Water parks and glasses

[hauntedcity]

I've always wanted to try out Blizzard Beach or Typhoon Lagoon, but I'm as blind as a... um... blind person... without my glasses. Can people wear glasses on the water slides? If not, would I be allowed to hold them in a case?

Thanks,

Doug

 

[SyracuseWolvrine]

Most water parks I've been to, you're allowed to wear glasses on the slides.

That being said, I haven't been to BB or TL, and I don't wear glasses.

I'd also recommend that if you wear your glasses on the slides that you have a secure strap on your glasses, otherwise you could (easily) end up looking for them at the bottom of the pool.

 

[Brian Noble]

I am also nearly blind w/o glasses. I wear them routinely on some fairly nasty roller coasters (including one that tops 120 mph and another that sends me upside down six times) with a good strap that keeps them firmly in place.

There are two places I will *not* wear them: white water raft rides (Kali and friends) and water slides. Water is a lot more forceful than air/gravity when you hit it (or it hits you) at high speeds.

 

[Melynny]

Don't wear glasses in the Big wave Pool at TL! I usually sit on the edge, where the waves break and People watch. Each time I am there, ( about 4 or 5 times each year) there is at least one Frantic person looking for their glasses, which were lost in the pool. talking to a life guard, it sounds like a pretty common thing. Most folks under estimate how much force is with those waves!

 

[CVW]

I just got back from Blizzard Beach. (It also happens that I'm an ophthalmologist.) I wear rigid gas permeable lenses, which have on occasion come out of my eyes while diving into a pool. Because of this, I always wear goggles when I'm diving or going down waterslides.

Last week, two different lifeguards refused to let me go down Summit Plummet with swim goggles on. They said no eyewear whatsoever. (Obviously, they didn't let us eye doctors in on the decision. Goggles would be safer, but that's another story.)

Interestingly, each time I was refused, the lifeguard at Slush Gusher let me on. Slush Gusher is right next to Summit, and nearly as forceful.

I would NOT recommend eyeglasses or sunglasses on any water ride without a very secure strap. Even with a strap, there are several slides which will rip them right off. Take them off, hold them tightly in your hand.

Or better yet, leave them at your beach chair and go without it. You should be fine for the duration of the ride. Something tells me you won't need a red-tipped cane.

(I always love it when patients tell me they're "blind without my glasses." I always want to say, "Yeah...and you're naked without your clothes on. Just leave your glasses on and your clothes on and you'll be fine." I never get to say it unless a patient knows my sense of humor well enough.)

 

[MissUssH]

My DH and I both wear eyeglasses every day all day. Going to WDW in November and was thinking same thing..........how will I see around the water parks without my glasses on ??? Everything will be blurry and fuzzy and YUK !
Do we leave our glasses in a locker ?? Carry them with us ?? I am thinking this is a real dilemma and a hassle.....
So I guess I'm not the only one thinking about this !!

 

[CVW]

If your husband's swimsuit has a pocket, tie the strap on your glasses (you DO have a strap don't you?) to the drawstring of his swimsuit, then put them in the pocket.

Better yet, just put them in a chair near the bottom of the ride and pick them up when you get off. Use a locker if that concerns you.

I ALWAYS carry a copy of my eyeglass prescription with me on vacation for this precise reason.

 

[Brian Noble]

I usually keep an "old pair" with me when I go to parks. That way, if disaster strikes, I have some hope of driving home.

 

[MissUssH]

No I do not have a Strap yet, but will get one !
Also, I do have an extra old pair with similar prescription, I'll definately pack those along for the trip also....
I'm sure Disney has had someone at sometime lose their eyeglasses all together.......Do they have a place where you can order emergency eyeglasses in case in I have a copy of my prescription ?? I wonder...
Thanks Again..

 

[goofy4tink]

I just double checked our TL pictures...I do have my glasses on in all of them! I do have a safety strap for them and have worn them down the 'lesser' slides. My dd, 11, has to wear swim goggles due to the high chlorine content in the pools. She has prescription goggles and good regular swim ones. She has never had a problem at any pool or water park. Now, don't try to use a swim mask tho. That's a huge no-no!!

 

[hauntedcity]

Thanks for all the thoughts, folks. Hopefully, we'll give one of the water parks a try this trip... assuming of course the weather is fine in December.

Doug