Bruce wrote to Kit about the demise of the Skyway while humming "Meet Me
Down on Main Street":
KB> Actually, I don't believe in their decision and do not presume to
KB> defend it, but those attractions you mentioned do not have a lot of
KB> stairs leading to them as the only way to get on them. Many people
KB> in wheelchairs can get out of the chair (or be lifted) far enough to
KB> board the horse car, Dumbo, the Jungle Cruise, Keel Boats, Space
KB> mountain, etc. My wife, for instance, cannot walk very far without
KB> tremendous pain. She could not make it down Main Street for
KB> instance, without being in so much pain that she couldn't enjoy
KB> herself. She uses a wheelchair at Disneyland, but is still able to
KB> board the above attractions--with the possibly exception of the Keel
KB> Boats which niether of us have ever been on.
Yup, until my mother had a knee replacement, we plopped her in a
wheelchair at DL. Discovered two things: the castmembers are very well
trained in not only accomodating wheelchair guests, but in making them
feel comfortable about sneaking in the exits et al. Also discovered that
Main Street could use a lot more curb cuts!
KB> The ONLY way, however, to board the skyTram, was to go up several
KB> dozen stairs. If Disneyland had a small elevator installed on each
KB> end (for handicapped riders and for emergencies), they would be in
KB> compliance with the Americans With Disabilities Act [ADA].
If there's one thing I've learned about the ADA, it's that nobody knows
what it takes to be in compliance until the court tells you (and
sometimes not even then). This answer stinks for another reason: the
Skyway is a one-way trip, and you really can't get a wheelchair into the
gondolas. So what good would elevators do?
Further, if the Skyway was dismantled as a result of legal action under
the _Federal_ ADA, it would have been done in Federal Court and applied
equally to the Florida park, where the Skyway is still very much in
service. (This also tends to support the earthquake theory, too.)
KB> Let me also remind you that this was just the reason I was told why
KB> they shut down the SkyTram. Other people got different answers. I am
KB> in no position to know whether the reason I was given was true or
KB> not. I am just reporting (and commenting) on what I was told at the
KB> park by a castmember.
YOO HOO, anybody out their within a local phone call of DL want to call
the Disneyland Guest Relations office and get us all an "official"
explanation? The phone number is 714-999-4565.
KB> I found the SkyTram very relaxing. The views were always quite
KB> stunning. The park takes on a whole new dimension from that height.
KB> I have also been on it when the ride stopped and that was really
KB> cool. I was there for several minutes, just looking out at the
KB> beautiful park, high enough up to see lots of it and far enough away
KB> from the crowds that their noise did not affect me. I wish I had had
KB> a camcorder on that day, but, alas, I wouldn't have shot much
KB> footage because I wouldn't have known the SkyTram was on the
KB> Endangered List.
One important thing to remember about DL and WDW--everything is on the
Endangered List. When the public's taste changes, so do DL priorities,
and when we least expect it, up go the barricades and it's gone.
Remember the Mine Train through Natures Wonderland? Or the Pack Mules?
Or the Stagecoach? Or the Freight Train? (Gee, you're older than you
type if you do.)
Remember what Walt said, "As long as there's imagination left in the
world, Disneyland will never be completed." Get that film exposed now
while the shootin's good.
()_()
 (_)  Bruce (remember the Bathroom of Tomorrow?) Metcalf
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