Paint the Night Parade Epilepsy warning

[traveln4fun]

I just wanted to give a word of caution to parents of children with Epilepsy. We were in Disneyland last week and waited front and center for the Paint the Night Parade. It is absolutely beautiful and breathtaking as expected. My warning is that the parade caused my son to have seizures. He has had epilepsy since he was very young and is very light sensitive (should have thought about this ahead of time). Any type of video games, some tv shows (Power Rangers), or strobe lights will bring them on.
I'm absolutely not recommending that you not watch the parade, it is beautiful. I just wanted to let parents know what happened to my son because none of us want to watch our child seizing. I realized during the parade that this was going to happen, but we were unable to get out of our seating situation. If your child is prone to seizures, maybe try to sit a little further back, the lights are very bright and quick moving when you are in the front.

 

[LizzyS]

Oh no, I'm sorry to hear that your son had seizures resulting from the parade. Thanks for posting a warning for others with epilepsy. Have you contacted Disney about this? Maybe they should be posting warnings as well?

 

[traveln4fun]

I honestly hadn't thought about contacting them. I just figured my son may be more sensitive than others. We plan on seeing it again in a few months, probably from the upper level of the Jolly Holiday Bakery. If this doesn't work, he won't be seeing it again I'll e-mail them tomorrow. He also has problems with Playhouse Disney because of the flashing lights during scene changes. Just a part of life for us, but we still LOVE Disneyland!

 

[beachdreamr1229]

I thought about this when I was watching the parade the first time, too, as I work with quite a few children who have seizure disorders. I don't think there's a way around the strobe-like effect of the lights. It's the nature of the parade and I'm sure Disney didn't intend for it to happen. I was thinking maybe if you watch from afar it might not be as bad (like across from Small World, stand toward the back of the raised platform area?). The floats are huge, so you can still see quite a bit, but might miss some of the flashing.

 

[debdreamsofdis]

I'm also surprised that Disney did not publish any kind of warning or make an announcement that strobe light effects would be used in the production. If I were you, I would definitely contact them and make them aware of this issue. I'm so sorry you had to have this happen. My son had febrile seizures when he was young, and although I know it's a completely different issue than epilepsy, I know watching your child have a seizure and feeling absolutely helpless about it is one of the worst things for a parent to experience.

 

[ADLFAN]

Our X Box and every single game for it have warnings. Some informational signs along the parade route for the hours before and during the parade would really help warn guests. The parade looked amazing online, but very very blinky and bright!

 

[VandVsmama]

I disagree that Disney should post warning signs along the parade route. If someone had a known medical condition in which exposure to certain specific environmental stimuli result in a problem, then it's the responsibility of that person to try and avoid it whenever possible.

For example, families with autistic kids who have sensory processing issues ...kids and adults who get sensory overload during loud and bright parades would just not go to the parade. A friend of mine is in this boat.

If you had a food allergy whereby eating the allergic substance would result in a medical emergency, you would not eat that particular food. And it is your responsibility to inquire with the restaurant to confirm what the ingredients are.

Same thing applies to blinky light parades at night if you are an epileptic.

I'm not saying this as a judgement or anything toward the OP. She acknowledged that they made a mistake and realized it when it was too late.

 

[KevRus]

^But what's the harm in a short, simple announcement prior to the start of the parade?

As of right now, there are no warnings anywhere. Your food allergy comparison doesn't really make sense, because you know what you're ordering when you read a menu. How is one supposed to know the extent of the "loudness and brightness" of a parade?

The OP didn't make a mistake!

 

[offwithyourhead]

I watched the parade online and this was my thought too. My dad has seizures and every time I see strobe lights I think about it.

I disagree that Disney should post warning signs along the parade route. If someone had a known medical condition in which exposure to certain specific environmental stimuli result in a problem, then it's the responsibility of that person to try and avoid it whenever possible.

For example, families with autistic kids who have sensory processing issues ...kids and adults who get sensory overload during loud and bright parades would just not go to the parade. A friend of mine is in this boat.

If you had a food allergy whereby eating the allergic substance would result in a medical emergency, you would not eat that particular food. And it is your responsibility to inquire with the restaurant to confirm what the ingredients are.

Same thing applies to blinky light parades at night if you are an epileptic.

I'm not saying this as a judgement or anything toward the OP. She acknowledged that they made a mistake and realized it when it was too late.

If you've never seen the parade, show, or ride before, how would you know as a guest that it contains flashing lights/certain noises or stimuli? Someone who has no issue with 90% of the lights in the parade may have an issue with the strobing ones. How are you to know that it's coming if you've never seen the parade or didn't even know it was on?

There is a publication for families of children with autism and the like that details each ride and the experience so families who have autistic children can figure out what is okay for their child. https://wdpromedia.disney.go.com/me...sabilities/dlr-cognitive-guide_2015_01-07.pdf

However, this does not cover parades and not everybody knows about this. Considering parades are outdoor and not something one can choose to go in, an epileptic child or adult may get caught walking through and have a seizure even if they aren't exactly watching the parade. There is absolutely NO harm in an announcement being made, or signs along the parade route. Then if you're with a person who can't handle that, you'd approach the nearest cast member and ask how you can get out of the area quickly without being exposed to the lights.

You liken this to a food allergy, but I present you with this: what if you were allergic to gluten, so you ordered a salad that had nothing that could contain gluten in it. But whoever plated up your food grabbed your salad with tongs that had been in another salad that contained croutons. You might have a horrible reaction, even though you did your due diligence to order something without gluten. Stuff happens. An epileptic could just be riding the train around the park and seize as they passed the main street station because they can see these lights from there, or from inside the shops.

I see no harm in an announcement! Disneyland is a big, overwhelming place. There's lots to know and see and do and not everybody manages to find everything out ahead of time. I had no idea what parades or shows were on before I went, I just figured it out when I got there.

 

[flyingdumbo127]

Hug to the OP. I am so sorry that happened to your son. I pray the rest of your DL stay was more positive and glad he is okay! I don't have epilepsy. I honestly do not know much about the condition. Sometimes a ton of light everywhere and more so along with constant loud noise aggravates a health condition I do have. May I ask any of you that have seen PTN is it really loud? Oh and there are no fireworks as part of it, right? I am one of the only people who is not into those. Thank you so much. ITA that DL should easily be able to post a warning and hope OP and others you will contact them.

 

[minniebeth]

Op, I'm sorry that happened to your son~ I get migraines triggered by bright flashing or strobe lights so your post is a good heads up for me to know what to expect. It is appreciated that you took the time to post about it!

 

[VandVsmama]

I watched the parade online and this was my thought too. My dad has seizures and every time I see strobe lights I think about it.




If you've never seen the parade, show, or ride before, how would you know as a guest that it contains flashing lights/certain noises or stimuli? Someone who has no issue with 90% of the lights in the parade may have an issue with the strobing ones. How are you to know that it's coming if you've never seen the parade or didn't even know it was on?

There is a publication for families of children with autism and the like that details each ride and the experience so families who have autistic children can figure out what is okay for their child. https://wdpromedia.disney.go.com/me...sabilities/dlr-cognitive-guide_2015_01-07.pdf

However, this does not cover parades and not everybody knows about this. Considering parades are outdoor and not something one can choose to go in, an epileptic child or adult may get caught walking through and have a seizure even if they aren't exactly watching the parade. There is absolutely NO harm in an announcement being made, or signs along the parade route. Then if you're with a person who can't handle that, you'd approach the nearest cast member and ask how you can get out of the area quickly without being exposed to the lights.

You liken this to a food allergy, but I present you with this: what if you were allergic to gluten, so you ordered a salad that had nothing that could contain gluten in it. But whoever plated up your food grabbed your salad with tongs that had been in another salad that contained croutons. You might have a horrible reaction, even though you did your due diligence to order something without gluten. Stuff happens. An epileptic could just be riding the train around the park and seize as they passed the main street station because they can see these lights from there, or from inside the shops.

I see no harm in an announcement! Disneyland is a big, overwhelming place. There's lots to know and see and do and not everybody manages to find everything out ahead of time. I had no idea what parades or shows were on before I went, I just figured it out when I got there.

If **I** personally had medical problems triggered by strobe lights, then I would go to City Hall to ask for more information. Perhaps Disneyland already has a similar document like that you mentioned geared towards autistic guests...a description of each attraction, ride, experience, etc. And if they don't, then they should provide one.

If there was a brand new attraction or parade that I was interested in seeing but I wasn't sure if it would trigger my migraines, epilepsy, etc., I would inquire with Disneyland ahead of time. And I would avoid the parade route while the parade was underway in order to prevent a medical emergency from happening.

Your first example does not really apply because you said "someone who has no issue with 90% of the lights in the parade may have an issue with the strobing ones." Well, if the person doesn't even KNOW that they have an issue with strobe lights, then how exactly would an announcement or sign help that person?

Parade-viewing areas are often packed with crowds. They don't make announcements warning people with claustrophobia to stay clear.

I have a friend who has an autistic child and they do their research ahead of time. And when they can't because it's a brand new attraction, they inquire with Cast Members in order to get information so they can determine whether or not the attraction will be too overwhelming for their son & result in him having a panic attack.

If you have a known medical condition, it is YOUR responsibility to do your best to educate yourself before & during your visit to DL. DL deals with guests with medical conditions every day. They will store your insulin for you in First Aid if you're a diabetic. If you can't consume anything by mouth and eat through a feeding tube, they'll not only store your enteral food, but will help you at meal time when you go to First Aid. And if you're epileptic, don't go on Space Mountain and don't watch the Paint the Night Parade.

I imagine that the OP's experience that evening was quite distressing and her post is really helpful for readers here who either have epilepsy or will be travelling with someone who has it.

That being said, offwithyourhead & I will have to agree to disagree. I stand by my original statement.

 

[Nicoleclaw]

I think an announcement is a great idea and there is absolutely no harm in making it. Think about the "general public" that doesn't read everyhing about Disney before they go. Even if you thought this was similar to the Electric Light parade in Disney World. I don't think that had strobe lights from what I remember. And there could be a situation where you THOUGHT you researched everything and missed this information.

 

[LizzyS]

I think an announcement is a great idea and there is absolutely no harm in making it. Think about the "general public" that doesn't read everyhing about Disney before they go. Even if you thought this was similar to the Electric Light parade in Disney World. I don't think that had strobe lights from what I remember. And there could be a situation where you THOUGHT you researched everything and missed this information.

Yes, of course. That's why I asked the OP if they had contacted Disney. Not everyone is on the DIS boards and the type of researchers we are!

 

[AustinTink]

Wow, I'm so sorry this happened to your son!! I really think Disney needs to address this right away.

I am very sensitive to strobes. I had an episode in the Blue Man Group and I have stayed away from anything with strobe effects since then. If I can't get away, I close my eyes until they are over. I was really looking forward to the parade. I'm not sure if I want to view it now.

 

[Malcon10t]

If there were signs, someone would miss seeing them. If there were announcements, someone would be where they didn't hear them. If it was written in the entertainment guide, someone would have not gotten it. If it was on the website, someone wouldn't have gone there.

I haven't seen signs for Space Mountain and it has strobe effects. I believe Star Tours has strobe effects. Are there signs there? There are notes on the Disneyland web site that World of Color has strobe effects.

 

[oohykitten]

I personally worried about this with he parade and new fireworks. Contact Disney the disability guide does mention lights for this reason.

 

[mousehockey37]

I find the insensitivity by some in this thread appalling.

With the advancement of LED lights and strobes, they are brighter and stronger than ever before. It makes for a great show, but it can cause major problems. My girlfriend and I were at the Stars on Ice figure skating show this year. Normally in between skaters, they'll have filler stuff involving the skaters. Well, towards the beginning, the lights went out and the skaters came out wearing gloves that had LED's in the fingertips... No more than 5 minutes later, my girlfriend had a seizure. There was no warning given at the beginning of the show that "something" would be used, because if we would've known, she would've gone to the restroom or something and gotten away from it.

Disney needs to, at least, make an announcement about the possible dangers that exist. I believe in WDW, for Toy Story Midway Mania, they do have warnings up through the queue, I could be wrong, but something keeps telling me they did

Yes, there is a responsibility factor to parents and those that have issues to take preventative measures, but as others have said... Not everyone looks online to see the parades on youtube before they go, so how would they know?

If they can broadcast the warning in different languages about the lowering of the light levels, they can add a quick little disclaimer that the parade does indeed contain elements that may be hazardous to those with problems with flashing lights and such...

As of now, it sounds there is no message. Dependent on the person/family affected by this, it could get real ugly, real quick, and all Disney needs to do right now, is make a statement that the use of flashing lights may be hazardous to some... Just that little statement can quickly inform guests as well as save Disney a big legal headache later....

 

[Xenorye]

+1 on the appalled at some reactions list.

Hey, look, someone posted a legitimate concern/PSA that's just a bit more important than "omg the paint in the corner about 5/8 of the way through the ride is chipped Disneyland SUCKS!" We better brush them off.

:rolleyes

 

[Angrose]

Doesn't Disney have signage for some of the more intense rides to warn people who are pregnant or have heart conditions? What would be the difference then if they posted something along the parade route or made an announcement about strobe lights? I have recently been to a couple of concert halls that had signs warning people that the show would be using strobe lights. I think Disney could do the same.