Man Sues Disneyland Over 'Small World' Incident - AOL Travel News

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Man Sues Disneyland Over 'Small World' Incident
AOL Travel News
A quadriplegic man who was allegedly left stranded on the "It's A Small World" ride after it stalled is suing Disneyland in federal court. ...
Stranded on Small World: Quadriplegic Sues DisneylandKSEE
Disneyland Sued For Leaving Disabled Man On It's A Small World RideCare2.com (blog)
Quadriplegic man sues Disney over 'Small World'The Associated Press

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[Toocherie]

Wow! My Mom, myself and my then-boyfriend were stranded once for 45 minutes on Pirates because of a malfunction. It never occurred to me to sue--both my Mom and I are disabled.

Why didn't I think of this?

I don't think this lawsuit will get very far--and it shouldn't.

[AVP]

I think the disposition of this case will hinge on whether he did in fact notify the cast members of his medical situation, and whether they did in fact fail to follow procedures and summon emergency medical assistance. There's a difference between being stuck on a ride for 45 minutes, and being stuck on a ride for 45 minutes while experiencing a medical crisis.

But just being stuck on a ride for 45 minutes? Been there, done that, didn't sue.

AVP

[Malcon10t]

AVP is right. Even if they couldn't evac him immediately, if he said "Oh my BP is going up and I feel light headed" or any other key words, the CM would have notified security and had a nurse sent out with all the equipment, who would be able to get to him.

Also, it says he was "left alone." Was he alone at the park? If not (a few rarely are) what happened to his friends/family? They will usually allow them to stay with their family member, even in an evac.

[AVP]

Also, it says he was "left alone." Was he alone at the park? If not (a few rarely are) what happened to his friends/family? They will usually allow them to stay with their family member, even in an evac.

This article has more details, and says that he and his wife were together in the boat.

Were I the wife in this situation and Tony were in medical crisis, I would be OUT of that boat and screaming bloody murder until someone called the paramedics. Sitting passively waiting for someone to come rescue me would NOT be on the agenda.

AVP

[dcbell05]

Sue happy country. I got stuck in the blazing sun at the very top of the Grizzly River Run ride this past August. THAT was uncomfortable. And we were the LAST raft to get evacuated. So it took about 40-45 minutes. It may not have been an issue about him being handicap being stuck that long, but rather certain procedures have to be followed. And if he didn't tell anyone he wasn't feeling good, Disney can't predict that.
Him suing is just going to raise ticket prices for everyone.

[bennette]

Isn't anyone who gets stuck on Small World eligible to sue? Just from extended exposure to the song?

[candles71]

Isn't anyone who gets stuck on Small World eligible to sue? Just from extended exposure to the song?

Only if you, me, and MDM are on the jury.

[Toocherie]

Sue happy country. I got stuck in the blazing sun at the very top of the Grizzly River Run ride this past August.

Funny--I think my friends were stuck the same time on GRR. Did they have to drain the river to get you out?

[Toocherie]

Considering that the article AVP linked (which appears to be a disabled rights advocacy group) quoted the following from an on-line Disability guide:

"In the event of an evacuation, Guests will be required to walk certain distances, navigate stairs and/or narrow walkways, have a member of their party assist or carry them, or wait in a vehicle for an extended period of time for assistance."

To me--40 minutes doesn't seem all that long to be an "extended period of time"

[danyoung]

This situation really ticks me off. First, someone in a wheelchair simply must acknowledge that when they're going on a ride they might not be able to just zip out at a moment's notice. Second, if this person's health was so bad that his life was in danger because he was sitting still for 45 minutes, then he shouldn't have been at the park in the first place.

I don't mean to sound insensitive, but I just don't feel that every situation should be fully accessible to every person in every condition and every possible location. And AVP said it - if the wife wasn't jumping ship and yelling her head off, then the situation wasn't as bad as it's now being reported.

[Toocherie]

This situation really ticks me off. First, someone in a wheelchair simply must acknowledge that when they're going on a ride they might not be able to just zip out at a moment's notice. Second, if this person's health was so bad that his life was in danger because he was sitting still for 45 minutes, then he shouldn't have been at the park in the first place.

Dan, for once you and I are in total agreement.

God forbid this guy should go to WDW and get stuck on a bus when the lift breaks!

[dcbell05]

Funny--I think my friends were stuck the same time on GRR. Did they have to drain the river to get you out?

Yup! We were at the LAST drop of the ride at the top and we were directly facing the sun. We had to wait for the whole ride to drain for the emergency runner things on the side to be ready to walk on. Then our raft was the LAST raft evacuated. Luckily, we had some really nice guys from Texas, I think, on our raft, so that was nice, but my friend was definitely a little light headed after 40 minutes in the sun like that.

Ended up seeing the guys from the ride again later at the ESPN zoen restaurant the next day too. They were with a big group.

[danyoung]

Luckily, we had some really nice guys from Texas, I think, on our raft...

Hey, EVERYONE from Texas is really nice!

signed, Dan from Dallas

[potzbie]

This article has more details, and says that he and his wife were together in the boat.

I read that hot link article. "Care2" editorial comments aside, I'd like to know what happened to the man in the wheel chair AFTER he was evacuated.
If he did NOT straight to an emergency room, then he is full of bunk.
His "high blood pressure" was due to impatience.

If he did go to the ER, then okay, it was indeed a medical emergency.
But again, if he got off the ride and then rolled to ToonTown, or the Princess Faire, then I smell rotten in the state of Denmark-- uh -- Fantasyland.

[Jim Dear and Darling]

Isn't anyone who gets stuck on Small World eligible to sue? Just from extended exposure to the song?

LMAO

I don't know. I just don't understand why this would be so traumatizing. But I am not a disabled person, so I have never walked in his shoes. That said, from the outside looking in though, it looks like he's cashing in on his disability and looking for some fast money from a rich corporation.

I've been stuck on IASW for about a half an hour before. It's about as low-key a ride as you could possibly ever get stuck on.

I'm sure it sucked to watch everyone else get off the ride and have to sit there, and I'm equally sure that had they not been positive they would have him off fairly quickly, they would have probably taken further measure to evacuate him, but I'm guessing they figured the ride would be fixed shortly, and it would be easier and safer not to.

I don't think he should receive any money for this.

[SigalTchelet]

LMAO

I don't know. I just don't understand why this would be so traumatizing. But I am not a disabled person, so I have never walked in his shoes. That said, from the outside looking in though, it looks like he's cashing in on his disability and looking for some fast money from a rich corporation.

I've been stuck on IASW for about a half an hour before. It's about as low-key a ride as you could possibly ever get stuck on.

I'm sure it sucked to watch everyone else get off the ride and have to sit there, and I'm equally sure that had they not been positive they would have him off fairly quickly, they would have probably taken further measure to evacuate him, but I'm guessing they figured the ride would be fixed shortly, and it would be easier and safer not to.

I don't think he should receive any money for this.

I am disabled, and just went on it twice last week, in my scooter. Every person is different and what may traumatize me (NOT being stuck on IASW), may not traumatize you. That being said, knowing me, I would LOVE to be stuck on IASW. lol

[Jim Dear and Darling]

I am disabled, and just went on it twice last week, in my scooter. Every person is different and what may traumatize me (NOT being stuck on IASW), may not traumatize you. That being said, knowing me, I would LOVE to be stuck on IASW. lol

I absolutely agree with you that what might traumatize one person might not traumatize another. That said, I don't really think that being stuck on IASW would really actually traumatize anyone, but if that person does exist, perhaps the type of personality that would be traumatized by being stuck for only 40 minutes on a ride that is already 20 minutes long should not be riding in the first place.

[Drince88]

But if you are in medical danger, do you just sit there? Even if there us no way they could get him out, they would at least get medical aid TO him! If he simply said something (and using AVP's approach if necessary!)

[Jim Dear and Darling]

But if you are in medical danger, do you just sit there? Even if there us no way they could get him out, they would at least get medical aid TO him! If he simply said something (and using AVP's approach if necessary!)

That's the thing, from my experience with Disney, I have to assume that he said nothing, and that if he had alerted a CM to a "medical emergency" that they would have responded ASAP. If he had his wife with him, and it was a true medical emergency, she could have climbed out of the boat and alerted a CM.

I agree with the above posted who said that if he went straight to the ER he has a valid complaint, but if not, he has no ground to stand on.

[ogold72]

How badly could he have been affected by the delay? He's alive enough to sue!

[danyoung]

I absolutely agree with you that what might traumatize one person might not traumatize another.

The important question for me in all of this is how far do we take this? Let's say this same person was attending an evening fireworks show, and was landlocked by a crowd of people in all directions. No way for him to get out, and he has this same "blood pressure" thing. Now, does that mean that Disney needs to cancel all large outdoor activities because they can't instantly evacuate everyone everywhere? A ridiculous example, I know - but so is this lawsuit, IMO.

[SigalTchelet]

The important question for me in all of this is how far do we take this? Let's say this same person was attending an evening fireworks show, and was landlocked by a crowd of people in all directions. No way for him to get out, and he has this same "blood pressure" thing. Now, does that mean that Disney needs to cancel all large outdoor activities because they can't instantly evacuate everyone everywhere? A ridiculous example, I know - but so is this lawsuit, IMO.

I completely agree with you, Dan. People have to take responsibility for one's self. I am disabled, and it is hard for me to get in and out of some rides. But it is the risk I am willing to take to enjoy these rides. I know ahead of time, that if the ride breaks down, I will have to wait until they get it running again, in order to get out.

[adriennek]

This doesn't relate directly to THIS particular case but it reminds me of people who want to cheat various systems at Disneyland because they think they know better than Disney does. And here on the Pad we warn them: "Part of the reason for this policy has to do with their evacuation procedure."

SEE?? Rides DO break down! The DO have to be concerned about what would happen in case they needed to evacuate the ride!

The problem is that you can tell people what's going on until they're BLUE in the face and it won't matter because people will ignore all the warnings and policies (or better - live in denial about them - "That won't happen to ME") until they're in the situation and inconvenienced. Then suddenly it's lawsuit time!

Adrienne

[mkraemer]

I am simply incredulous at the ridiculousness of this lawsuit. It shouldn't even merit news attention.