Segways coming to your Park in April!

[WaltsApprentice]

I reported about this, a few months ago... about the lawsuit that a couple was putting aganist disney for not allowing them to use their segways as ecvs for medical reasons. Well the suit has been decided...and coming Apirl Disney will be selling segway Rentals...Um...I'm not Handicap but...I sure want to drive around Hollywood studios in one mahaha...:drevil:. I wonder if they will have to get the tougher ones for DAK since the pathways are a bit rougher. Hmmm

Here is the article from http://www.mouseplanet.com/articles.php?art=dl081215xx

Disney settles Segway suit

Bloomberg News reports (via the Chicago Daily Herald (link)) that Disney has settled a lawsuit filed by three residents of Illinois and Iowa after they were prevented from using Segway self-balancng personal transportation vehicles during visits to Walt Disney World. Disney's policy is that no two-wheeled vehicles are permitted in guest areas, no matter the type, and that Disney provides Electric Convenience Vehicles (ECVs) for rent by guests who need motorized transportation around the parks. The suit alleged that Disney's policy against Segways and other two-wheeled vehicles violates the Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA) since these vehicles are sometimes used by people with mobility impairments. Disney denied the allegations but settled the suit, with lawyers from both sides saying a settlement is preferable to the cost of continued legal action. While the suit was filed by guests after Walt Disney World visits, Disney's settlement affects their policy at all American theme parks. Beginning next April, Disney will offer new four-wheeled Electric Standing Vehicles (ESVs) at both Walt Disney World and Disneyland. These new vehicles will have roughly the same dimensions as the existing ECVs but allow users to stand while operating them. You can read the entire settlement agreement here (link) thanks to On Point Media, and discuss it with other MousePlanet readers on MousePad (link).

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Soo what does everyone think?? For castmembers this will be a bit harder to move around then an EVC when you have to move it to the proper location. It's simple to move a wheel chair, a little hard for an evc since there so bulky, but I guess for the segway you would just hit it on the mode that allows you to drag them. I'm just imagining having them have to go up the big STAR TOURS Ramp for wheel chairs, it's very steep.:lookaroun

EDIT: There not actual segways that they are renting...but something similar to this: http://upload.ecvv.com/upload/Produ...Wheels_Electric_Scooter_Similar_To_Segway.jpg

sorry for the confusion...:brick:

 

[DisneyJoe]

Just to clarify - Disney is still not allowing Segways, but a different type of vehicle called an ESV - "Disney will offer new four-wheeled Electric Standing Vehicles (ESVs) at both Walt Disney World and Disneyland. These new vehicles will have roughly the same dimensions as the existing ECVs but allow users to stand while operating them."

In other words, take the existing ECV, remove the seat and replace it with a mechanism that assists with standing and driving, and you have the new ESV - NOT A SEGWAY.

 

[Pongo]

Just to clarify - Disney is still not allowing Segways, but a different type of vehicle called an ESV - "Disney will offer new four-wheeled Electric Standing Vehicles (ESVs) at both Walt Disney World and Disneyland. These new vehicles will have roughly the same dimensions as the existing ECVs but allow users to stand while operating them."

In other words, take the existing ECV, remove the seat and replace it with a mechanism that assists with standing and driving, and you have the new ESV - NOT A SEGWAY.

Upon first glance of this thread, I got really excited, but then I realized that Disney couldn't just rent out Segways. I mean, you have to take an hour-long training class to use one for the tours. Imagine if they did that for everyone renting one

ESVs sound kind of... well... anticlimactic. And a little pointless.

 

[WaltsApprentice]

Just to clarify - Disney is still not allowing Segways, but a different type of vehicle called an ESV - "Disney will offer new four-wheeled Electric Standing Vehicles (ESVs) at both Walt Disney World and Disneyland. These new vehicles will have roughly the same dimensions as the existing ECVs but allow users to stand while operating them."

In other words, take the existing ECV, remove the seat and replace it with a mechanism that assists with standing and driving, and you have the new ESV - NOT A SEGWAY.

True, there not allowing you to bring in your own segways...or at least it doesn't say here...but thank you for clearing that up. But no there is a segway-type of product that is a four wheeler or three wheels http://upload.ecvv.com/upload/Produ...Wheels_Electric_Scooter_Similar_To_Segway.jpg
its simular to segways...and I believe it's a bit safer....but still it would be cool...feeling like you are the jestons driving around tomorrowland with one! :lol:

Edit: is an ESV that in the picture??

 

[WaltsApprentice]

Upon first glance of this thread, I got really excited, but then I realized that Disney couldn't just rent out Segways. I mean, you have to take an hour-long training class to use one for the tours. Imagine if they did that for everyone renting one

ESVs sound kind of... well... anticlimactic. And a little pointless.

That was part of the disney debate that they need to be trained...so I guess with these granny type of "ESV" cheap segways...it's a bit safer! Still I want to drive one around...probably more money to rent..

 

[1disneydood]

It seems like a PIA to use one if you don't have to use one. I plan to use my legs and feet as long as I can.

I HOPE WDW lays down some strict rules and enforces them. Such as revoking the vehiche from anyone to drunk to drive (Epcot), no stunt driving :lol:, and any reckless driving that pesters or injures other guests gets the driver evicted from the park. If people can get away with running into my legs and feet with the vehicle, can I get away with running my legs and feet into the people on the vehicles?

And no, I'm not being unfair to disabled persons (I'm diabetic with past circulatory problems), I mean ANYONE who rents them, since anyone can rent them disabled or not.

 

[WaltsApprentice]

It seems like a PIA to use one if you don't have to use one. I plan to use my legs and feet as long as I can.

I HOPE WDW lays down some strict rules and enforces them. Such as revoking the vehiche from anyone to drunk to drive (Epcot), no stunt driving :lol:, and any reckless driving that pesters or injures other guests gets the driver evicted from the park. If people can get away with running into my legs and feet with the vehicle, can I get away with running my legs and feet into the people on the vehicles?

And no, I'm not being unfair to disabled persons (I'm diabetic with past circulatory problems), I mean ANYONE who rents them, since anyone can rent them disabled or not.

:ROFLOL:i'LL avoid you when I do my dare devil jump across world showcase lagoon into a pool of dole wip!

On a serious note...even though normal ecvs go slow they still bump you everyonce in awhile or..the owners beep their annoying horns as you leave after Wishes in the cow cattle move. I love it when there is a kid hanging from the back or sitting on their lap....real safe! haha Damn dare devils!:lol:

 

[sweetpee_1993]

Wow. More contraptions to dodge to avoid being run over.

Yeah, I realize some people need ECVs or wheelchairs due to their limitations. My aunt is one of those people who doesn't look like there's something wrong from outward appearances but she was involved in a car accident many years ago cannot manage to tour a park without an ECV. And believe me, she would if she could because she is painfully independant! I say this so that folks don't think I'm bashing those who genuinely need the assistance of a cart, chair, etc.

But if we didn't see enough people already taking advantage and using ECVs unnecessarily before just wait and see how many folks snap these ESVs up just for fun...and laziness. I think Disney should've held their ground on this one. There's no reason for them to need to add yet another vehicle to the miriad that already navigate the parks. :hammer:

 

[CAPTAIN HOOK]

As long as Disney has an input on their max speed or else there's going to be a serious accident in the parks

 

[Pongo]

As long as Disney has an input on their max speed or else there's going to be a serious accident in the parks

They do that with the touring Segways, so I don't see why they wouldn't be able to do it with the ESVs.

 

[DisneyJoe]

I am a congenital amputee that uses prosthetics and crutches to get around, and usually don't need an ECV, but I took a few long tours in Disneyland in September that would have wiped me out in the heat, so I tried one for the first time (rented directly from the Disneyland hotel) - and it was quite zippy, even had a tortoise and the hare on the speed adjustment - I am very glad I used it for that one day of my trip.

I then visited WDW in October with my wife, and decided to try it again on our Epcot day, since Epcot always seems to tire me out the most. I rented from the ECV rental at Epcot. They severely restrict the speed on theirs compared to the ones at Disneyland - I felt like I could barely make 1/3 to 1/2 the speed that I could at Disneyland.

 

[PaisleyMF]

The ECV's have built in speed limitations on all the units, and with the wear and abuse of some they even go slower than usual.

NOW i want to see how they are going to handle this on the parks, since MK and DHS have limited space for the units.

And on that note, i can't imagine the headache that it will be when they have a broke down unit and it needs to be exchange... (OUCH)

 

[Monty]

The ECV's have built in speed limitations on all the units, and with the wear and abuse of some they even go slower than usual.

NOW i want to see how they are going to handle this on the parks, since MK and DHS have limited space for the units.

And on that note, i can't imagine the headache that it will be when they have a broke down unit and it needs to be exchange... (OUCH)

The settlement says they will provide at least 15 of the units at each resort, presumably they know that they have adequate storage for at least 15.

Interestingly, the settlement says they will "develop" four-wheeled ESVs for use, which leads me to believe the ESVs linked to in the OP are not the ones they'll be using.

 

[Phonedave]

Upon first glance of this thread, I got really excited, but then I realized that Disney couldn't just rent out Segways. I mean, you have to take an hour-long training class to use one for the tours. Imagine if they did that for everyone renting one

ESVs sound kind of... well... anticlimactic. And a little pointless.

The point is you can stand on them.

For people that cannot walk long distances, but can stand, I see the point. They want to be able to see the parks from a "normal" height, and interact with people eye to eye. Try sitting in a chair while having a conversation with a standing person, it can be suprisingly uncomfotable.

The ADA's contention was people want to stand, some that can use Segway's as a mode of transportation. Disney's contention was that the Segways can go fast, you can fall off of them, and if you are bumped it can cause you to loose controll - plus everyone would want to rent them for the "coolness" factor - physically challenged or not.

The solution? A stand up ECV. One that is as stable as a "normal" ECV. One that is as "uncool" as a normal ECV. But one that allows the rider to stand.

Everyone wins. Disney avoids the Segway issue, and the disabled get to stand when they can.

-dave

 

[Testtrack321]

There's a reason why the segway's don't use 4 wheels to get around. I'm not worried about people hitting other people, I'm worried about center of gravity as they go around the park, they can very easily fall off.

 

[Frank Stallone]

Wow, they found something even more humiliating looking than an ECV.

I suppose when those people who filed a lawsuit come to disney and receive their "Standing ECV", they're going to look at each other and confusingly utter, "didn't we win this case?"