low vision...any attractions where help could be had?

[bumbershoot]

I've been trying to figure out the title of this post for weeks now. It's still not a good title.

My cousin nearly grew up at WDW. We're planning a trip with both our families for December. I was talking with her mom (my aunt), and I mentioned something I had read about the Lion King show, and how someone with lower vision was able to sit in the front rows thanks to a GAC, and she had NEVER heard of this.

So it seems that my cousin with congenital cataracts, who is legally blind but DOES see but not well, has just been sitting wherever, and didn't know that there could possibly be help for her to better-see some shows. Both of her children (it's a 25% chance that a child will inherit them, and both of hers did) were also born with cataracts, so they have lower vision as well (though very likely better than SHE had at their ages, b/c her early surgeries were done with scalpels, while theirs were done with lasers...her experiences helped to further congenital cataract research and surgeries).

Besides what I read months ago about the Lion King show, are there any other shows, attractions, etc where they could be accommodated? That involve visual things where a closer seat would be of great help? Our family would not tag-along, this is ONLY for their immediate family; we'd sit wherever we were placed. I have lots of "book-learning" about WDW and she has real-life experience, but this is one case where I know of something that she has never heard of, and I'm trying to figure out if it's worth mentioning to her (she would probably feel that ONE show wouldn't be worth getting a GAC).

If this needs to be answered in PM that's fine! I don't want anyone to get sneaky ideas from me, and I know that specifics about GACs aren't usually discussed in the open, but I'm mainly wondering about attractions where she could find accommodations for low vision...however I also recognize it might be a thin line to answer me!

By the way, I did read the visual impairment link, but the cousins aren't blind in reality (just in legality) and don't read braille etc, so that link was not for them. But I wanted you to know I tried to do some research in the weeks I've been trying to figure out a non-clunky title!

Thanks in advance!

Oh, and if I've said anything in a clunky or strange way, it wasn't my intention. I've been mis-read before, and I don't want it to happen again! But my utter inability to figure out a good, concise, informational title has failed so drastically, that I really question my writing skills.

 

[Cheshire Figment]

Basically all that has to be done is go to Guest Relations and explain the needs; it can be mentioned that "due to poor vision I need ..." and she will be given a GAC with the necessary stamps.

The card will be good for the length of the trip.

They will ask how many in the party; normally it will not be given for more than the person with the disability and up to five additional people. In certain exceptional circumstances they may give it for more.

Sometimes, due to the situation at the location, CMs will not allow the full number that is listed on the GAC, but that is a case by case circumstance.

 

[bumbershoot]

Thanks.

What I really need help with is what attractions this might be used at. The only example I have heard of is close-up seating at the Lion King show. Are there other attractions that might yield themselves to seating so they could see it better? Remember, I've never been to WDW!

I know she's not going to want to "bother" for just one show; she's not one to take "advantage" of special things based on any of her unique situations, and tends to just take what life deals her. But if there are several shows/attractions where her and her children's experiences could be better by sitting closer, she might take the time.

 

[Cheshire Figment]

It will work at all theater-style attractions, both movies and shows.

 

[bumbershoot]

OK, thank you.

 

[mechurchlady]

Also with a GAC that states vision limitations you might be able to get the front row of attractions like Pirates, Small World, and Test Track. It depends on the CMs but that might help the person see better. FAQs has a link to help you.

http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/wdw/common/Plain?id=PlainHomePage
that is their disabled guests home page.

 

[taximomfor4]

just be aware that, of all my dd's needs, this is the one that has led to the most unpleasant interactions with CM's. Also, be aware that sometimes the seating they give might be worse. For instance, the 3D shows. We learned the best thing to do is sit wherever.

For Lion King, they mostly have my dd and ONE adult in our party sit down near the front, while the rest of the party sits a few rows behind. Then they can place others with vision impairment or whatever next to my dd and the one adult.

Bottom line, if that was the only thing we were getting a GAC for, we'd just not bother.

BTW, my dd is vision impaired as well, but not blind. Her vision is corrected to some extent with glasses, but not well.

 

[taximomfor4]

Also with a GAC that states vision limitations you might be able to get the front row of attractions like Pirates, Small World, and Test Track. It depends on the CMs but that might help the person see better. FAQs has a link to help you.

http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/wdw/common/Plain?id=PlainHomePage
that is their disabled guests home page.

For the most part, CM's at those attractions (and others like them) are not willing to give front-row seating. As they explain it, you see from both sides of the ride vehicle as you go past everything.

 

[Mason7AK]

With or without a GAC, I have found the CM's at most of the theatre style shows to be very nice and accommodating about my daughter's visual impairment. The stamp does alert them to visual needs, but just telling the CM as we enter the theatre what her needs are has been helpful to us. For instance, my daughter holds her head to the right most all of the time. It is difficult for her to turn left for longer than a few seconds at a time. I have always been able to explain this to the CM's in a quick, concise manner and asked them not to seat us on the far right side of the theatres (or she would be looking at the wall and missing the whole show) and they have always been more than happy to help us out. DD loves Voyage of the Little Mermaid at MGM and also the Nemo Show at Animal Kingdom, as well as Philharmagic at MK, and if she was on the right side of the stage she would miss the whole thing! And I agree with previous posts that the front row is not always the answer for some visual problems! For us, the middle and left side of the theatre is best at most of the shows.
Bottom line, just tell the CM's what your needs are as you enter and they will usually assist you.
Angela

 

[bumbershoot]

Thanks!

Since this is an adult cousin and her two young children (5 and 1 when we take this trip), each of whom has congenital cataracts and very very thick glasses (though I haven't seen the little one's glasses picture yet, I think they're going easy with the flash photography until her eyes heal up from her recent surgery), even if they only allowed her husband to go along with them to the closer seating it would be fine, b/c her mom could just sit with me, DH, and DS wherever we are sat. Well, it's OK with me, at least. Don't know about her (haven't talked to her about this yet, and we're still in the "setting the date" portion of this reunion trip).

I think the mantra will have to be "figure out what you and the kids need and tell the CMs". Thanks again!

 

[shoes99]

I'm 61 and just had double cataract surgery 10 months ago. Prior to my surgery, I didn't get a GAC, but I asked the CM's to sit up front at shows and was accomodated. Sometimes there was regular seating, sometimes they assisted us to a roped off area. The first time I went to a show after the surgery I cried. I didn't realize how bad my eyes had gotten. Best wishes to you and your family.

 

[mrs_incredible]

I also have an eye disease that has left me legally blind. I've never gotten a GAC, mostly because I felt guilty in asking for one. My problem was simply sight related and only really affected me during a few shows. My experience at the parks has been great even without the cards. When we went to the Lion King show this jpast Oct, I saw what I now know were the hearing impaired interpreters, and asked them if I could sit somewhere close to the front. They told me I could sit in the section marked handicapped. No problems at all. I also went to the stunt show at DS and the CM working at the gate gave me a FastPass to come back to the next show time so I could get a good seat.
It's taken me a while to learn to ask for help, but I have found both CM's and other park visitors to be so nice! I've even had other guests waiting in line with me at CS restraunts read the menus to me. And I always ask people where things are in the park b/c I can't read the maps very well. Tell your friend everything will be fine especially when she asks for help

 

[SueM in MN]

I also have an eye disease that has left me legally blind. I've never gotten a GAC, mostly because I felt guilty in asking for one. My problem was simply sight related and only really affected me during a few shows.

If you felt it would help, please don't feel guilty asking for one, but it sounds like you have managed well without one.
If you have a cane or something that lets CMs know that you are vision impaired (or speak up and advocate), you may not need a GAC because the CMs can tell what you need.