Is there an elevator in Spaceship Earth?

Disney2002

Disney2002

New Member
Re: Re: Re: .

Originally posted by civileng68
Oh no, It won't start an argument with me. I completely agree with you when you say that. I just know that Florida law requires attractions and restraunts and stores to be handicap accessible at the parks as well as standard businesses.

Maybe there's a clause in it that states only moving attractions or something. Who knows but you are indeed correct in saying that. There must be small stipulations in it somewhere.
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The treehouse is one of the original attractions, yes?

If so, it may not be required. Many buildings do not need to be up to handicap accessible code if they are of a certain age. However, if any renovations are performed, that clause in null and void.
 
Tom

Tom

Beta Return
Here, I'll help the Handicap Argument, heehee, based on what Indiana's law says, which mimics Federal Law.

When WDW was built, the Americans with Disabilities Act was not in full force. There are loopholes everywhere, as well.

Rides and attractions that were completed before the Act was in affect in Florida, are grandfathered in, and do not have to be updated to be ADA compliant.

Others, like the treehouse, would simply fall outside the scope of the law - which says that not ALL facilities must be "accessible".

It basically says that the MAIN purpose of a facility must be accessible, and that all necessary accessory facilities also be accessible (like restrooms, first aid, etc).

It is pretty much at Disney's discretion whether they design each specific attraction to be ADA Accessible - which of course they do with as many as possible to be a friendly host :animwink:
 
Brian_B

Brian_B

Member
Not to spoil the fun for all you jokesters, and not to bash on anyone, but I just can't tell if MKburn15 is joking or not, and I have to say this now or I'll get an aneurysm:

Mkburn15...they're just kidding!

(and no offense intended! I just think I'm losing my mind, that's all! :hammer: )

- Brian
 
TimeTrip

TimeTrip

Well-Known Member
Its getting very hard to tell when MKburn is joking or not.. but when in doubt.. its probably joking.. or so the behavior would indicate :).
 
Dayma

Dayma

Well-Known Member
I thought that you did not have to retrofit any ride for handicap access if the ride was built before the law. I think this is the loop hole...
 
mellie882

mellie882

New Member
In case anyone is curious, there is also an elevator in Space Mountain. It is on the B-side track (go to the right side of the tower when you go it). You go up the main lift hill, turn right, and then spiral left. As you are spiralling left you go around the elevator shaft. With a trained eye, you can't miss it!
 
barnum42

barnum42

New Member
Originally posted by will_hsv
When I was there they asked me what my favorite color was. However the guy before me was asked "What is the air-speed velocity of an unladen swallow?"
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African or European?
 
BalooChicago

BalooChicago

Well-Known Member
Originally posted by blackride
I thought that you did not have to retrofit any ride for handicap access if the ride was built before the law. I think this is the loop hole...
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I pulled out my section, and indeed there is an elevator. They do not show a pit ladder in the drawing though!

Those who have said ADA is not retroactive are correct. ADA was not enacted into law until 1990. As far as renovations go, for the entire structure to be required to be accessible the cost of the renovations must exceed 50% of the replacement cost. If the renovation cost does not exceed 50% only those areas being renovated need be made accessible. Disney likely has made areas accessible that they were not required to for PR and guest satisfaction reasons.

Ok, I'll take off my "architect" cap now.
 
Tom

Tom

Beta Return
Thanks for clearing that up Baloo. I'm not an Architect, but am a General Contractor - so I was straining for the specifics. I just knew that they were "grandfathered" on nearly everything.
 
Brian_B

Brian_B

Member
<B> Its getting very hard to tell when MKburn is joking or not.. but when in doubt.. its probably joking.. or so the behavior would indicate .</B>
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Haha, yeah, I thought he was kidding - I have a ton of uber-sarcastic friends like that...it's great! :lol:

Problem is, you can never tell when reading - it's all open to interpretation (especially when you don't know the person, like I didn't :brick: )

-Brian
 
Hurricane

Hurricane

New Member
Yes there is an elevator that goes part way to the top, if you want to get to the top of SE as Mickey used to do in the ads you then take a ladder further up to where you take a manlift to the hatch that opens up to the top, i remember seeing it on WDW Inside Out (now that is a show that should be on DVD!)
 
ILOVEDISNEY

ILOVEDISNEY

Active Member
Original Poster
Originally posted by BalooChicago
I pulled out my section, and indeed there is an elevator. They do not show a pit ladder in the drawing though!

Those who have said ADA is not retroactive are correct. ADA was not enacted into law until 1990. As far as renovations go, for the entire structure to be required to be accessible the cost of the renovations must exceed 50% of the replacement cost. If the renovation cost does not exceed 50% only those areas being renovated need be made accessible. Disney likely has made areas accessible that they were not required to for PR and guest satisfaction reasons.

Ok, I'll take off my "architect" cap now.
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So, what happens if there is an incident and you have 3 or 4 people in wheelchairs (people who actually need them and are not just obese and/or faking disablity to get special treatment) needing to get out fast?
 
marni1971

marni1971

Park History nut
Premium Member
Originally posted by Hurricane
i remember seeing it on WDW Inside Out (now that is a show that should be on DVD!)
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Now THATS where I saw it - been looking for that, thanks!!!

ILOVEDISNEY- are you talking about SE or the treehouse? In SE I would imagine they could get a few disabled people in the lift (its a service elevator), or bring in the strong boy CMs to do some carrying. Hevean forbid there was an emmergency evac like that.
 
BalooChicago

BalooChicago

Well-Known Member
Originally posted by ILOVEDISNEY
So, what happens if there is an incident and you have 3 or 4 people in wheelchairs (people who actually need them and are not just obese and/or faking disablity to get special treatment) needing to get out fast?
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I am not sure of the life/safety set ups that Disney uses (And if I did, I wouldn't make it known). In multi-story buildings the use of Elevators in an "incident" (assuming by this you mean fire) are a no-no. Stairways generally have a 2 hour fire rating (it varies with the building classification). Each floor (of a modern building) should have at least one "area of rescue assistance". Typically these are in rated stairways, though they can also exist as rated elevator lobbies etc. The concept is to get the person in a "safe" area until appropriate help arrives. Depending on the situation (Ongoing, or contained) the emergency personnel can carry people down the stairs on stretchers to safety.
 
MKBurn15

MKBurn15

New Member
Originally posted by Brian_B
Haha, yeah, I thought he was kidding - I have a ton of uber-sarcastic friends like that...it's great! :lol:

Problem is, you can never tell when reading - it's all open to interpretation (especially when you don't know the person, like I didn't :brick: )

-Brian
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Of course I was joking!:lookaroun

You still won't be able to tell if I was joking about joking or not by reading will you?:lol:
 

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