First WDW with white cane

[Aerorea]

I just got back from a trip to WDW last week. I am legally blind (retinitis pigmentosa) and have limited vision. I normally get around ok, but am trying to teach myself to use a white cane in unfamiliar surroundings. I'm getting better and better at it and this trip was the most I've ever used it. I am getting over my own emotional barriers with using one and having it in public where nobody knew me was great. I'm more confident when I have it, can handle steps better, and it also serves to let others know that I didn't bump into them on purpose. I can normally see people walking towards me from straight ahead, but never from the sides and at night all bets are off, so having the cane for this trip is a good idea.

DH & I stayed at the YC, and the staff was wonderful. We took the Friendship boats almost daily to/from MGM and Epcot. The boat crew was really great and I'm sure by the end of the week they were used to seeing me come aboard! Some would tell me if the step was even or how many inches I'd need to step up/down.

Through the parks, I'd usually just carry my cane, unfolded, and take DH's arm. I'd use it when left alone, mostly with restrooms. I found crowd reaction to be very mixed. A lot of people would see me coming and move out of the way or gather their kids so they wouldn't trip me. There was also an unfortunate large number of people who apparently didn't know what the white cane meant, as evidenced by people who would walk right out in front of me or run into me and never say a word. DH was wonderful though and tried to navigate me around people the best he could.

CM's were great for the most part. I tend to have difficulty inserting my card when entering the parks. One CM scanned it for me (I didn't know they could do that), but many seemed annoyed that I took longer. It would have been nice if they would have opened the wheelchair gate for me as well because navigating the cane up & over the turnstiles is a pain. When leaving, it was a 50/50 shot whether the CM would see us coming and open the gate for us or make us go through the turnstile again.

I did get a GAC, but don't think I would have needed one. We were allowed front row/early entry to the shows. If not for that, there's no way I would have been able to enjoy the bird show at AK at all. Of course I collapsed the cane for all the rides. I had some difficulty getting on/off rides without my cane to help me judge depths, but DH was there to help me so all was well.

The airports were their own adventure! Security in Atlanta was great, Orlando not so much.

 

[MinnieVanMom]

Thank you for sharing your experience in WDW with your cane. It sounds like there was both good and bad but you ventured out and that is a big step in it's own.

 

[Cheshire Figment]

Just letting you know that at any turnstile you can just tell the CM that you need to use the gate and they will open it for you. Some just do not realize how difficult it is to maneuver a cane through a trunstile.

 

[SueM in MN]

thanks for the report and glad you had a good time.

Other people have reported mixed success with GACs (Guest Assistance Cards) for vision disabilities. Some have found it helpful, but most found they got what they needed without the GAC.

 

[mommy2allgirls]

Thank you for sharing this. I have two dd's who are legally blind and right now they are still a little young so don't use canes but might someday. It is good to hear experiences of cane use at the world.

 

[Shock13]

It was nice to hear about a similar experience in regards to using a white can. I can handle it without one outside during daylight hours but it is necessary for indoors and night. Because I went during off peak, I didn't have much trouble navigating in open spaces but the cane was nearly an obstacle for not just me, but for the people around me in crowds. They simply were not paying attention and quite a few nearly tripped over my cane. In this situation, I had to fold it up and just hold onto my mother's elbow relying on her to guide me. I also found that going on rides with a moving walkway was not my favorite at all! Nemo was the worst as it was not only dark but feeling rushed to get on just made me really anxious that I probably will not go on that ride again.
The best had to be the CM's at the shows. They were amazing in meeting my needs so I could sit up close. Most the time, I didn't even have to ask as they simply looked at my cane and guided me to a different queue area (away from the bustling crowds) or escorted me right down to the front rows. This is where I think Disney really shines as I have been going to DLR since I was a kid and not worrying about seeing blurry objects on stage or taking my time on the stairs is not an issue.
I had a great experience and looking forward to my second trip to WDW in April!

 

[OneLittleSpark]

I also found that going on rides with a moving walkway was not my favorite at all! Nemo was the worst as it was not only dark but feeling rushed to get on just made me really anxious that I probably will not go on that ride again.

When you go back in April, you can ask them to slow or stop the walkway on almost every ride. Sometimes this will mean you have to board at the exit, but the CMs will tell you where to go. Just let the CM at the line entrance know that you will need to have the walkway stopped, and they will direct you. If you're going to the regular boarding area, you will also need to tell the CM there what you need. The only rides they can't do this on are Peter Pan and possibly the Tomrrowland Transit Authority (can't remember on this one, anybody know?). For Khali River Rapids, they can catch a raft for you and keep it still while you load. This is done separate from the main boarding area, so you won't need to worry about slowing anyone else down.

Hope this helps, and have a great time in April (wish I could be there too!)

 

[Shock13]

When you go back in April, you can ask them to slow or stop the walkway on almost every ride. Sometimes this will mean you have to board at the exit, but the CMs will tell you where to go. Just let the CM at the line entrance know that you will need to have the walkway stopped, and they will direct you. If you're going to the regular boarding area, you will also need to tell the CM there what you need. The only rides they can't do this on are Peter Pan and possibly the Tomrrowland Transit Authority (can't remember on this one, anybody know?). For Khali River Rapids, they can catch a raft for you and keep it still while you load. This is done separate from the main boarding area, so you won't need to worry about slowing anyone else down.

Hope this helps, and have a great time in April (wish I could be there too!)

Thank you for this. I didn't think to ask because I really thought they wouldn't have been able to stop the walkway for little ol' me! We didn't do KRR last time but was planning on it for April so this info helps tremendously.
Thank you!