Just back.... Did the Segway Tour!

[MiJo]

My DW and I did the Segway Tour in the World Showcase on the morning of the 26th along with msmouse's son, Brian. This was an excellent tour on an amazing transportation device. If you've ever been curious about the Human Transporter, this tour is for you. There is a 1-hour instruction period followed by an hour cruising around the World Showcase. Our instructor, Larry, and tour guide, Linda, were both excellent. The HT is an incredible piece of machinery. I'll be glad to answer any questions you may have about this tour.
Word of warning: When I booked the tour, EPCOT was to be the EE park on the 26th. That changed but I was told we would have no problem getting there by bus from POR by 8:15 AM, our scheduled check-in time. Well, the first bus to EPCOT didn't arrive to our bus stop until 8:10 and we didn't arrive at the park until 8:25! That was no problem, though, as the CM's seem to understand that transportation can be a problem.
Also, the pin that comes with the tour is excellent and features a mini HT that slides across the bottom of the pin.

 

[BluOrchid2]

Cool, how fun! First question out of my DH's mouth when I read your post outloud to him....how much was that?

 

[ncbyrne]

DH and I are both approaching age 60. Do you think we would be able to manage the "machine"? Several years ago we went on a snorkel outting in Antigua in the Carribean. They told us that we wouldn't have any problems and that everyone was able to master it with just a bit of practice. Yeah, well, everyone - BUT us! I darn near choked to death as I couldn't get the hang of it and DH couldn't swim fast enough and we got left behind as they all swam on to the reef! There we were stranded, alone in the ocean trying to make our way back to the deserted boat! I don't ever want to be THAT embarrassed again!

 

[MiJo]

BluOrchid2: The cost of the tour is $80 p/p but there is a AAA discount of 15% so we paid around $68 each.
ncbyrne: I'm 54 and I did it! It does require quite a bit of stationary standing. From the time you climb onto your HT, you are on it until the tour ends, about 1 1/2 hours or so. Of course, you are allowed to step off at times during the tour but you probably won't want to! My DW and I did feel the effects of it on our knees and legs a little but it was nothing bad and wouldn't stop us from doing it again. You certainly won't choke on this tour! The CM's are very accomodating and the HT's go no more than 5 mph, unlike the regular HT's that can travel up to 12 mph or so. The toughest part for me was getting the feel for keeping the HT stationary when I was at a stop. That takes a couple minutes of getting used to shifting your weight forward and backward. This is an amazing device! I say "Go for it!"

 

[Coastercameron]

How strict are they about the 16 age limit? I'm 15 and have a valid instructional permit here in MN, is it even worth trying to do it?

 

[Villain Dude]

DW & I did this in Oct. 04 ... We had a blast and are planning to do this in May 05.

 

[antmaril]

We are scheduled for the Segway Tour on Valentine's Day!!! I'm so glad you liked it and you are our age (except for our 18 year old son - LOL). I'm a little nervous about it, but it's sounds like I'll be able to do it. Our son doesn't know we have this planned, so I think he'll be excited.

Thanks for sharing your experience.

Wish me luck!

 

[MiJo]

I would imagine they are fairly strict about the age limit. You do have to show a photo ID and sign a waiver before starting the tour.

This tour isn't really physically demanding. It does take a little time to get used to trusting the HT to do the balancing. They'll tell you that your brain wants to balance you and tries to overcompensate at first. Once your brain realizes the HT can balance you, everything is OK. We just weren't used to standing in such a position for that long a period of time. Like I said earlier, you can step off and on when you want to stretch your legs out; you probably won't feel like getting off the HT, though!

 

[2ofUs]

Glad to have such a glowing report. I was thrilled to find these tours were available to the public. We used to arrive early and see people gliding around on those things and I always wished I could!

There are 4 of us - two couples in our upper 50's. The other lady is a bit heavy, but does not exceed the 250 weight limit. I assume there is a weight limit due to the balance and power of the HT?

Hopefully the weather will hold and we, too, will have a great experience. How early did you book? We tried to schedule ours in November but they made us call back when the February schedule was posted.

 

[MiJo]

I don't remember for sure. There is a weight limit of 250 lbs.
The Segway Tour runs daily at 8:30 AM and 9:30 AM. We booked the 8:30 AM tour and just made it to Guest Relations at EPCOT in time for the tour. The bus from POR to EPCOT did not start running until 8:00. When you arrive at EPCOT, you must go to the Guest Relations to the left of Spaceship Earth. You will then show your ID and sign a waiver. You will then be taken over to Innoventions for your training. That takes about 1 hour. At that time, you will leave Innoventions and head towards Mexico and you will make your way around the WS. You will get about an hour in the WS before heading back and receiving your pin. It's a nice tour with some info about the countries thrown in. It's a popular tour so book early! I think we had 10 people in ours.

 

[TDC Nala]

They say the Segway tours are always 10 people each.

If you want to get there on time using resort transportation, take the 9:30 tour. However, if you do this one you'll be in the WS after it opens to the public. Then you wind up being part of the Segway parade (they make you ride single file when there are people in the vicinity) and should be prepared for people exclaiming and taking photos.

On the way back to the Segway center it was necessary to dodge through the crowds surrounding the character bus. This was great because at the end of the tour you will most likely be proficient enough with the Segway to stop on a dime and maneuver. The characters waved a lot, too.

 

[jimmiej]

Thanks so much for posting your experience. DW & I are scheduled for the 8:30 tour on Super Bowl Sunday. Can't wait!!!

I didn't know you got a pin at the end. That's cool.

BTW, you spoke of a AAA discount. I received a Disney Visa discount for the same 15%.

 

[MiJo]

And, as per TDC Nala, you will ride single file throughout the tour except for a 10-15 minute period that is used for photo taking. At that time, you are on your own as long as you ride within the rules and stay within certain boundaries. During the 8:30 tour, only CM's were in the WS getting it ready for the day. There were a few guests in FW when we returned but not enough to make the ride uncomfortable. You should be pretty comfortable with the HT by that point anyway. Enjoy!

 

[memymomonica]

I am so happy to hear that it is awesome. I am hoping to schedule it for a surprise for my hubby. You need to have a ticket for Epcot that day right? How did you get the AAA discount? Did you book through Disney or AAA? I can't wait.

 

[MPLsDad]

DH and I are both approaching age 60. Do you think we would be able to manage the "machine"? Several years ago we went on a snorkel outting in Antigua in the Carribean. They told us that we wouldn't have any problems and that everyone was able to master it with just a bit of practice. Yeah, well, everyone - BUT us! I darn near choked to death as I couldn't get the hang of it and DH couldn't swim fast enough and we got left behind as they all swam on to the reef! There we were stranded, alone in the ocean trying to make our way back to the deserted boat! I don't ever want to be THAT embarrassed again!

I've taken the Segway tour 2X - that's how amazing it is! The instructor's will inform you that you can opt out at any time. If you are the least bit uncomfortable, just let them know and you will be allowed to leave even before you head outside on the Segway. It's two hours of standing and your legs will be tired when it's over but you'll love it! My cousin who is UNABLE to drive a car was able to do this with no sweat. She's a total spaz but came out unscathed!

 

[ncbyrne]

Ok, so you have me convinced to give this a try! How far in advance can you book this tour?

 

[MiJo]

The sooner you book, the better. Here is a link to some info:
Tour Info:

You will need to use a day's park admission to enter EPCOT. When booking the tour, mention the AAA discount at the very beginning of the conversation with the Disney CM. If not, all of the information will have to be reprocessed when you mention it later on. Apparently, they can't change the ressie to reflect the discount without entering everything all over again. That's what happened to me.
Have fun!

 

[miksad]

Hi!

Took the Segway Tour in December and we all LOVED it! I was 265 pounds at the time and the weight limit never was mentioned; no problem at all on the Segway, either. Hey, enjoy!

7 days until our next visit to WDW!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[disney's daughter]

I purchased the Segway Tour for my three adult children for February 20th. Their tour starts at 9:30. I figured we'd all leave Pop Century at the same time on the bus..the rest of us would take the grandchildren on the rides at Epcot while their parents rode the Segways. Where do the "riders" check in when we get to Epcot?

 

[nutsforgolf]

What tour time is better. We will be staying at BWV so getting there early is no problem. Also, how do you get the AAA discount?