Light-sensitivity and WDW

[Hedy]

I have light-sensitive migraines. I'm fully prepared as I can be for my trek down this weekend: medicine, Excedrin, ginger for nausea (thanks DIS!), sunglasses and hat. I don't remember any *really* sunny waits (as opposed to the heck that was the wait for the Aladdin show at DCA), but didn't know if I was missing anything I should avoid.
Any thoughts? Thanks!

 

[SueM in MN]

Most of the attractions at WDW have a least some covering for the line, so you should be able to move into a shaded area without a lot of trouble. WDW has a lot more room than Disneyland has, so they were able to build larger queues with roofs to cover them and many of the lines are inside or well enclosed once you have actually entered the queue.

One that I can think of where the wait is in the sun would be the new Finding Nemo musical show at AK. The theater holds a lot of people and the wait can be up to 45 minutes before. You should be able to wait in a shaded area to the side while the rest of your party is in the line, then join them later.

You can also request a Guest Assistance Card (GAC) to let you wait in a shaded area. But, because most of the lines are shaded, it may not be all that helpful (the stamp actually says a "shaded place to wait when the line is in the sun for a prolonged period of time" - which may mean something different to you than to the Cast Member). There is information about GACs in the disABILITIES FAQs thread near the top of this board.

 

[WildGrits]

I always found EPCOT to be especially bright. Maybe it's because it seems so sprawling.

 

[Schmeck]

Is it just sunlight or any bright light? My migraines are triggered by a combination of things, one being any bright light - like a camera flash, flashlight in my eyes, etc. I'm trying to remember which rides have any kind of bright light flash - something on Figment, maybe? I know I got a migraine on Astro orbiter - lovely fun that was, spinning around with a migraine on its way...

 

[SueM in MN]

Is it just sunlight or any bright light? My migraines are triggered by a combination of things, one being any bright light - like a camera flash, flashlight in my eyes, etc. I'm trying to remember which rides have any kind of bright light flash - something on Figment, maybe? I know I got a migraine on Astro orbiter - lovely fun that was, spinning around with a migraine on its way...

Check the disABILITIES FAQs thread. In post 3 there is a link to a past thread about seizures that contains information about rides with lights.
My mom got migranes from the 360 movies. Something about the light being all around and the feeling of movement you get from those did it for her.

 

[Hedy]

Most of the attractions at WDW have a least some covering for the line, so you should be able to move into a shaded area without a lot of trouble. WDW has a lot more room than Disneyland has, so they were able to build larger queues with roofs to cover them and many of the lines are inside or well enclosed once you have actually entered the queue.

One that I can think of where the wait is in the sun would be the new Finding Nemo musical show at AK. The theater holds a lot of people and the wait can be up to 45 minutes before. You should be able to wait in a shaded area to the side while the rest of your party is in the line, then join them later.

You can also request a Guest Assistance Card (GAC) to let you wait in a shaded area. But, because most of the lines are shaded, it may not be all that helpful (the stamp actually says a "shaded place to wait when the line is in the sun for a prolonged period of time" - which may mean something different to you than to the Cast Member). There is information about GACs in the disABILITIES FAQs thread near the top of this board.

Thanks! I'll remember that about Nemo!

I always found EPCOT to be especially bright. Maybe it's because it seems so sprawling.

Thanks!

Is it just sunlight or any bright light? My migraines are triggered by a combination of things, one being any bright light - like a camera flash, flashlight in my eyes, etc. I'm trying to remember which rides have any kind of bright light flash - something on Figment, maybe? I know I got a migraine on Astro orbiter - lovely fun that was, spinning around with a migraine on its way...

Just sunlight, at least generally.

Thanks all!

 

[Independence1776]

As someone who's eyes are light sensitive, I'm trying to remember what helped me when I went in June.

If you need to, you can always go to First Aid and rest there for a bit to get out of the sun.

Wear your sunglasses and/or hat indoors. I find that most people ignore them, or just give me an odd look if they see me with them on. But no one says anything. This especially helps when you're facing a window or door. (If possible, try to take a seat in resturants that don't face either of those things. I do this automatically now, and my family knows why.) And make sure you're wearing them before you head outside!

Going to a restroom and wetting some paper towels (or resturant and napkins) and putting them over my eyes helped somewhat.

The sidewalks tend to be bright with reflected sunlight, so try to stay in the shade.

EPCOT, as someone else said, feels brighter. It may be because of how spread out it is, the wideness of the sidewalks compared to some places in the other parks, and the colors and construction of the buildings. Another factor may be light reflecting off the water.

If you're going with someone, maybe they could guide you while you walk around with your eyes closed. It isn't the best solution, but I had to do it a couple times.

I hope I gave you some suggestions that will be useful!

 

[lovetoscrap]

Be very careful when leaving buildings and going outside. I got a migraine 2 years ago at Disney because the transition from inside Animal Kingdom Lodge where it was relatively dark to the outside sunlight hit me like a ton of bricks. The sun is so bright and often reflects off the sidewalks or bright buildings so that immediate hit as the door opens can be a killer.

Make sure you have your sunglasses on and a brimmed hat pulled down low and give your eyes time to adjust. Don't even look towards the door because just someone opening it when you aren't prepared can be trip ender.