[Question] Should Disney allow Segways for the disabled?

[calsig31]

The 9th circuit thinks they should.

Court tells Disneyland to study use of Segways in theme park - latimes.com

Thoughts?

[brenden]

Re: Should Disney allow Segways for the disabled?

I had no idea Segways were used by disabled people in lieu of wheelchairs.

[ohmyjustin]

Re: Should Disney allow Segways for the disabled?

I've seen people in wheelchairs and electric scooters barely able to make it through the crowds. I don't think a segway is really going to be any better in that aspect. Use a wheelchair and keep things safer for everyone involved.

[TodAZ1]

Re: Should Disney allow Segways for the disabled?

The 9th Circuit Court is famous for being..........well, nuts, sometimes.

[brenden]

Re: Should Disney allow Segways for the disabled?

Here's the published opinion on the matter: http://www.ca9.uscourts.gov/datastor...18/1055792.pdf

In three prior lawsuits, Baughman claimed that “she has a physical impairment which causes her to rely upon a power scooter or wheelchair for her mobility.” Now she claims that she must use a Segway because using a wheelchair is “impractical, painful, and difficult.”

Assertions in her current complaint that she has “never used” and “do[es]n’t need” a wheelchair clearly can’t be reconciled with the earlier claims. Baughman presents no evidence that her condition has changed so that she can no longer use a wheelchair or scooter. Instead, she argues that she’s not bound by her previous statements because she didn’t make them under oath.

I hate sounding insensitive, because I really believe that everyone should be able to experience Disneyland, but this seems kind of fishy.

[Jerryp49]

Re: Should Disney allow Segways for the disabled?

Before they started contsruction of Cars Land, DCA had guided tours of that park from 7am to 8am using Segways with a CM guide. Cost was $100 ( $80 for APs ). This worked because to park was empty of people. I was hoping they would return, but not this way. They wouldn`t take up more room than a wheelchair, but can`t they go much faster, They would have to regulate their speed.

[Stormy]

Re: Should Disney allow Segways for the disabled?

Maybe for heart or respiratory problems? People with MS, CP, or other musculoskeletal weaknesses/problems who don't yet need a wheelchair, but have problems with stamina? I'd be interested in seeing other responses from people with disabilities as to how a Segway might help them in the park. And from people who have experience or own Segways as to how they would avoid collisions. How easy are they to stop and/or turn to avoid someone? Can you come to a sudden complete stop without toppling over? Can you go at a snail's pace in a crowd? People tend to stop, change directions, dart and dash in the park without always stopping to avoid other people. How would a Segway driver handle that?

I can't see the park renting them out due to major liability issues, but the issue with the 9th circuit case is based on someone wanting to bring in their own personal Segway. I guess if they knew what they were doing, travelled at the same speed as the crowd was going, & were considerate of others (no ramming from behind or saying 'out of the way, coming through!) it really wouldn't be that much different than a personal ECV, wheelchair, or stroller for that matter.

But as with people requesting a GAC, Disney would have no way of controlling who brought a Segway in because they couldn't demand documentation as to medical need. Could end up being a real nightmare!

[QuiGonJ]

Re: Should Disney allow Segways for the disabled?

I know Segways can tip over in day to day use, but compared to strollers, I don't know I would object as a guest to seeing others use them.

[ScottG]

Re: Should Disney allow Segways for the disabled?

Segways are too fast for a congested pedestrian area like DL. However, I have seen Segway type wheelchairs in the park - very cool technology.

[biggsworth]

Re: Should Disney allow Segways for the disabled?

Hmm not sure how segways are safe for people that are disabled. Wouldn't they have to be modified? You still have to stand in them. Wheelchairs seem to be acceptable and electric carts.

I say they should install moving sidewalks where you can program where you want to go when I walk in the gate ill input Huanted Mansion that will make it so you can't stop in the middle of the walkways I'm semi kidding of course because part of me would love a technology like that lol

[mousedaddy]

Re: Should Disney allow Segways for the disabled?

Segways are too fast for a congested pedestrian area like DL. However, I have seen Segway type wheelchairs in the park - very cool technology.

i agree too fast for the parks

[Rose Red]

Re: Should Disney allow Segways for the disabled?

Segways are too fast for a congested pedestrian area like DL. However, I have seen Segway type wheelchairs in the park - very cool technology.

This was my first worry as well. Way to fast, and I don't see most people being able to self regulate there speed.

[Santoanderson]

Re: Should Disney allow Segways for the disabled?

Aren't they a little big too? I mean, Disneyland is known for it's shoulder-to-shoulder traffic. Good luck being the guy on a segway in that.

[calsig31]

Re: Should Disney allow Segways for the disabled?

Use a wheelchair and keep things safer for everyone involved.

Segways are too fast for a congested pedestrian area like DL.

Safety is the reason the court is ordering the study to be performed. I say that Disney should allow them only if the travel speed can be limited. Maybe they can rent out their own that top out at a certain speed and not allow private ones if they have the ability to exceed that speed.

Here's the published opinion on the matter: http://www.ca9.uscourts.gov/datastor...18/1055792.pdf





I hate sounding insensitive, because I really believe that everyone should be able to experience Disneyland, but this seems kind of fishy.

Thanks for posting the additional info. What she doesn't realize is that while the statements she is claiming are invalid because they were not under oath, they may still be able to be used to impeach other testimony from her.

[mousedaddy]

Re: Should Disney allow Segways for the disabled?

the problem may not be with the way she operates it but how other to follow will

[Wren]

Re: Should Disney allow Segways for the disabled?

Segwas are much too fast for the high traffic and quite frankly very narrow pathways of the park

Not enough room to be opperated safely

[chesirecat]

Re: Should Disney allow Segways for the disabled?

Here's a video of Segway crashes from YouTube, if this happened in Disneyland . . . around small children, somebody could get killed.

90 Seconds of Segway Crashes - YouTube

I think Disney has a right to offer only the use of their ECVs to guests, as they control the speed and braking and such. Same thing with traditional Segways, these are inappropriate for theme park use. Anybody, disable or not, could have a very bad accident and hurt guests, sorry, I go with protecting children first and foremost.

Maybe Disney could modify a Segway to go very, very slowly, but you still have more accident potential than with ECVs. There might be some disable persons for whom a standing position is more comfortable than a sitting position, (it is probably healthier too), so I think maybe allow heavily modified Segways which are less prone to tip over and which go very, very slowly, same speed as an ECVs, perhaps slower.

[threnjen]

Re: Should Disney allow Segways for the disabled?

At Epcot in WDW I saw several employees using Segways. But the paths there are much wider, and overall the crowding is less because it's so big. I can't imagine a Segway being safe at Disneyland.

[brenden]

Re: Should Disney allow Segways for the disabled?

Here's a video of Segway crashes from YouTube, if this happened in Disneyland . . . around small children, somebody could get killed.

90 Seconds of Segway Crashes - YouTube

I like how the chimpanzee was practically the only one who had enough sense to jump off before crashing.

[chesirecat]

Re: Should Disney allow Segways for the disabled?

I can't imagine a Segway being safe at Disneyland.

For one thing, the windows on main street are eye-level for kids, Walt specifically made them this way, and folks in ECVs can see inside the shops easier too. People on Segways would be at risk for crashing through the windows, falling as they navigate over the curbs, and Main Street, for starters, would need to be modified to be Segway safe, horizontal bars over the windows, no children under ten which could be seriously injured . . . Disneyland wasn't meant to be an obstacle course for Segways.

I think that some dot.com millionaire died when he drove a Segway off a cliff in Italy. Even adults who have experience with them have trouble controlling them at all times.

Also, the employees in Epcot will get fired if they do something unsafe on the Segways, guests often get entitled when visiting Disneyland and some on Segways might get overly aggressive on them which would cause accidents. Would Segway riding guests be allowed to enter shops on Main Street? Talk about having a bull in a china store!