Hello,
I want to share something with members of this list, because I feel
all of you just may have a real appreciation for something extremely
cool.
I've been a total Disney parks geek now for years. Yes I admit it,
because there is no shame in it. I believe that I may be the first
blind individual to have a 9 day park experience solo. Yep, I learned
the layout of all 4 Walt Disney World Resort parks independently. All
I can say so far is, wow was that awesome!
One thing I have followed now for quite some time is an announcement
that was made over a year ago that Disney planned to create
description for their rides and shows. This to me was a real dream
come true. However, I've seen efforts made before by Disney that
didn't go so well. If any of you have seen their attempt at a tactile
map, you'll quickly discover what I mean. I have a real concern that
most people wouldn't take the risk of visiting a Disney resort blind,
especially if the word out there is that the experience is heavily
visual. I can assure all of you, there is so much sound and smell and
general energy in the air that our lack of enjoyment for visuals isn't
heavily impacted. Even the fireworks are worth viewing because of the
amazing soundtracks.
When on this first ever solo vacation, I had a unique opportunity. I
had done my homework, and provided the right people the right
documentation on my past testing experiences. I even had written
permission for disclosure from other people I've tested for, so
everything was nice and legal (no NDAs violated). The people at Disney
also decided that they are close enough to a public release that they
are not placing me under an NDA, and that I may feel free to speak at
length about my experience with their new adaptive tech. We've got the
start of something big here.
Coming up soon, you will be able to enter the Guest Relations office
at Epcot and receive a special device. This device will provide
description at select attractions around Epcot's Future World and
WOrld Showcase. These descriptions are simply amazing, and will really
enhance your enjoyment of the park.
I recorded my entire trip in binaural audio. at 24 bit 48 KHz it
really takes up a bit of space. About 118 GB of space. So, I cannot
share the entire thing with all of you. However, I am considering
hosting a podcast focused entirely on how to travel the Walt Disney
World Resort as a blind guest. If anyone has interest in this, please
please let me know. I don't want to waste any effort if it doesn't
have any appeal.
Below is a link to my temporary audio archive. This archive is largely
public, and contains many little binaural audio experiences at WDW and
my local Six Flags Great America.
Oh, here is the best part, the thing you've all been waiting for.
There is something up there right now, under the Disney category that
I think all of you will really enjoy. I hope all of you like Figment.
If not, maybe you'll like him a bit more after you hear Journey Into
Imagination with Figment. This should give you an idea of the quality
to expect when you head to your first WDW experience!
http://www.ryandour.com/audio/
Please enjoy, and provide feedback only on this list. Just like our
membership here, keep this to yourself for now. If you want to know
how I made my recordings, or my mixes, let me know.
Thanks,
Ryan
