Last year, my wife and I celebrated our 25th wedding anniversary with 3
days at Disneyland. We visited both parks, and downtown Disney. The
combination of Blind Square and Seeing Eye GPS served us well. We tried
using their guidance device on one day, but found it clunky to carry and
use, and results were often way off, plus we had to wait in line for
over 30 minutes just to return the device and get our money back. We
also found the staff and other visitors to be most helpful. Even though
we didn't always know where we were going, we never felt lost. I would
recommend visiting Disneyland to anyone.
Andy
From: gps-talkusers-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
[mailto:gps-talkusers-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of Michael May
Sent: Tuesday, December 15, 2015 9:48 AM
To: gps-talkusers@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: [EXTERNAL] [gps-talkusers] Its almost Magic. Traveling
independently at Disneyland
Two days at Disneyland and California Adventure is a huge navigation
challenge for everybody. I question why anyone pays a fortune to put
themselves through the chaos. I decided to just enjoy the challenge and
not to worry about long lines and the business of herding cats.
I have to admit that I debated whether or not to bring my BrailleNote PK
with GPS for the long day walking around Disneyland and it is just under
2 pounds. Fortunately, I opted to bring it, remembering all the points
marked by Jamie Adams Murdy and John Gassman some years ago. Trying to
use the iPhone with all the Foursquare points is very difficult in such
a loud jostling environment. Having a Braille display was very helpful.
Off we went from the hotel to Disneyland this past Saturday. We figured
out it was cheaper for the six of us, three blind adults and three kids,
to take an Uber XL rather than the hotel shuttle to the park. I made
sure when dropped off to note the POI so we could get back to it for
the return ride.
The main ticket booths were marked, about 900 feet away. Once we got in
the vicinity, there were lots of people as well as our kids to help find
the right line, first going through security, then the ticket purchase
lines and then the line into the park. Next we set the City Hall POI as
the destination in order to get the special audio device that gives
information about the rides when you are in their vicinity. As it turned
out, you have to give a $25 deposit which you get when you return the
device but we were not about to wait another 20 minutes in line just to
return the device after a long day. Would be nice if they had a drop
box.
As our group decided which rides to go on, I would do a POI search on
the name and set it as our destination. We used the Getting Warmer
method to find the location. Things like restrooms and restaurants were
also marked.
Over the course of 2 days in both parks, I updated the categories of
many points and added a few rides that didn't exist when Jamie and John
last recorded these points. Make sure to download the latest USA user
points should you want to go to Disneyland or if you just want to
explore it virtually.
Between the airport, the hotel and the parks, we took 6 Uber rides. The
Uber XL vehicles were mostly vans so they fit the 6 of us, plus my dog
and our luggage.
The payoff for me was riding California Screaming, which I did 3 times.
I was tempted to turn on the PK to get a Replay file of the ride. I hear
it goes up to 60 miles per hour. It does go upside down twice.
Probably the most enjoyment I got out of the weekend was being able to
help navigate our group and not to just tag along and let the sighted
folks do all the navigating. As we like saying, "it is better to travel
hopefully than to arrive."
Mike
Michael May, CEO
Sendero Group, Davis California
Developers of accessible GPS
Sendero Phone: 888-757-6810, extension 101
Home Office: 530-757-6900
Email: MikeMay@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Sendero web: http://www.senderogroup.com
General GPS web: http://www.AccessibleGPS.com
Mike May Personal: http://www.CrashingThrough.com