Epcot Segway Tour cancelled - all of them

[Meekogsd]

I noticed today WDW website doesn't even list the segway tours anymore.

 

[andrewilley]

Oh nuts. We were due to do an Epcot Segway tour on Friday, and I was really looking forward to trying the new one.

There must be some potential safety issue (or in Disney's world, litigious) for them to cancel all the tours without notice, immediately. It will annoy a lot of guests though, so I hope there's a good reason.

Andre

 

[fadingjamie]

There must be some potential safety issue (or in Disney's world, litigious) for them to cancel all the tours without notice, immediately.

I would like to think this is the reason too but if the Wilderness segway tour is still going, that might not be it. Unless the safety has to do with increased pedestrians in the World Showcase... which is annoying since the official opening time is supposed to be 11am.

We're looking forward to doing this tour on our honeymoon in July. What a bummer..

 

[Brocktoon]

It may be model related. I think the ft Wilderness tour is the only one to use the XT/X2 all-terain model, while the epcot tours use the i2 style.

I've done both tours, and found the Epcot tour to be fun for a WDW fan, but the Wilderness tour was much better from a Segway riding perspective.

 

[minnie mum]

Mouseplanet has an interesting article on this in it's weekly WDW park update. Scroll down about half way to see the article:

http://www.mouseplanet.com/10180/Walt_Disney_World_Resort_Update

Makes as much sense as anything else we've seen so far. Maybe more.

 

[World Showcaser]

I have a Segway tour scheduled in Epcot for 2/28 for a party of 5 and have not heard anything about a cancellation. After reading this thread, I called WDW-TOUR to verify. The CM I spoke to knew nothing about the cancellations, nor did the CM she spoke to a Guest Services. She did say that "Live With Kelly & Michael" was filming at Disney next week 2/18-2/22, so maybe that's why tours were being cancelled?

For those that received phone calls, what was the date of the tour that was cancelled?

I just wanted to say welcome to the DIS!!

 

[joelkfla]

That was six years ago!

And an older model which is no longer used by WDW on tours (though there may be a few still knocking around for cm use.)

 

[joelkfla]

I would think Segway's would be on the list for evaluation. I don't have one, but I can reasonably anticipate that as the batteries age, they would be more prone to the deep-cycle recharge malfunction...

Their use as a motor power source is quite different than most laptops, cell phones and other consumer electronics.

The batteries are easily replaceable (though expensive, I believe over $1,000 for a new set.)

 

[dadddio]

Mouseplanet has an interesting article on this in it's weekly WDW park update. Scroll down about half way to see the article:

http://www.mouseplanet.com/10180/Walt_Disney_World_Resort_Update

Makes as much sense as anything else we've seen so far. Maybe more.

If that's true, I'm going to pat myself on the back for making the right guess.

 

[Tormania]

Oh nuts. We were due to do an Epcot Segway tour on Friday, and I was really looking forward to trying the new one.

There must be some potential safety issue (or in Disney's world, litigious) for them to cancel all the tours without notice, immediately. It will annoy a lot of guests though, so I hope there's a good reason.

Andre

My gut says a Segway rider collided with a pedestrian possibly (no proof, just a theory) and Disney determined the liability inside the park just wasn't worth it anymore. Less chance of pedestrian issues at Ft Wilderness I assume. Again, all just conjecture by me at this point. But that would be exactly how Coroprate America would respond if such a thing happened.

 

[MissionMouse]

Mouseplanet has an interesting article on this in it's weekly WDW park update. Scroll down about half way to see the article:

http://www.mouseplanet.com/10180/Walt_Disney_World_Resort_Update

Makes as much sense as anything else we've seen so far. Maybe more.

I too think it is connection to the law suit outcome of 2012. Though it was in favor of Disney, the use of Segways on property may not be in their best interest. It eliminates a posible future challenge that could again reference this tour program, which already has a share of accidents. It doesn't even include all of the near misses where tour participants almost hit guests on foot.

 

[DisneyElite4]

Sad news, but I can understand the decision. Glad we got to do this in 2007!

 

[nannette]

I have this tour booked for DD and FDSIL honeymoon for April... When I heard about it being cancelled I called IPO and was told they are cancelled through March 10th but they don't know why and they are hoping it's just a renovation... and that they will be up and running. This is prepaid and there was no mention of canceling anymore after March 10th or a refund. Fingers crossed it continues!

~Nannette

 

[lostatdisney]

I have this tour booked for DD and FDSIL honeymoon for April... When I heard about it being cancelled I called IPO and was told they are cancelled through March 10th but they don't know why and they are hoping it's just a renovation... and that they will be up and running. This is prepaid and there was no mention of canceling anymore after March 10th or a refund. Fingers crossed it continues!

~Nannette

That would be great news for us! We are scheduled for a March 12th tour. I have not heard anything from Disney about ours being cancelled, so I will cross my fingers!

 

[bloodonthesaddle]

I too think it is connection to the law suit outcome of 2012. Though it was in favor of Disney, the use of Segways on property may not be in their best interest. It eliminates a posible future challenge that could again reference this tour program, which already has a share of accidents. It doesn't even include all of the near misses where tour participants almost hit guests on foot.

If it was a liability issue the tours at Fort Wilderness would be cancelled as well.

 

[nannette]

That would be great news for us! We are scheduled for a March 12th tour. I have not heard anything from Disney about ours being cancelled, so I will cross my fingers!

I hope so. We've done a few of the tours and they are a blast! My DD really wanted to do this with her new husband on their honeymoon so I hope it happens for them and for you too!

~Nannette

 

[bloodonthesaddle]

The building where the indoor training when I took the Epcot tour is under renovation for an expanded character spot. The renovation was scheduled to be completed late February, construction delays could explain tours in early march being cancelled

 

[mrsksomeday]

The building where the indoor training when I took the Epcot tour is under renovation for an expanded character spot. The renovation was scheduled to be completed late February, construction delays could explain tours in early march being cancelled

That wouldn't explain why WDW has taken the Epcot tours completely off their website though.

 

[joelkfla]

If it was a liability issue the tours at Fort Wilderness would be cancelled as well.

Not necessarily. Pedestrian traffic at FtW is much lighter than in the parks, especially during afternoon & late morning.

 

[bloodonthesaddle]

Not necessarily. Pedestrian traffic at FtW is much lighter than in the parks, especially during afternoon & late morning.

When there was a canoe accident on the rivets of America at Disneyland 30+ years ago they were also removed from the Magic Kingdom even though there were no incidents at the Magic Kingdom. If there is a liability issue with the Segway tour in Epcot, Disney would eliminate Segway tours IMHO