Disney World ban on Segways faces another challenge

[wbk]

Walt Disney World's ban on Segways is facing a new challenge.

Inside a downtown Orlando courtroom this morning, disability-rights advocates are trying to persuade a federal judge to reject a proposed settlement between Disney and three disabled people who filed a class-action lawsuit suit seeking to force Disney to allow the two-wheeled scooters inside its parks.

The lawsuit, filed by a man and a woman from Illinois and a woman from Iowa, was initially dismissed in early 2008 but resurrected after the lawyers for the three disabled people reworked their complaint.

Under the terms of the proposed settlement, Disney, which says allowing guests to ride Segways in its parks would create a safety hazard for other guests, would continue to bar Segways at both Disney World and Disneyland in Anaheim, Calif., and be released from future legal claims over the ban. Disney would instead develop its own four-wheeled, upright scooters for disabled guests to use in its parks and would deploy 15 of the vehicles between Disney World and Disneyland. The devices -- which Disney is displaying during today's court hearing on the settlement -- look much like the typical sit-down scooters common at Disney World, but with a standing backrest rather than a seat.

Disney also agreed to pay attorneys fees for the plaintiffs estimated to be somewhere between $70,000 and $185,000, and pay the three people who filed the lawsuit $4,000 each, which, according to the terms of the settlement, "may be applied by them toward a one-week stay for a family of four" at Disney World.

But lawyers for an organization known as Disability Rights Advocates For Technology, or DRAFT, are objecting to the settlement. They argue, among other things, that it would violate the Americans With Disabilities Act and that it would unfairly allow Disney to charge guests to rent the upright scooters.

The U.S. Department of Justice and a coalition of 23 state attorneys general -- including Florida Attorney General and 2010 Republican candidate for governor Bill McCollum -- have also objected to the terms of the settlement

[MartinaC]

Not sure why wdw would not allow segway's since they already use them on a tour. Don't they? Segways are not cheap and if someone is willing to pay the money to travel with them why not allow them?

[DVC_Chris]

Unless I am mistaken, the tours you are speaking of are at World Showcase before that area of the park is open to the public, so you do not have to worry about someone losing control of a segway and running into a guest.

Some managers use Segways, typically in ODF or security, but those are people that Disney has trained and certified. Disney does not want a bunch of people to use a motorized device in their park that they do not know how to use it properly.

Also, and once again I may be mistaken, Segways are not approved mobility devices for people with disbilities. The ADA requires a reasonable accomodation, and I would think that a motorized scooter would count as that

[Brian_WDW74]

Not sure why wdw would not allow segway's since they already use them on a tour. Don't they? Segways are not cheap and if someone is willing to pay the money to travel with them why not allow them?

The Disney Segways are kept on "turtle" mode, meaning they can only reach speeds of 4 to 5 mph maximum. Segways belonging to private individuals can travel at more than 12 mph. It's a matter of guest safety. :)

[SassyCat]

Also, and once again I may be mistaken, Segways are not approved mobility devices for people with disbilities. The ADA requires a reasonable accomodation, and I would think that a motorized scooter would count as that

Yeah, I was confused by this. I have never heard of segways being used this way either. :confused3

[twenty3curls]

All it would take is one small child darting in front of unsuspecting Segway rider and then Disney has a whole other mess on its hand. It seems more than accommodating on Disney's part to provide 4-wheel scooters. I guess I don't understand why people NEED a two-wheeled scooter. :confused3

[disneymayz]

All it would take is one small child darting in front of unsuspecting Segway rider and then Disney has a whole other mess on its hand. It seems more than accommodating on Disney's part to provide 4-wheel scooters. I guess I don't understand why people NEED a two-wheeled scooter. :confused3

They don't need a 2 wheeled scooter. They must need some money. They were not happy with 4,000 so they don't agree.

[gymnastgirlflips]

I'd rather people, even a couple, be allowed to bring Segways in. Definetely a safety hazard, I dont want to see anyone getting run over by a Segway. Besides, if more people come in on them, more people will complain and want to ride Segways too.

[KYMickey]

They don't need a 2 wheeled scooter. They must need some money. They were not happy with 4,000 so they don't agree.
Actually the original plaintiffs were in agreement with the settlement. The objection to the settlement came from an outside party that was not part of the original suit.

I'm not even sure how this suit went as far as it did. As stated above Segway's are not recognized by ADA as a mobility device. Actually you have to be quite able bodied to maneuver one successfully. Having anyone that's not highly trained driving one would definitely create a hazard and having partially handicapped people driving one could be even worse. Take the problems caused by the scooters now used by many in the Parks and raise them of higher so they're looking above others (especially children) and you'll get an idea of the potential hazard.

Disney love to be able to recover its legal expenses from people who sue over stupid things like this and our legal system should throw them out immediately instead of accepting them. There should be a pre-screening system to weed out frivolous suits.

By the way I am handicapped so I realize some of the difficulties with mobility.

[BigGreen73]

I think that Disney is all more than accomidating to everyone that stays with them. I find it sad that some always want more and more.

I am with Disney on this as the Segway's can be hazardous if not driven by an experienced driver. Even those that are experienced, like the CM's at Epcot, have a difficult time maneuvering through the crowds. I see this every time I visit.

Disney has to keep the safety of the guests first. It's just the larger picture in all this. Guests too, need to be accomicating and work with Disney when they visist as well.

And like someone said above, if each park had a certain amount and people started using them, then others would want to ride them too. Not just disabled folks either.

[KYMickey]

......then others would want to ride them too. Not just disabled folks either.
I can just imagine how many people will suddenly become handicapped if they can ride a Segway in Disney! ;) Just trying to control this would be a good reason in itself to ban them!

[Snowgod]

So, have any of you ever heard of a person being run over by a Segway? How many of you have been hit by an ECV in WDW? I have been hit on every trip to WDW by someone renting from Disney. I trained people to ride Segways and even let people run into me on purpose and never got hurt. Why? because Segways are made for this and as they take up no more space than a person walking, and allow the operator to see over people as they maneuver through the crowd. I believe, based on experience that a person on a Segway is less of a danger than a person on an ECV. :confused3

[WebmasterCricket]

Segways can't be moved reasonable distances easily by non-riders when they need to be moved either (especially if they take the key with them).

Think of times when you see a scooter being moved by someone other than the person actually needing it... Pushing it? Nope, they sit in it and ride it. Same thing will happen with a Segway. Once it's in the park, all bets are off as to who will be darting around with it and as to their skill level.

[Dznefreek]

The 2008 Florida Statutes

Title XXIII
MOTOR VEHICLES
Chapter 316
STATE UNIFORM TRAFFIC CONTROL
View Entire Chapter
316.2068 Electric personal assistive mobility devices; regulations.--

(1) An electric personal assistive mobility device, as defined in s. 316.003, may be operated:

(a) On a road or street where the posted speed limit is 25 miles per hour or less.

(b) On a marked bicycle path.

(c) On any street or road where bicycles are permitted.

(d) At an intersection, to cross a road or street even if the road or street has a posted speed limit of more than 25 miles per hour.

(e) On a sidewalk, if the person operating the device yields the right-of-way to pedestrians and gives an audible signal before overtaking and passing a pedestrian.

(2) A valid driver's license is not a prerequisite to operating an electric personal assistive mobility device.

(3) Electric personal assistive mobility devices need not be registered and insured in accordance with s. 320.02.

(4) A person who is under the age of 16 years may not operate, ride, or otherwise be propelled on an electric personal assistive mobility device unless the person wears a bicycle helmet that is properly fitted, that is fastened securely upon his or her head by a strap, and that meets the standards of the American National Standards Institute (ANSI Z Bicycle Helmet Standards), the standards of the Snell Memorial Foundation (1984 Standard for Protective Headgear for Use in Bicycling), or any other nationally recognized standards for bicycle helmets which are adopted by the department.

(5) A county or municipality may prohibit the operation of electric personal assistive mobility devices on any road, street, or bicycle path under its jurisdiction if the governing body of the county or municipality determines that such a prohibition is necessary in the interest of safety.

(6) The Department of Transportation may prohibit the operation of electric personal assistive mobility devices on any road under its jurisdiction if it determines that such a prohibition is necessary in the interest of safety.

History.--s. 68, ch. 2002-20.

[merryweather20]

So, have any of you ever heard of a person being run over by a Segway? How many of you have been hit by an ECV in WDW? I have been hit on every trip to WDW by someone renting from Disney. I trained people to ride Segways and even let people run into me on purpose and never got hurt. Why? because Segways are made for this and as they take up no more space than a person walking, and allow the operator to see over people as they maneuver through the crowd. I believe, based on experience that a person on a Segway is less of a danger than a person on an ECV. :confused3

Yes! That person was brutally injured. You don't have to take my word for it plenty show up when you do a google search. As for people being hit by ECV's thats more an issue for the walkers, then the drivers. People seem to think you can stop on a dime and jump in front of you. I've never driven an ECV, but people jump in front of me all the time in my wheel-chair :confused3. I've hurt myself more than once trying to stop my chair for some yahoo.

I'm a little bias though when they first started drumming up publicity for the suit, instead of saying the Segways were medically necessary, they said their client's found wheel-chairs to be demeaning. The plaintiffs didn't need the Segways at all, nevermind them not being a medical device. There are people however that will benefit from having the standing type ESV's around though.

[KYMickey]

.....Segways are made for this and as they take up no more space than a person walking, and allow the operator to see over people as they maneuver through the crowd.
That's part of the problem, they will be looking over the people instead of seeing the people that dart in front of them, especially children!
I believe, based on experience that a person on a Segway is less of a danger than a person on an ECV. :confused3
I agree completely than a well trained person on a Segway is not a significant hazard but if they become permissible many local shops to rent them will open and people with no experience will be driving them.

The 2008 Florida Statutes
........
(5) A county or municipality may prohibit the operation of electric personal assistive mobility devices on any road, street, or bicycle path under its jurisdiction if the governing body of the county or municipality determines that such a prohibition is necessary in the interest of safety.
.......
History.--s. 68, ch. 2002-20.
Well since Reedy River is its own municipality that ought to settle the whole thing right there! Of course the plaintiffs who agree to anything to make it big $'s. :thumbsup2

[Expert_Glider]

Mobility devices do not have to be FDA approved to be covered under the ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act). Canes, cruthches and even most ECV's are not FDA approved. FDA approval has nothing to do with the ADA.

Segways have been found (in multiple studies) to be safer than ECV's or power wheel chairs.

Many power chairs or ECV's can go faster than a Segway. A Segways speed can be limited if desired or necessary.

Some people with disablilties can stand but can only walk very short distances. A couple of examples: People with breathing disorders like COPD, spinal cord injuries, MS, ALS, amputees. Some cannot sit down for longer periods of time because of the pain but can stand for extended periods of time.

These are people that own their own Segways and use them every day. They will be attending WDW with their families and not "tearing" around the parks at 12 MPH. I surely don't want to see anyone force an Iraq war veteran that lost one or both legs (and wears prosthetics) into a wheel chair.

If someone operates a device in an unsafe manner, throw them out. This goes for wheel chairs, ECV's and Segways. The Segway is less of a safety hazard that any other mobility device when operated properly.

Show me a case where a person with a qualifying disability, using a Segway as their mobility device, has caused injury to another person.

Realistically, we are probably talking a couple of Segways a day by the disabled. Let them in - Universal Studios and countless other venues throughout the nation do!

[agnes!]

The problem as I see it is this:

Segways are sexy and they're "cool". If WDW/DLR have to accept them as mobility devices, then all of sudden many Guests will be claiming a disability so they can ride the Segways throughout the parks. First imagine, if you will, Magic Kingdom on a hot summer afternoon in July. Now also imagine that a large percentage of the people that usually walk are riding a Segway. Perfect order? Or will the same behavior we now see in the parks every day be ratcheted up a notch or two? I can just see 100s of folks jockeying for position on Main Street...Disney will have to have uniformed police do traffic duty or put in a traffic light at that first intersection near Casey's & the Ice Cream parlor. And as long as we're imagining the Segways being allowed, let's go over to Epcot's World Showcase where folks can drink alcohol...

If you want to read another thread about this with some interesting posts... http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2129173&page=5

agnes!

[Snowgod]

Once again, we have all of the non-segway people, claiming that the segway is dangerous to use in a pedestrian filled environment. Yes there are reports of Segways having accidents but those accidents involve other Segways, cars and other wheeled vehicles. Show me an accident involving a pedestrian and a Segway!
Do a search on Mobility Scooter accident and see how many deaths, broken legs and injuries you can find.

If disney wants to ban Segways, they have the right but they would have to stop using them also and they make good money from the tours.

Point of information: A segway weighs about 70 pounds, An ECV about 200 pounds.

I have used my Segway to tour the WDW resort areas and I love the paths and sidewalks, especially in the EPCOT resort areas. All the time I was traveling around the Boardwalk, International Gateway and the resorts, I never had anyone tell me I was not allowed or that I should not be there and it was during the Food and Wine Festival when it was busy. OKW resort and Saratoga Springs resorts are connected by wonderful trails and paths but watch out for staff traveling in golf carts as we watched a pair of walking guest dive out of the way as the cleaning staff traveled the path along the river.

[Mouseaholic!!!]

Once again, we have all of the non-segway people, claiming that the segway is dangerous to use in a pedestrian filled environment. Yes there are reports of Segways having accidents but those accidents involve other Segways, cars and other wheeled vehicles. Show me an accident involving a pedestrian and a Segway!
Do a search on Mobility Scooter accident and see how many deaths, broken legs and injuries you can find.

If disney wants to ban Segways, they have the right but they would have to stop using them also and they make good money from the tours.

Point of information: A segway weighs about 70 pounds, An ECV about 200 pounds.

I have used my Segway to tour the WDW resort areas and I love the paths and sidewalks, especially in the EPCOT resort areas. All the time I was traveling around the Boardwalk, International Gateway and the resorts, I never had anyone tell me I was not allowed or that I should not be there and it was during the Food and Wine Festival when it was busy. OKW resort and Saratoga Springs resorts are connected by wonderful trails and paths but watch out for staff traveling in golf carts as we watched a pair of walking guest dive out of the way as the cleaning staff traveled the path along the river.



Last trip to WDW we rented an EVC because of an ankle injury. It saved the vacation and I have had plenty of experience in scooters, mopeds and the like....it was a breeze to operation little "Dolly". I DID take time when we arrived to practice in the parking lot (backing up, turning, etc.)

However, down at the "butt and belt" level I was more aware of scooters and those who did not have a CLUE how to operate them. Renting these to the u nexprienced could be a mess for Disney.

If you "byo segway" and are experienced, no problem. Rentals.....run as fast as you can away for your safety.

In my boating days I traveled through Bermuda so often I finally opened a bank account there. I always found it cute that the tourist rental scooters had license plates which were white backgrounds with RED numbers and letters. I had a local friend tell me it was to easily identify the tourist - red for blood. I admist to a Weeble-Wooble the first time I scooted in Bermuda!

[agnes!]

Once again, we have all of the non-segway people, claiming that the segway is dangerous to use in a pedestrian filled environment. Yes there are reports of Segways having accidents but those accidents involve other Segways, cars and other wheeled vehicles. Show me an accident involving a pedestrian and a Segway!
Do a search on Mobility Scooter accident and see how many deaths, broken legs and injuries you can find.

If disney wants to ban Segways, they have the right but they would have to stop using them also and they make good money from the tours.

Point of information: A segway weighs about 70 pounds, An ECV about 200 pounds.

I have used my Segway to tour the WDW resort areas and I love the paths and sidewalks, especially in the EPCOT resort areas. All the time I was traveling around the Boardwalk, International Gateway and the resorts, I never had anyone tell me I was not allowed or that I should not be there and it was during the Food and Wine Festival when it was busy. OKW resort and Saratoga Springs resorts are connected by wonderful trails and paths but watch out for staff traveling in golf carts as we watched a pair of walking guest dive out of the way as the cleaning staff traveled the path along the river.

My point is not that a Segway in and of itself is dangerous to use in a pedestrian-filled environment but that the pedestrian-filled environment might (if Segways are allowed), morph into a completely different type of environment if there's a much higher proportion of Segways to pedestrians.

And I'm not 'claiming' anything as a "non-segway" person. I thought I was just participating in an interesting discussion, imagining the possibilites both good & bad if Segways were allowed on a wide-scale within the parks at WDW (however that's achieved, either as a disability/assisted-mobility device or as any Guest's personal transport device regardless of disability).

agnes!

[jlewisinsyr]

Once again, we have all of the non-segway people, claiming that the segway is dangerous to use in a pedestrian filled environment. Yes there are reports of Segways having accidents but those accidents involve other Segways, cars and other wheeled vehicles. Show me an accident involving a pedestrian and a Segway!
Do a search on Mobility Scooter accident and see how many deaths, broken legs and injuries you can find.

If disney wants to ban Segways, they have the right but they would have to stop using them also and they make good money from the tours.

Point of information: A segway weighs about 70 pounds, An ECV about 200 pounds.

I have used my Segway to tour the WDW resort areas and I love the paths and sidewalks, especially in the EPCOT resort areas. All the time I was traveling around the Boardwalk, International Gateway and the resorts, I never had anyone tell me I was not allowed or that I should not be there and it was during the Food and Wine Festival when it was busy. OKW resort and Saratoga Springs resorts are connected by wonderful trails and paths but watch out for staff traveling in golf carts as we watched a pair of walking guest dive out of the way as the cleaning staff traveled the path along the river.


Two comments...one there are far more ECVs then there are Segways in use, so pure volume will contribute to different statistics.

Second, you were using one not in the parks. I think the issue at hand is more of park use then general public area. Think about how crowded the parks are with all the strollers, wheelchairs, ECVs already, now add even more motorized vehicles with Segways.

[Cheshire Figment]

Several important points. (Disclaimer - I am disabled to where I need an ECV when in the parks or in a large shopping mall, but in my normal day to day activities I do not need one. Although I can stand and walk short distances with no problem, if I try walking over 200 yards I have severe pain in my lower joints.)

1. The manufacturer of the Segways has taken no action to have the Segway certified as a medical device. Therefore, no matter what the use they legally are not medical devices.

2. The Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA) does not allow a company to ask for proof of a disability to give the people equal access. Note that if they give higher access, such as something free which others would have to pay for, they are allowed to ask for proof of a disability.

3. Disney considers allowing use of a wheelchair (pushed or power) or an Electric Convenience Vehicle (ECV) which are certified as medical equipment to be used in the park without limit.

4. Disney will rent out equipment, such as wheelchairs and ECVs, which will allow equal use of the parks for people who state they are disabled, even if the disability is temporary. There is nothing to stop any person who has no disability from using a wheelchair or ECV.

5. If Disney decided, on its own, to consider the Segway a medical device and allow its use in the parks it would then be unable to stop anybody from using a Segway in the parks, no matter the persons disability (or lack thereof) or level of experience.

6. Related to this one of the biggest problems in the park is small children running around. Many people walking around do not notice some of the small children, or even people in wheelchairs or ECVs because they are below their normal eye and scan level. I have had many times in the parks where I have come to a complete stop and people have walked directly into my ECV because they did not see me. Add the extra foot or so to the eye level of a person on a Segway and they are less likely to notice small children in their path.

7. And last, the Disney rental ECVs have a maximum speed of less than 3MPH, most private ECVs (including the off-site rentals) have a maximum speed lower than 5MPH. The maximum speed of a Segway is 12½ MPH.

8. The current use of Segways in WDW fall into two categories; one are people on a tour who are chaperoned and in areas where there are not many people at the time and the other are CMs who, by nature of their job, need to cover a wide range of territory. And the CMs are very well trained (over a week of training) in the use of Segways and are required to drive slowly.

Until such time (if ever) that the Segways are certified as medical devices I feel that Disney is acting responsibly in not permitting them for Guests (other than in controlled situations).

[ROEDISNEY]

No disrespect but they should no way allow Segways in the Park. The tour is over b 4 ppl get into the park. I have done both Segways. Love them. And sure it would be fun to drive them all day. BUT I see this as accidents waiting to happen.

[Don Pacho]

Unless I am mistaken, the tours you are speaking of are at World Showcase before that area of the park is open to the public, so you do not have to worry about someone losing control of a segway and running into a guest.



I've seen those tours around Epcot during regular park hours riding around guests

[merryweather20]

Once again, we have all of the non-segway people, claiming that the segway is dangerous to use in a pedestrian filled environment. Yes there are reports of Segways having accidents but those accidents involve other Segways, cars and other wheeled vehicles. Show me an accident involving a pedestrian and a Segway!
Do a search on Mobility Scooter accident and see how many deaths, broken legs and injuries you can find.

If disney wants to ban Segways, they have the right but they would have to stop using them also and they make good money from the tours.

Point of information: A segway weighs about 70 pounds, An ECV about 200 pounds.

I have used my Segway to tour the WDW resort areas and I love the paths and sidewalks, especially in the EPCOT resort areas. All the time I was traveling around the Boardwalk, International Gateway and the resorts, I never had anyone tell me I was not allowed or that I should not be there and it was during the Food and Wine Festival when it was busy. OKW resort and Saratoga Springs resorts are connected by wonderful trails and paths but watch out for staff traveling in golf carts as we watched a pair of walking guest dive out of the way as the cleaning staff traveled the path along the river.

Im at a loss as to why I would search for "Mobility Scooter Accident" I'm thinking nothing shows up because no one else calls Segways this :confused3

Segways are much higher, with a high centre of gravity, this combined with the much higher speeds makes them much more dangerous. I also doubt the weight information you state you often see people lifting their ECV's into the back of their truck or van, seems doubtful that they wiegh 200 lbs.

[MrsToad]

I've seen those tours around Epcot during regular park hours riding around guests

If the times are still the same, I think there are four tours each day with the first tour starting around 7:45 and the last around 9:30. They are two hour tours and the first 45 minutes or so is spent learning how to ride the segway in the Innoventions building. Most of the remaining time is spent riding around World Showcase, which doesn't open until 11:00. The tours do cross paths with pedestrians for a short bit on the way to and from World Showcase and Innoventions.

We own a Segway, are very experienced with it, and know they can be safe; however, I still don't believe they should be allowed in the parks for many of the reasons already mentioned. I think they may be fine outside the parks, but inside it is just too conjested much of the time to risk the consequences of inexperienced operators.

We love riding the Segway so much that we still take the Epcot tour each trip. During the "training" part of the tour, the video clearly tells any CM that may be taking the tour as a guest that this 2-hour tour does NOT qualify him or her to ride unsupervised on Disney property. After the short video, much time is spent learning to operate and stop the Segway and learning that you and your Segway DO take up a bit more room than just your body does when walking. We have seen a couple of inexperienced people fall because they forgot to watch for the curbs and because they lost control going down hill and they couldn't slow down in time. It seems like ECVs and wheelchairs would be less likely to cause the operator to fall or lose control after such incidents, which could be somewhat frequent, given all of the attention distractions that are found in the parks.

I also don't think Disney would have to abandon CM-operated use of Segways, nor the tours, if they continue to disallow guest use of Segways. The tours are supervised and the CMs receive extended training. If Segways were allowed to be used in the parks by guests, I can't see how Disney would be able to retain control over the training that should be required before the devices can be operated unsupervised in the parks, especially with the number of 3rd party vendors that might decide to rent them. Since Disney doesn't currently ask for proof of disability or experience with the devices before allowing ECVs into the park, or when renting them to guests, how would they identify and stop an inexperienced Segway rider from bringing a Segway in?

[mitros]

Gee, aren't those baby strollers dangerous enough? Now we have to avoid bigger and heavier faster moving modes of transportation while walking around the parks...................:confused3

[Don Pacho]

http://img41.imageshack.us/img41/3008/dsc00062s.jpg (http://img41.imageshack.us/my.php?image=dsc00062s.jpg)

[M-I-C-K-E-Y]

The Disney Segways are kept on "turtle" mode, meaning they can only reach speeds of 4 to 5 mph maximum. Segways belonging to private individuals can travel at more than 12 mph. It's a matter of guest safety. :)

Um...if they are, for the tours, then Disney CMs are the exception. We were practically run down by a CM on a segway just prior to Illuminations, as he was flying at full-speed. Absolutely MUCH faster than four or five MPH.

[M-I-C-K-E-Y]

Disney can ban bicycles, unicycles, tricycles, mopeds, soapbox derby cars, and other assorted wheeled vehicles, in addition to roller blades, roller skates, and wheeled tennis shoes. Why are segways any different??

[JeanfromBNA]

We did a Segway tour with DCL. One of the tour members lost control of her Segway and was injured (bruises and scrapes). My husband had to pull it off of her from where she had it jammed up against a tree with her leg under it.

We love Segways and have been on a few tours since our first in Epcot, but as Cheshire Figment states, Disney can't demand proof of disability now under the ADA, and I can't see how Disney would be able to check Segway experience unless somebody gives out Segway licenses.

[KYMickey]

Once again, we have all of the non-segway people, claiming that the segway is dangerous to use in a pedestrian filled environment. Yes there are reports of Segways having accidents but those accidents involve other Segways, cars and other wheeled vehicles. Show me an accident involving a pedestrian and a Segway!
You're probably connect you won't find many (maybe none) incidents where a segway has injured a pedestrian. However there is a big reason for this, most Segways are not you in areas where there are many pedestrian. Ones that are are driven by highly trained individuals such as the CM's at Disney, police officers, etc. If the gates are once opened for Segways to be used in Disney I'm sure it won't be long before there will be injuries and lawsuits against Disney (not the operators).

I've ridden a segway several times quite proficiently but I certainly wouldn't want to drive one in the crowds at Disney! If you want to see some Segway accidents just take a look on Youtube!

[Expert_Glider]

We have seen a couple of inexperienced people fall because they forgot to watch for the curbs and because they lost control going down hill and they couldn't slow down in time.

Making it seem like you are talking about Segway's at Disney is totally false. Disney (for the most part) has no "hills".

This is a farce and didn't happen.

[merryweather20]

Making it seem like you are talking about Segway's at Disney is totally false. Disney (for the most part) has no "hills".

This is a farce and didn't happen.

:confused3 Walt Disney World has many hills, and there are curbs all over.

[livndisney]

Making it seem like you are talking about Segway's at Disney is totally false. Disney (for the most part) has no "hills".

This is a farce and didn't happen.

While I understand this is a personal crusade for you. Just because you make a statement doesn't make it true. Disney in fact has many hills of varying degrees. One example is the ramp to the monorail at MK. Another is the ramp to the monorail at EPCOT. Living with the Land pavillion is a continuous hill (to say nothing of the incline to the entrance). The only way to access the lower portion of the building where most of the attraction is is by moving stairway or elevator.

[MrsToad]

Making it seem like you are talking about Segway's at Disney is totally false. Disney (for the most part) has no "hills".

This is a farce and didn't happen.

You are incorrect. For example, the Epcot Segway tour takes you through the gardens in Japan; you ride up the hill, over the little bridge, and back down the hill again. The tour also takes you down hill where you cross from France back to United Kingdom. I make mistakes sometimes, but I don't make up stories.

[Cheshire Figment]

It is interesting the "Expert Glider" is a new member and the only posts the person has are in this thread and a similar one in the disABILITIES Forum. It appears also that the person may be a member of DRAFT, which for some reason has a political agenda to push the use of Segways. There was a different person (Tarkus) from this organization a couple of years ago whose only posts involved Segways. So this person is really an outsisder and probably no actual interest in Disney.

[zeroed]

I don't blame Disney one bit. They have to protect themselves by preparing safety rules designed to save us and them from the lowest denominator of stupid guests.

The park already has too many ECVs crashing into kids or my ankles and mostly driven by folks who are obviously incapable of safely operating them. Disney should test the driver's ability to manipulate controls and steering before renting one.

Can you imagine how long the wait to board your resort bus would be as they load multiple ECVs and Segways? It's already ridiculous as it is.

[MartinaC]

Wow, Has anyone posting researched the price of a segway? The chance of 100's of people who own them ending up at a disney park at the same time is highly unlikely. As for renting one, all disney has to do is not allow a rental agency to have an agency on site (downtown disney). I myself have had to hurry out of the way of someone in a ecv numourus times. Motorize anything at disney is a hazard. I think the public thinks you can get these for $199 at the local wal-mart. Do some research. When you purchase a segway you get some instruction time at the dealer as well as an instruction video and manuel. With times the hard time hitting people are just lucky to have the money to get to take a vacation. If disney allowed segways I really don't think that the segway company is going to have an explosion on orders. People don't have the money to buy. Only people that have the need for it are going to make the sacrafice.

[Snowgod]

The Segway is not certified as a medical device because Dean Kamen invented a wheelchair that can stand up and climb stairs. His deal with Johnson and Johnson allowed him to use this technology to build the SEGWAY Human Transporter. It did not allow them to market the SEGWAY as a medical device. There is no reason that it cannot be used as one if the disabled individual so chooses.

The SEGWAY center of gravity is approximately 7 inches off the ground.

Going down even the steepest hill on a SEGWAY requires just a slight pressure on your heels, This then charges the batteries. If you bend your knees and sit back a little you can stop fast enough to squeal the tires.

WDW has very few places that are not slightly up or down hill. Walt did this on intentionally beginning at Disneyland.

[KYMickey]

Wow, Has anyone posting researched the price of a segway? The chance of 100's of people who own them ending up at a disney park at the same time is highly unlikely. As for renting one, all disney has to do is not allow a rental agency to have an agency on site (downtown disney). I myself have had to hurry out of the way of someone in a ecv numourus times. Motorize anything at disney is a hazard. I think the public thinks you can get these for $199 at the local wal-mart. Do some research. When you purchase a segway you get some instruction time at the dealer as well as an instruction video and manuel. With times the hard time hitting people are just lucky to have the money to get to take a vacation. If disney allowed segways I really don't think that the segway company is going to have an explosion on orders. People don't have the money to buy. Only people that have the need for it are going to make the sacrafice.
I agree people are not going to go out and purchase Segways but I bet some local businesses will and began renting them to people to use in Disney. These people will have little or no training before they are let loose!
The SEGWAY center of gravity is approximately 7 inches off the ground.
Yes, but the CG moves up significantly when somebody is on it and that person is what's going to cause the problem, not the Segway it self.

[lugnut33]

I hope they let them in WDW because I'm going to do everything possible to get hit by one and then sue sue sue like crazy. I'll hit the jackpot.

[zeroed]

I hope they let them in WDW because I'm going to do everything possible to get hit by one and then sue sue sue like crazy. I'll hit the jackpot.

Hahaha...I thought I was the only one around here cynical enough to imagine someone doing this.

I would love to ride a Segway around Disney and if they win the lawsuit I will demand Disney allow me to ride one. I will claim a disability since my hemorrhoids won't let me sit on an ECV. ;)

I will run over you if you want me to. :rotfl2:

[TheRustyScupper]

I hope they let them in WDW because I'm going to do everything possible to get hit by one and then sue sue sue like crazy. I'll hit the jackpot.

1) Count me in !
2) We can make this a Class Action.
3) My golf pro says my swing problem is not keeping my right heel down.
4) This MUST be some kind of malady or disability.
5) Therefore, I should be entitled to use a Segway !

[Uncleromulus]

I sincerely hope common sense will prevail and they won't loose Segway riders upon WDW.
It's not necessary.

[Andrew Bichard]

If disney allowed segways I really don't think that the segway company is going to have an explosion on orders. People don't have the money to buy. Only people that have the need for it are going to make the sacrifice.

I don't agree with your assumption. For the most part, the 'disabled' tend to earn less, have smaller incomes, have much higher living expnses and are less likely to be able to afford (or to rent) a Segway.

In my neighbourhood, you hardly ever see wheelchair users, largely because they don't have jobs, live on benefits, can't afford powerchairs or scooters and therefore don't go out often. I am lucky, despite my disability, to have a job and an income and just about managed to save enough to buy a powerchair, install a lift in my home, build a disabled access bathroom and buy myself a very expensive 'drive from wheelchair' adapted van. There is no way in the world I could afford a Segway as well (not that I could ride one).

There is a powerchair called an Ibot. (You can see one at Innoventions). It can stand up on two wheels like a Segway (I think it is made by the same company). I would really like the thrill of riding one. I don't need one, I just want to ride one. But the price of an Ibot is out of this world. I could never afford one!

It is nothing to do with making a sacrifice. Very few disabled could afford one.

Now I know that every diability is unique, but I must speculate as to what disability prevents walking and sitting but allows standing. What do these 'disabled' Segway users do when they are not riding around Disney parks? If they can't sit on an ECV, does that mean they have to stand up all day at their place of work, and all evening at home watching television? Do they have to remain standing at restaurants and in their hotel rooms at Disney?

Andrew

[KYMickey]

Now I know that every diability is unique, but I must speculate as to what disability prevents walking and sitting but allows standing. What do these IBOT users do when they are not at riding around Disney parks? If they can't sit on an ECV, does that mean they have to stand up all day at their place of work, and all evening at home watching television? Do they have to remain standing at restaurants and in their hotel rooms at Disney?
My thoughts exactly! People that want them don't really need them, they just want a toy! And don't care me any of that crap about quality of life. If they were truly handicapped they'd appreciate just getting out and doing things and wouldn't be worried about how they got around. They probably just have a bunion and want to look cool!

Just to let everyone know, I am presently handicapped and confined to a wheelchair. I'm just glad to travel and do things and could care less about how I get around, as long as I can.

[lugnut33]

Hahaha...I thought I was the only one around here cynical enough to imagine someone doing this.

I would love to ride a Segway around Disney and if they win the lawsuit I will demand Disney allow me to ride one. I will claim a disability since my hemorrhoids won't let me sit on an ECV. ;)

I will run over you if you want me to. :rotfl2:

Bring it on!! You can run into me on the bridge near France and I'll go flying off into the water. You'll hurt me real good and we'll be rich!!

[monkeyknuckler]

... I must speculate as to what disability prevents walking and sitting but allows standing.
Andrew
Some people have severe circulatory problems, not allowing them to walk any great distances, but able to stand just fine. My Dad has this condition, not sure if you would call it a disability or not. But I know with absolute certainty that he would mow down more than his fair share of people with a Segway.

[SueM in MN]

There is a powerchair called an Ibot. (You can see one at Innoventions). It can stand up on two wheels like a Segway (I think it is made by the same company). I would really like the thrill of riding one. I don't need one, I just want to ride one. But the price of an Ibot is out of this world. I could never afford one!

It is nothing to do with making a sacrifice. Very few disabled could afford one!

Andrew
A sad update to the IBOT
they are no longer being sold. The main reason was that people could not afford to buy one and their insurance would not pay for one because insurers did not see the value of the extra features the wheelchair had. It also requred some extra practice to learn how to use and only people with a certain set of abilities were able to use some of the features.

[TStrickland01]

merryweather20 I agree with you completely. Having been in a wheelchair before there are two things. Most don't really understand how they interact with you even if it is inadvertant. And a Segway is over the top and this case should have been thrown out as specious, and now that a settlement has been rejected, the plaintiffs should have to pay Disney's court and attorney's fees.

[Princess Disney Mom]

I'm having a problem with Disney paying each person $4,000 and they are using it for a Disney vacation. Why would you sue Disney then take a vacation there?

[Andrew Bichard]

I'm having a problem with Disney paying each person $4,000 and they are using it for a Disney vacation. Why would you sue Disney then take a vacation there?

I'm just guessing here, but possibly Disney offered them a stay at Disney up to the value of $4000 in settlement. I would suspect that $4000 in cash was never on the table!

By offering a holiday rather than cash, Disney would take back a part of the compensation equivalent to their mark-up.

Andrew

[KYMickey]

I'm having a problem with Disney paying each person $4,000 and they are using it for a Disney vacation. Why would you sue Disney then take a vacation there?
Maybe because the real reason for this suit was just to get money anyway? And since they're Disney fans anyway, where would you expect them to go with extra money? They probably you love Disney and just used this opportunity to make a few dollars.