Disney turns away visitors on Segways | CNN

[Ediacara]

Disney turns away visitors on Segways
Some disabled users of the scooters angered by ban

Monday, February 9, 2004 Posted: 1:37 PM EST (1837 GMT)


Meredy Jenkins, who has multiple
sclerosis, is one of several people
with walking problems who are upset
that Disney won't let Segways into
its parks.

ORLANDO, Florida (AP) -- The last time Doug Exum went to Walt Disney World, he rented an electric scooter to navigate the resort's four theme parks. But he tired of sitting and the scooter cost him $200.

The next time the 42-year-old computer programmer from Plano, Texas, returns, he wants to bring his Segway, which allows him to stand up as he scoots about on its platform and battery-operated two wheels.

There's only one problem: Disney World doesn't allow visitors, even those with disabilities like Exum, to use the self-balancing transportation machines. The policy has angered some Segway owners with disabilities and surprised others since the Disney parks have a reputation for accommodating the disabled.

They say even some Disney employees use Segways, which are becoming increasingly popular with people who otherwise would have to use wheelchairs.

More at CNN

[DS1]

1. Of course, we all know the reason why is because

if you're zooming around on a Segway, you might ~miss~ a chance to buy some Disney crap. Sure, there's 14,000 different shops, but what if the people on Segways miss that "Goofy" Retractable 4-color pen?

[Dulcinea]

6. No, here's the real reason

They're not making any money off people who bring their own transportation!

$200 for a scooter rental? Give me a break!

[spinbaby]

22. $35 a day

Disney rents ECVs at the parks for about $35 a day. But, in fact, many users either bring their own or rent from an off-site company. There are several companies that deliver the rentals right to the Disney hotels.

[NewHampster]

2. I'm sorry but Segways are bogus

I have neighbors that work there and we all lived though the dumb hype. they are motorized vehicles that should be on the road.

Perfectly balanced and nobody can fall off but wait, dubya did just that. I really hoped that Dubya falling off would doom Segways to the Merrimack river.

[Atman]

3. Why wish ill on Segway? Dubya would fall off a carpet.

His effing MOTHER rode hers without falling off. So did Poppy. Get a grip.

W wanted to fall off. He wanted people to see that they are dangerous, and that there is just no substitute for four wheels. Four wheels powered by oil.

Oh, btw...there is one on my street. It seems pretty cool. Doesn't seem to haul much faster than the skateboarders.

[AP]

10. He fell off because he was holding a tennis racket in his hand.

Apparently you can't work the controls properly if you try to hold the handle with a tennis racket in your hand.

[Whoa_Nelly]

4. The Segways just need a little redesign...

by adding Mickey Mouse ears on the handles, some fun Magic Kingdom sparkling mylar tassels, and a horn that plays "Small World".
A "My Segway" Pluto-style doghouse for storing the vehichles while the owners go on any ride, and everyone will be welcome to bring their Segway into the park O8)

[papau]

5. how did he spend 200? - I do not recall spending that much

Is the price up in the year?

[Lorien]

7. makes no sense

I work for Disney, and I see management using Segways around the property all the time (yes, in the parks as well). I can't see it as a safty issue, since the things just seem to plod along. :shrug:

[SemperEadem]

18. One word: LIABILITY

it's about Disney not being sued by someone injured and suing them because someone who is distracted looking or talking to someone while riding a Segway and their little kid darts out and the Segway rider runs into the kid. The injured child's parent sues Segway, the Segway owner and sues Disney for not anticipating in advance the dangerous potentiality of the Segway.

It has nothing to do with disabilities or people with disabilities. It's about staying out of court and keeping folks out of their pockets.

[Robb]

8. Let's remember a Segway costs $5,000

I wouldn't allow one in either. Goofy falls over a kid and scratches it with a big brass button off his trousers, and presto, I'm in the Segway repair business. :shrug:

[bleedingheart]

9. Disney is overrated, overpriced and nothing more than a walkthrough

commercial.

There really aren't that many rides, the lines are far too long and some of the new rides offload into stores. Come on...its a joke.

My kids love the disney movies but even they didn't like the park...

I agree with the other poster...they want the rental fees for their scooters...they don't want people to bring their own transportation plus imagine if everyone brought one...it would be mass chaos.

[BiggJawn]

11. I don't walk very well, either, but I can still ride a Harley...

So to use the rationale of the Segway riders, I should be allowed to ride a full-dress electra-Glide through the park. It's discrimmination if they don't let me, right?

Hate to side with the "Evil Korporate Kingdom" on this, but you can control your employees to an extent. Allowing "civilians" in with their private Segways is just ASKING for a lawsuit....

Meredy should just accept that she's not "special" just because she's rich and has MS...Why do I say she's rich? Did somebody say "$5,000" for one of those?

[Atman]

12. Disney World is designed for walking.

Lots of sloping lawns down to fake waterways and ponds. An errant Segway is far more likely to take a wrong turn and wind up sliding down some embankment that a person on foot, or even in a wheel chair. I have to agree with BiggJaww. From a liability standpoint, I can see allowing motorized vehicles in a park designed for foot traffic, would be a disaster for Disney.

[Muddleoftheroad]

15. It's also dangerous to pedestrians

I don't blame Disney for doing this. In fact, I would do the same. I already almost ran into some dumbass riding one of those on a sidewalk. He acted like I was supposed to get out of his way. Yeah, right. They are motorized transportation. They belong OFF the sidewalks.

[Djinn]

13. a bit dubious

if you are unable to walk why could you Segway? if you CANT walk why not get a wheelchair? why would you need to HIRE a scooter, surely ones disability doesn't just kick in at theme parks, how do you get around on the street? why not just bring your own wheelchair etc

On edit: why would you even dream of going there anyway?????

[ConcernedCanuk]

14. Don furget - that's a pResidential Veehikal yur talkin' about !

.
.

And that requires special pResidential skills and ko-ordination








LOL - why is he runnin' AWAY from the durn thing

oh - it's an WMD

he's bein' attacked !

[grasswire]

16. I know someone...

...with post polio syndrome who rides a Segway in public places such as parks and malls. It's perfectly safe, no danger to others. I've seen seniors on motorized scooter-carts who are more dangerous.

[Ediacara]

17. I think you've got the right idea

The level of danger has more to do with the driver, rather than what they're driving.

[NashVegas]

19. And I've Seen People On Segways

(I wish they'd have freaking spelled it right - it's SEGUE!)

Going 15 miles per hour on city sidewalks. I'm on Disney's side.

[NewHampster]

20. My Real Issue with Segway - I'm Fat, New Yorkers aren't

I live in the sticks near where Segways are made. We all live in our cars and don't think twice about driving to a friends house 5 houses down the street.

We have lots and lots of fat folk like me.

When I visit NY or any city in Europe I don't see too many fat people. City dwellers walk and walk everywhere. They walk to work, they walk from the tube to work, they walk to lunch, they walk to get the paper. They walk and walk and walk.

And every city dweller I know IMHO loves to walk and considers it a part of their lives that they've chosen in the city.

Why in this day and age would anyone suggest taking that away?
Do we need to give people another way to be lazy and fat?

Think of NY or Disney World not with a few Segways, rather try and picture a sidewalk with 4 or 5 segways weaving in and out amongst the pedestrians. In the early 20th century I don't think anyone foresaw automobiles everywhere. But prices drop, people buy and before you know everyone is saying, Oh Shit! what happened?

By then it's too late because we never take back a right once given.

Let's take this rare opportunity to stop something bad before it goes to far.

[LeftHander]

21. Segways are more fun than Disney...

That is why they are banned.

Only fun created by Disney is allowed.

[NewHampster]

23. i don't want to segway yet

:kick: