Court tells Disneyland to study Segway use

Please note: some posts may contain affiliate links which means our team could earn money if you purchase products from our site

Court tells Disneyland to study Segway use

A California appeals court told Disneyland it must consider allowing use of two-wheel Segways by disabled people.

Disneyland currently allows disabled visitors to use wheelchairs and scooters at the Anaheim theme park, but the justices of the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in San Francisco said it’s time for “The Happiest Place on Earth” to study the idea of adding Segways.

“We have every confidence that the organization that, half a century ago, brought us the Carousel of Progress and Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln can lead the way in using new technology to make its parks more welcoming to disabled guests,” Chief Judge Alex Kozinski wrote for the court.

The ruling comes in the case of Tina Baughman, who uses a two-wheeled Segway to get around because she has limb girdle muscular dystrophy, which makes it difficult to walk or rise from a seated position. Segway operators use the transportation device in a standing position.


“Disneyland wanted to put somebody in a wheelchair who has never been in a wheelchair,” said David Geffen, the plaintiff’s attorney. He said Segways are used by Disney regularly, and are ridden by their employees and visitors who can take Segway tours.

Baughman went to Disneyland to celebrate her daughter’s 8th birthday. She explained her disability but Disneyland refused to allow her to use the Segway at the theme park, said Geffen.

Baughman filed lawsuit in U.S. District Court against Walt Disney World Co. under the Americans With Disabilities Act. A lower court ruled in favor of the company.

A federal judge held that Disney is not required to modify its policy banning two-wheeled transportation, which includes bicycles and Segways, because it permits motorized wheelchairs or scooters.

With today’s ruling, the case now returns to federal court in Santa Ana.

A telephone message left Thursday for Disney attorneys Daniel F. Fears, Daniel L. Rasmussen and Daniel F. Lula wasn’t immediately returned.

Disney argued successfully that “necessary” means only one thing: Can’t do without. Because Baughman could access Disneyland by using a wheelchair or scooter, the lower court said a Segway isn’t necessary for her to use the park.

The case was appealed and the 9th Circuit said federal disability protections require more than assuring access.

“As new devices become available, public accommodations must consider using or adapting them to help disabled guests have an experience more akin to that of non-disabled,” Kozinski wrote for the court.

“We do not hold that Disney must permit Segways at its theme parks,” the court said. But the appeals court said Disney must prove that Segways can’t be operated safely at Disneyland before the theme park can exclude them.

The court then quoted Walt Disney: “As the man who started it all said, ‘Disneyland will never be completed as long as there is imagination left in the world.'”

Court tells Disneyland to study Segway use

D2T-1

Let our friends at Destinations to Travel help you book your next Disney Vacation. They are the preferred Travel Agency of Chip and Company and Disney Addicts, and who we use ourselves.

Get started below for your FREE No Obligation Quote.

Book With our friends at Destinations to Travel

Name(Required)
MM slash DD slash YYYY
This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

For the BEST in Disney, Universal, Dollywood, and SeaWorld Theme Park News, Entertainment, Merchandise & More follow us on, Facebook, Instagram, and Youtube. Don't forget to check out the Chip and Company Radio Network too!


Written by:

This account is for Past Writers and Friends who love Disney and want to share that love with you.
View All Posts
Follow Me :