Vision impairment

[Cobern]

Planning a trip with my mom for January. She has a visual impairment and only has limited vision (think shapes and super fuzzy) in one of her eyes. The other has been removed. My question is what rides have moving walkways? I think between my dad, me and my husband we can guide he through everything else but I am concerned about the moving walkways and trying to get her into the vehicle. Are they able to stop the walkways? Do we just tell the CM at the ride we need it stopped?

Sorry I have no clue about this because she adapts so well to normal life but this is something new for us

 

[bidnow5]

All but Peter Pan and the peoplemover can be slowed or stopped

 

[Disworldluv]

The TTA and Spaceship Earth have moving walkways.

 

[ttintagel]

Yes, just letting the CM at the ride boarding area is enough. Same goes for rides without moving walkways if she needs extra time getting in or out.

If sitting at the front at shows and movies helps her see as much as she can, make sure to tell them that at Guest Services when you get into the parks.

There are some really dark entryways where she'll probably need to be completely led, like at the Haunted Mansion, Buzz Lightyear's Astro Blasters, Pirates of the Caribbean, and the Seas with Nemo and Friends.

 

[Cobern]

Thank you everyone! I am just trying to help he though it. The more she knows in advance and can prepare for the better she is!

 

[lanejudy]

Check out the disAbilities FAQ sticky at the top of this forum. Post #28 is about moving walkways and stairs. As others have mentioned, anything except PeterPan or the TTA PeopleMover can be slowed or even stopped.

Enjoy your vacation!

 

[Tink575]

I have more vision than your mom but cannot see in dark areas. I need to be led by my dh in Pirates and the other rides mentioned by ttintagel. The Haunted Mansion is the worst because people push and shove going out of the stretching room. We try to hang back and get out at the end so I don't get shoved into people (especially kids). I find myself afraid I'll knock some poor child over. I have to take my cane this time so it will be a little harder.

 

[gismo1554]

I would also mention that some of the queue areas are fairly narrow and windy like Finding Nemo ride. I have issues with night blindness and so as others have mentioned some of the darker rides I have difficulties with but for a lot of these there is enough room for somone to aid me. However I found the queue system for Nemo in places was very narrow and I had to feel along the wall to get around rather than relying on my family. In October I'm heading back on my own and have requested a GAC to allow me to access some of these rides like this and Haunted Mansion via a different route (although I know its been hit and miss recently over the alternative entrance for Haunted Mansion so going to have to ask about this one). I am taking my stick but I have previously had other guest make comments in queue areas as they can not always tell I have any difficulties. In general I would always chat to the CMs at the entrance as they can give you some ideas about what to expect and if there is an alternative. Make sure aswell you head to Guest Services in the park and get a Guest Assistance Card or GAC as this can help as well to alert CM's to the difficulties.

 

[ttintagel]

However I found the queue system for Nemo in places was very narrow and I had to feel along the wall to get around rather than relying on my family.

Yeah, I felt kind of bad in that line; I had to go extremely slowly, and there really wasn't enough room to signal the people behind me to pass.

Luckily for me, I thought the ride was so unentertaining I don't plan on ever making the effort to get through the queue again!

 

[gismo1554]

Yeah, I felt kind of bad in that line; I had to go extremely slowly, and there really wasn't enough room to signal the people behind me to pass.

Luckily for me, I thought the ride was so unentertaining I don't plan on ever making the effort to get through the queue again!

True! You can get in to the aquarium bit via the exit doors anyway

 

[Cobern]

I would also mention that some of the queue areas are fairly narrow and windy like Finding Nemo ride. I have issues with night blindness and so as others have mentioned some of the darker rides I have difficulties with but for a lot of these there is enough room for somone to aid me. However I found the queue system for Nemo in places was very narrow and I had to feel along the wall to get around rather than relying on my family. In October I'm heading back on my own and have requested a GAC to allow me to access some of these rides like this and Haunted Mansion via a different route (although I know its been hit and miss recently over the alternative entrance for Haunted Mansion so going to have to ask about this one). I am taking my stick but I have previously had other guest make comments in queue areas as they can not always tell I have any difficulties. In general I would always chat to the CMs at the entrance as they can give you some ideas about what to expect and if there is an alternative. Make sure aswell you head to Guest Services in the park and get a Guest Assistance Card or GAC as this can help as well to alert CM's to the difficulties.

Is it going to hurt my mom not having a cane? She has never used one because she always has a family member with her to help her. She gets along pretty well, since she has had this condition since I was born (27 years) we have learned what works and have only had one incident that I can remember. Is it worth the hassle of getting a GAC?

 

[Gracie09]

Is it going to hurt my mom not having a cane? She has never used one because she always has a family member with her to help her. She gets along pretty well, since she has had this condition since I was born (27 years) we have learned what works and have only had one incident that I can remember. Is it worth the hassle of getting a GAC?

You can always try without and then if its not working get one later

 

[gismo1554]

Is it going to hurt my mom not having a cane? She has never used one because she always has a family member with her to help her. She gets along pretty well, since she has had this condition since I was born (27 years) we have learned what works and have only had one incident that I can remember. Is it worth the hassle of getting a GAC?

I don't think it will hurt. This will be my first trip with the cane so not sure how I will get on with it as I've never used it either but taking just in case. What I would say is I emailed Disney about the GAC and they phone and went through it with me so all I have to do is go and quote a reference at the park to pick it up. Should (fingers crossed) be fairly hassel free but can't tell you how well it will work until October when I go.

 

[Cobern]

I don't think it will hurt. This will be my first trip with the cane so not sure how I will get on with it as I've never used it either but taking just in case. What I would say is I emailed Disney about the GAC and they phone and went through it with me so all I have to do is go and quote a reference at the park to pick it up. Should (fingers crossed) be fairly hassel free but can't tell you how well it will work until October when I go.

Oh yes please let me know how that goes! We are going in January so that should give us plenty of time to work everything out.

Hope you have magical trip!

 

[gismo1554]

Oh yes please let me know how that goes! We are going in January so that should give us plenty of time to work everything out.

Hope you have magical trip!

Thanks. I'll give you the scoop once I'm back in November

 

[gismo1554]

OK well back from my trip. I would say that the new GAC card is really not useful for visual impairments. I picked mine up on the first day and its just really a fastpass system to avoid queing. I didn't use it in the end but on the Nemo ride in EPCOT & Haunted Mansion I simply asked the CM if there was an alternative entrance. In Nemo they had no issue and walked me around without needing the card or actually my cane as I didn't end up using it during the day (night blind so didn't see the need). In Haunted Mansion they gave me a yellow card and then sent me on a magical mystery tour through dark corridors which wasn't really useful as it was still too dark for me to see but did mean I didn't need to deal with then bottleneck effect after the stretching room. I think the best option is to ask! I used my cane once and it was only the one night because I personally felt a bit awkward because it was so dark. After using it I actually thought "you're being silly and don't need this" so I don't think your mum will have any issues at all without one! I even managed to do Mickey's Very Merry Christmas party without the cane by just being careful and taking my time. I think she'll be fine!

 

[Cobern]

OK well back from my trip. I would say that the new GAC card is really not useful for visual impairments. I picked mine up on the first day and its just really a fastpass system to avoid queing. I didn't use it in the end but on the Nemo ride in EPCOT & Haunted Mansion I simply asked the CM if there was an alternative entrance. In Nemo they had no issue and walked me around without needing the card or actually my cane as I didn't end up using it during the day (night blind so didn't see the need). In Haunted Mansion they gave me a yellow card and then sent me on a magical mystery tour through dark corridors which wasn't really useful as it was still too dark for me to see but did mean I didn't need to deal with then bottleneck effect after the stretching room. I think the best option is to ask! I used my cane once and it was only the one night because I personally felt a bit awkward because it was so dark. After using it I actually thought "you're being silly and don't need this" so I don't think your mum will have any issues at all without one! I even managed to do Mickey's Very Merry Christmas party without the cane by just being careful and taking my time. I think she'll be fine!

So funny I was just thinking of asking you about your experience today!

How did it work for shows? The closer my mom sits the better she can see things.

When you got the new GAC card did it last for your entire stay or did you have to go to guest services everyday?

Mom doesn't use a cane (she has never felt the need to) so I am sure she will need something to show that yes she does have a visual ailment. Do you think she needs anything from a doctor?

 

[gismo1554]

So funny I was just thinking of asking you about your experience today!

How did it work for shows? The closer my mom sits the better she can see things.

When you got the new GAC card did it last for your entire stay or did you have to go to guest services everyday?

Mom doesn't use a cane (she has never felt the need to) so I am sure she will need something to show that yes she does have a visual ailment. Do you think she needs anything from a doctor?

Hi

Didn't try it with the shows to be honest as managed to get near the front for all of them anyway. The GAC lasts for your entire stay (you get a photo taken on the first day and a like passport type card printed out). You don't need a doctors note or a cane or anything. Disney aren't allowed to ask for anything in writing which is why the old system was easily abused. Just explain what the issue is and most cast members are more than happy to help. I am sure some of them probably do think "there's nothing wrong with her" but hey there is its just not visible lol! I found being open definately helped but you don't need to take any proof just explain it and they will sort the card for your mum.