Your Opinion?? Disney bans Segways from parks

Jason · February 10, 2004

The following article explains how some disabled Segway users are deeply angered by this ban Disney has announced. There is a very controversial issue. On one hand there is the issue of park safety - How safe would it be to allow park guests to zip between, in and out, and around walking or stationary guests? On the other hand, there is the concern for accommodating the disabled. What do you think about this?

DaCruzNut · February 10, 2004

I can empathize with those people with physical limitations, on this issue, but have to side with the Disney organization...

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The Segway is NOT designed for use in areas with large numbers of people. With its throngs of guests, DisneyWorld is correct on this issue.

Allowing Segways to scoot in-and-around the crowds is akin to allowing bicycles, motorscooters and other similar devices in the park.

To do otherwise would, most certainly, endager other guests.

The park does have wheelchairs for rent, and disabled guests may use their own. Disney, properly, makes a lot of concessions for the disabled, including not having to wait on the long lines, and is sympathetic to the plight of its disabled guests.

In this case, they are, also, watching out for all their guests.

dreamer · February 10, 2004

I can totally understand how some of those persons who have to use an "aide" to get around would prefer one that allows them to stand. People can "talk down" to people sitting in a wheelchair( or scooter).

Unfortuantely I also can see why the segways are being banned from crowded places, they can and do "zip around" through people and there is a danger of someone being hit. I understand that segways travel faster and are more manuerable then either chairs or scooters, which is why they are a bit more " risky" in crowds.

I have no idea what a solution would be that would please both sides of the argument, but I see both sides!

Lisa63 · February 10, 2004

If they're going to ban their use by guests with limited mobility, they should also ban their use by park employees.

Perhaps some sort of compromise could be reached, like disallowing them unless accompanied by a doctor's note.

BridaBunny · February 11, 2004

While we were in Disney last week we saw many of the employees on them. To be honest I think the employees will ( and were) very cautious when using them. I am not so sure that some of the patrons will be the same. I have seen some scooters being used inappropriately, so I can see the danger of the widespread use of them. In fact in Alsaka the oldies from the HAL ships were running people down with them. It was hilarious to watch the silver haired ladies with their updos for formal night encased in netting, acting like lunatics. The locals said they could tell when a HAL ship was in port by the number of wheelchairs and scooters! :rolleyes: