Official Fantasyland Expansion Q & A (Mickey gets evicted) PART II

[Berlioz70]

In terms of Disney, I would consider the holiday season to be once their seasonal decorations are up, which is typically early November. I imagine their goal is to have the next section of FLE operational by Thanksgiving week at the latest, since that is one of their busiest weeks of the year.

Agreed!

A bit of Storybook Circus was featured today in the Disney Parks Blog:

Where at Disney Parks Can You Find…

 

[chicagoshannon]

LOL,
Looks nice but what is with the fence? I thought it was suppose to be an interactive play area? They must have decided it was too slipery and dangerous and added it in at the last minute.

I was wondering about that fence too.

 

[Caretames1]

We're going Nov 1st -11th and I'm praying for at least a soft opening while we're there.

I do hope that they feel it should be ready to go for the first MVMCP, which I'm attending!

 

[CentralFloridian99]

I have news to confirm: The new bathrooms will ONLY be new bathrooms. No Tangled area will be over there.

 

[chartle]

LOL,
Looks nice but what is with the fence? I thought it was suppose to be an interactive play area? They must have decided it was too slipery and dangerous and added it in at the last minute.

I was wondering about that fence too.

I guess water and climbing don't mix.

 

[jjsdad]

Kids jumping the fence!

http://forums.wdwmagic.com/threads/casey-jr-being-reassessed.839482/

 

[DCTooTall]

Kids jumping the fence!

http://forums.wdwmagic.com/threads/casey-jr-being-reassessed.839482/

Interesting bit from the link...

hey said they're worried about getting complaints from guests about Casey Jr. not being ADA compliant if they remove the fence — that handicapped children will also want to climb aboard the train.

Sounds like the Fence was indeed a last minute addition, but not because of the safety concerns, but because of the concern about ADA complaints/lawsuits.

 

[arbolita]

Kids jumping the fence!

http://forums.wdwmagic.com/threads/casey-jr-being-reassessed.839482/

And not just kids, one mom helping her child to bypass the fence. I don't know what some parents are thinking.

 

[chartle]

And not just kids, one mom helping her child to bypass the fence. I don't know what some parents are thinking.

First Picture Caption "MOM MY HEAD IS STUCK!!!!"

 

[PoohsFan1]

Caption "MOM MY HEAD IS STUCK!!!!"

I was thinking the same thing when I saw that

 

[mom2rtk]

And we can all see the headlines "Mom sues Disney when child's head wouldn't fit through fence intended to keep her out."

 

[DanBoris]

Interesting bit from the link...



Sounds like the Fence was indeed a last minute addition, but not because of the safety concerns, but because of the concern about ADA complaints/lawsuits.

I read that quote over at WDWMagic also, but I don't understand the logic of it. How does making something less accessible by putting a fence around it keep people from complaining about ADA accessibility? I would think that would just make the situation worse.

 

[DanBoris]

I have news to confirm: The new bathrooms will ONLY be new bathrooms. No Tangled area will be over there.

What is your source for this information? I have heard from reliable sources that the area around the bathrooms would be themed to Tangled, although there probably wouldn't be a meet-and-greet or anything like that there.

 

[GenevieveRaqs]

I read that quote over at WDWMagic also, but I don't understand the logic of it. How does making something less accessible by putting a fence around it keep people from complaining about ADA accessibility? I would think that would just make the situation worse.

Because the fence was intended to prevent access for *everyone* whereas, with no fence, the train would only have been accessible to those without mobility issues. I see where they're going with their thinking, but I'm still not sure I understand why there would be major ADA complaints about it. Children (or adults, for that matter) who have mobility issues can still play in the area and enjoy the major intended feature--the "splash and soak" part. But in any case, I agree with WDW Magic that the best solution is to remove the steps leading to the engine and block the doorway into the engine.

 

[pilferk]

I read that quote over at WDWMagic also, but I don't understand the logic of it. How does making something less accessible by putting a fence around it keep people from complaining about ADA accessibility? I would think that would just make the situation worse.

I don't know if any of this is true, but here's the logic (nor am I saying I agree with the solution Disney chose):

It sounds like, originally, the plan was to make the train "climbable". However, ADA laws are pretty clear that you have to provide equal access to newly constructed attractions. Irrespective of the laws, if you do not provide ADA-type access...you are going to have to deal with guest complaints about it.

So, you have a choice: Restrict access to everyone or find a way to provide ADA-type access..

If you choose the first option..you can just put up a fence at minimal cost and just keep EVERYONE off. There's no worry about ADA compliance or providing ADA-type access...because NO ONE has access. Yes, you might have to deal with complaints...but you don't actually HAVE to fix anything. You just tell people it's for safety reasons and move on. You're still providing equivalent access.

If you choose the second option, you have to rework the attraction to allow (at least) wheelchair access to it. That means either having a "ramp and soak" area OR having staff on hand to help people transfer from their chair to a safe area on the train. That option is likely significantly more expensive.

 

[DCTooTall]

I read that quote over at WDWMagic also, but I don't understand the logic of it. How does making something less accessible by putting a fence around it keep people from complaining about ADA accessibility? I would think that would just make the situation worse.

Easy.

Fence means that non-disabled people aren't supposed to access it either. So You don't have to worry about the ADA concerns stemming from their not being able to access the area.


I'm pretty sure, that even with today's sue-happy world, That people can't use the ADA to complain about how they can't break the rules.

 

[MouseEarsForAll]

And not just kids, one mom helping her child to bypass the fence. I don't know what some parents are thinking.

First Picture Caption "MOM MY HEAD IS STUCK!!!!"

I was thinking the same thing when I saw that

And we can all see the headlines "Mom sues Disney when child's head wouldn't fit through fence intended to keep her out."

Oy, people are getting worse and worse every year...I don't know what they're thinking...

 

[pilferk]

Children (or adults, for that matter) who have mobility issues can still play in the area and enjoy the major intended feature--the "splash and soak" part.

Because the argument would be that the access is not "equal".

I have no real opinion, here, but that's what the complaint would be.

 

[GenevieveRaqs]

Because the argument would be that the access is not "equal".

I have no real opinion, here, but that's what the complaint would be.

I also have no opinion, just thinking out loud. I do have a separate but related opinion, though: I'm not sure I'd want my child scrabbling all over a slick, soaking-wet piece of metal (fiberglass?) regardless! Love the splash-and-soak part and the themeing, but I'm glad they're working to restrict the climbing.

 

[pilferk]

I also have no opinion, just thinking out loud.

I figured.

I suffixed my comment because I don't want anyone to think I'm out to debate the ADA laws, the validity of any complaints by those with or without mobility issues, or any of that. I'm Switzerland!