Olivander Wand Show at Universal Doesn't allow ECVs or W/Cs?

[aubriee]

We just got back this past Sunday from our WDW/Universal trip. We had my mom with us in an ECV. I was surprised to find that she was not allowed into Olivander's wand show at Universal. We assumed she would either stay in her ECV or else transfer to a wheelchair to see Olivander's (she had to transfer from the ECV to a wheelchair to go into the castle). Instead, the CM said that neither ECVs nor wheelchairs were allowed inside Olivanders period. He said that if she couldn't walk in and stand for the show, that she couldn't do it. I just wondered if we had a misinformed CM or if this is the norm? Is it even legal not to allow ECVs or W/Cs?

 

[Wendydagny]

This is correct. It is due to fire codes. I do know that they will make exceptions for kids on MAW trips, because they did for us, but we were required to stand with dd's wheelchair right by the exit.

 

[utterrandomness]

That's ridiculous, it's brand new, they couldn't build it to be accessible? In my mind, accessibility includes building a space big enough to accommodate people with wheelchairs.

 

[jmartinez1895]

That is the same reason that they do not allow WC or ECV into the preshow area at Turtle Talk at Epcot. My son wanted to see the fish so the CM let my husband carry our son through and then we had to go wait in the other area for the show.

 

[clanmcculloch]

Interesting about Turtle Talk. The trip we took where DD12 was in a wheelchair, we went in the regular area with the wheelchair. The area was getting more crowded than we had expected so we sought out a CM because with DD14's GAC we typically don't wait in there (we try to plan for getting to a less crowded show these days so that we can wait in there but in this instance it was more crowded than we expected but it was nearly empty when we first walked in so we started off in there) and the CM only then brought us to the area where the wheelchairs normally wait but that was only after he hummed and hawed and begrudgingly took us there. I didn't realize it was a fire code issue.

 

[bedogged]

That is the same reason that they do not allow WC or ECV into the preshow area at Turtle Talk at Epcot. My son wanted to see the fish so the CM let my husband carry our son through and then we had to go wait in the other area for the show.

I guess everyone must have different experiences at Turtle Talk? I use an ECV and have a GAC. I have never had to wait in another area at Turtle Talk. Sometimes, at the last few minutes before the show, they will take all ECVs and Wheelchairs in an alternate entrance, but I have never experienced any restrictions regarding the pre show fish viewing area.

 

[oneandonlytara]

I'm in an electric w/c and definitely brought mine in to Ollivander's (even had my wand choose me!) and no one said a word. Must be something fairly new. I was there about eight weeks ago.

 

[aubriee]

I'm in an electric w/c and definitely brought mine in to Ollivander's (even had my wand choose me!) and no one said a word. Must be something fairly new. I was there about eight weeks ago.

We asked if she couldn't just transfer out of the ECV into a wheelchair, like she just had in order to see the castle, but the CM said neither wheelchairs nor ECVs were allowed inside, and if she couldn't walk in and stand for the show that she couldn't see it.

 

[EvangelineG]

We were also allowed to bring a WC into Ollivander's. We were asked to watch the show from beside the exit, apart from the rest of the audience.

I can see them asking people to transfer from an ECV to a WC, and only allowing 1 or 2 WC's at a time, because it is tight in there. But not having any accommodation for guests that can't stand for the duration of the show seems wrong. I hope this was one misinformed CM and not a new policy?

 

[oneandonlytara]

Yeah, as I mentioned, no one said a word to me upon entering. It might have had something to do with the fact that we were the beginning of a group of people entering the shop, so we were right up front. I definitely agree that the area is cramped, so I can see why they'd offer a transfer, but if that isn't possible, then I definitely don't think outright denying someone is right.

I also didn't transfer to anything different in the castle either. My chair can go into manual mode so the CM's can push it out of the way while I'm boarding the ride.

 

[I Love Pluto]

I am not familiar with Universal. However, I thought that not allowing wheelchairs or ECVs in an attraction was showing complete non-compliance with ADA statements.

Am I wrong?

 

[dja14]

It seems weird because I read an article somewhere (maybe the big travel guide?) that said the reason Hagrid's Hut was not a walk through was because Rowling insisted everything be authentic as possible and wouldn't allow ramps for Hagrids Hut (and by law it had to accessible)

 

[bookwormde]

It is not a fire code issue, all new structures must be designed with an accessible egress route.

Did you have a disability pass?

If so and you showed it or you declared that you qualified under ADA as a person with a disability and they did not accommodate you then they violated the law.

Here is the link, give them a call co they can provide guidance to Universal

http://www.ada.gov/enforce.htm#anchor218282

 

[aubriee]

It is not a fire code issue, all new structures must be designed with an accessible egress route.

Did you have a disability pass?

If so and you showed it or you declared that you qualified under ADA as a person with a disability and they did not accommodate you then they violated the law.

Here is the link, give them a call co they can provide guidance to Universal

http://www.ada.gov/enforce.htm#anchor218282

We were staying onsite, so got early admission to the park. I had just taken her through the castle. She did not ride, but went through the queu (she had to transfer to a wheelchair to do so though, which we expected and didn't have a problem with). After FJ, we went straight to Olivanders and got in line. When we were about 4 people back, the CM at the door saw us and told us ECVs were not allowed inside the show. I assumed she'd just have to transfer to a wheelchair, like she just had for the castle and told him transferring to a wheelchair would not be a problem. He said, "No you don't understand. Neither scooters, nor wheelchairs are allowed inside period. The space is just too small." My mom told my husband and me to go ahead and she'd just wait right outside the door for us, but I didn't want to leave her by herself outside. I asked if there was anyway to get her in, as there was no way she could possibly stand that long. His exact words were, "if she can't stand to wait in line and then stand for the length of the show, then she won't be able see it". I said, 'I would think that would be against the ADA'. His only response was to shrug. Hopefully it was just a badly informed CM, which is why I posted here asking if it actually a rule there or just a misinformed CM.

 

[bookwormde]

You should call OCR and register the incident so they can determine if there is a pattern of violation

 

[Schmeck]

If the OP and family were not near the front of the line, and someone was already inside with an ECV or wheelchair, then there could be an issue with safety, and thus the notice that the ECV/wheelchair would not be allowed. OP, did you ask about this, and ask to wait for the next show?

 

[disney david]

If the OP and family were not near the front of the line, and someone was already inside with an ECV or wheelchair, then there could be an issue with safety, and thus the notice that the ECV/wheelchair would not be allowed. OP, did you ask about this, and ask to wait for the next show?

Yes your right but the team member could of said sorry their a guest in their with an ecv in their right nom. my apologies you have to wait for the next show and explain the reason. Giving them a chance to see it safely I am sure the op would of waited so they all could see it together.

 

[Schmeck]

Yes your right but the team member could of said sorry their a guest in their with an ecv in their right nom. my apologies you have to wait for the next show and explain the reason. Giving them a chance to see it safely I am sure the op would of waited so they all could see it together.

When being denied something, most people don't hear the entire explanation, IMO. They go into defensive mode and start processing emotions. Perhaps it was said, or the OP could have at least asked.

 

[disney david]

When being denied something, most people don't hear the entire explanation, IMO. They go into defensive mode and start processing emotions. Perhaps it was said, or the OP could have at least asked.

Your right people do but it sounds as if that was not the case here.

 

[cmesq61]

We just got back this past Sunday from our WDW/Universal trip. We had my mom with us in an ECV. I was surprised to find that she was not allowed into Olivander's wand show at Universal. We assumed she would either stay in her ECV or else transfer to a wheelchair to see Olivander's (she had to transfer from the ECV to a wheelchair to go into the castle). Instead, the CM said that neither ECVs nor wheelchairs were allowed inside Olivanders period. He said that if she couldn't walk in and stand for the show, that she couldn't do it. I just wondered if we had a misinformed CM or if this is the norm? Is it even legal not to allow ECVs or W/Cs?

I do not know Universal's particular circumstance, and am in no way advocating for or agreeing with what happened to you. As a handicapped person, I think it stinks & was very disappointed to all the things I could not do at Universal. However, there are a boar load of loopholes, exceptions and safe harbors in the ADA and its attendant regulations allowing an entity such as Universal to not comply with various ADA requirements. ADA issues are not as simple as "they have to, period." Were I writing the laws and regulaitons, the ADA rule would be as simple as "comply. Period."