FYI: Disney made some updates to their rules

[tobikaye]

There was a thread on the Attractions and Strategies forum about an update to the Park Rules and Regulations at WDW (WDW rules and guidelines more clearly spelled out). I took a look at the Disney site (Walt Disney World Resort Park Rules) and there might be some things listed that might be of help to those planning with disabilities.

I notice that it specifically indicates that mobility devices size and that they should be single riders. There is now no age limit for costumes listed, which I know can be helpful for those adults with special needs that are more child-like in what appeals to them. I know in the past my sister has indicated she wished she could dress up like some of the kids could.

 

[Allison]

I noticed that also about mobility devices.

 

[BillSears]

But it is still unclear on the subject of a child in a lap. As a wheelchair user a child in my lap isn't a real hazard.

Under prohibited items:
f. Wheeled mobility devices with less than 3 wheels or devices that cannot maintain stability and balance when stopped, unpowered or unoccupied. Training wheels or similar modifications are not permitted. Devices must be manually or electrically powered and operated at a walking pace. Devices should be single rider and not exceed 36" (92 cm) in width and 52" (132 cm) in length.

It says "should" not "must", must and not permitted are used elsewhere but for this they just used should. It also says the devices should be single rider. To me this prevents 2 seat devices but does not place restrictons on one seat devices.

I know I'm being picky but the language used could have been clearer.

 

[aaarcher86]

But it is still unclear on the subject of a child in a lap. As a wheelchair user a child in my lap isn't a real hazard. Under prohibited items: f. Wheeled mobility devices with less than 3 wheels or devices that cannot maintain stability and balance when stopped, unpowered or unoccupied. Training wheels or similar modifications are not permitted. Devices must be manually or electrically powered and operated at a walking pace. Devices should be single rider and not exceed 36" (92 cm) in width and 52" (132 cm) in length. It says "should" not "must", must and not permitted are used elsewhere but for this they just used should. It also says the devices should be single rider. To me this prevents 2 seat devices but does not place restrictons on one seat devices. I know I'm being picky but the language used could have been clearer.

I really think you're splitting hairs to be honest. If they're only permitting single rider vehicles, they'd expect them to be holding a single person.

 

[BillSears]

I really think you're splitting hairs to be honest. If they're only permitting single rider vehicles, they'd expect them to be holding a single person.

But they aren't saying that those vehicles are forbidden. They say they "should be single rider". Should doesn't mean must. Also if they want one passenger per device then they need to say that. I bet their lawyers wouldn't let them say that because it would open them to a lawsuit so they made it vague.

I do admit that I am somewhat of a rules lawyer when playing games and sometimes in real life. For example most escalators just say no strollers, carts or wheeled luggage. But they don't say anything about wheelchairs so I'll sometimes ride up them if the elevator is in an inconvenient spot.

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

But they aren't saying that those vehicles are forbidden. They say they "should be single rider". Should doesn't mean must. Also if they want one passenger per device then they need to say that. I bet their lawyers wouldn't let them say that because it would open them to a lawsuit so they made it vague.

I do admit that I am somewhat of a rules lawyer when playing games and sometimes in real life. For example most escalators just say no strollers, carts or wheeled luggage. But they don't say anything about wheelchairs so I'll sometimes ride up them if the elevator is in an inconvenient spot.

Are you serious? They can't list everything which is prohibited. I can't believe anyone would ride an escalator in a wheelchair. How does it even fit? Keep in mind that if you fall, you endanger everyone below you, not just yourself. That is extremely irresponsible.

 

[Lsdolphin]

Are you serious? They can't list everything which is prohibited. I can't believe anyone would ride an escalator in a wheelchair. How does it even fit? Keep in mind that if you fall, you endanger everyone below you, not just yourself. That is extremely irresponsible.

I m sure he us just kidding....

 

[BillSears]

Escalator riding is fairly common among paraplegics. I only do the up solo the down is too tricky for me.

 

[aaarcher86]

But they aren't saying that those vehicles are forbidden. They say they "should be single rider". Should doesn't mean must. Also if they want one passenger per device then they need to say that. I bet their lawyers wouldn't let them say that because it would open them to a lawsuit so they made it vague. I do admit that I am somewhat of a rules lawyer when playing games and sometimes in real life. For example most escalators just say no strollers, carts or wheeled luggage. But they don't say anything about wheelchairs so I'll sometimes ride up them if the elevator is in an inconvenient spot.

I'd like to think that explicitly stating a single rider device shouldn't have two people on it is self explanatory.

They shouldn't have to state that. And that's why I think you're splitting hairs. I like to think that people have enough common sense to put two and two together.

There's not a big difference between should/shouldn't and must/mustn't - there's not many people that would interpret it the way you are.

 

[Sparkly]

I'd like to think that explicitly stating a single rider device shouldn't have two people on it is self explanatory.

They shouldn't have to state that. And that's why I think you're splitting hairs. I like to think that people have enough common sense to put two and two together.

There's not a big difference between should/shouldn't and must/mustn't - there's not many people that would interpret it the way you are.

I also would have thought it was common sense not to have more then one passenger riding. Having small children on your lap that could fall off and sustain a serious injury is highly dangerous.

 

[lizzyb5280]

I also would have thought it was common sense not to have more then one passenger riding. Having small children on your lap that could fall off and sustain a serious injury is highly dangerous.

So if I'm using both my hands to propel a manual wheelchair, how do you suggest I transport my children when they are too small to reliably walk beside me??

 

[bidnow5]

Sorry but if you are using both hands to propel yourself how are you going to hold onto a child to stop the child from falling off and getting hurt.

 

[MakiraMarlena]

I guess "should be single rider" is being read to mean "single rider unless I want to have a child in my lap."

So if I'm using both my hands to propel a manual wheelchair, how do you suggest I transport my children when they are too small to reliably walk beside me??

do you regularly have small children sit on your lap while you are using both hands to propel a manual wheelchair? I guess if you do it regularly you know it is safe, but it does not sound safe.

 

[OurBigTrip]

So if I'm using both my hands to propel a manual wheelchair, how do you suggest I transport my children when they are too small to reliably walk beside me??

I don't see how you could, which would probably make it impossible to go to Disney alone with your children.

 

[AndreaA]

Sorry but if you are using both hands to propel yourself how are you going to hold onto a child to stop the child from falling off and getting hurt.

She could be carrying a baby or toddler in a front carry wrap. I'm sure there are also plenty of wheelchairs which come equipped with seat belts.

I'm not saying it's the safest thing in the world for Grandma who only uses a scooter in the parks to be carrying her 1yr old grandkid, but if a responsible parent who is a long-time wheelchair uses says they can do it then I'm certainly not going to judge. I'm sure that people with various handicaps do plenty of things that "normal" people might think are dangerous, but when it's your life, things are quite a bit different. Heck, I wouldn't walk down a city street blindfolded, but legally blind people do it every single day.

 

[utterrandomness]

S Heck, I wouldn't walk down a city street blindfolded, but legally blind people do it every single day.

And I've found they're still less likely to bump into me or knock me over than folk with full sight...

But seriously, I can definitely agree with this. Parents who use wheelchairs/other mobility equipment know what they can and can't do safely.

As for the escalator thing, well, there's at least one spinal injury rehab clinic in Canada that teaches their patients how to use an escalator safely with a wheelchair. A lot of places don't have elevators, or the elevators are full of folk with strollers and it's hard to get a turn. Why not use an escalator if you can do it safely?

 

[Mrsjvb]

So if I'm using both my hands to propel a manual wheelchair, how do you suggest I transport my children when they are too small to reliably walk beside me??

you hire someone to take control/responsibility for your kids. assuming there is no other parent involved.

or you accept the fact that your life will be SEVERELY curtailed until such time as they ARE old enough or responsible enough to do their own walking.

your disability DOES NOT override your responsibility to act in a safe manner for all concerned.. you, your kids and everyone around you.

 

[lizzyb5280]

She could be carrying a baby or toddler in a front carry wrap. I'm sure there are also plenty of wheelchairs which come equipped with seat belts.

I'm not saying it's the safest thing in the world for Grandma who only uses a scooter in the parks to be carrying her 1yr old grandkid, but if a responsible parent who is a long-time wheelchair uses says they can do it then I'm certainly not going to judge. I'm sure that people with various handicaps do plenty of things that "normal" people might think are dangerous, but when it's your life, things are quite a bit different. Heck, I wouldn't walk down a city street blindfolded, but legally blind people do it every single day.

Precisely what I do. When my kids are babies, I use a front carrier to move them around the house, so that they can sit kind of like in a kangaroo pouch on my lap. Once they outgrow that carrier method they learn how to either sit on my lap or stand on my footrest and hold on to mommy while we move, with me bracing them with a hand behind their back as the situation dictates (slight slopes, bumpy terrain, crossing thresholds, etc.). I've been a paraplegic for almost ten years, and both of my kids were born post-SCI. Therefore this is something that they have known and we have done since day 1, which is much different from someone who is just in a wheelchair because of the demands of the trip, and a child who isn't accustomed to the compliance required in that situation.

I would never attempt an entire Disney trip solo with the kids, but my husband can't necessarily be there every single second. He should be able to go to the bathroom without dragging a kid along, or ride something with our older child that the youngest isn't big enough for. When my oldest made her first WDW trip at three, she knew to hold onto a special handle attached to the side of my wheelchair frame and walk alongside me. My son however is on the spectrum and expecting him to have that much compliance and impulse control within the next six months is just not reasonable. However, because he has been riding on my lap his whole life, he is more than capable of doing so safely.

I would never expect my disability to override any requirements for safety for all involved. All I'm saying is that when you don't live or even witness our life on a day to day basis, you can't pass a blanket judgement over what we can and cannot do safely. There's too much variation in ability across different types of disabilities to do so. Plus, something which may seem dangerous for an able-bodied person can actually increase safety for someone with a disability because of training and experience.

ETA: To get back to Bill's original point, to deny a paraplegic the ability to carry a child they way they are accustomed to could potentially be an ADA violation. I'd say letting one of my kids ride on my lap, in our situation, would fall under "reasonable accommodation".

 

[Toffeewoffy]

And I've found they're still less likely to bump into me or knock me over than folk with full sight...

But seriously, I can definitely agree with this. Parents who use wheelchairs/other mobility equipment know what they can and can't do safely.

As for the escalator thing, well, there's at least one spinal injury rehab clinic in Canada that teaches their patients how to use an escalator safely with a wheelchair. A lot of places don't have elevators, or the elevators are full of folk with strollers and it's hard to get a turn. Why not use an escalator if you can do it safely?

They wouldn't have the chance over here - shopping centres are routinely placing blocks in the centre of the 'entrance' to the escalators to prevent pushchairs or mobility devices from riding them. So, you have to go and find the lifts and use them.

 

[Tege]

you hire someone to take control/responsibility for your kids. assuming there is no other parent involved.

or you accept the fact that your life will be SEVERELY curtailed until such time as they ARE old enough or responsible enough to do their own walking.

your disability DOES NOT override your responsibility to act in a safe manner for all concerned.. you, your kids and everyone around you.

Wow, that's a little snarky. Why should a disabled parent have to hire someone to help with a child? That's one if the basic tenants if the ADA is that people with a disability have the same rights as someone without.

I wish I had your money to hire some one for my friend. Do you have any idea what a nanny/personal assistant costa?

I have a friend with severe RA among other things who is only 30 who routinely uses the scooters at Walmart and other places with excessive walking. She also has a 3 yr old who often will ride with her. Her husband works away from home a lot. They don't have the money to hire a nanny nor should they have to