Flashing lights?

[happyonhorseback]

Hello!
This is my first trip and I have a somewhat unusual question. My father has mild seizures on occasion (they are controlled by medication), but the doctors believe that flashing lights can cause seizure activity. Having said that, can anyone tell me what rides/shows to avoid? This is my parents first trip too, and I want to ensure they have a great time. Someone suggested that we skip Fantasmic. He doesn't seem to have a problem with fireworks, but more the strobe - type flashing lights. Thanks for your help!!

 

[AFMom]

Have him avoid Buzz Lightyear - there are a lot of strobing lights in that one.
Also, some of the 3-D shows use that effect - I believe 'It's Tough to be a Bug" definately does.
The only other thing I can think of is possibly Star Tours. They aren't strobing lights, but when the other space ships fire at you or surrounding ships, the effect is very similar.
Hope that helps!

 

[disneywithdrawal]

Space Mountain

 

[happyonhorseback]

Thanks Kristy!
Yes, that does help! I was wondering about the Philharmagic show? I have 51 days, 8 hours & a few minutes before we leave and I am so excited that I may forget to ask later, so I thought I might as well go ahead and ask about that one now. It's been so fun seeing Disney through all of your eyes - I can't wait to see it for myself!
Thanks again!

 

[NotUrsula]

I have strobe problems, too. Not seizures, but white strobes are are a migraine trigger for me. The worst one I can think of is the Tarzan show at AK, avoid it like the plague. Strobes are also used in the Dinosaur ride, but they are kind of random; the vehicle moves so quickly that you are not staring at the lights as they flash. I'm OK with that one as long as I look down when there is white flashing.

The "strobe-effect" at Space Mtn. is not a real strobe; it is several rows of red tube lights in the launch sequence; you go past them quickly so there is a strobe simulation, but it is not a true strobe.
As soon as you are past the launch, there are no more flashing effects. Buzz lightyear does not have strobes at all; there is a red "tunnel-light" effect in one room, but the light comes toward you, and does not flash.

There is a minor white strobe in Winnie-the-Pooh, in the thunderstorm scene. It only flashes about twice, and not directly at you; it has never bothered me.

I don't know about RNR or TOT; I've never been on either.

 

[jbthi]

Dinosaur does bother me a lot. I don't have seizures but I get very nauseous.

I can't think of any others.

 

[happyonhorseback]

Thanks so much! You guys are great!
I appreciate you taking the time to help me out with this!

 

[riopooh]

You might want to try asking on the DISabilities board - folks over there know alot about these kind of details.

 

[DepCor0311]

Anything that takes your picture usually has a strobe type flash...lets see...rides that take your picture...Tower of Terror, Splash Mountain, Dinosaur, RnR (?)....I can't really remember what else...

 

[2angelsinheaven]

Any rides that may cause siezures due to strobes will list this on the sign outside the ride and I also believe in the guidebook for those with disabilities that they have at the entrance. Fatasmic doesn't have strobe that I remember, but does have lasers. Goodluck and check out the disabilities board they are a wonderful help.

 

[Tigger&Belle]

I don't know that you're going here, but Cirque Du Soleil has flashing lights. My DH can have occular migraines triggered by bright and/or flashing lights and I'm sure had his eyes closed for that part (I don't know since I have a problem very occasionally from flashing lights and I closed my eyes, too). My DH didn't have a problem, but told me after the show that he was concerned that he would.

T&B

 

[AFMom]

Just got back from riding Buzz a few days ago and it most assuredly has strobe lights. At the room where Zurg is in some sort of a box - anytime someone hits a 'Z' to get points the extremely bright strobe flashes. I don't have any ill effects, but it was so bright it caused a milisecond of light blindness. That was the first ride that came to mind when the strobe question was asked - Maybe ride it first and decide for yourself. Thanks!

 

[ncbyrne]

RnR has intense flashing lights during the first few seconds.

 

[WDWAurora]

Voyage of the Little Mermaid-not a ride, but major strobes.

 

[happyonhorseback]

Thanks for the replies! I've never been to an amusement park where they post that info on the signs outside the rides - that's so great that Disney does that!! Also, I'll look for the booklet with that info in it. Meanwhile, I'll look on the Dis-abilities board to see if someone has had a similar question. Thank you so much!

 

[VAN]

Usually flashing lights can make me sick to my stomach, so I try to close my eyes during those sorts of things.

 

[SueM in MN]

Usually to trigger seizures, you need to have strobe lights of a certain duration and regular frequency. It's usually the repeated. regular flashing that causes the problem. One or 2 flashes or strobe lights that are not lighting on a pattern don't usually cause a problem. You could find out from the doctor if he thinks even one stobe will cause a problem, but typically, it's a pattern.

The strobe light (or strobe light effects) that you find at WDW are usually either an isolated strobe light here and there or during the ride, or if it lasts longer, the strobe goes on and off randomly, not at a consistent frequency. If you have any concerns, you can always have one of your party ride first, as someone else suggested.
I have seen posts from people with migrane problems with certain rides (my mom has migranes and was bothered by the lights in Dinosaur), but my feeling is it is more because of the intense darkness in some rides that are suddenly interrupted by a bright light.
I have never heard of anyone having seizures due to the lights at WDW. That doesn't mean it can't happen, just that in almost 5 years of being on the DIS and other boards, I've never heard of any. My youngest DD does have seizures and has had seizures at WDW, but never after being on one of the rides/shows with strobe or bright lights. The one ride that does bother her somewhat is The Maelstrom at Norway. As you are going up a hill in the beginning of the ride, there is an irregularly pulsating light. She doesn't like that light and usually wants me to help her cover her eyes. There is a simialr light in the beginning of the Mexico boat ride. That one doesn't bother her for some reason.

Two common seizure triggers you should be aware of are fatigue and dehydration. Keep well hydrated (be especially aware that a plane trip pulls a lot of water out of your body) and get enough rest. Also important to keep on schedule with seizure meds. It's really easy to get off schedule when you are out there having fun.

In my signature, there is a link to the disABILITIES Board. If you go there, look for the disABILITIES FAQs at the top of the board. One of them includes a link to the downloadable Guidebooks for Guests with Disabilities.

 

[katt789]

I was wondering about this as well, I've been having some strobe light problems since getting a head injury over Christmas, and was wondering if anyone can tell me about Space Mtn, TOT & RnR

We did most of the other rides & shows & such, and the only one I had a problem with, was Voyage of the Little Mermaid, there were a lot of stobes, in near complete darkness. Knowing this, would you advise against any of the other rides/shows?
Thanks!!

 

[Sarahleigh]

I'm surprised no one has mentioned Expedition Everest and the strobe lights on the Yeti. Or is the strobe facing in a direction that it would not matter? I don't have problems with strobe lighting so I don't know but when I think of strobe lights I think of poor Disco Yeti

Edited to Add: Didn't notice the dates on this thread. Oops. I guess Disco Yeti wasn't a concern then

 

[SueM in MN]

I was wondering about this as well, I've been having some strobe light problems since getting a head injury over Christmas, and was wondering if anyone can tell me about Space Mtn, TOT & RnR

We did most of the other rides & shows & such, and the only one I had a problem with, was Voyage of the Little Mermaid, there were a lot of stobes, in near complete darkness. Knowing this, would you advise against any of the other rides/shows?
Thanks!!

This is a VERY old read.
There is much more up to date information in post #3 of the disABILITIES FAQs thread.

You can get to that thread with the Link in my signature. Post 3 has a lot of informatiokm - scroll thru to the alphabetized list of Conditions and Concerns and. Look for Epilepsy.

If you had problems with the Little Mermaid, you will probably also have problems with the three you mentioned - they all have very dark conditions and then flashes of bright lights (Little Mermaid and the others don't actually use strobe lights i.e. Pulsating lights that pulse on a regular schedule).

Maelstrom in Norway at Epcot does have some lights that might be problematic for you at the beginning. Also Dinosaur is very dark with flashes of light.

If you find yourself in a situation where lights I bothering you, I would suggest covering one eye, as suggested by the American Epilepsy Foundation. Doing that breaks the pattern going from the eyes to the brain and decreases the chance of seizures and other problems.