Court tells Disneyland to Study use of Segways

[com_op_2000]

Check out this article:
http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/...,0,57035.story

[kaligal]

So glad. I don't know if this will be the case that makes it happen, but I do believe that one day, disabled people who don't need to sit will not be forced to do so.

A step in the right direction.

Has Disney stopped having their employees ride Segways? I was just thinking what I always think when this comes up...how Disney feels it's safe enough for THEM to do it, but not for people who actually, physically benefit from this...when I realized I haven't seen them riding around on these recently?

Are they still doing that or did they stop?

[koho]

Park employees only use their Segways when the park is empty or in closed off section.

[kaytieeldr]

Okay, first, while this article was in the Orlando Sentinel, it's actually about the California park and court rulings.
Yes, some Disney managers use Segways to get around. They have wide areas Tim over quickly. Disney knows their individual abilities (having, likely) trained each one. It's entirely possible they travel backstage when able.
It's illegal to request/require proof of disability. Is it really a good idea to potentially have dozens or hundreds of guests on a vehicle where all operations are contolled by the user's ability to balance and lean?

[seashoreCM]

Originally Posted by koho

Park employees only use their Segways when the park is empty or in closed off section.

Is this a change?

In 2005 (granted, that was eons ago) I did see park CMs on Segways in the open (and talking to guests).

Unlike an ECV scooter, a Segway will immediately go into reverse if the user ran into someone or something and his upper body got pushed backwards. This may throw the user off balance unexpectedly.

[Robo]

Originally Posted by kaytieeldr

Is it really a good idea to potentially have dozens or hundreds of guests on a vehicle where all operations are contolled by the user's ability to balance and lean?

What happens if a guest faints or simply nods off while standing in a Segway?

How would the Segways be stored when guests enter the ride queues?

As far as "further study" goes, THIS speaks volumes about what could happen.



.

[TheRustyScupper]

Originally Posted by koho

Park employees only use their Segways when the park is empty or in closed off section.

. . . actually, they use them in Epcot regularly during open hours
. . . and, in the middle of the afternoon

Originally Posted by Robo

What happens if a guest faints or simply nods off while standing in a Segway?
How would the Segways be stored when guests enter the ride queues?
As far as "further study" goes, THIS speaks volumes about what could happen.

. . . if a guest falls, off, the Segway stops, not like a scooter that keeps going
. . . stored the same way that scooters are parked
. . . there are always idiots, but I think handicapped folks are more careful

[Robo]

Originally Posted by TheRustyScupper

. . . there are always idiots, but I think handicapped folks are more careful

How would anyone know who's handicapped?

[chartle]

Originally Posted by Robo

How would anyone know who's handicapped?

Had this same discussion with someone on a thread about service dogs.

You ask them, its in the law.

[CourtneyL]

In college I had the opportunity to spend some time playing around with segways, and I wanted to comment on a few things.
-There are three different speeds that you can use. The top speed of the slowest setting is comparable to a brisk walking speed. The highest is something like 12mph. (Most of the clips in the video Robo linked to had the segway on the fastest speed)
- The main difference between a segway and a wheelchair or scooter is that the segway is always moving.
- It is not very practical for navigating tight spaces like a hallway or a store.
- You don't realize it, but using a segway takes a lot of ankle/leg muscle. The segway and you are both making corrections to keep balanced.

I completely understand why Disney does not allow segways in the parks. It is a crowded space and you have no way of knowing a persons skill level in operating a segway and you cannot limit the speed. Disney could say that you can only use the slowest speed, but there is nothing stopping someone from changing to a higher speed later on.

A more interesting question: Does Disney allow the use of the iBot wheelchair in the parks? Does it prohibit its use in two-wheel mode? For anyone unfamiliar, the iBot is a powered wheelchair that has the ability to balance on two wheels like a segway and elevates the seated user up to the eye level of a standing person.

[POOHsie]

Originally Posted by TheRustyScupper

. . . actually, they use them in Epcot regularly during open hours
. . . and, in the middle of the afternoon


. . . if a guest falls, off, the Segway stops, not like a scooter that keeps going
. . . stored the same way that scooters are parked
. . . there are always idiots, but I think handicapped folks are more careful

A. Scooters don't keep going. If the rider is not pushing the throttle, the automatic brakes are engaged.
B. No, there is a percentage of idiots across the human spectrum, including a percentage of handicapped folks. (I am from the handicapped-not idiot sub-category)

[rwdavis2]

DL gets too crowded for Segways. Much less space than most places in WDW.

[PAcpl]

I keep thinking of the times a kid has run into me wearing those sneaker skates. Those things can sting so I can't imagine getting run into with a segway!

[PAcpl]

Originally Posted by TheRustyScupper

. . . actually, they use them in Epcot regularly during open hours
. . . and, in the middle of the afternoon


. . . if a guest falls, off, the Segway stops, not like a scooter that keeps going
. . . stored the same way that scooters are parked
. . . there are always idiots, but I think handicapped folks are more careful

It is MUCH easier to fall off of a segway then a scooter. And you're right, handicapped folks have more common sense and are more careful as you can see by the women in the wheelchair trying to get on an escalator below:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F_VSi-oOPx8

[POOHsie]

Segways don't belong in DL/WDW except for the handful used by certain park employees. They are too fast. Disney can't control who would operate one. People already run into scooters and wheelchairs because you can't hear them if you're close by, and they're hard to see if you don't purposefully look where you take your next step. It's a recipe for accidents galore, and attorneys will sue Disney (deep pockets).