should i call and let them know i'm visually impaired?

[disney world dreamer]

i just booked my first solo disney world vacation and i'm visually impaired.

the thought never crossed my mind to let them know when i booked that i'm visually impaired.

i guess i just didn't think about it cuz i don't think there's much that they would do for me and if i need help once i get there i will certainly ask for it.

then my dad asked if i had mentioned it when booking and when i said i didn't he thinks i should call back to let them know.

should i?
is it gonna make a difference?
what would they do differently for me?

BTW some background about me
i'm 28 and have been visually impaired since birth.
i am not totally blind. i am blind in my left eye and have poor vision in my right eye with limited vision in dim/dark situations.
i don't use braille.
i don't usually use my cane but i will bring it.
i'll also be bringing my monocular and small handheld magnifier.
i can easily use my phone to look up menus and park maps.
i am going to get a DAS but doubt i will be using it much as my needs are not accommodated with it.

 

[Allison]

Why not just do it? It can't hurt anything and if it helps, then great.

 

[lanejudy]

Welcome to disABILITIES!

It wouldn't hurt to have it noted on your reservation, but I will add that simply calling to say "please note that I am visually impaired" likely will have little value in and of itself. Think about what you (or your dad) would like this note to accomplish -- is it room location (close to the lobby? near elevator? straight line by outdoor pathway with minimal twists/turns?) or some other accommodation? Otherwise, it's not much more than a note. I'd think about what you'd like that note to accomplish and then phrase it specifically as due to your needs.

I will say it sounds like you are familiar with WDW, familiar with traveling, and aware of your own strengths and needs. You sound prepared.

Enjoy your vacation!

 

[OurBigTrip]

i just booked my first solo disney world vacation and i'm visually impaired.

the thought never crossed my mind to let them know when i booked that i'm visually impaired.

i guess i just didn't think about it cuz i don't think there's much that they would do for me and if i need help once i get there i will certainly ask for it.

then my dad asked if i had mentioned it when booking and when i said i didn't he thinks i should call back to let them know.

should i?
is it gonna make a difference?
what would they do differently for me?

BTW some background about me
i'm 28 and have been visually impaired since birth.
i am not totally blind. i am blind in my left eye and have poor vision in my right eye with limited vision in dim/dark situations.
i don't use braille.
i don't usually use my cane but i will bring it.
i'll also be bringing my monocular and small handheld magnifier.
i can easily use my phone to look up menus and park maps.
i am going to get a DAS but doubt i will be using it much as my needs are not accommodated with it.

First, congrats on your first solo trip - I would call and have them make a note, just so that it's there.

But I do wonder why you're going to try to get a DAS if it doesn't accommodate your needs. If you can't articulate your needs as they relate to waiting outside of the line, it's unlikely that a DAS will be issued to you.

 

[SueM in MN]

I agree with lanejudy.
Just noting it is not going to clue them in to do anything with the information.
So, I agree - think of what might be helpful to you and make that the information you share along with the information about being visually impaired

 

[disney world dreamer]

First, congrats on your first solo trip - I would call and have them make a note, just so that it's there.

But I do wonder why you're going to try to get a DAS if it doesn't accommodate your needs. If you can't articulate your needs as they relate to waiting outside of the line, it's unlikely that a DAS will be issued to you.

i'm getting DAS because i've been encouraged to do so by other DISers as well as someone from guest services at disney world.

i find it unlikely that i will use it since my problem is dark and winding ques and they no longer let you go through the exit apparently where its well lit and open.
and i've never had a problem walking up to a CM at shows and requesting a front row seat so that i can see better.

i guess i will just let them know my needs of a less dark and winding que and needing to sit in the front row and see whether they accommodate me or not.

the person from guest services did put it in writing and in a phone message that i'm allowed to use a small flashlight during ques that are too dark for me so if the DAS will not give me any accommodation then at least i have a flashlight to fall back on.

 

[disney world dreamer]

Welcome to disABILITIES!

It wouldn't hurt to have it noted on your reservation, but I will add that simply calling to say "please note that I am visually impaired" likely will have little value in and of itself. Think about what you (or your dad) would like this note to accomplish -- is it room location (close to the lobby? near elevator? straight line by outdoor pathway with minimal twists/turns?) or some other accommodation? Otherwise, it's not much more than a note. I'd think about what you'd like that note to accomplish and then phrase it specifically as due to your needs.

I will say it sounds like you are familiar with WDW, familiar with traveling, and aware of your own strengths and needs. You sound prepared.

Enjoy your vacation!

i did already request the 50's section but did not let the person know that its because i find it to be the best lighting and least amount of winding paths.

i only booked a standard room so idk if they would accommodate me with a room close to the main building in the 50's section since those are usually preferred rooms?

should i specifically call and let them know why i want the 50's and then when i do online check in pick 50's as my first priority and close to transportation as my second priority and ground floor as my third?

do you think that if i call and explain why i want the 50's near transportation they will be more likely to accommodate me?

 

[aaarcher86]

i did already request the 50's section but did not let the person know that its because i find it to be the best lighting and least amount of winding paths. i only booked a standard room so idk if they would accommodate me with a room close to the main building in the 50's section since those are usually preferred rooms? should i specifically call and let them know why i want the 50's and then when i do online check in pick 50's as my first priority and close to transportation as my second priority and ground floor as my third? do you think that if i call and explain why i want the 50's near transportation they will be more likely to accommodate me?

I don't think they'd bump you to a preferred room but I think 50s has standards too that they may put you in.

No guarantees obviously.

 

[Schmeck]

The 50's buildings are not close to transportation at all - the bus stops are down at the other end of the main hall. Try looking at the 70's building nearest main hall, or the 80's building on that side? We've stayed in the 80's building 3 times, and it is super close to walk to the bus stops, and well lit as there is a parking lot right there.

 

[awfullybigadventure]

i did already request the 50's section but did not let the person know that its because i find it to be the best lighting and least amount of winding paths.

i only booked a standard room so idk if they would accommodate me with a room close to the main building in the 50's section since those are usually preferred rooms?

should i specifically call and let them know why i want the 50's and then when i do online check in pick 50's as my first priority and close to transportation as my second priority and ground floor as my third?

do you think that if i call and explain why i want the 50's near transportation they will be more likely to accommodate me?

When we (husband has RP and is legally blind) went to DW a couple of years ago I did let them know upon booking that we would like to request a room as close to the main building as possible, ground floor (stairs are very hard for him), corner room (more windows for more light) and told them why I was making the request. I don't know if it helped or not, but we did get what was requested and it was a very big help. Also, about your cane...my husband didn't use his much before the trip because he generally was comfortable as long as I was guiding him, but I made sure he brought it with him anyway. It was a huge help for him and he has used it ever since. I think more than anything, it alerted other guests to the fact that he was visually impaired and people were much more patient than we usually find. No rude comments if we were moving more slowly than some people would like, less getting cut off, those kinds of things. Just something for you to think about. Have a fantastic trip!!!

 

[disney world dreamer]

The 50's buildings are not close to transportation at all - the bus stops are down at the other end of the main hall. Try looking at the 70's building nearest main hall, or the 80's building on that side? We've stayed in the 80's building 3 times, and it is super close to walk to the bus stops, and well lit as there is a parking lot right there.

i've stayed in every section of pop century ahnd the 50's is what i feel most comfortable in.
perhaps its not the closest to trnasportation but its the easiest for me to get to the transportation without having to go up and down stairs in the 60's section or walk through slightly darker and more winding pathways in the 70's and 80's.
and if i got put in the 90's i'd probably walk through the parking lot vs trying to get through the other decades.

if i specify that the 50's is the best for my visual impairment do you think they will be more likely to accomodate me by putting me in the 50's?

 

[disney world dreamer]

Also, about your cane...my husband didn't use his much before the trip because he generally was comfortable as long as I was guiding him, but I made sure he brought it with him anyway. It was a huge help for him and he has used it ever since. I think more than anything, it alerted other guests to the fact that he was visually impaired and people were much more patient than we usually find. No rude comments if we were moving more slowly than some people would like, less getting cut off, those kinds of things. Just something for you to think about. Have a fantastic trip!!!

yeah i figured that the cane will help more in the way that others will recognize that i'm visually impaired so they will be less rude.

 

[SueM in MN]

I don't think they'd bump you to a preferred room but I think 50s has standards too that they may put you in.

No guarantees obviously.

It is true that disability will not bump someone into a different category.
I don't know if any buildings in the 50s are in the standard category.

yeah i figured that the cane will help more in the way that others will recognize that i'm visually impaired so they will be less rude.

I agree. Without a cane, most other guests would have no idea that you have a visual disability.
The cane will give a cue to others who observe it.

 

[disney world dreamer]

I don't know if any buildings in the 50s are in the standard category.

50's does have standard rooms.
i know cuz i've stayed in standard rooms in the 50's section before.
really as long as i'm in the 50's in in my comfort zone to get around so if i just specify that my visual impairment is why i want to be ANYWHERE in the 50's section do you think they will be more likely to put me there vs another section?

 

[aaarcher86]

50's does have standard rooms. i know cuz i've stayed in standard rooms in the 50's section before. really as long as i'm in the 50's in in my comfort zone to get around so if i just specify that my visual impairment is why i want to be ANYWHERE in the 50's section do you think they will be more likely to put me there vs another section?

You may get a higher priority than someone non disabled, but there is no way to know. I think they try to accommodate requests as best they can regardless.

 

[spacecanada]

Just thought about your situation and accommodations. If you need to sit up close to see shows and/or would like descriptive audio (when available), you can request these at Guest Services.

https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/guest-services/visual-disability-services/

 

[ttintagel]

Hi! Also visually impaired but not blind. I really liked the 1950's section at POP. While it may not be the absolute closest to the bus stops, it's pretty close, and the plus is that it seems to be generally less hectic and crowded, which meant less worry about people running into my poor peripheral vision. And the path to everything I needed, while not completely straight, was direct and uncomplicated enough for me.

I would absolutely bring the cane. While I've never used one, and none of the agencies in my area have a policy that they won't train you one one until you're legally blind, I plan on bringing AT LEAST an ID cane with me next time.

While I'm far from needing one in my everyday life, and I could probably navigate the changing light levels, ground textures and levels, and even steps at WDW without one if if other people weren't involved, the crowds on even light days would make it a good idea. You often don't get the time you need to look around you, or stop and let your eyes acclimate, because the sea of humanity is pushing you along. Also, people constantly dart out of nowhere into my blind spot! (I'm also considering putting glow-in-the-dark paint on the cane.)

Also, although it shouldn't be this way, both other guests and CM's will be more understanding and accommodating of any behavior outside the usual (such as hesitating at a doorway in case there's a step down), if they can see why you're doing it. (The cane makes your invisible disability visible to others.) I've had CM's refuse accommodations at times where I suspect there was that whole "You don't look disabled" cognitive bias going on.

I would also definitely request the DAS. There are certain queues it's just not safe for me to walk through (I'm looking at you, Finding Nemo), and if an alternate entrance or FP queue is available and safer, we should be able to use it.

Other than the Braille maps and audio descriptions of some rides (and DAS if they're willing to give it), there's not a lot WDW does for visual impairment.