SGT on Pirates

[February]

I'm sorry Sooz, I didn't mean to make you sad! Don't give up and don't worry too much about what may happen in the future. . . No one can really predict our futures, especially us 'medical miracles'. . .er. ..puzzles.

I tried to reply more indepth to this and also tried to PM you but the board keeps telling me I'm not signed in. So I don't know if this will go through either. But I'll try to respond in more detail when the board is being nicer to me.

In the meantime, hang in there and remember a day in the parks in a chair is better than a day on your feet anywhere else, IMO anyway. . .

big hugs
MCP

[mechurchlady]

Copilot they do it because it is cute. I am on a chat room and every time them damned flashing avatars came on I was puking and blinding headaches.

it is cute.

Time for a group hug and I wish I was rich so I could hug you ladies in person.,

[Big Wallaby]

I speak from the point of not having any neurological problems (now) that flashing lights affect. However, at the same time I don't understand having those lights and stuff at Illuminations, Wishes, and most of the rest of the night time venues, either, except that I know they are very lucrative. The only venue where I like having those, because they don't really mess up your vision for the show is F! There, when the lights go down and there are so many people with those things going that you look out over the crowd and all you see is the flashing lights, it looks really cool. But then, Mickey comes out on stage and everyone pulls out their flash cameras to try to take a picture from between 200 and 500 feet away. Sad part is, the flash reaches the stage and does, to some degree, mess up the neat lighting effects.

However, at the same time as I think the flashing lights across the ampitheatre look really cool, I hate the thought that someone like you (MCP) would have trouble enjoying the show because they have them there. Again, I understand that it's a bit of job security for me that they sell those, but at what cost to the enjoyment of a large-enough-to-make-a-difference segment of our guest population?

Man, I wish I had a video of the lighting design I did for a few different shows I worked on. You'd be amazed at the lighting effects I did with just 15 or so robotic lights. I love to imagine what I could do if I had Disney's lighting budget...

[Princess Susi]

I agree, F! is about the ONLY nighttime show you could get away with that, except if you were in the proximity of someone who could NOT take those lights. I did not know about the neuro effects of those lights, I am now edumacated and will NEVER use them at another night show except F! at WDW and only if I ask if it bothers anyone around me.

Cute story, We went to F! at WDW and sat near a family, two kids and mom and dad. I saw the flashing toy cart come up and went down and bought a flashing necklace for hubby and I and each of the family members because we had been talking with them and sharing vacation stories and the kids were extremely well behaved. I just thought it would be fun for all 6 of us to be flashing! They were on a budget and we could afford it and you can bet it made their night! I even got a hug from the little girl, the boy of course was not about to hug me, ;) but he did say, thank you! The parents were so overwhelmed, they really could not afford those little extra doodads that kids love so much, and it was fun to make someones night!! I like spending our money that way. :D: Ralphie is a little more conservative, but I am a free spirit who loves to make smiles and he lets me cause my being happy makes him happy! :D: We are blessed with enough money to do that and it is a blast to watch the smiles! I am going to keep doing it too! Are there any bus driving marsupials that would like a Porsche! LOL! No Porsche....but I would buy you a flashing necklace at F! I would make a great member of the Dream Squad! That is right up my alley!
We were in the front row center of the amphitheatre! I did not think about eye neuro problems, but you can be sure I will now. That is an interesting fact. I love shiny things and lights that flash so I love those silly toys. I will be careful in the future at night time shows!
Thanks for letting us know that these things can affect some people! The simplest little thing like a flashing toy could just ruin a whole show or night at the Parks for one person and that is one person too many!
soooooozzzzzzie Queen Wannabe, that's me!

[Big Wallaby]

[quote="susislicker"]They were on a budget and we could afford it and you can bet it made their night! I even got a hug from the little girl, the boy of course was not about to hug me, ]If I had the money to do that, that is certainly the kind of spender I would be...constantly buying moments of happiness for those around me... of course, I've been known to do it a couple times... like the lady on ToT who, seeing it was her birthday, I had her pose in a picture with me and bought a copy for her. No ideas, please, she was not my type or age group, but it was so much fun finding out that this was her last day, and a bunch of other stuff had happened like that and mine was the crowning moment. I live for those little freebies that they give us to give guests... they are so simple but they create a neat moment... of course, there are some things I generally don't give out becaue they don't have any meaning, but there's plenty of other stuff that I can give out, my favorite being the pirate bandanas.

If I win the lottery, a happening of which the chances are very low since I don't even play... ever... I am pretty sure that I will blow a whole lot of it on kids at Disney World.

[February]

Wow, it's really touching to me that you all made such a note of the fact that flashing lights can effect us neuro-impaired people! I have tears in my eyes thinking that it will occur to you on future occasions. Honestly, I don't want to ruin people's fun by taking away their flashie goodies. It's just that during the shows, isn't the show supposed to be the attraction anyway? I don't understand why a kid would rather watch their necklace flash than the Illuminations show which is so incredible.

I worry too about some folks who have seizures if exposed to flashing lights. That doesn't happen to me fortunately but it can happen.

Perhaps a 'no flashie thing' rule in the handicapped viewing areas would be the best solution???That way if someone knew they were sensitive to them, as in if they had seizure disorder or , as in my case, post-stroke disabilities (I had my stroke at 29- I'm mid-30's now) they could watch the show there without fear of being FLashie-thinged a-la Men in Black.

"You're going to move in with your mama for awhile, and you're going to be fine. And hire a decorator, cause, damn." ~J in Men in Black

[Princess Susi]

A stroke at 29? You have been through a LOT! I cannot even imagine....my mom had one in her 60's, a mild one, but at 29? Man...How were you affected by it, if you do not mind my asking. My mom had a lot of difficulty and weakness on the left side, but was able to rehab through it, because it was not severe. I would imagine that flashing lights are a pain in the ass and even a health hazard!
sooze

[bpgstudios]

...
We were watching illuminations at the handicapped viewing area near Canada (we had the BEST Cm there working security, we went back to visit with him the second night we saw the show too and we left a note about him with guest services before we left the park he was so great) and he was really good about asking people to sit down who were with wheelchair groups.

Now here's a great SGT for you.

You know that you have bad knees. So when the security person tells you that you have to sit down once the show starts, you ignore him. Until the show actually starts and he says to you, "I'm sorry, you have to sit down you're obstructing the view of everyone behind you' and then the guest says angrily "But I can't sit down, I have bad knees!" like this is the first time they've heard it!!!! ARRRRRRRRRRRRRRRG!!!
...

The whole stand up/sit down sections is (IMO) the most difficult part of working any parade shift. In the hub we have the two gazebos which are standing areas/used for guests in wheelchairs. We have walkways that pass in front of each gazebo, and in front of the walkways are sitting areas. No matter how many times you tell people in the sitting areas that when the lights go out they need to be seated, you get those few that will acknowledge you and say OK, but once those lights are out good luck getting them to sit. It is a challenge and can try the patience of any CM. Kudos to that CM that was able to get everyone seated

[Goofyernmost]

Wow, it's really touching to me that you all made such a note of the fact that flashing lights can effect us neuro-impaired people! I have tears in my eyes thinking that it will occur to you on future occasions. Honestly, I don't want to ruin people's fun by taking away their flashie goodies. It's just that during the shows, isn't the show supposed to be the attraction anyway? I don't understand why a kid would rather watch their necklace flash than the Illuminations show which is so incredible.

I worry too about some folks who have seizures if exposed to flashing lights. That doesn't happen to me fortunately but it can happen.

Perhaps a 'no flashie thing' rule in the handicapped viewing areas would be the best solution???That way if someone knew they were sensitive to them, as in if they had seizure disorder or , as in my case, post-stroke disabilities (I had my stroke at 29- I'm mid-30's now) they could watch the show there without fear of being FLashie-thinged a-la Men in Black.

"You're going to move in with your mama for awhile, and you're going to be fine. And hire a decorator, cause, damn." ~J in Men in Black

I am not trying to be a smart ass here but I seriously don't understand how a flashing low powered lighted necklace can cause a seizure or a migraine but the bright flashes of Illuminations or Wishes or Fantasmic do not cause one. Is there an explanation for that? I just don't know. Could someone explain it (in simple terms) please?

[GaTechGal]

I am not trying to be a smart ass here but I seriously don't understand how a flashing low powered lighted necklace can cause a seizure or a migraine but the bright flashes of Illuminations or Wishes or Fantasmic do not cause one. Is there an explanation for that? I just don't know. Could someone explain it (in simple terms) please?

Ya'll check me if I'm wrong, but I think it has to do with light intensity and flashing speed. Proximity might have something to do with it too. Since the fireworks are SOO far away from you the intensity isn't as bright as a flashlight 5 feet away. Also they don't repeatedly flash over and over several times a second. With fireworks, it's a big flash, but it lasts for several seconds. Same thing for the lasers at F! They are further away, and being projected onto something else so the intensity is less.