Blindness at DW

[mbaldwin]

Hi,
I am blind, and we are planning a trip to DW in June. My wife and I will be going with our 3 daughters, and my wife's parents. I know there are Braille maps and guides available, but that seems to be about all I can find for blindness related assistance. I don't think I really need a GAC, because I don't really need anything special, just maybe a little more direction on boarding rides and such. Which brings me to my question. There are rides that I will be the only one in my party will want to go on. Could my wife wait in line with me to help me get on the ride, but not get on herself? Think we could go through the single lines, when available, because I am the only one that is going to ride? Or does some of this depend on the CM and the ride operators at the time we go? Any tips or thoughts for a blind person would be grateful.

Thanks,
Michael

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

I can't give you any blind tips, but there is no problem with your wife waiting in line with you and not actually going on the ride.

 

[mbaldwin]

Thanks, I thought as much, but we have never been to WDW, so didn't know for sure.

Michael

 

[Mary976]

My DD uses a wheelchair and I frequently wait in line with her to help her board, but then I skip riding. I'm just not much of a roller coaster person, but DD loves them. So yes, you wife can wait and help you board and then skip riding herself.

As for the single rider lines, only a couple rides have those. We tried one with DD at Expedition Everest and then when we got to the front the guy was all thrown off and said she couldn't go in through that line. I will say that with the single riders, usually everyone is getting loaded then they are pulling single rider people at the last minute to fill in gaps, so that may or may not be a good choice if you think you'll need more time to get oriented.

With the GAC, I think you might be able to get one to assist with getting front row seating at shows and such, so if that would be helpful you might want to consider it for that reason.

Have a great trip!
Mary

 

[KPeveler]

I know here in DL there is a device which narrates some of the attractions in addition to the regular ride audio. This can be especially helpful for dark rides where you have no idea what is going on. I think you pick up the device in Guest Relations and leave a deposit for it.

Do you use a cane or guide dog? If you have a visual cue to your disability, then CMs will know how to handle it. If you do not have a visual cue, I would stop by Guest Relations and ask about a GAC. there are some queues with uneven flooring in the dark (my goodness, I HATE the queue to the Seas!), and some with steps in the dark (I am thinking of Splash Mountain after dark here). These may be difficult for you yo navigate on your own, and with no visual cue to help out the CMs, a GAC may be a good choice for you.

Also, if you have some vision, you can get a GAC which will allow you to sit in the front row of shows, which can be very helpful.

 

[Bete]

If you need assistance getting on the ride, you obviously will need assistance getting off. I'm not sure how this can work at times when your helper is not on the ride with you. This may be were a GAC will give your helper access to the exit area some way. Some rides do not start and end at the same place. Pirates of the Carribean in MK is an example of such a ride.

Some rides are just tough to get in and out of even if you are sighted. I think Test Track in Epcot is in this category, at least for me.

Maybe, we could help more if your were specific about which certain rides you would be alone on.

 

[deegack]

I remember from taking the behind the scenes tour that in mk as you go from land to land the music will change, you will go over a bridge or other walkway and road surface will change. The guide said walt did this so blind people will know when they change lands. I'm not sure if that is actually true but that's the only tidbit of advice I have.

 

[LockShockBarrel]

Can we ask are you fully blind or do you have any sight at all?

I've done Disney with a legally blind person (not fully but it got progressively worse over the years) several times. CM's are typically very good about giving you a few extra moments to board a vehicle. Anyone can have someone wait in line with them but not have the second person ride so you'll be ok there. With not having the second person ride with you, I'm not sure exactly how things will be handled.

When I would go with this person, there was a guide dog involved so we did rider swap for the rides the dog wasn't allowed on. We would get a GAC even though you're not really supposed to need them with a visable disability and that would sometimes/usually allow us to use alternative entrances. So for example with Tower of Terror, we'd go through the exit and I'd wait with the dog while a CM took the blind person up to the loading area of the ride and get them situated and usually tell them just to stay seated when the ride was finished and this CM or one at the end of the ride would be there to assist them exiting the ride (since I had the dog with me, I couldn't do this part), then we'd switch and I'd ride. I'm thinking maybe they'd allow something like this where your wife could get you to this point or even let her accompany you to get into the ride vehicle but take the 'chicken exit' back to the end if she didn't want to ride. For Soarin', we'd go through the regular line and it was a similiar situation where I could get the blind person to the ride vehicle, then wait at the exit until the ride was over then swap.

It'd be a big help to know which rides you're talking about. I can't say that they'll give you the same accomidations as we got but I'm sure Disney will be able to help you out.

 

[rabidstoat]

I've been thinking of getting an audio guide to WDW, just to listen to in the car on the way down. Saw a review here:

http://www.heidi-strawser.com/2011/04/audio-guide-to-walt-disney-world-by-lou.html

I have absolutely no idea how good they are, but it might add a little more detail to the trip for MK. Though, I'm not sure how well it would be work listening to them as your were actually there, as it seems like that would make it harder to navigate.