Disney World ban on Segways faces another challenge

[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.

 

[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.

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.