Flocks of Lawyers Circling WDW ???

[Juliet0778]

The point here is that this movie that this land was built about features a main character in a wheelchair. Of all places at Disney, this is where the effort should have been made. And since there are few rides at Disney that completely chair bound folks can ride in ... of all rides, a slow boat, it should have been made accessible.

No one is expecting them to modify roller coasters or other rides that could be dangerous .... but these two truly could have been modified easily, and rather than say why, I say why not?



Well, if Universal is any indication this is where we are going, it's cheap. NOW don't rule out FoP. I have vertigo, get dizzy, have several rides I won't go on or at some points close my eyes ........... rode FoP no problem. First ride I even looked behind me alot, looked at the guests on other levels next to us, looked at my DS since I was concerned about him on it ............. never once felt queasy.

That's good to know, but...I got queasy at a 3d IMAX movie, Soarin' was iffy, etc; And there are reports of people getting sick. So I didn't want to chance a FP and definitely won't stand in an hours long line. Maybe next trip when more real people have done it!

 

[TheRustyScupper]

o one is forcing you to walk from Pandora to Africa on the new route.

1) As I have been told by Trainers in Pandora, there is no option for an exit.
2) It would be easier to exit via the entrance route.
3) But, that has been determined to not be available.
4) Maybe it will be changed in the future.
5) But, no one knows.
6) Even the Pro-Disney Orlando Sentinel newspaper has doubts.

 

[rteetz]

6) Even the Pro-Disney Orlando Sentinel newspaper has doubts.

Doubts about what?

 

[tjkraz]

Regarding the part of your comment that I have bolded, are you saying that people in general should not have to give up a even a small part of an experience in order to allow the disabled to have some access?

To answer your question with a question, do you really believe that Disney DOESN'T already make compromises in the design of attractions, restaurants, hotels, park benches and every single aspect of their theme park operations?

I'm quite certain the design phase included countless renditions of "if we change X, it will negatively impact Y." A line has to be drawn somewhere. To assume that the Pandora attractions were solely designed for healthy, able-bodied, 5'10", 180-pound riders is naive.

 

[Madonna3]

BTW, there is an article floating around out there that shows FOP's transfer wheelchair. It looks like if you can manage to transfer yourself, it's actually quite accommodating if you can fit into the restraint.

 

[dlavender]

I have to think that they will be adding a wheelchair boat/option to the boat ride.

Otherwise, I'd agree that it's an oversight.

 

[Dashzap]

I wouldn't put it past Disney to have a wheelchair accessible boat, however, based on the size of the boat, I doubt it'll be able to hold some of the more involved 300-500 lbs wheelchairs.

Sadly, those who use the heavy power chairs are the least likely to be able to transfer.

 

[Dashzap]

Are we really so blinded by our armchair imagineer status that we're going to sit here and say "why didn't Disney consider this....why didn't Disney consider that"?

But but but....this is the rumor board...the board to celebrate speculation

 

[saskdw]

Doubts about what?

I think he's saying that you can't exit through the path closest to the front entrance. It's for entering only. That does seem odd. Must be a narrow path.

 

[danikoski]

Sadly, those who use the heavy power chairs are the least likely to be able to transfer.

Modifying vehicles for those heavy chairs can be difficult. I watched a horse drawn cart, modified with a wheelchair lift, have it's front wheels lift off the ground because of a 400 lbs chair with a 150 lbs person in it. Luckily, nothing bad happened. We added weight to the front of the cart and all was ok. But a boat, especially a small one, will have more difficulty balancing.

Does anyone know if the Land and IASW boats have a weight limit for wheelchairs?

 

[rteetz]

I think he's saying that you can't exit through the path closest to the front entrance. It's for entering only. That does seem odd. Must be a narrow path.

The Africa entrance is narrow. The Tiffins entrance isn't as narrow.

 

[umichigan10]

I think the entrance/exist thing has to be temporary, (or I hope) I don't think that's ever been a thing before in any Disney park

 

[rteetz]

I think the entrance/exist thing has to be temporary, (or I hope) I don't think that's ever been a thing before in any Disney park

Yeah my guess is it's for the grand opening weekend to deal with crowds.

 

[GreatLakes]

Does anyone think for a moment Disney didn't run all of these designs and policies past a room full of lawyers to make sure they aren't exposed to any ADA liability? Right, me either.

 

[saskdw]

Yeah my guess is it's for the grand opening weekend to deal with crowds.

Let's hope so. It would be a little annoying not to be able to exit by Tiffins.

 

[AtlantaDisneyDreamer]

...especially since one of the main characters in the Avatar film is wheelchair-bound.

I can't remember much about the movie. Was he able to ride his banshee and his boat in his chair, or did he have to transfer?

 

[TheRustyScupper]

1) I fully and completely apologize for my comments about the lack of wheelchair/handicap access.
2 But, living is a wheelchair since Feb-15 has given me a new viewpoint.
3) As an example:
. . . we rented a minivan today, just so I could "get out" (needed a vehicle to haul the wheelchair)
. . . didn't do anything, just rode while the wife ran errands
. . . but, I was out of the house !!!
. . . wow, how exciting!
. . . what a great feeling
4) This has shown me the limited lifestyle of wheelchair-bound individuals
. . . life is restricted
. . . one can't simply jump-in-the-car and even run to the grocery store
. . . you become reliant upon someone else to get you around, let alone "outside"
. . . at 4:00pm, friends will meet me at a local eatery for cocktails
. . . just this minor activity is a Big Deal
5) If this were to be my permanent condition, I would still want to enjoy Disney
6) This includes brand new, and designed from the ground up, rides.
7) This is the main reason why I reject the total design of Pandora rides
. . . And, the person overseeing the design and buld
. . . The lighting and scenery is gorgeous
. . . The ride is well-thought and well-planned
. . . But, while in a wheelchair, I have zero chance to enjoy the attraction
8) With the expense of the new 14.1 acre area,
. . . why not add a boat big enough for a wheelchair or ECV for folks who can't transfer?
. . . why not build a viewing room in banchee for stationary people (chair-bound or motion-sickness)?

NOTE: Hello, Rohde, are you listening, or did the weight of your earring slant your view of the REAL world?

 

[ELLH]

NOTE: Hello, Rohde, are you listening, or did the weight of your earring slant your view of the REAL world?

 

[rteetz]

1) I fully and completely apologize for my comments about the lack of wheelchair/handicap access.
2 But, living is a wheelchair since Feb-15 has given me a new viewpoint.
3) As an example:
. . . we rented a minivan today, just so I could "get out" (needed a vehicle to haul the wheelchair)
. . . didn't do anything, just rode while the wife ran errands
. . . but, I was out of the house !!!
. . . wow, how exciting!
. . . what a great feeling
4) This has shown me the limited lifestyle of wheelchair-bound individuals
. . . life is restricted
. . . one can't simply jump-in-the-car and even run to the grocery store
. . . you become reliant upon someone else to get you around, let alone "outside"
. . . at 4:00pm, friends will meet me at a local eatery for cocktails
. . . just this minor activity is a Big Deal
5) If this were to be my permanent condition, I would still want to enjoy Disney
6) This includes brand new, and designed from the ground up, rides.
7) This is the main reason why I reject the total design of Pandora rides
. . . And, the person overseeing the design and buld
. . . The lighting and scenery is gorgeous
. . . The ride is well-thought and well-planned
. . . But, while in a wheelchair, I have zero chance to enjoy the attraction
8) With the expense of the new 14.1 acre area,
. . . why not add a boat big enough for a wheelchair or ECV for folks who can't transfer?
. . . why not build a viewing room in banchee for stationary people (chair-bound or motion-sickness)?

NOTE: Hello, Rohde, are you listening, or did the weight of your earring slant your view of the REAL world?

The land is not 14.1 acres.

 

[jade1]

I can't remember much about the movie. Was he able to ride his banshee and his boat in his chair, or did he have to transfer?

HaHa, actually he transferred from the chair to the Avatar.