Figment ride's second floor

[MaxsDad]

Okay, you're right. I'm sorry I don't know.

Actually it still could be the correct answer because the codes would be different based on locality and use of the building.

And I agree an office building in a different locality is a poor analogy to use. Perhaps a better one would be Cinderella's castle, IIRC we had to walk upstairs for that one, and I don't remember the elevator situation there.

 

[smkohn]

Timmy Boy, I liked your answer. The first one. I'm not sure if it is a good analogy to compare the building to a multi story building. I feel WDW is more safety conscious than many businesses, and your answer made sense. However, I too agree that something could be figured out to use the upstairs too, but for the time being it might be reasonable to close it off the the public. I think we all agree it is a shame that those attractions have been put on a shelf.

How about an analogy to another Disney building? What about the upstairs of Sea Base after you get off the Seas with Nemo and Friends? Somebody can correct me if I'm wrong, but I'm pretty sure that doesn't have a way to easily empty into a backstage or onstage area that would make it easy for people with mobility issues to safely and quickly exit. I used to work custodial in Future World and we spent a lot of time exploring every door that said "Cast Members Only" (which is how I got to relive memories of my childhood exploring whats left of the upstairs of Image Works). I don't ever remember going through any doors on the upstairs of the Seas that led to a ramp or anything outside.
Or, how about eating upstairs in Cinderella's Castle? Is there any way for people in wheelchairs or scooters to get back to the first floor where they could exit besides one elevator? Honestly asking, because I haven't been in there in years. Or the restaurants in the Japan pavilion that are upstairs? Is there a way to get down from there in case of a fire?
I'm not trying to nit pick, but there does seem to be a couple other buildings that could cause a possible problem, so why aren't those shut down? I just think there could be a different answer that Disney might not be willing to share with the public.
All I know for sure is that I'm sad that this is sitting upstairs in pieces. I have few memories from some of our early trips to WDW, but one thing that stands out in my mind is playing with those giant pin tables. I loved those things.

 

[SueM in MN]

Actually it still could be the correct answer because the codes would be different based on locality and use of the building.

And I agree an office building in a different locality is a poor analogy to use. Perhaps a better one would be Cinderella's castle, IIRC we had to walk upstairs for that one, and I don't remember the elevator situation there.

There is a small elevator - the stairs actually wind around the elevator space.

How about an analogy to another Disney building? What about the upstairs of Sea Base after you get off the Seas with Nemo and Friends? Somebody can correct me if I'm wrong, but I'm pretty sure that doesn't have a way to easily empty into a backstage or onstage area that would make it easy for people with mobility issues to safely and quickly exit. I used to work custodial in Future World and we spent a lot of time exploring every door that said "Cast Members Only" (which is how I got to relive memories of my childhood exploring whats left of the upstairs of Image Works). I don't ever remember going through any doors on the upstairs of the Seas that led to a ramp or anything outside.
Or, how about eating upstairs in Cinderella's Castle? Is there any way for people in wheelchairs or scooters to get back to the first floor where they could exit besides one elevator? Honestly asking, because I haven't been in there in years. Or the restaurants in the Japan pavilion that are upstairs? Is there a way to get down from there in case of a fire?
I'm not trying to nit pick, but there does seem to be a couple other buildings that could cause a possible problem, so why aren't those shut down? I just think there could be a different answer that Disney might not be willing to share with the public.
All I know for sure is that I'm sad that this is sitting upstairs in pieces. I have few memories from some of our early trips to WDW, but one thing that stands out in my mind is playing with those giant pin tables. I loved those things.

You are correct in all the cases you mentioned...
2nd floor of Living Seas
Cinderella's Castle
Restaurants in Japan

And one other I can think of right now - 2nd floor restaurant in France.

They all have an elevator to access the 2nd floor, but no other way out.

 

[BayouMickey]

We can argue semantics about accessibility to the cows come home..
in the end, someone asked why, and I gave Disney's official response to the same question that was poised years ago..

 

[ghtx]

I did the Undiscovered Future World tour about 7 years ago, and we saw the 2nd floor of Imagination.

This page has a review of the tour posted two years ago that mentions going up to the 2nd floor: http://land.allears.net/reviewpost/showproduct.php?product=239

Not sure if they still do.

 

[SueM in MN]

When it originally opened, the second floor had access to the 3D theater lobby. The flow of the pavilion was for guests to do the ride, go upstairs to Imageworks, then cross over to the movie.

So emergency evacuation could have gone into the theater lobby, then out.

So, even if someone says wheelchair accessibility was the reason for closing the second floor, I don't believe it and dont believe Disney would give that as an official reason for closing it.
The only article I have ever seen about accessibility even being a question said (without any proof) that OSHA requires accessibility if something is closed for a certain amount of time (without any proof off time period or even stating a time period). If you check on OSHA's website, they refer to ADA guidelines, which have some 'outs'.
But, there were elevators and a way to evacuate originally.

After they cut a large portion of the ride out, there was space for a smaller Imageworks. So, they had no reason to keep the original Imageworks open.
It also did not fit the re-themed attraction, which was a visit to the Imagination Institute.
Without renovating the 2nd floor, the remaining pieces (Imagination Institute and Honey I Shrunk the Audience went together. And, they did not have a big budget to work with.

 

[BayouMickey]

When it originally opened, the second floor had access to the 3D theater lobby. The flow of the pavilion was for guests to do the ride, go upstairs to Imageworks, then cross over to the movie.

So emergency evacuation could have gone into the theater lobby, then out.

So, even if someone says wheelchair accessibility was the reason for closing the second floor, I don't believe it and dont believe Disney would give that as an official reason for closing it.
The only article I have ever seen about accessibility even being a question said (without any proof) that OSHA requires accessibility if something is closed for a certain amount of time (without any proof off time period or even stating a time period). If you check on OSHA's website, they refer to ADA guidelines, which have some 'outs'.
But, there were elevators and a way to evacuate originally.

After they cut a large portion of the ride out, there was space for a smaller Imageworks. So, they had no reason to keep the original Imageworks open.
It also did not fit the re-themed attraction, which was a visit to the Imagination Institute.
Without renovating the 2nd floor, the remaining pieces (Imagination Institute and Honey I Shrunk the Audience went together. And, they did not have a big budget to work with.

That's your decision not to believe, but there was a scan copy of a letter sent by Disney to this individual posted, and that's what they stated.

 

[iheartdisney]

Does anyone else remember where you acted out things in front of a green screen and was put into sort of a dreamfinder movie?

YES!! I remember from the trip when I was 8, because someone in our family was wearing a blue shirt and jeans shorts, so on the screen she was this disembodied head and legs! lol!!

 

[pampam]

There is a small elevator - the stairs actually wind around the elevator space.

You are correct in all the cases you mentioned...
2nd floor of Living Seas
Cinderella's Castle
Restaurants in Japan

And one other I can think of right now - 2nd floor restaurant in France.

They all have an elevator to access the 2nd floor, but no other way out.

I'll add that the top floor of Columbia Harbour House is accessed by a small elevator too. I'm not too sure if that counts since you have to almost go into the kitchen to get to it, so I don't think it is used too much.

 

[makcool]

There is an elevator located in the center of the spiral stairs

 

[SueM in MN]

I'll add that the top floor of Columbia Harbour House is accessed by a small elevator too. I'm not too sure if that counts since you have to almost go into the kitchen to get to it, so I don't think it is used too much.

Forgot about that one - we have used it and it is kind of disconcerting to go almost into the kitchen.