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View Full Version : Locations that Do/DoNot allow Segways for Disabled




Okeechobee Wind
09-27-2003, 04:12 AM
I would like to use a HT for transportation throughout Disney World. My ability to traverse the park is limited to short distances. This makes enjoying any of the theme parks or other areas impossible without some sort of assisted transportation. I use a lightweight Sonic three wheel scooter manufactured by Pride mobility for this purpose with few if any problems. Disney World transportation is set up to handle this form of assistance.
Dose anyone have further information as to Disney Worlds stance on the use of the Segway HT for the sole purpose of transporting persons with walking disabilities?




jrmiller
09-28-2003, 12:46 AM
Hey Okee.... A while back I mentioned that I had spent a day at Univeresal studios in Orlando. This apparently was enough to stir the pot re Disney. Someone stated that Disney would NOT let you into the Kingdom on an HT. You had to rent one of theire mobility devices. A case of it good enough for us to use, but do not you ( the Public )even think about bringing in an HT of your own. I do not recall if the issue was ever resolved, so if you are going to the mouse house, you might call ahead soas to avoid any surprises. If you do go, PLEASE post your results here, many are interested. SEG Right .. SEG ON JR

Okeechobee Wind
09-28-2003, 01:56 AM
Hi JR,

It has been said that WDW will allow the Seg to be utilized as a bicycle type apparatus.

There are areas such as in Fort Wilderness where golf carts and bicycles are the norm. Even these forms of transportation are limited to posted areas.

My questions are directed for persons utilizing the Segway as a mobility enhancement. We are dealing with different forms and levels of disability. The person who may be in post or pre op. status for a knee or hip is enabled to walk any distance throughout the Disney property.
In the past they have waived rules in some areas against electric two wheel scooters since the operator was unable to walk without difficulty and held a registered disabled parking permit.
I have spinal injury that has caused an inability to walk any distance. Some days are better than others. Arthritis complicates this condition throughout all major joints of my limbs.
I can still ride a motorcycle or anything else with powered wheels. Notice I say powered, because riding a bicycle has its limitations. The best way to do this is have my canine companion power the bike when it gets stressful.
I am not in the worst shape but by far I am not in the best of shape. I do have a three-wheeled electric scooter chair, which is the only way I can traverse the Disney property. If I where to go to Epcot after taking WDW transportation, I am not able to walk half way to the lake or circular path. I certainly cannot backtrack unless I sit for an hour or so to return to the monorail or bus.
Allowing me to utilize the Segway for my transportation would allow me continue to enjoy my freedom of movement and not be forced to sit in a chair that I need not utilize fully at this time.

One of the ways the two wheeled scooter manufactures have chosen to get around the regulations invoked on them is to add training wheels.
I wonder if a set of front or rear wheels on spring steel stalks that do not limit the freedom of the Segway to react as it is suppose to would allow the unit to be transformed into a legal form of disability transportation.

Food for thought.

jrmiller
09-28-2003, 09:35 AM
Hey Okee.... "And not be forced to be in a wheel chair" I have Parkinsons Disease and I too have good days and some not so good days. I am not ready for a "chair" or chair like motorized device and I bristle at the thought of someone telling me what kind of device is best for me other than my Neurologist (not just some employee of a amusement attraction). I like you can walk in a limited fashion with good and not so good days and the HT is perfect for me. It's kind of like a interum nich form those of us not ready for chairs but unable to function on a longer duration in the mobility mode unassisted. Check some of the other posts in this area and there is a groing number of "us" in this nitch. Lete me know how the WDW thing worrks out. I live about 2 hours driving time from the aea and am interested in a first hand account. Thanks JR SEG-right SEG- ON

Stewbonz
09-28-2003, 10:07 AM
Perhaps the next Segway convention could be held at Disneyland?

JEFF JARVIS
Carmel Valley Ca

jrmiller
09-29-2003, 02:04 AM
Hey Stew.... RIIIGHHT, but you know, I bet the almighty dollar would get in the way and WDW would figure out a way to make eveeryone rent one of theirs while on the premisis. A good thought about the location, how about around late Jan or early Feb, bet there would be a big turnout from the northern contigent. Anyway, have a good day and SEG-Right SEG- ON JR

BruceWright
09-30-2003, 04:00 PM
I urge you to call the Walt Disney World Resort Disabled Guest Information line:

(407) 939-7807

Let us know how it goes.

-Bruce Wright

Segway: Vehicle of Dream

fredkap
10-02-2003, 10:11 PM
QuadSquad has written very eloquently on this subject. I don't want to quote him but contact him, he has been extremely successful. As many of you know he has obtained permission for the qualified disabled to ride all the way to the entrance of an airplane.

Good luck!

Fred

jrmiller
10-18-2003, 10:40 PM
Heey Ochee..wind Did you ever make the trip to WDW? Let me know and I am sure that there are lots of others whom would be interested also. Quadsquad.... YOURE THE MAN. I also broke new groung with Southwest Air . I was their first Segway passenger and I had to educate them RE: Segway HT. They got the FAA involved as to what procedures to follow and what was permitted. I also was permitted to ride to the planes doorway. SEG RIGHT SEG ON JR

BruceWright
10-20-2003, 02:24 PM
Yesterday I saw a higher-speed assistive device inside Disneyland. It was going around 6MPH, which is faster than I've seen assistive scooters go inside the park. I'm not sure how quickly the device was capable of travelling. It wasn't a Disney-owned device.

It was obvious to me that a Segway on a black key would be less obtrusive than that.

-Bruce Wright

Segway: Vehicle of Dream

Okeechobee Wind
10-27-2003, 01:01 PM
Hi everyone,
I am at WDW as I post.
I have been the Pioneer private owner to utilize WDW Transportation with a HT. The first half dozen or so times where uneventful with easy access to the Van Hool leaning busses and quick entry through the disability elevator on the older busses.
The entire time I had been holding my HT in front of me while sitting on the bench type seats. Finally a driver said I must have my Seggy strapped in, no way. He said, way, or no way can you ride. This allowed me to ask for the management who came from every direction. I was attempting to transfer from Main Street to the Boardwalk. Everyone was only concerned with the safety of everyone involved. That means all the passengers, driver and me. They treated me wonderfully and showed a genuine concern with proper handling of Segway’s in the future. I remind everyone mine has a Disability permit taped to the front post. This does make a difference and directs all actions to the ADA.
Segway's are allowed on the busses and an appropriate set of rules as to how they will be contained while traveling is in the works.
I have had no problem traveling throughout the hotel, RV park and public property. This does NOT include the theme parks however. A little at a time is for me the best policy. The Segway is accepted with open arms and giant smiles all over the areas I have visited. This is by cast members and guests alike.
Staying low profile and traveling at no more than a walking speed helps also. I always yield to any situation and stay as unobtrusive as possible. Many times the people around me do not realize there is a Segway in operation near until they realize I am a little taller than usual.

While in Las Vegas a few weeks earlier I had a conversation with a fellow who was gliding through the casino in the RIO Hotel. It is all up to the actions of the operator and proper identification.

More to come.

Jimmy

jrmiller
10-29-2003, 12:32 AM
Hey Ochee, I am pleased that you had such good results at WDW (I assume Orlando FL). There are those of us who were anxiously awaiting a brave sole to venture into the Mouse House. I am courious as to how things will go when you try to go into the Majic Kingdom.....yours or there's.Thank you for your post and anxiouy awaiting your nest post. :>) SRG -RIGHT SEG -ON JR

Okeechobee Wind
12-10-2003, 06:19 AM
There are good days and bad days when using your HT for mobility in WDW.
I have traversed almost all the areas of Disney not including the theme parks without a problem. Without warning however security comes out of the woodwork and with a smile hassles me with every location change. This change mirrors the hours of shift change and increases as the sun sets.
I have been refused admittance to EPCOT with my HT. The persons in charge said through the security personnel that I would be allowed to leave my Segway at the gate and they would issue me a electric mobility scooter at no charge. I have heard every excuse to not let me glide and also received smiles and a go for it from cast members.
The daytime management of EPCOT has sent a memo to me personally with contact numbers and a message that They are available to personally explain policy to me and answer any questions I may have as to Segway operation in the theme parks.
I have been to busy traveling from Orlando to Fort Lauderdale to follow up on his offer.
I believe Disney means well and will eventually allow Segways in a disability mobility mode in the parks. Disney World management is unique to the business world and does not allow for rational and complete answers to issues that may or may not support their customers needs.
I have heard from supervisors in various areas that the Segway is not an authorized disability device and so on and on. This is true and of concern to the level of handicap that depends on safety from mechanical methods of mobility. It seems that Disney does not understand that many of us are not paraplegic and do not fall under the rules of the mechanical methods used for mobility. The ADA is for the person not the equipment. If for any reason I am embarrassed by a cast member again as I was by a bus driver supervisor it will be time to push back a little harder. It am but one person and a pioneer traversing the WDW property. I have been told by persons in a management position that when more individuals on Segways show up they will have to be dealt with in a more lenient fashion.
I am looking forward to the time when gliding is considered the norm at Walt Disney World as it is in most all other areas where people gather with a mobility disability.
There are times when any confrontation causes the pixie dust to not do its magic while at Disney. I stay there for months on end and for now will use my chair scooter for travel in specific areas. Next year and in the future however because of this years response I am going to keep my dollars to myself and spend a thenth of what I have in the past years at WDW.
JR you have mentioned that Universal allows you gliding mobility. Is this true? I am going to places that are there for me the consumer.

BruceWright
12-10-2003, 02:27 PM
I don't think it's so much a question of pushing the issue harder as it is a question of education.

We need to educate the folks at the theme parks that LOTS of people who had no relief with other devices DO get relief from a Segway.

We need a good meeting with these people, and lots of photographs and testimonials.

It'll happen. It's going to have to. Self-balancing machines are here to stay, and they're an obvious step forward for human mobility. Forcing someone into a wheelchair when they don't need one, merely to traverse private property has the effect of forcing someone into a wheelchair for the rest of their life. This IS a mobility rights issue.

Education is the key.

-Bruce Wright

Segway: Vehicle of Dream

jrmiller
12-11-2003, 02:28 AM
Hey Ochee-wind, thiswill be kind of short, I broke my L colar bone over T-Giving an typing is rather uncomfortable. Anyway, yes I went to Universal Studios in August for my daughters 16 surprise birthday party. I was not questioned or hasseled by anyone while there. Only the typical questions and comments by everyone, visitors and park employees alike. Nothing negative. I would recommend a trip there if your in the area, it would be interesting to see if another "Segger" would get the same treatment. I think that it was before I had placed my disability sticker on the CS so unless someone detected my tremors(sometimes {most}very evident), they thought it was "cool", "just like on TV"!! Let me know how it goes if you go and feel free to contact my by e-mail if you wish. SEG-RIGHT SEG-ON JR :>)

va164488
01-21-2004, 01:36 PM
It's funny that Disney is giving you a hard time about traversing some parts of the property with their HT, when a lot of their personel use the HT's to get around. You can usually see them around Epcot and Downtown Disney, especially as the parks start to close down. Perhaps they just like to have the upper hand?

Valerie J. Patton

Betty Boom
01-26-2004, 06:09 PM
I live in Orlando and I just called WWW and they have an absolute policy stating NO SEGWAYS in theme parks! Apparantly they do not consider the Segway a mobility device and want you to sit down and act handicapped. Sorry for the harsh words but I think standing on a Segway is empowering to a mobility challenged person. I have MS and can only walk short distances (difficult and tiring) but I CAN stand up and I have no intention of diminishing myself for the mouse!!!!!!!!!!!!I think this calls for action on the part of partially disabled Segway users. How many are out there? How many more will be soon when they get the word? If I had more numbers I would contact ADA now.

Betty Boom

jrmiller
01-27-2004, 01:05 AM
Greetings Betty, This subject has been discussed on several occasions and it seem that the Mouse House dosen't want outside Segway in the theme parks. You can rent and use one of their "sit down" devices, but not your HT. Try this number, WWW Disabled Guest Information 407 939-7807 Good luck and let us know your response. I, like you, have mobility problems and the HT handles the situation quite nicely. I'm NOT ready for a chair. SEG-ON SEG-RIGHT JR :>)

fredkap
01-27-2004, 02:36 PM
Betty,

Please set up your user info so that e-mails can be sent to you via SegwayChat, your e-mail address need not be public info.

Fred

Betty Boom
01-27-2004, 05:45 PM
ok, I set it. (for a while anyway). Of interest to all of you --Mike Schneider of the Associated Press is doing an article on WDW about not letting Segways in the Parks---the public attention may persuade Disney to reconsider. He can be reached at 407-425-4547 or mschneider@ap.org if you have any further input to give him.

Betty Boom

jrmiller
01-28-2004, 12:30 AM
Betty, I have sent an e-mail to the address you posted and will await a return. I will post the gist of a reply if one is sent. REMEMBER SEG-ON SEG-RIGHT JR :>)

rbrick
01-28-2004, 11:38 AM
Betty, RIGHT ON!!! Stand tall be empowered. Due to MS, I have traded my sit-down scooter for a Segway and won't go back until the disease forces me to. Able-bodied people do not realize the freedom (physically and emotionally) a Segway can provide. I am not knocking scooters but for me the Segway is my access device and my chance to regain some "near normal movement." Maybe WDW management should spend the day getting around their theme parks in a scooter to see just how much fun it ISN'T.

My disposable dollars go where I am welcomed. If the threat (hollow as it may be) of ADA forces them to rethink their restrictive and discriminatory policies, we have to get in their faces for those that don't have the energy to fight for their rights and just give up and stay home. I am not a militant just because I stand taller on my Segway ;)

quote:Originally posted by Betty Boom

I live in Orlando and I just called WWW and they have an absolute policy stating NO SEGWAYS in theme parks! Apparantly they do not consider the Segway a mobility device and want you to sit down and act handicapped. Sorry for the harsh words but I think standing on a Segway is empowering to a mobility challenged person. I have MS and can only walk short distances (difficult and tiring) but I CAN stand up and I have no intention of diminishing myself for the mouse!!!!!!!!!!!!I think this calls for action on the part of partially disabled Segway users. How many are out there? How many more will be soon when they get the word? If I had more numbers I would contact ADA now.

Betty Boom


http://www.zwire.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=10805148&BRD=1459&PAG=461&dept_id=506062&rfi=6

jrmiller
01-29-2004, 12:57 AM
Greetings to All, My E-mail from MR S was returned and a TX is expected sometime tommorrow.We'll see what kind of s sabre rattler he is. More later as it unfolds. SEG-ON SEG-RIGHT JR

mschneider
01-29-2004, 01:33 PM
Okechobee Wind ... I'm Mike Schneider, a reporter for The Associated Press. I would love to talk to you about your experience at Walt Disney World. Could you either call me at 407-425-4547 or email me at mschneider@ap.org?
Cheers.