Ridiculous!

We use Segways at work, and they have lots of options for speed. Why can't Disney let them in, but make them sign a form saying that they will not go above x speed or will only use Turtle mode, in respect of the safety of other passengers.

Its a mobility device, being used by people requiring a mobility device - NOT the same as people using a mobility device (segway, scooter, whatever) for pleasure reasons.

Posted By Katy on November 12, 2007, 11:26 AM

What's Disney's problem? Their employees use them! They buzz around EPCOT all the time.

Posted By Jan Perry on November 14, 2007, 9:41 AM

I agree with Disney-
Having people ride around on these things is ridicules! I can not think of one good reason why people would use them inside the parks. If you can not walk on your own then you should have a wheelchair.

Posted By lois on November 15, 2007, 12:10 PM

Does anyone know where it was filed? I am a disability rights attorney and am interested in reading more about the case. Thanks!

Posted By Julie Carter on November 15, 2007, 12:53 PM

Wow that's got to be a first! A lawyer that's a Segway Chaser!!!

I've enjoyed the Segway Experience at Epcot - a great way to peruse the park without a ton of people...but I side with Disney on this. When it gets crowded, it's not much fun. Wheelchairs are fine & not a problem. Segways would be a Marx Bros. Movie.

Posted By Gary on November 15, 2007, 10:51 PM

Lois "I can not think of one good reason why people would use them inside the parks"

They've given a reason - dignity. These are people who have tried wheelchairs or at least considered them, and instead choose an option that allows them to be at eye level with others, for fair treatment.

They aren't asking Disney to provide them, just to let them bring them in, and they would use them responsibly, I'm sure, and if not would deserve to be kicked out, just like anyone else. If they are riding them every day, TRUST ME, they will know how to ride them.

We should be excited about a more dignified and natural accessibility aid - not against it because it's different from what we're used to.

Posted By katy on November 16, 2007, 11:25 AM

I agree with Disney. Wheelchairs are available. Once inside, there is no way to monitor speed or recklessness; any why should they have to police its use? And who will monitor whether or not someone medically needs the device or jsut wants to get around more quickly. It will also make getting around more difficult for the rest of us, especially on crowded days. Be real, who's going to say "you have to leave now because you're being unsafe"...then they'll be even more lawyers involved!

Posted By Renee on November 26, 2007, 1:04 PM

I do not own a Segway however, I've been taught how to use one & frankly, I think they are safer to other pedestrians sometimes moreso than the motorized scooters. They require much less space, can turn on a dime and can be programmed not to exceed a certain speed. I've seen small children almost run over by the motorized scooters at our local mall. I do not think they should be rented at Disney--only if you have your own should they be allowed; they are quite expensive and the owner most probably knows how to utilize one safely for that reason.

Posted By Mary on November 26, 2007, 3:30 PM

Wait--Did I just read that Segways are more dignified than wheelchairs? Surely I must have been hallucinating...

Posted By Erica on November 26, 2007, 4:07 PM

A previous commenter wrote:"If you cannot walk on your own then you should have a wheelchair." I can't believe someone would actually write something as archaic as this! Might as well say 'if you can't walk on your own, you should stay in bed'! The dignity factor of being upright on a Segway is such an advance in technology options for the disabled who want to enjoy an active life like everyone else. Disney is basically saying "sit in your wheechair like a good cripple, since we know you can't be trusted to be alert and careful on a Segway." How dare they make such a judgement call, particularly if they have employees on Segways like another commenter wrote. ps: Segways are absolutely "cool" to the average non-disabled person as well, I know a number of people who go to school and work on them, and if they weren't so cost prohibitive, I would too!

Posted By Annie on November 26, 2007, 4:26 PM

It should be noted that wheelchairs cause many injuries in places where people are scurrying about, such as airports (and amusement parks), due to the fact that a person walking does not at first notice the object on wheels low to the ground. In addition, a wheelchair has a much wider wheel-base, compared with a Segway, and thus provides a far more awkward method of travel. People have to "make room" for a wheelchair because (1) people do not see them in a crowd, and (2) they are unwieldy, cumbersome, and wider than two people walking side-by side. The Segway, on the other hand, is very visible, easily speed-controlled, and can turn on a dime, thus having the potential to cause less injury to others, while providing a more dignified mode of mobilization for those whose needs such a device would fit. Disney will lose this case on Summary Judgment, no doubt.
It must also be mentioned that Gob from Arrested Development would be very upset, nay outraged, if he ever heard about this prohibition.
And no, I do not know where the suit was filed, but if it goes to the California State Court, or even to the Ninth Circuit, Disney stands little chance to succeed.

Posted By Zeke on November 27, 2007, 9:52 AM

I agree with Disney. I have been on a Segway and they can get away from you in an instant and cause an accident. Wheelchairs may be the best way for people with disabilities to get around a congested area like Disney.

Posted By Vicki Murphy on November 27, 2007, 10:22 AM

I have MD and can walk a limited distance. I have a nice wheelchair, but can't push myself. A friend or family member must push me. Makes me feel like a burden on others. Don't own a scooter, as I don't normally use one, too difficult for me to transport it without help. When I go to WDW it costs $35 a day on top of my admission to rent a scooter. A ten day stay would be another $350. Very unfair for someone with enough problems to deal with. I have been considering a Segway. Would love to hear Disney changed their policy. By the way, try sitting in a wheelchair, yelling excuse me to people who are only looking out for themselves. See how you like staring eye level at crotches all day. People cross in front of you, and sometimes get hit with my wheelchair. Others stand right in front of you and don't move. Some even go around you when you are in line. After spending years being treated like you are less of a person, it's nice to see disabled being able to hold their own in an upright position. Before you make a judgment about what we should and shouldn't be able to use for mobility and saving our precious strength, try living in our shoes. Knowing that every step you take is causing your spine to collapse on itself,as your muscles deteriorate, will make you think twice about what "you would do."
I carry a military disabled veteran ID card, that should be all Disney needs to allow any equipment that supports my needs.

Posted By Debbie on November 27, 2007, 1:35 PM

As a 47 year old with Parkinson's Disease, who has owned a Segway for mobility for over 3 years, I can tell you it has been a blessing. I have traveled with it through busy airports, all over Las Vegas and many other crowded locations and have not had an accident. Why should I be forced to sit in a wheelchair or scooter and have to look up at the world (and even worse, have the world look down on me) when the technology is available to embrace.
Many of our injured veterans are now be given Segways upon their return home from Iraq. Is Disney going to ban them from the parks?
For all of the ignorant, negative and judgemental people who criticize the use of Segways by the disabled, you will never understand what it is like to be disabled and how society perceives you until you become one of us (and chances are you will).
So try to be a little more open-minded and educate yourselves before using statements like "making people use wheelchairs".

Posted By Annette on January 17, 2008, 12:31 PM

I agree with Disney,Walt Disney World cast members already use the segway to get around the park before and after park operation hours,even during operation hours they use them...It kind of the same issue with the name tags Disney used to sell,people were posing as cast members! now you can imagine the problem that would be,but give them a segway and the costume will be real believable.Disney is right!!!!

Posted By Nick on January 24, 2009, 3:44 PM

Disney makes some good points with the Segway, and regardless of what anyone says there are some personal injury issues involved with the Segway operation. People trip on cracks in sidewalks for crying out loud causing millions of dollars in liability to Disney, the Segway expounds upon that problem. A litigious society is like it or not what we have, and I for one think the Segways should be used.. but there are ramifications there is no doubt.

Posted By Texas Lawyer on June 24, 2010, 1:00 PM

I totally disagree with Disney on this one. They say that they welcome those of us with disabilities, yet they tell us we have to be in a wheelchair or on a scooter. I do not WANT to be disabled, but alas I am. Do any of you really think it is comfortable for me to be in a wheelcahir being looked down to or having to look up to talk to someone? Well I can assure you, that is very UNCOMFORTABLE to be put in that position. I would much rather be able to use a Segway, as I am able to stand, but just can't walk any distance at all. They say that scooters and wheelcahirs are safer, I disagree. I am constantly having to stop so I do not run into people who refuse to notice me in my chair, because they are uncomfortable when they do notice me out of the corner of their eye. I am no different than ANY of you, other than my lack of ability to walk. Maybe I should just give into my desire to run your sorry butt's over when you step out in front of me like I am not even there, maybe that will teach you a lesson.

Posted By Handicapped Man on August 6, 2010, 3:31 PM

Some of you folks need to open your eyes. The article said it wasn't allowing the "Segways" or as described "upright, two wheeled, motorized scooters". No other mention of scooters were made. Motorized wheel-chairs were. Although they do take up more space it makes sense to use them. As far as dignity goes. You've got about the same dignity in a wheelchair as you do on a Segway. Those that were turned away are able to walk, just not long distances. So if they want to stand up for their ride and not have to suffer the indignity of getting extra assistance, it's not hard for them to stand up from their chair and move on to the ride.

Suffice it to say, I side with Disney. They own the place, their rules. If you don't want to play by their rules, then you can't play. It's a safety risk no matter what way you look at it. Just because the Segway CAN be programmed for whatever speeds, doesn't mean that once the person is passed security they're not going to go back and reset the programming.

The problem that a lot of you are posting is that people tend to ignore you in crowds because you're not at eye level. Well, the real issue is people tend to ignore people in general. Going to WDW or any other theme parks for that matter is like going through an Airport in a third world country. Despite how polite people may be normally, they are only looking out for themselves. Another person pointed out that allowing Segways could lead to other potential lawsuits. It the grounds are entirely covered for use of Segways and a Segway operator gets injured while trying to enjoy themselves. Disney said no first, why should they have to change. They had their park set up a certain way first, right?

As far as the rest. Life dishes out cards to all of us equally. We all get rough shakes and consequences as a result either from bad genetics, accidents, war wounds. Not everyone likes what they get. And sometimes if you want to have some fun, then you have to play by certain rules. Depending on where you go for sky-diving each group has certain gear they want you to use, they have limits, and rules. In order to go sky-diving you have to play by their rules. Just like with Disney, you chose to go there. If you can't get passed some of their rules, then don't go there, find another place for entertainment.

Posted By Jack on October 4, 2010, 6:02 PM

People who suffer from disabilities deserve mobility and dignity, but I don't think it's fair to provide the latter at the cost of public safety. You want dignity, I don't want a heavy, hard, fast-moving object, with a heavy person riding it, to run me down when I'm trying to navigate a crowd. Which is more important?

I understand you folks have it rough, but that's why you're allowed on the bus first, head straight to the front of the line on rides, have had wheelchair ramps installed everywhere, etc. Those aren't public safety hazards. Segways in a crowded area, without some kind of license proving that you're VERY capable of controlling them (and that you stand to lose if you run someone down by accident), is just crazy.

Posted By Daniel on November 20, 2010, 11:25 AM