WDW w/visual impairment?

[grad_dis_nut]

Hi Everyone,

I just checked out this board--what a great resource to know about. If you wouldn't mind, I would appreciate any advice/experiences you might have regarding "seeing" WDW with a visually impaired person? My family is planning a visit to WDW next Christmas and my father-in-law (who has NEVER been there) just recently lost most of his eyesight. From what I can understand, he is "legally blind" but can make out shapes and shadows. Is there anything I, or Disney, can do to help him out? I read about the cassettes, but that's all I've seen.

I would truly appreciate any thoughts you might have. I love WDW so much and want my FIL to have a wonderful time too!!!

Thanks!

 

[teri]

If you take a look at the disABILITIES FAQ, there is a link in there to information for guests with visual impairments that would be of interest to you. Also, look at the section about the GAC.

Just click on the link in my signature, below.

He can get Front/Center seating at shows, for example, and I am sure there are other accomodations.

 

[SueM in MN]

teri's FAQs should answer a lot of your questions, but feel free to ask as many questions as you can think of. And hopefully, some of our visaully impaired DISers will jump in too.

 

[grad_dis_nut]

Thanks, Teri and SueM. I didn't know about the Front/Center thing. That would probably be helpful for him. I guess the dark rides are probably going to be tough as far as seeing things, but I know he'll get a kick out of Main St. USA, and probably much of World Showcase...

If anyone else has tips or suggestions, please let me know!!

Thanks again!

 

[SueM in MN]

There's one show that's almost totally in the dark, so he wouldn't miss much. It's in MGM and is called "Sounds Dangerous". The premise of the show is that Drew Carey is the star of a new undercover reality detective show. He's put into a situation with a hidden camera and hidden microphone. He breaks the camera almost right awway and the rest of the show is in the dark - just sounds.
Some of the darker rides, like Spaceship Earth are slow and turn your ride car so that it is facing the scene you are supposed to be looking at. While the rest of the area is fairly dark, the actual scenes are pretty well lit and you are close to them, so he may enjoy those rides.
Others, like Snow White, are fairly dark and your car is moving thru pretty quickly. A lot of the rides also use black (ultraviolet) light for effects. I don't know if that type of light would be easier or harder for him to see with.

For the shows, make sure the CM knows that you want to get to the front and don't just assume that you should be with wheelchair users. We've seen visually impaired people insisting to the CM that they need to stay with the wheelchair parties. In many shows, wheelchair users sit at the back of the theater, so that would not be helpful at all.

If you go to the American Adventure show at WS, look at the schedule to see when the Voices of Liberty will be singing. That's a live group that sings traditional American songs in the rotunda of the show building before the show. They are really good. To get into the theater for that show, you have to go up stairs or an escalator. Ask a CM if he can use the elevator instead - much easier to get up without having to worry about a couple of thousand people ahead and behind you on unfamiliar stairs.

 

[grad_dis_nut]

Just wanted to say thanks again for your ideas! You've not only had some excellent ideas, but have started me thinking about all the different things I need to consider. It's actually pretty interesting to think about how much I take my vision for granted (when at WDW and in general). Fortunately, WDW has sooooo many different smells, sounds, etc. that I think my FIL will truly enjoy his experience. Plus, he has a daughter in law who's a Disney fanatic and can help him get the lay of the land! I think it will be a wonderful experience to "see" Disney through his eyes. I have been trying to think of the different attractions and which ones will be particularly enjoyable for him--so thank you for your help! I haven't been to the new MGM show, but you're right--it sounds perfect! I was also thinking CoP (if it's open ) would be fun for him--most of the story is in the script. It's a Small World is also sort of bright inside, and moves slowly, so that might give him time to try to take it all in.

Thanks again!

 

[SueM in MN]

We're happy to help.
COP would be really good if it's open. Sitting front and center puts you very close to the stage. Plus they use lighting and movement to direct your attention, and, as you said, the story is in the script.

If he wants something scary, Alien Encounter would be good. It also takes place mostly in the dark, so he won't miss that much. And even though he won't be able to see the movies, he might get a kick out of Honey, I Shrunk the Audience and It's Tough to be a Bug. They have some surprises that come in the form of smells, blasts of air and things that pop out or tickle you.

 

[DoeWDW]

I am also visually impaired. Without glasses, I am legally blind and with glasses my best eye is in the 20/70 - 20/80 range. I have a daylight only driver's license (scary thought, huh??) and only drive on local roads that I know very well. I have always been concerned about traveling, because I can't see a lot of what other people take for granted. Sometimes, just finding the restroom is confusing, even when other people consider it well-marked!

If you have any specific questions I'd be happy to answer them.

The CMs are VERY helpful, especially if I tell them I'm visually impaired and need any type of special help. The transportation system is wonderful and it allows me so much more freedom since I can't drive at WDW.

Shows are usually visually stimulating, even with limited vision. Often, even when I can't see a specific performer, there are lighting changes and music that make the show enjoyable. The nighttime shows stand out in my mind. The fireworks in MK and Illuminations at Epcot are great. The night parade at the MK, especially with a curb-side seat, is wonderful since everything is dark except for the bright lights of the floats - truly magical!

I'm sure your FIL will have a wonderful time. Please watch out for the dark areas. For example, I still have to remind my husband to take my hand at certain times, like when walking out of a park at night especially when it's crowded and I'd never find my family if we're separated. Also I need to be guided when we get off the busses at night and are walking to our room at a resort, when inside the Haunted Mansion preshow, through the lines at Pirates of the Caribbean, through the Space Mountain queue, through the Star Tours queue - anywhere that tends to be dark. I'm sure there are more but these come to mind most quickly.

Best of luck and let me know if I can help further!

 

[PrincessPoppy]

My father is nearly completely blind; he can only see light and dark and some bright colors. He absolutely LOVED Illuminations at Epcot. We were there for a week in January and he watched it almost every night.

 

[ducklite]

In 1998 I visited with a friend who has glaucoma and is legally blind. He uses a service dog to assist him in getting around.

You can visit guest services in each park for a park guide in braille that they will loan you.

The CM's coulnd't have been any kinder and more understanding for the most part.

We had one problem, at Peter Pan's flight. They didn't want to let the dog ride, and refused to hold her either. Finally my friend demanded that the dog be allowed to ride. There wa absolutely no reason that the dog should have been questioned--for taht ride.

At Alien Encounters, the dog wasn't allowed in. That was not a problem. The CM's had my friend walk assisted by the dog to his seat. Then the CM took the dog out of the room until the show was over. We were instructed to wait and they would bring the dog back. They were back witht he dog almost immediately (we were suprised how fast they were) and said the dog had been well behaved and had enjoyed the skritches!

Every where else the dog was welcomed. She really wanted to get on stage and play with the goat during the Hunchback Show.

At all of the shows we told the CM's that we needed a front row seat in order for my friend to see anything. At Little Mermaid disabled seating is in the back, but they were more than happy to allow us to "pre-board" and sit in the very front row.

They were very, very accomodating.

Anne

 

[SueM in MN]

WDW does have a list of rides/attractions where service animals are not allowed. Peter Pan is one of them. Here's the list of rides for MK:
Big Thunder Mountain Railroad
Splash Mountain
Dumbo the Flying Elephant
Mad Tea Party
Peter Pan's Flight
The Barnstormer at Goofy's Wiseacres Farm
Astro Orbiter
Space Mountain

I think Peter Pan is included on the "NO" list because your ride car is actually suspended in the air for most of the ride. You ride about 10 feet above the scenes of London and Neverland. If the dog became scared by the unfamiliar feeling of being up in the air in a boat with a fairly low front, he might try to jump out and get hurt.

I don't know if this link will work . It's for the MK Service Animal page from the official Disney siteIf the first page doesn't work, this link will. It will take you to the main page and from there, you can go to the individual pages of the Guidebook for Disabilities for each park. According to the Guidebook for Guests with Disabilities, there is a $25 refundable deposit for borrowing the braille guides.

 

[ducklite]

Originally posted by SueM in MN
WDW does have a list of rides/attractions where service animals are not allowed. Peter Pan is one of them. Here's the list of rides for MK:
Big Thunder Mountain Railroad
Splash Mountain
Dumbo the Flying Elephant
Mad Tea Party
Peter Pan's Flight
The Barnstormer at Goofy's Wiseacres Farm
Astro Orbiter
Space Mountain

I think Peter Pan is included on the "NO" list because your ride car is actually suspended in the air for most of the ride. You ride about 10 feet above the scenes of London and Neverland. If the dog became scared by the unfamiliar feeling of being up in the air in a boat with a fairly low front, he might try to jump out and get hurt.

I don't know if this link will work . It's for the MK Service Animal page from the official Disney siteIf the first page doesn't work, this link will. It will take you to the main page and from there, you can go to the individual pages of the Guidebook for Disabilities for each park. According to the Guidebook for Guests with Disabilities, there is a $25 refundable deposit for borrowing the braille guides.

Thanks. If the CM had only taken the time to explain this, but he was just very rude about it. We didn't ride any of the other rides on the list. She had no probalem with being up in the air, she actually just laid down on the floor for the entire ride like she would if she were on any other attraction.

It was funny, at the restaurants they always wanted to feed the dog. At Mama Melroses she got "dry" pasta, at 50's Prime Time she ate turkey, at Yachtsmans Steakhouse...well, she ate really, really well No charge ever for her food, either. (Of course those were just treats and she had her dry kibble each day.)

Anne

 

[SueM in MN]

You're welcome, Anne.
I think sometimes the CMs forget that everyone doesn't know things that they know and then they don't explain. The smae thing happens in the hospital.
Other people have posted that their helper dogs got fed (and better than the people) in most of the restaurants. I'm sure if the dogs could talk, they would be asking to go back to WDW just for the treats.

 

[grad_dis_nut]

I have been away from the boards for awhile (trying to plan a wedding and write a dissertation) but I enjoyed reading all your comments. It's pretty interesting to think about Disney World from this perspective. I just take for granted that I can see it all. FIL is excited to go and I think we'll have a great time. Thanks for the tips about watching for dark places and steps. I guess the theming in a lot of the ques is quite dark, now that I think about it.

Thanks again! I may post here again before we go when I'm sure I'll have lots more questions!!!

 

[SueM in MN]

Good luck on your wedding planning and your dissertation. Sounds like you have a lot going on!

I'm sure you'll do great at WDW. You've done a lot of preparation.