Disney Access??

[IcanGlide]

I know that this subject has been discussed on several fronts, but I was planning a trip to Disney World this spring so I thought I would ask them about handicapped access with a Segway. Here is their response:

Thank you for contacting the Walt Disney World Resort.

Two-wheeled Guest vehicles, no matter the type or usage, are not
permitted on our transportation systems, or inside our Parks. This
includes the Downtown Disney and Disney's Wide World of Sports areas.
Within our Resorts, and on other parts of our property, two-wheeled
vehicles are only permitted on established bike paths or other areas
that allow the use of recreational bicycles.

At the Walt Disney World Resort, the safety of our Guests is our number
one priority. Unfortunately, the layout of our Parks and Resort areas,
as well as the large number of Guests, makes us unable to accommodate
two-wheeled vehicles. In most circumstances, maneuverability would be
limited and other Guests may not easily see or avoid these vehicles,
creating a potential safety concern either to the Guest themselves or
others. In addition, we have no methods to restrain or contain
two-wheeled vehicles on most of our transportation systems, or in
attractions areas.

Epcot and other areas of our World recently began using Segway HTs, as
part of a pilot program across our property. Segway units will be seen
in use by our Cast inside of our Parks or resort areas where Guest use
in not permitted. There may also be cast-facilitated experiences with
the Segway HTs, as on the Disney Cruise Line that are specifically
approved for Guest participation. Cast Members may only utilize a
Segway HT in performing their job responsibilities, after completing a
comprehensive training program. This training covers topics such as
safety, operation and handling, and locations/circumstances where Segway
HTs are not permitted. We feel confident that our training program
uniquely qualifies our Cast to operate a unit inside our Parks and
Resort areas.

I am planning on contacting DRAFT to see if they have tried anything from the Federal Law aspect of it. As has been mentioned before, litigation is expensive. Perhaps a better approach is contacting our representatives in Congress on a massive scale. Any ideas?

Frank

[Desert_Seg]

Originally Posted by IcanGlide

...Two-wheeled Guest vehicles, no matter the type or usage, are not permitted on our transportation systems, or inside our Parks.

Originally Posted by IcanGlide

...At the Walt Disney World Resort, the safety of our Guests is our number one priority. Unfortunately, the layout of our Parks and Resort areas, as well as the large number of Guests, makes us unable to accommodate two-wheeled vehicles.

This is why they can get away with the ban. They are banning ALL two-wheeled vehichles, not just Segways, and, if you are using the Segway as a mobility aid, they provide an alternative at no cost.

Originally Posted by IcanGlide

...Cast Members may only utilize a
Segway HT in performing their job responsibilities, after completing a
comprehensive training program. This training covers topics such as
safety, operation and handling, and locations/circumstances where Segway
HTs are not permitted. We feel confident that our training program
uniquely qualifies our Cast to operate a unit inside our Parks and
Resort areas.

They then provide justification for their staff using the Segways and they make clear that it is in non-guest areas and only in the performance of their duties.

Their regulations don't state that a Segway is banned, only that it falls under the two-wheeled vehicle ban and this is your out. Adding a third wheel, even a non-functional wheel, gets you use of the Segway. Make the wheel obvious, take the letter with you, and then work your way into the park. Any attempt to stop you would be in violation of their own regulations and, in and of itself, discriminatory as you met their requirements and now they are once again banning you.

Steven

[fredkap]

I am not certain that Steven's thoughtful third wheel will work.

I can assure everyone that DRAFT is working extremely hard on this particular issue.

-Fred

[Timezkware Tim]

Does anyone remember the 3 wheeled Morgan? It was able to beat a tax in England on "4-wheeled vehicles" that was targeted at cars.

Steven, that was very astute of you. A third wheel will probably work, but as soon as the 3 wheel people start arriving, Disney will re-write their policy.

I can just see Alan now installing a third wheel, lol...

Tim


A 1930 Morgan 3-wheeler

[Desert_Seg]

Originally Posted by fredkap

I am not certain that Steven's thoughtful third wheel will work.

I can assure everyone that DRAFT is working extremely hard on this particular issue.

-Fred

Two ways to defeat a discriminatory stance are:

1. The power of the law
2. The power of the press

By banning all two-wheeled vehicles Disney, for now, has provided themselves with basic protection from the law and the press. After all, they haen't created a class of people (a basic tenet of discrimination) nor have they made compliance with the ban onerous.

Now, add a third wheel and you have a slightly different scenario. Yes, Disney can still ban the Segway but on what grounds? It is no longer a two-wheeler, which are all unilaterally banned. So, what happens if they don't allow you in? Why they have now created a class because we have seen pictures of folks on three-wheelers in Disney. Having a class of people who are being discriminated against, Segway gliders with an additional wheel on their unit, is all that is needed to raise the discrimination issue.

I know you shouldn't have to add a third wheel to your Segway in order to use it as a mobility device but...sometime you have to adapt to the rule in order to chagne it.

Steven

[drmarty]

This subject is difficult. I had thought of Steven's approach. I have been thinking about it and am about ready to try it.

Let's see.
Dear Disney, You say these are unsafe BECAUSE they have two wheels. Well I am just agreeing with you. See. Now my Segway is no longer unsafe because I took your advice and made it NOT at two wheeler.



OK. It seems to me that for this to really work we need to reply to their reply and say alright we will not bring a two wheeled vehicle but we want to make sure your letter means that a three wheeled vehicle is OK. Once they reply I will help everybody make little wheely things that hang off.

We've all seen scooters at the park that have those extra little wheels sticking off so they can't tip over.

I don't know but they sure get my goat. But not my dollar until I can glide in.

Heck maybe I'll put one off the front and one off the back. 4 wheels. Think of it. Hey look I'm a wheelchair.

Marty

[Desert_Seg]

Originally Posted by drmarty

...

We've all seen scooters at the park that have those extra little wheels sticking off so they can't tip over.

I don't know but they sure get my goat. But not my dollar until I can glide in.

Heck maybe I'll put one off the front and one off the back. 4 wheels. Think of it. Hey look I'm a wheelchair.

Marty

As I sit here watching rain and thunder wreak havoc on the hapless drivers out there (and our satellite system!) I was thinking about this topic and had come up with exactly what Marty suggests....hang one little wheel of both the front and the back of the platform, making the Segway a "tip-free" device and, at the same time, a four-wheeled mobility device.

There is now way in hell that Disney can stop it then....after all, what about all those wheel chairs, golf carts, etc.

BTW, like Marty and others I won't give my money to Disney until such time as they allow the use of Segways as mobility devices for those in need of them. I hope others follow suit.

Steven

[gbrandwood]

Would this same approach work for bicycles with one or two stabilisers added? I don't think so. You'd simply be stopped on the way in.

[Tarkus]

Originally Posted by fredkap

I am not certain that Steven's thoughtful third wheel will work.

I can assure everyone that DRAFT is working extremely hard on this particular issue.

-Fred

Fred is correct, this is a subject that is being worked on at the moment.

It will though take some time.

The people on Capitol Hill found Disneys policy "great interest".

We will keep you posted.

Be Big,
ALan

[plo]

Originally Posted by drmarty

This subject is difficult. I had thought of Steven's approach. I have been thinking about it and am about ready to try it.

Let's see.
Dear Disney, You say these are unsafe BECAUSE they have two wheels. Well I am just agreeing with you. See. Now my Segway is no longer unsafe because I took your advice and made it NOT at two wheeler.



OK. It seems to me that for this to really work we need to reply to their reply and say alright we will not bring a two wheeled vehicle but we want to make sure your letter means that a three wheeled vehicle is OK. Once they reply I will help everybody make little wheely things that hang off.

We've all seen scooters at the park that have those extra little wheels sticking off so they can't tip over.

I don't know but they sure get my goat. But not my dollar until I can glide in.

Heck maybe I'll put one off the front and one off the back. 4 wheels. Think of it. Hey look I'm a wheelchair.

Marty

Ditto...I definitely share your views, I'm local and I'm ready to join you. Just let me know when and where you need me (and of course, make an extra third wheel).

OPTA - Did the policy say anything about polo mallets? I find the park personel pause momentarily before confronting a person with a polo mallet in hand.