Elevator at Magic Kingdom Monorail

[Figment2005]

The elevator at the Epcot monorail station is tiny.

But the Epcot station does not see even half the traffic that the TTC does. Everyone that goes to MK has to either take the monorail or ferry to get across, unless your at a Disney resort and ride the bus. Epcot however, only receives traffic from those traveling to or from the MK.

 

[DManRightHere]

OK, that's what I thought, but I thought maybe I had been missing a secret lower level entrance!

It is a decent uphill incline to the outside main entrance...I can't think of a reason right off why it was designed that way, unless they wanted guests to be impressed with the inside size of the structure when walking in?

 

[mp2bill]

It is a decent uphill incline to the outside main entrance...I can't think of a reason right off why it was designed that way, unless they wanted guests to be impressed with the inside size of the structure when walking in?

I know, I once had to push a (hefty) friend up that incline in a wheelchair when she hurt her foot. That's why I was upset that I might've missed a secret entrance.

 

[thomas998]

I have always heard that any kind of major modification to the TTC or MK monorail stations would require them to additionally make the stations ADA compliant, as they are not right now. The ramps going up to the platforms are too steep and lack the required level breaks. Making these ramps ADA compliant would require pushing them out into the front entrance area which in turn would likeley mean they would have to rework the traffic patterns in that area. I would imagine this could evolve into a large project as different things would have to be moved around.

This.... its the reason a lot of places don't make any upgrades, because as soon as you get a building permit to modify a place for one thing you also have to add to that all the ADA requirements. I think the only way around that is if you get a special waiver and those generally only get handed out to small businesses that can show that they would be bankrupted by the requirements, wouldn't expect Disney to ever be given a waiver from ADA requirements.

 

[Goofyernmost]

I have always heard that any kind of major modification to the TTC or MK monorail stations would require them to additionally make the stations ADA compliant, as they are not right now. The ramps going up to the platforms are too steep and lack the required level breaks. Making these ramps ADA compliant would require pushing them out into the front entrance area which in turn would likeley mean they would have to rework the traffic patterns in that area. I would imagine this could evolve into a large project as different things would have to be moved around.

I believe that they are ADA compliant. The basis of ADA is that areas be accessible. Having used them numerous times, I can tell you that it is not that big a deal to negotiate those ramps, short or longer. I don't think that it would enter into the discussion anyway because why would they add to it when they are already compliant.

 

[Goofyernmost]

I'm sure I can call a company that will rent a strong donkey that will climb the hill as well. But how about just installing an elevator?

Because it is just not necessary, opens up to other problems such as breakdowns with riders on board and power failures. Ramps do not have that problem.

 

[thomas998]

I believe that they are ADA compliant. The basis of ADA is that areas be accessible. Having used them numerous times, I can tell you that it is not that big a deal to negotiate those ramps, short or longer. I don't think that it would enter into the discussion anyway because why would they add to it when they are already compliant.

Sadly what is sufficient one year may not be sufficient the next... its the problem with a vague law like the ADA. At one time you merely had to have a ramp, then someone thought that it should be a tiered ramp of only a specific angle or less... making it more difficult to understand is that these things also seem to be a state by state interpretation. But if the wheel chair access to Beauty and the Beast show is any indication of what is required now, the Monorail platform would fail because the BatB has the tiered ramps that have level rest areas every so many feet. I've pushed a wheel chair up both and the platform at the monorail seem much steeper than the BatB ramps.

The biggest issue you raised is what is "accessible" and what does it mean. The law doesn't define it well enough for anyone to really know, so various jurisdictions try to write laws that they think meet that requirement and then various people file lawsuits and courts randomly give more and more definition to the word... but I don't think it can or ever will be truly settled as to what "accessible" really means.

 

[Goofyernmost]

Sadly what is sufficient one year may not be sufficient the next... its the problem with a vague law like the ADA. At one time you merely had to have a ramp, then someone thought that it should be a tiered ramp of only a specific angle or less... making it more difficult to understand is that these things also seem to be a state by state interpretation. But if the wheel chair access to Beauty and the Beast show is any indication of what is required now, the Monorail platform would fail because the BatB has the tiered ramps that have level rest areas every so many feet. I've pushed a wheel chair up both and the platform at the monorail seem much steeper than the BatB ramps.

The biggest issue you raised is what is "accessible" and what does it mean. The law doesn't define it well enough for anyone to really know, so various jurisdictions try to write laws that they think meet that requirement and then various people file lawsuits and courts randomly give more and more definition to the word... but I don't think it can or ever will be truly settled as to what "accessible" really means.

I know that it can get complicated. I try to keep my life simple. If I can get a person in a wheelchair up the ramp, with or without help, and to whatever they wanted to get to, then it is accessible and I don't know how that can be debated. If one can access something, it is accessible.

 

[s8film40]

I believe that they are ADA compliant. The basis of ADA is that areas be accessible. Having used them numerous times, I can tell you that it is not that big a deal to negotiate those ramps, short or longer. I don't think that it would enter into the discussion anyway because why would they add to it when they are already compliant.

If you go to TTC you can see the difference between a ADA compliant ramp and one that is not. Epcot was built after ADA, Express and Resort were built before. The ADA requires the ramp not to be over a certain steepness and it has to have breaks that are level for someone who is wheeling themselves up so they don't have go the whole way up without being able to stop.

 

[lazyboy97o]

If you go to TTC you can see the difference between a ADA compliant ramp and one that is not. Epcot was built after ADA, Express and Resort were built before. The ADA requires the ramp not to be over a certain steepness and it has to have breaks that are level for someone who is wheeling themselves up so they don't have go the whole way up without being able to stop.

Is this because of the renovations that took place to accommodate the Mark VIs, with some occurring before and after the legislation?

 

[thomas998]

I know that it can get complicated. I try to keep my life simple. If I can get a person in a wheelchair up the ramp, with or without help, and to whatever they wanted to get to, then it is accessible and I don't know how that can be debated. If one can access something, it is accessible.

One could argue that not having stairs would also be accessible as the person could be carried or crawl up... but the reality is there are rules and regulations that vary by area and define what is "accessible" and the definition doesn't include at test that says if Goofyernmost can do it then it is accessible. If it were up to me they wouldn't need to include so many level areas as I don't need to stop and rest when pushing someone, but then I don't use my ability to determine what others should be able to do.

 

[Goofyernmost]

One could argue that not having stairs would also be accessible as the person could be carried or crawl up... but the reality is there are rules and regulations that vary by area and define what is "accessible" and the definition doesn't include at test that says if Goofyernmost can do it then it is accessible. If it were up to me they wouldn't need to include so many level areas as I don't need to stop and rest when pushing someone, but then I don't use my ability to determine what others should be able to do.

Unbelievable. I'm sure that we can come up with scenario's until the cows come home and if all we are going to come up with is stairs as opposed to a ramp, then we have gone beyond logic and into la la land. Ask yourself this question... Do you know of anyone that hasn't been able to get up to the trains because of the ramp? Or are they deciding that it is too much effort? That's one of the many reasons why they have the ferry's. I'm out.