hcswingfield
Active Member
If they are worried about people getting run over, they should ban strollers, too. :lol:
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No Segways, theme parks tell disabled
- Thread starter mkt
- Start date
If they are worried about people getting run over, they should ban strollers, too. :lol:
It's just a matter of people all moving at different paces. I know that even walking, with kids, we have a tendency to be overrun by those who don't have kids.
The ECV (I think that's what they're called) my inlaws rented two of when we went last year...and were very convienant for them to use, but also very cumbersome to try and manuever for them.
More than any of those things, which, if a person is handicapped they are entitled to..is kids going through parks and stores on heelies...
The ECV (I think that's what they're called) my inlaws rented two of when we went last year...and were very convienant for them to use, but also very cumbersome to try and manuever for them.
More than any of those things, which, if a person is handicapped they are entitled to..is kids going through parks and stores on heelies...
Just got off the phone with the Department of Justice ADA office for clarification. If the Segway is classified as a Personal Mobility Device, those denied entry are suggested to complain to the US Department of Justice. The ADA doesn't yet have a view on the segway as a Personal Mobility Device, but the representative stated that it is legally considered extortion if Disney makes you pay to rent a wheelchair.
DisneyChick1984
Member
Those Segways for the handicapped are soooo wicked. They like, stand up and stuff and act like normal segways. Very sophisticated.
Disney though has a point, some of the people that drive the scooters are total idiots.
Pic of modified segway
Whoa. That looks scary. I feel like I'd fall right over in that thing. lol
prberk
Well-Known Member
I don't know but something just does NOT seem right about the fact that the "Experimental Prototype Community of Tomorrow," which heralds the future and innovation in part by demonstrating Segways ... BANS them!
I know that Disney uses some of its main themes (like "Innoventions") for marketing, but the most inspirational part of WDW to me has always been the fact that it continues to herald Walt's concepts of forward thinking and innovation, within a context that both honors the past and works within the present -- but ultimately working toward a brighter future. It just seems wrong that we can say that certain things can be "dreamt" of at WDW as innovations, but banned when they come to pass in a meaningful, useful, and legitimate way.
Military sacrifice notwithstanding, it just seems wrong -- as much from a philosophical standpoint as a practical one. And, yes, I understand the practical reservations people cite -- but I doubt a soldier who owns his own Segway would be untrained. And I do think that there can be "case by case" situations, especially when there are military personnel on property (at Shades of Green) who could even get involved to confirm his assertions about military service and maybe even be a facilitator for special treatment of wounded vets.
But don't even need to go there to understand the meaning and philosophy of EPCOT, and to see a problem in this situation....
Paul
I know that Disney uses some of its main themes (like "Innoventions") for marketing, but the most inspirational part of WDW to me has always been the fact that it continues to herald Walt's concepts of forward thinking and innovation, within a context that both honors the past and works within the present -- but ultimately working toward a brighter future. It just seems wrong that we can say that certain things can be "dreamt" of at WDW as innovations, but banned when they come to pass in a meaningful, useful, and legitimate way.
Military sacrifice notwithstanding, it just seems wrong -- as much from a philosophical standpoint as a practical one. And, yes, I understand the practical reservations people cite -- but I doubt a soldier who owns his own Segway would be untrained. And I do think that there can be "case by case" situations, especially when there are military personnel on property (at Shades of Green) who could even get involved to confirm his assertions about military service and maybe even be a facilitator for special treatment of wounded vets.
But don't even need to go there to understand the meaning and philosophy of EPCOT, and to see a problem in this situation....
Paul
A couple more points...
Yes, I agree that people who own their own Segways are most likely capable of driving them in a safe manor (I guess we must also assume they will NEVER become distracted and run someone over), however, how long do you think it would be before the same folks in Orlando who rent those god awful ECVs would also rent anyone with a credit card a Segway? I hope, pray, and will write many letters encouraging Disney to stand their ground and not allow Segways to be used at will by guests in the park. I have had two trips cut short because of being run over by slow moving ECVs. The most recent was a very kind old lady, who I suspect was actually handicapped, ran right into my heel and damaged my achilles tendon while I was in line for a Margarita because she got distracted for "just a second or two" by the musicians playing in front of Mexico. She was very apologetic and certainly did not have a mean bone in her body (at least so it seemed). I am still recovering from that episode. I am really tired of disabled rights trumping all other rights. I am in favor of accomodating disabilities to the extent it does not harm others. I do not think I should be forced to forfiet my right to an uninjured vacation because someone else has the right to drive around in an ECV. I guess the ADA feels that causing more injuries to other people just swells their ranks and like any political activists group that swells their power and helps their cause. I am a little confused by one of the posts stating about stopping a Segway bearing down on you because pushing the stalk back requires you to notice it is coming up from behind, unfortuantely God did not see fit to outfit me with a 9-eye style head, and you still have a small inertia problem. On the subject of the seeing eye elephant, that probably would not be allowed. According to a friend who raises miniature horses a lot of the people who are promoting miniature horses as service animals are finding out that businesses can ban them even though they are service animals because a "reasonable place of business could be damaged by the animal in the normal course of its duties", she happens to be glad because she believes despite their longevity (the main reason touted for them being superior to dogs) they are terrible service animals because they run when frightened.
I hope I have not offended anyone, if I have I am sorry.
Yes, I agree that people who own their own Segways are most likely capable of driving them in a safe manor (I guess we must also assume they will NEVER become distracted and run someone over), however, how long do you think it would be before the same folks in Orlando who rent those god awful ECVs would also rent anyone with a credit card a Segway? I hope, pray, and will write many letters encouraging Disney to stand their ground and not allow Segways to be used at will by guests in the park. I have had two trips cut short because of being run over by slow moving ECVs. The most recent was a very kind old lady, who I suspect was actually handicapped, ran right into my heel and damaged my achilles tendon while I was in line for a Margarita because she got distracted for "just a second or two" by the musicians playing in front of Mexico. She was very apologetic and certainly did not have a mean bone in her body (at least so it seemed). I am still recovering from that episode. I am really tired of disabled rights trumping all other rights. I am in favor of accomodating disabilities to the extent it does not harm others. I do not think I should be forced to forfiet my right to an uninjured vacation because someone else has the right to drive around in an ECV. I guess the ADA feels that causing more injuries to other people just swells their ranks and like any political activists group that swells their power and helps their cause. I am a little confused by one of the posts stating about stopping a Segway bearing down on you because pushing the stalk back requires you to notice it is coming up from behind, unfortuantely God did not see fit to outfit me with a 9-eye style head, and you still have a small inertia problem. On the subject of the seeing eye elephant, that probably would not be allowed. According to a friend who raises miniature horses a lot of the people who are promoting miniature horses as service animals are finding out that businesses can ban them even though they are service animals because a "reasonable place of business could be damaged by the animal in the normal course of its duties", she happens to be glad because she believes despite their longevity (the main reason touted for them being superior to dogs) they are terrible service animals because they run when frightened.
I hope I have not offended anyone, if I have I am sorry.
PhotoDave219
Well-Known Member
Just so we're clear, a Segway is not an approved medical device by the FDA so none of us have anythign to worry about.
Correct. And it is not recognized as a Personal Mobility Device by the USDoJ/ADA.
That doesn't mean it isn't one.
PhotoDave219
Well-Known Member
Alright... how can it be considered one. A person has knee surgery, and after the surgery, they have pain if they bend their knees, negating the possibility of using a traditional wheelchair/ECV since those require the person to be in a sitting position, and of walking since your knees bend.
What then?
You weren't around when I snapped both of my ankles and sprained my shoulder working at WDW. I could stand and sit, but not walk... but due to the shoulder injury, I couldn't roll myself around on a wheelchair for extended periods of time. My only option at the time was an ECV. A segway could have been an option.
Correct,
Which is why I am remaining completely civil while involved in a discourse with other forum members regarding this
I don't think Segways will make the walkways more dangerous. If you have your own Segway, odds are that you are trained to use it well. Furthermore, a segway has a footprint no wider than some humans and the speed can be restricted. I want you to be honest, have you been ran off the sidewalkby a Segway yet? They're completely legal to use there. I'm willing to be the answer is no.
PhotoDave219
Well-Known Member
Okay, playing Devils advocate here.... If a person has had recent knee surgery (or gotten both ankles snapped in tapestry), Is standing on a segway at a theme park really the best idea for them? Is even going an option? How can that be proven to be medically beneficial, standing as opposed to sitting?
I just don't see how a segway is medically beneficial to someone's health.
My point is that as a responsible business, Disney has to set limits to what can and cannot come in through the gates. Segways just go too far, especially for the safety of the 100,000 guests/day (parkwide) as a whole.
This has been a very interesting discussion. I've been holding back becuase the issue seems so charged and the views so strong, and my views really aren't so strong. Obviously, I've changed my mind about holding back.
First off, I don't think any of us should presume to think that we know that a Segway will never be the best option for somebody who needs mobility assistance. Although they might be rare, there are indeed situations in which a Segway would serve better than an ECV.
As to whether Segway's will make the walkways more dangerous, I have my doubts. Certainly, if anybody who wanted to use one could zip around at 12 miles per hour, they would make the walkways far too dangerous. But if it is limited to a slower speed (let's say 3-4 mph), and it is only those who have serious mobility needs that are allowed to use them? And if somebody has invested in a personal Segway, I'm guessing they would know how to use it, unlike if I jumped on one in a crowded theme park. For what it's worth, my father has used an ECV and a Segway. He commented that he found the Segway much easier to control his first time on it than the ECV.
I lived in DC for 5 years, and there was a woman I often saw on the DC metro using a Segway to get around. There were others who used ECVs. The Segway was far easier to move around, because it is smaller. It fit into trains easier, it blocked the walkways less, and wasn't prone to getting stuck and requiring a push from a helpful commuter. The ECVs performed less well in all of these areas. I've had my foot run over by an ECV, and by a Segway. I can tell you that the ECV hurt a lot more.
It is true that Disney would have no way of ensuring that Segways are only used by people who i) needed the help ii) know how to drive the Segway safely, and iii) are willing to abide by whatever slower-than-maximum speed is safe. But that's true for ECVs now. If my dad added a powerful motor to his ECV and took it to Epcot, he'd be permitted to go in. And if then zipped around the park at 10 mph knocking people off the sidewalk and crashing into the Muppet Mobile Lab, he'd be kicked out. Segway policies could be quite similar.
In the end, I don't think this is a big issue, because the number of people who need help and for whom a Segway is the best alternative is probably low. And it probably doesn't make sense for Disney, as a company, to spend significant time or effort (if such time or effort would be needed) to figure out how to accomodate Segways. They aren't required to do so, and the loss in business from not doing so probably isn't great. In fact, based on teh feedback on this forum, they'd probably lose a little business if they did allow Segways. So business-wise, probably the right decision.
That being said, I'm not convinced at all the Segways would be more dangerous than what we have now. And I believe that it ought to be left to the person that has walking difficulties to decide for him or herself what the best way to get around is. Remember, there was a time when canine assistants weren't allowed in many places because people thought dogs are too unsanitary or because there are too many people who are afraid of dogs. Nonetheless, we've all, as a society, gotten to the point where we believe that, in that instance, the rights and needs of the person who needs the canine assistant are important enough that they are now allowed everywhere (of course, a law helped that happen).
righttrack
Well-Known Member
Because of the very fact, that the Segway rider will be experienced, there is no reason not to allow someone in. We have so many people on property, riding ECVs for the very first time, with no restrictions. I'm always willing to cut WDW a break, but this is just silly.
PhotoDave219
Well-Known Member
Sure there is - They don't have to.
Well, Disney doesn't have to let me in if I'm wearing a hat (Hat-wearers not being a protected group under equal access laws), but I'd sure be pretty upset if they didn't.
"They don't have to" just means they aren't required to do it. It doesn't mean they shouldn't.