Mom has Stargardts

[MalkaR]

I'm planning a trip for the end of January and we'll be taking my mom. She's had Stargardts (retinal dystrophy causing vision issues and near blindness in the dark) since I was a teenager, although it wasn't diagnosed until this past year. I remember her missing a step in the Indiana Jones queue in Disneyland when I was young and spraining her ankle because she just couldn't see the steps well in the dark. She didn't even realize she had vision issues, just didn't "like" driving at night, things like that. So now we're all going on our first trip to WDW. I'll obviously keep hold of her in queues, and she has a little flashlight she carries with her at all times. She obviously won't use the flashlight during the rides. If anyone has a similar issue, do you know if she'll even be able to see the rides, so many of them are low-light? I'm sure she'll enjoy them either way, the sounds and music are amazing. Any tips about safely getting her in and out of rides in near-dark? Anything else I need to consider?

 

[gap2368]

I do have a vision problem ( not the same as your mom) I do miss steps a lot ( if it is dark it is almost 100% even if I know it is there)

the only line I can not do due to steps is space motion I tell the CM I can not do steps in the dark and they let me in the FP line.

as fair as rides I am not sure I think maybe POTCB might be one since it really is dark for most of it ( but you could tell her what is going on around her and with some of the sounds she maybe able to pick a few things up, and she maybe able to see some.

PP is another bark one but some of the things are bright so that maybe if you do the same thing and tell her what is going on she maybe able to see people or a few things and since you are telling her things like we are flaying over London and she see light she can put together in her mind what is going on ( even if she can not see the buildings)

another dark ride is Haunted mansion but I would just tell her what is going on she can still hear things so I think she would get enough out of it to enjoy it.


also stop by GR and ask for an auto description so that is will tell her about the rides

Audio Description
Walt Disney World Resort offers Audio Description through Disney’s Handheld Device, which provides supplemental audio by describing visual elements such as actions, settings and scene changes. It works with existing show audio at specific theme park attractions, entertainment and other popular locations throughout Walt Disney World Resort.

here is a link to the list of attraction that offer this there are 31 https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/attractions/#/audio-description/


list of shows that offer it ( 5 shows) https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/entertainment/#/audio-description/

also there is a $25 deposit for one of these devices

disney website that talks about Guest with vision problems https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/guest-services/visual-disability-services/

I hope this helps

 

[MalkaR]

Thanks so much, that's a lot of good info! She's been to Disneyland many times before her vision really deteriorated, so if they're rides like pirates or peter pan, she'll have the gist from the DL version. The audio descriptor sounds really cool. I'll ask her if she's interested in using that. I'm going to look to check out the Disney site now.

 

[gap2368]

I think even if she dose not want to use the devices I do not think it would be that hard for someone to sit next to her and tell her what is going on most ride she will need someone to tell her what is going on you will be in your own ride car like PP hounded mantion

 

[clm10308]

Does she have a white cane yet? Even if she is not completely independent traveling with a cane, it will help other people realize she has a visual impairment

 

[MalkaR]

Does she have a white cane yet? Even if she is not completely independent traveling with a cane, it will help other people realize she has a visual impairment

Wow, I never thought about that. She doesn't seem to have any problems getting around, and terrifyingly enough, she just now was told by her doctor not to drive. I don't know if she'd be willing to carry one. Her vision is 20/50 in one eye and 20/100 in the other, but the biggest problem is "clouds" that cover her vision for seconds at a time, so if she's driving, and a "cloud" blocks a pedestrian, a sign or a car, she's in big trouble.

 

[Twende]

If you are headed to DW, there are several attractions that have dark lines. I too have a night vision problem and in fact the last trip I fell over a curb in DHS on night. I just plain did not see the curb and went face down.

I now try to always have someones arm when walking in the parks at night. All of the parks are dark at night. My almost 7 year old granddaughter does a great job of helping me around in the dark. It has become her "job". She warns me about steps, curbs, light poles and anything that could be in my way. I usually try to put someone in front of us with a light up necklace to I can easily follow them.

In Epcot the line into "Finding Nemo" is incredible dark and twisty. Years ago (think GAC) you could ask a CM to direct you to a light path that took you around the dark cue. I have not hand any luck getting a CM to do this since the change to DAS. The waiting room of Ellen's Universe of Energy is very dark.

In AK the waiting area and the show Bug's Life is dark, as is the way to a seat in Festival of the Lion King. In Lion King I enter with wheelchairs and ask a CM for help to a close to the front seat so I can see the show.

IN DHS the waiting area of Voyage of the Little Mermaid is dark and crowded. If you have vision problems too, stay to the right to get closer to the front of the stage. If you are short (lol like me) take the 2nd or 3rd row as the first row is too far below the stage for me to see. The cue to Tower of Terror is dark but can be done with help.

In MK, there are several dark spots. At Splash Mountain there is dark and steps in the main line but if you avoid the steps then the cue has a short area that is super dark. Space Mountain cue is dark, very dark. Haunted Mansion cue is dark as is the ride. Sometimes you can avoid the stretching room if you talk to the CM and then enter your doombuggy at the exit. Pirates cue is dark as is most of the attraction.

 

[MalkaR]

If you are headed to DW, there are several attractions that have dark lines. I too have a night vision problem and in fact the last trip I fell over a curb in DHS on night. I just plain did not see the curb and went face down.

I now try to always have someones arm when walking in the parks at night. All of the parks are dark at night. My almost 7 year old granddaughter does a great job of helping me around in the dark. It has become her "job". She warns me about steps, curbs, light poles and anything that could be in my way. I usually try to put someone in front of us with a light up necklace to I can easily follow them.

I bet my 7 year old would love that job! Someone will definitely have to lead my mom through dark queues and up and down stairs.

 

[Twende]

I bet my 7 year old would love that job! Someone will definitely have to lead my mom through dark queues and up and down stairs.

She really does watch out for me. I am very blessed. She will even speak up if others in the group are not careful and explain to them that Ama(Grandma) is struggling! She loves to use the word "struggling. She does an amazing job of being my eyes at night.