Tips for visually impaired/nightblindness?

[LILOLO]

Hi all, I didn't know where else to post this, hopefully I'm posting in the right spot!

I haven't been to WDW for 3 years, and will be going in December for a week. It will be DBF's first visit. I have always had vision problems, but within the last year they have become significantly worse. I'm not as worried during the day, with my glasses or contacts I can see, just not distance, and I'm unable to read anything that's not right in front of me. I have nightblindness, and extremely poor peripheral vision. My biggest concern is being blind in the dark, as DBF will be leading me around, and is totally unfamiliar with WDW. I've started getting anxiety at night, especially in crowds and when I'm not familiar with where I am (found this out during our last trip to vegas, I started panicking while walking the strip at night)

I was just wondering if anyone has any advice or tips from past experience? Thank you so much in advance!

 

[Schmeck]

Your DBF can become familiar with WDW property before your trip by going on Google Earth or Bing.com maps (which I prefer for birdseye views!). Do you have any maps from previous trips to look over now too?

 

[Twende]

We have this problem with my father who can not see well at night at all.

In certain attractions we use an alternate entrance to avoid very dark areas where he might have to walk, like in MK at the Haunted Mansion. We enter by the exit with him to access the Doom buggy. It is just safer for him.

Another possibly dark area turned out to be in the Universe of Energy In EPCOT. Unless you enter before pre-show and get seated, it can be very dark in there.

Also I find that he is better off in a wheel chair after fireworks in some parks because it is so dark and crowded. He walks fine but it is just too hard for him to see and maneuver around people.

I hope this helps a bit.

 

[Bete]

Of course, you can't flash it towards people that would be wrong.

If you can see close maybe you can look at the park maps and guide your navigator as you go. Using the flaslight would help, here. Your navigator should be able to tell where you are at each stop; so, you can know where to go next. The navigator could hold the flashlight for you to read the map. Get where you can see better if you need more light. Restaurants might be a good source of light.

Probably, the best idea is to gear yourself towards early entry to the parks and perhaps not doing too many nights at the parks. The two firework shows (MK or Epcot) at night wouldn't be too hard too accomplish and then enjoy a nice meal before the fireworks and call it quits and end you day this way.

 

[peemagg]

If you find yourself in the parks at closing, I would just sit down on a bench and wait for a while, while the crowds leave. Just take your time and stroll back to the gates without being in the crowd. There are always CM's around to ask assistance of to get back to the front if needed. Shoot, they might even give you an escort.

 

[LILOLO]

Thank you for the advice I didn't even think about getting on the dark rides, thank you for pointing that out. We plan on seeing fantasmic, so I know that will be a project, but other than that we can try to limit our time spent in the parks at night. It'll definitely be a new experience for me, as the last time I went was three years ago, and the problem was so slight then. Hopefully I'll come home with some more suggestions for anyone else who might have the same problem. Thanks all!