlad@bellsouth.net.
