Just a clarification on doing this!
We were told the we could enter tha Gateway at 7:30 AM so we could be at the proper place to begin our Segway tour at 8 AM this December. We were told to be there at 8 AM to fill out paperwork and get everyone in our party signed up. I called the Interantional gate three times to confirm that we could enter that way and I called security to confirm it also!
So on our Saturday morning we arose early and informed the teens that they were getting a surprise and we set out walking from the Beach Club. We hit one locked fence right away and another a bit closer to the gate. We jumped both fences and continued to the turnstyles arriving at 7:30 AM on the dot as planned.
We were refused enterance!

I was a bit annoyed but figured we could explain to someone and work it out so we could be there for the start of our registration period. It is quite a walk from that gateway to the desk by the "Silver Ball"!
We spoke to security and got no where! We had the head person come and speak with us and she also said no way! She would allow us to enter at 8AM but no sooner! We are not kids ourselves and I knew it was a long walk to the desk and there was no way I wanted to run the whole way to try to get there as soon as possible! I hate being late and rushed and I had confirmed all of this before hand!
We had a really rough start to our trip just getting every one to Orlando due to ice storms in the East and when we arrived our room reservations were all messed up! It too was a communication error on the part of Disney and I had just about had it with the Mouse in general! We had never once had these kind of problems and it seemed the every possible mix up was happening all at the same time to us!
I was beyond the breaking point and I just walked away and headed to the restroom to clear my head! I ended up in the men's restroom by mistake! What a

!
While I was explaining to the man in the restroom why I was there with my pants part way down.......

..........a CM approached my husband and assured us they would hold our spots in the class and that we could take our time and walk to the Segway desk after 8 AM. I was not happy but there seemed no easy way to fix the problem.
We sat down and waited the half hour to enter. Right before 8 AM the same CM came over and said the day was comped to us. At first I had no idea what she was saying but then I realized that she was giving us Hoppers for the day. It was a nice gesture on her part and certainly not necessary but we did appreciate the fact that at least Disney seemed to understand our disappointment.
At 8 AM we walked and half jogged through the IG and headed to the area of the Siver Ball! We got lost three times and had to keep asking directions! We arrived at the proper place at 8:25AM. I was out of breathe and flustered but at least we made it.
It was also one of those mornings when it looks like it could downpour at any moment and we were afraid they would cancel the outdoor portion but we were allowed to continue in the light rain. I think because of the rain the Disney photographers that were there the first time we took the tour, were not there! That was disappointing as I wanted a family photo of us all together! We got one on our camera but the pro one was so good last time!
We also ended up with a shorter tour. We got a late start and the rain slowed us down but it was well worth it and I would take it again!
If we stay at the Beach Club next time I would take the car to the front gate and avoid the hassel of the wait and the long walk!
