Common use areas at the Park

As any public accommodation, an amusement park has common areas that are open to the public which will have to comply.  At Disney World, this was achieved beginning with their transportation and throughout the park.  They had accessible bus stops, restrooms, accessible ramps throughout the park as well as accommodation at restaurants and other public areas.

Designated bus stop loading areas are available at every bus stop

Every bus is equipped with areas designated for wheelchairs

Accessible restrooms were located everywhere in the park

Ramps were located along all routes, making them all accessible

Pool lifts and other means of entry were located in swimming pool areas at their resorts 

Accessible dining surfaces were available throughout the park

Several of the attractions in Disney World are shows.  They also had accessible seating and companion seating available at almost every show.

Accessible Amusement Rides

The 2010 ADA has an entire section devoted on creating accessible amusement rides.  The scoping states:

234.2 Load and Unload Areas. Load and unload areas serving amusement rides shall comply with 1002.3.

234.3  Minimum Number. 

 - Amusement rides shall provide at least one wheelchair space complying with 1002.4

 This ride has a ramp that deploys and allows a person in a wheelchair to enter the ride.

This photo shows an accessible loading area onto a boat ride
 

This photo shows the person in a wheelchair in the designated seat for persons with disabilities.
 

This is a train ride with a space for the wheelchair
 

Companion seats are provided for the designated wheelchair spaces
  

- or at least one amusement ride seat designed for transfer complying with 1002.5, 

- or at least one transfer device complying with 1002.6.

EXCEPTIONS: 

1. Amusement rides that are controlled or operated by the rider shall not be required to comply with 234.3.

2. Amusement rides designed primarily for children, where children are assisted on and off the ride by an adult, shall not be required to comply with 234.3.

3. Amusement rides that do not provide amusement ride seats shall not be required to comply with 234.3. 

The technical Standards have requirements for the following elements of the amusement rides.  They are very detailed and we encourage you to read up on them if you are designing amusement rides.

1002.2 Accessible Routes.  An Accessible route will have to be provided to the loading and unloading area

1002.3 Load and Unload Areas. 

 Here is a video showing how the load unload areas work

 1002.4 Wheelchair Spaces in Amusement Rides 

 Here is a video showing a spot for the amusement ride together with companion seating next to each other

1002.5 Amusement Ride Seats Designed for Transfer.

1002.6 Transfer Devices for Use with Amusement Rides.

Kudos to Disney World for their commitment to persons with disabilities!