A very merry unbirthday to you, Rachel!
I'm so glad you followed the White Rabbit through Wonderland and found your way here to planDisney today. We're all mad for Disney here, and it seems like you must be too. Hooray!
While your epilepsy will affect the way you tour the theme parks on your upcoming vacation, it doesn’t mean you can’t have a truly magical trip. First and foremost, please consult your doctor for guidance on any restrictions you have as a result of your condition. Since many of the shows, nighttime spectaculars, and attractions utilize specialty lighting and other visual effects, it’s important to discuss how to navigate them safely to avoid triggering an episode. Once you have a detailed set of instructions from your doctor, I encourage you to contact
Disability Services at
(407) 560-2547 or by email at disability.services@disneyparks.com. They will be able to assist you further based on your specific needs, but please remember to follow your doctor’s guidance above all else.
As for avoiding attractions with dark places, I suggest using the interactive map feature in your
My Disney Experience mobile app. Choose “Attractions” from the drop-down menu at the top of the map, then click “Filter.” Select the theme park you will be visiting, then select “Dark” under the Thrill Factor section. Click “Apply” to see the attractions that could potentially pose a risk. You can select “Show List” in the top-right corner for a user-friendly list. Additionally, if you need to avoid the theme parks at nighttime, I encourage you to arrive in time for rope drop each morning (when the park officially opens) to have as much time to experience the magic as possible while it’s still light outside. If you will be staying at a Disney Resorts Collection hotel, you can also take advantage of
Early Theme Park Entry, which allows you to enter the parks 30 minutes prior to the official park opening time each day.
Rachel, I hope this information proves useful. If you find yourself curiouser and curiouser about all the exciting new offerings at Walt Disney World Resort, be sure to
follow planDisney on Instagram. Feel free to step back through the planDisney looking glass again if more questions pop up before your trip.
Keep painting the roses red,
Alyssa