Disney Glow With The Show is not sensory friendly

[boilercane]

I know that this is my first post and I love Disney, but I have to let Disney know that they did not research that there are those who have sensory issues to some types of lights. Unfortuneately, I can not watch the show and have to sheild my eyes because those lights give off a strobe affect and as someone who suffers from seizures I can't be around them. I know that I am not the only person that this will affect. This is another way of the mouse not being ADA compliant.

 

[OurBigTrip]

I know that this is my first post and I love Disney, but I have to let Disney know that they did not research that there are those who have sensory issues to some types of lights. Unfortuneately, I can not watch the show and have to sheild my eyes because those lights give off a strobe affect and as someone who suffers from seizures I can't be around them. I know that I am not the only person that this will affect. This is another way of the mouse not being ADA compliant.

At the risk of feeding a possible troll, are you contending that shows with strobe lights are in violation of the ADA?

And in what other ways do you contend that "the mouse" is not in compliance with the ADA?

Sorry you couldn't enjoy the show.

 

[boilercane]

At the risk of feeding a possible troll, are you contending that shows with strobe lights are in violation of the ADA?

And in what other ways do you contend that "the mouse" is not in compliance with the ADA?

Sorry you couldn't enjoy the show.

Please believe me, I am not a troll. I've been going to Disney since the early 70's and I love Disney and my family has a great time every time we go.

The ADA defines disability as a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits a major life activity. Ok, maybe going to Disney is not a major life activity for some, but having been discriminated for having a medical condition all my life has been tough to deal with. I also have an autistic son and he has some major sensory issues (thank God one of them is seizires) but with Disney taking away the GSC I will make it difficut for us to go back. I understand why they did it, but it does affect those who really need it. Some people may see a kid in line throwing a tantrum because of impaitence for going on a ride when it's really due to his autism.

Again, Im not a troll. I love Disney. My wife and I honeymooned at the Contemporary. I just feel that sometimes they may not think of those with medical issues at times.

 

[purduesean]

I will have to agree with Boilercane on this issue. It doesn't appear to be a troll. It looks like that he may have just found the board and wanted to say something that he feels deeply passionate about.

 

[OurBigTrip]

I will have to agree with Boilercane on this issue. It doesn't appear to be a troll. It looks like that he may have just found the board and wanted to say something that he feels deeply passionate about.

Fair enough, however, I still fail to see how having a light show with strobe lights is in violation of the ADA. Disney has utilized strobe lights for years, both in shows and inside attractions. I find it odd that the OP would just now notice and cry "ADA violation".

 

[purduesean]

My thought would be that those attractions have some type of notification where as the lights are out in the open for all to see. You don't have to be at the show to see the strobing ears.

I sympathize with him on this cause I've got friends who are affected with this and it is hard because they have to limit their activities.

 

[OurBigTrip]

My thought would be that those attractions have some type of notification where as the lights are out in the open for all to see. You don't have to be at the show to see the strobing ears.

Oh well.

 

[disney david]

Please believe me, I am not a troll. I've been going to Disney since the early 70's and I love Disney and my family has a great time every time we go.

The ADA defines disability as a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits a major life activity. Ok, maybe going to Disney is not a major life activity for some, but having been discriminated for having a medical condition all my life has been tough to deal with. I also have an autistic son and he has some major sensory issues (thank God one of them is seizires) but with Disney taking away the GSC I will make it difficut for us to go back. I understand why they did it, but it does affect those who really need it. Some people may see a kid in line throwing a tantrum because of impaitence for going on a ride when it's really due to his autism.

Again, Im not a troll. I love Disney. My wife and I honeymooned at the Contemporary. I just feel that sometimes they may not think of those with medical issues at times.

They had them in Disney land before bringing them to Disney world so I am sure if they caused a medical problem they would know. They can have strobe lights but have to sync them so they don't go off the same time.


When they came out with strobe light in fire alarms they found a lot of people started having seizures in office buildings. So they had to go back a make changes you won't notice it but each light go off at a different time then the rest. So even if the ears seem to go off at the exact same time they most likely not.

 

[North of Mouse]

I know that this is my first post and I love Disney, but I have to let Disney know that they did not research that there are those who have sensory issues to some types of lights. Unfortuneately, I can not watch the show and have to sheild my eyes because those lights give off a strobe affect and as someone who suffers from seizures I can't be around them. I know that I am not the only person that this will affect. This is another way of the mouse not being ADA compliant.

Sorry that you cannot enjoy the show, but I sure wouldn't go as far as to say 'the mouse is not compliant with ADA'

Fair enough, however, I still fail to see how having a light show with strobe lights is in violation of the ADA. Disney has utilized strobe lights for years, both in shows and inside attractions. I find it odd that the OP would just now notice and cry "ADA violation".

I agree! Lights, in one form or another, is a big part of the shows. They cannot limit themselves on the types of lighting shows because a few people have issues with them. I can't see where this, in any form, is being non compliant with ADA, or in any way a 'violation'.

 

[aaarcher86]

I don't really see them being terribly different than a bunch of people wearing those headbands with flashing lights that they sell.

I'd also agree the 'not ADA compliant' comment is a bit of a stretch.

 

[declansdad]

If you have sensory issues and this type of lighting aggravates that issue, why would you put yourself in that situation?

 

[KPeveler]

I am not sure how the ears are programmed in WDW, but I can say in DL, they are MUCH less annoying than anything sold on the glow carts. They certainly do not have strobe capabilities. They are small color changing LEDs inside translucent (but not transparent) plastic. In DL (again, not been to WDW) they change color gradually, and even a quick color change is NOT the same thing as a strobe.

They are not as bright and do not change as quickly as the millions of glow necklaces and swords. Strobes can cause seizures, but a strobe light is an extremely bright light that flashes in repetition quickly. I am not sure the Glow with the Show Ears even have that capability.

I will say that if those ears are difficult, I am surprised that you can tour Disney parks at all after dark. Even my wheelchair has LEDs that makes my wheel light up, and I am constantly surrounded by people with color changing swords and necklaces. If those are enough to trigger seizures, then I would avoid Disney parks after dark.

I can understand how the glow necklaces and swords are annoying and distracting during a show like Fantasmic. But I have been in many shows where there were the GWTS Ears, and I did not even find myself distracted by them (which is a feat, given my level of ADHD).

 

[SueM in MN]

I am not sure how the ears are programmed in WDW, but I can say in DL, they are MUCH less annoying than anything sold on the glow carts. They certainly do not have strobe capabilities. They are small color changing LEDs inside translucent (but not transparent) plastic. In DL (again, not been to WDW) they change color gradually, and even a quick color change is NOT the same thing as a strobe.

They are not as bright and do not change as quickly as the millions of glow necklaces and swords. Strobes can cause seizures, but a strobe light is an extremely bright light that flashes in repetition quickly. I am not sure the Glow with the Show Ears even have that capability.

I will say that if those ears are difficult, I am surprised that you can tour Disney parks at all after dark. Even my wheelchair has LEDs that makes my wheel light up, and I am constantly surrounded by people with color changing swords and necklaces. If those are enough to trigger seizures, then I would avoid Disney parks after dark.

I can understand how the glow necklaces and swords are annoying and distracting during a show like Fantasmic. But I have been in many shows where there were the GWTS Ears, and I did not even find myself distracted by them (which is a feat, given my level of ADHD).

The ones at WDW are the same as you are describing at DL.

 

[minnie mum]

The ones at WDW are the same as you are describing at DL.

First I want to qualify that I have only watched videos of the Glow with the Show performances. But I didn't see any strobing. Was I missing something in the videos?? There is a difference between flashing or twinkling lights (like the light up toys they sell from the carts all over the blasted place) and a strobe light. Perhaps the OP is not aware that not all flashing or twinkling lights will provoke seizures. As for ADA non-compliance, I think the OP needs to go back and re-read it.

 

[clanmcculloch]

We bought a pair for DD13 this summer at DL. I'm told they're the exact same ones that are being sold at WDW and I plan to bring them with us to WDW in February. I stood behind her at WOC while she sat in front of me (she was in a wheelchair so she was seated and I was standing) so I got a really good up-close-and-personal view of the ears in action. They never strobed. They were exactly as described by KPeevler. The color changing, when they were even lit (I was disappointed with how much of the time they weren't lit but that's an unrelated discussion), was slow and they didn't get overly bright because of the opaque nature of the ears.

A lot of those light-up toys at the carts all over the place at night including carts all over F! before the show do strobe.

I would think that if these ears triggered seizures in somebody then the toys all over the parks as well as the nighttime shows themselves would also be a problem. I can't imagine how these ears on their own would do that.

Yes, they could be distracting for somebody with visual sensory if nearby but there's no way of knowing if you'll be near somebody with some kind of light-up toy when at these kinds of shows so how are the ears any different? You go to these shows KNOWING that these things are there. You make that choice with full knowledge. There is no way to avoid this particular kind of visual stimulation even without the ears.

 

[DaisyD]

The hats definitely had a strobe effect at Fantasmic at times last week. It really is bright and fast and annoying. We had a sea of people using them. The ones that really got to me were the kids sitting right in front of me. The strobe effect went of several times and since it was really dark out, it was like if someone took a close up picture of me with the flash on over and over. I couldn't even see the show for a few seconds after each strobe session. Was not fun.

 

[SueM in MN]

This is copied from a post on page 2 of the disABILITIES FAQs thread.

There are not actually any attractions at WDW that use lights that are technically strobe lights (i.e, fast, regular flashes of light) and they do not have any warnings for seizures and/or strobe lights on any attractions. Where they do have flashing lights, they are always irregularly flashing, which is a different situation.
Most true strobe lights flash many times per second, but slowing to 5 flashes per second or less means that the majority of even photosensitive epileptics are not going to have a problem. Only about 3-7% of people with epilepsy are photosensitive and have problems with lights; of those, only about 5% would have a problem with a light flashing 5 times per second or less.

If you do encounter flashing lights and are concerned, the Epilepsy Foundation recommends covering one eye and turning/looking away from the direct source of light. The reason for covering only one eye and looking away from the direct light is to prevent both eyes from sending exactly the same information to the brain.
This should work whether someone has a problem with epilepsy or has problems with lights for another reason.

 

[Jaya]

I must say that I am perpetually amazed at what people find to complain about.

 

[DaisyD]

I must say that I am perpetually amazed at what people find to complain about.

I'm glad you are amazed. I was totally thrown by these hats at Fantasmic. With 3 kids sitting right in front of me with them it really messes up the show. The hats in the distance aren't bad. Sitting 12 inches from your face is bad. As I said it was like a camera flash going off. Well 3 cameras with the 3 hats. It momentarily blinded me like a bright camera flash does. The strobe effect happened maybe 6 times during the show and yes it was annoying. I didn't come to the show to not see it. There was a 4th kid there too with the hat right next to the other kids but his dad made him take it off as the flashing got to him. The color effects were neat and fun to watch. The fast bright white flashing was not fun and I hope they get rid of that one part of it. Just because you think this isn't a big deal doesn't make it ok for everyone else. So tell me, what is your experience with the hats? Did they bother you in Fantasmic? Wishes? Do tell.

 

[OurBigTrip]

I'm glad you are amazed. I was totally thrown by these hats at Fantasmic. With 3 kids sitting right in front of me with them it really messes up the show. The hats in the distance aren't bad. Sitting 12 inches from your face is bad. As I said it was like a camera flash going off. Well 3 cameras with the 3 hats. It momentarily blinded me like a bright camera flash does. The strobe effect happened maybe 6 times during the show and yes it was annoying. I didn't come to the show to not see it. There was a 4th kid there too with the hat right next to the other kids but his dad made him take it off as the flashing got to him. The color effects were neat and fun to watch. The fast bright white flashing was not fun and I hope they get rid of that one part of it. Just because you think this isn't a big deal doesn't make it ok for everyone else. So tell me, what is your experience with the hats? Did they bother you in Fantasmic? Wishes? Do tell.

I can absolutely see where the hats might be annoying.

But an ADA violation, the OP contended? Not even close.