Epcot Segway tour-entering IG before opening, also ? about AAA discount

[wildernesslodgelover]

My friend just booked the Segway tour at Epcot for 8:30 a.m. She is staying at the Dolphin. Can't she enter the park thru the IG...won't they have her name on the list? The person on the phone said she must go to the park main entrance...but I am pretty sure that is incorrect.

Also, the same person said the AAA discount (15%) does not apply because she is not staying at a WDW owned resort? That just does not sound right to me...anyone know about this?

Thanks!

 

[JDUCKY]

There were a few answers in your original thread re: the IG entrance:

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2409441


Not sure on the AAA discount. You should call Guest Relations at Epcot to find out for sure. But, if your friend has an AP, they can get a discount that way, too.

 

[wildernesslodgelover]

There were a few answers in your original thread re: the IG entrance:

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2409441


Not sure on the AAA discount. You should call Guest Relations at Epcot to find out for sure. But, if your friend has an AP, they can get a discount that way, too.

Yeah, I know...I am the last poster on that thread (as of this moment.) I got 4 responses...a yes, a no, and a maybe. Looking for a few more experiences. Plus, just found out from her about the lack of an AAA discount, and I knew that did not belong on the restaurants board, so I figured while asking that here, I would also ask about the IG entrance.

She does not have an AP.

My friend is not a DISNEY FREAK, like me! So she is asking me my advice and I am trying to make the trip as cool as possible. I just don't want to steer her wrong, ya know? I really want her to experience walking thru Epcot before opening...and I want her to save as much $$$ as possible by being able to use any available discount.

 

[kaligal]

I seem to remember them saying that you had to enter from the front entrance, but I could be wrong. Call 407-WDW-TOUR if you need to know.

 

[JDUCKY]

Try these numbers, then:

Guest Relations: 407-824-4321
Tours: 407-939-8687

Might be better getting it from the horse's mouth, so to speak.

 

[mapmakerj]

You do not have to be staying at a Disney owned hotel to get a AAA discount on tours. We stayed at the Swan and did the Behind the Seeds Tour and the Family Magic Tour last June and we got the AAA discount on both. They never even asked where we were staying. It would be silly to restrict the AAA discount for onsite, as many AAA cardholders either stay offsite or are locals, and they pay for the AAA membership and all it's benefits just like those who stay onsite.

 

[PSUGuy]

I wouldn't take a chance on the IG. My wife and I in March 2007 and my son and his GF in Oct 2007 got through there for the second tour of the morning but I've read of others having problems. In 2009 my daughter and SIL took a cab from the BoardWalk to the eatly tour.

Bill From PA

 

[wildernesslodgelover]

Ugh, I am so frustrated! I called the WDW Tour number...the woman was like, "Umm, yeah, I think she has to go to the main entrance. You need to check with your resort, but I am pretty sure.""

She didn't sound very sure!

SOOOO, I called guest relations...the 407 824 4321 number. The nice woman put me on hold for a long time, came back, and said yes, for the early dining reservations and the 8:30 Segway tour, your name will be on the list at IG.

Of course, now I am still paranoid to tell my friend to go that way!

I am going to call AAA directly about the discount. The same gal at the tour number said to me that AAA discount was only good if you booked an AAA package for your stay...not just simply belonging to AAA. Of course I am doubting her, though!

 

[PinballFamily]

Boy - you've gotten some doozies for CMs - sorry!

FWIW - we've done the early morning Epcot Segway ride several times over the past few years (staying at either the Swan or the Yacht Club). Each time, we have entered through the IG (our names were on the clipboard lists) and walked through the empty Epcot to the main entrance to meet up with the others on the tour. Your friend does need to know where she is going as she heads across Epcot, but it shouldn't be too tough to figure out the route. We walk briskly and it takes us 15 minutes from the IG to the main entrance, FYI. So, make sure she allows enough time to get through the IG turnstiles and across Epcot before the tour check-in time.

Also, we ALWAYS book our Disney tours with our AAA discount (and never been on an AAA-booked vacation). At tour booking when we call the WDW-TOUR line, we are quoted the AAA member rate, pay it with a credit card, and are always told to bring our AAA card with us to WDW/the tour. Only once, I believe, were we asked (at the start of a tour) to show it. We've never had a problem and have done many many (many!) tours - they're all terrific! - and all with AAA discounts.

Hope this helps - your friend should love the tour/Segway ride - it is great!

 

[mapmakerj]

Call the tour operators directly at (407)WDW-TOUR (407-939-8687). They are the ones that know all about the AAA discount on the tours. Our AAA office didn't have a clue about tour discounts.

 

[JDUCKY]

Ugh, I am so frustrated! I called the WDW Tour number...the woman was like, "Umm, yeah, I think she has to go to the main entrance. You need to check with your resort, but I am pretty sure.""

She didn't sound very sure!

SOOOO, I called guest relations...the 407 824 4321 number. The nice woman put me on hold for a long time, came back, and said yes, for the early dining reservations and the 8:30 Segway tour, your name will be on the list at IG.

Of course, now I am still paranoid to tell my friend to go that way!

I am going to call AAA directly about the discount. The same gal at the tour number said to me that AAA discount was only good if you booked an AAA package for your stay...not just simply belonging to AAA. Of course I am doubting her, though!

Makes me wonder if some people (entry-level CSRs) are just afraid to ask their supervisor if they do not know an answer.

Why tell someone something that's incorrect or purely a guess.

Go ask a superior!

 

[wildernesslodgelover]

Pinball-when was the last time you used the IG entrance for a tour? Recently? We did it on our 10 year anniversary, which was almost 3 years ago...and we entered thru IG. It was really fun, I gotta say!

map-I did! She told me that is is only if you are staying WDW resort (I think she might have meant you had to book a PACKAGE thru AAA) But it just seems weird that I can find NOTHING online that says AAA discount is ONLY if you are staying at a WDW resort/booked a package.

jducky-well, I was hoping that by calling guest relations, that my question would be answered...and it *was*...I mean, GR said that YES, she can go thru the IG...but dang, I will feel so bad if they turn her away!

I know many people think she should just go to the main entrance of the park, just in case...but she rarely goes to WDW and I just want her to have the best experience, and walking thru Epcot when it is empty is so cool. Also, staying at a Boardwalk area resort and having that easy access...it is just one of the perks to staying in that area that I want her to experience! She only has a one day pass...so this is *IT* for her, no other chance to walk in and out of the IG to her resort.

 

[JDUCKY]

When is your friend going?

There's a good chance I'll end up at Epcot sometime this week or weekend. I can ask at Guest Relations *and* at the IG.

 

[wildernesslodgelover]

YOWZA! I just got off the phone with WDW TOUR again. Very nice woman...said absolutely she **can** get the AAA discount.

BUT...she said that she must go to the front of the park. She cannot enter at IG. I don't know why I am having such a difficult time accepting this??? Why won't I just say, ""hmmm, they must have changed the rules, oh well..." For some reason, I am obsessed with her going thru IG before park opening!

JDUCKY-yes...will you PLEASE ask at the IG if tour participants can enter thru IG. Make sure you specify for the 8:30 tour, because I understand the earlier tour (7:45, I think) CANNOT use IG. So will you please, please, pretty please ask that question? My friend is leaving for her trip a week from Thursday, but her tour day is Friday, March 12. Please ask the people working the gate AND at guest relations. That would be so awesome. Thanks!

 

[MaryPA]

I can only give you our experience. We did the Epcot Segway Tour twice - and loved it!

The first time we went through IG - no one was even there to give our name to - I called wdw tour number from my cell phone and was getting pretty 'heated' because when we originally booked it - I specifically asked if we could get through at IG before park opening and was told yes. Well, you can't get through if no one is there! On that day, the wdw tour person told me I had to get a cab to the front of the gate. Eventually someone did come to the gate and let us through, but told us, unless it's extra magic hours - we can't get through that way until park is opened.

The second time - I made sure I booked it on EMH day. The second tour time, not the first, and walked right through.

 

[skunkvette]

May 2009 - even after doing the Segway tour three other times by entering IG, we were told we could not enter via IG and had to scramble for a cab to the front gate.

Even tried calling Guest Relations from IG, but they would not let us in.

We always enjoyed entering IG and having a leisurely walk in the empty park to Guest Relations.

 

[wildernesslodgelover]

mary and skunk-thank you...even tho this is NOT the news I wanted to hear...I am glad to hear from people who have recent experiences. I think that confirms it.

I wonder, tho...what if you have an early morning ADR at Akershus?

I mean, the buses don't run that early to Epcot (I don't think...correct me if I am wrong) so now guests have to get their own transportation or a cab to get to Epcot? Just seems weird!


Jducky-I still want you to ask, please!

 

[PinballFamily]

May 2009 - even after doing the Segway tour three other times by entering IG, we were told we could not enter via IG and had to scramble for a cab to the front gate.

Even tried calling Guest Relations from IG, but they would not let us in.

We always enjoyed entering IG and having a leisurely walk in the empty park to Guest Relations.

Wow - thanks - so they *MUST* have changed this. Our experiences predated your most recent trip. OP - you're right - sounds like this is your answer!

Now (so, sorry!), but you can check on the buses. I did not think they ran very early in the morning, either, but just learned - through AP-holders on another DIS board forum I frequent - that the buses do start around 6:30 a.m. So, theoretically, she should be able to get to the main entrance from the Swan in time for the 8:30 Segway tour. But, again, you'll have to scan the DIS for info or chase down CMs yet again to get the skinny on when they start up in the morning. (Your friend really BETTER appreciate all you are doing to ensure she has a smooth trip! )

 

[wildernesslodgelover]

Quick update...I told my friend to call back and get the AAA discount. She did, and just texted me. Again, they said "only if staying at a WDW resort OR a diamond member."

I said "DAGNABIT!" (not really, I said something worse) "Give me your conf # and your AAA number! I am calling!!"

I did, and I got it for her. Yay me!

Good news unrelated to this thread...I just checked...there are EVENING EMH for the day she is going to Epcot! So I am happy about that.

 

[PinballFamily]

Quick update...I told my friend to call back and get the AAA discount. She did, and just texted me. Again, they said "only if staying at a WDW resort OR a diamond member."

I said "DAGNABIT!" (not really, I said something worse) "Give me your conf # and your AAA number! I am calling!!"

I did, and I got it for her. Yay me!

OMG!

Good for you - but sheesh! What an ordeal! What a great friend you are!