Just back.... Did the Segway Tour!

[Leota]

Can't wait to take this tour! We are scheduled for it this coming April. We opted for the 9:30 & I never thought about the Human Obstacle Course at the end of the Tour! Ooo Boy, I hope I'm not my usual clumsy self....I'd really hate to rundown some poor, unsuspecting guest.....

 

[MPLsDad]

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?

I believe if you do the earlier tour, you will have more time in the WS without guests. When this is the case, you are able to explore a little and you will probably see more. If there are guests out and about, you are made to ride in a single file - not as independent. Plus, you finish earlier which means you have more park time than if you went on the later tour.

And if you're over 250 lbs. you are asked not to ride but it might not be enforced. It is in the pre-ride presentation and the booking CM will tell you about the restriction. While I don't think Disney can ask you about your weight, it is for your safety that the limit is in place.

One thing I noticed was that my feet got really HOT in sneakers. I didn't want to wear them - I wanted to go for Teva sandles but the booking CM said that sneakers were recommended. On my second tour I wore my Tevas and I was so much more comfortable since you are basically standing still for such a long time! Don't forget sunglasses and your camera too! The excellent tour guides will take pics of you on the Segway about halfway through the tour if you wish!

Finally, check out the safety sticker on the Segway itself. It's pretty funny!

 

[twocat]

I did this tour with my dad back in October. It was a BLAST! To answer some of the questions in this thread....

My dad is 67 and he had no problem whatsoever. It's a bit disconcerting at first but the CMs do such a good job of helping you during the 1 hour training that by the time you're ready to head out into the World, you feel like an ace.

The weight limit has to do with the power of the Segways. The heavier you are, the shorter the battery life. I think this is probably a bigger issue than safety.

We took the earlier tour and it was great to be in the park without too many people around.

After you're a 'pro', try out without using the handlebar!

There's a recently published book that I read about the creation of the Segway. Absolutely fascinating. I don't remember the title but if you go to amazon and type in Segway, you should be able to find it.

Passholders also get a 15% discount.

 

[MiJo]

Here are a couple answers to the latest threads:
There are two tours scheduled each day. One starts at 8:30 and ends at 10:30, the other starts at 9:30 and ends at 11:30. During the earlier tour, you will be in the WS without other guests, just CM's getting the area ready for the day. That was the tour we took. During the later tour, you will be in the WS with other park guests since the WS opens at 11:00. During our tour, we actually had to wait for about 10 minutes while the drawbridge opened to let the Illuminations globe pass through to the Lagoon. That was interesting to see but did cost us a little "tour time" since that sort of took our guides by surprise. That didn't seem to be something that happens everyday, though.

Even though the WS was not open, we still had to travel single file for the entire tour, except during our free time of about 15 minutes. At that time, the tour guides take your photos and you can ride about freely as long as you obey the rules and stay within certain boundaries.

I got the AAA discount when I called Disney to reserve the tour. If you plan to do this, mention the discount at the very beginning of the conversation with the CM. I mentioned it after she had taken all of our info and, for some reason, that caused her to have to re-enter everything all over again. Once you get to EPCOT (15 minutes prior to your tour time), you go to the Guest Relations to the LEFT of Spaceship Earth (near the Electric Umbrella). You will check-in, show your photo ID and sign a waiver before being taken over to Innoventions to start your training. You will be required to wear a bicycle style helmet. As mentioned earlier, TAKE A CAMERA! The CM's will take as many photos as you like during the free ride period. Also, during our tour, a fellow DIS'r, whose son was participating, was allowed inside the training area to take photos of the training session. She wasn't allowed early entry into the WS, however.

It's hard to be "clumsy" on the HT. It does take a little getting used to but the training period is very good. You learn how to turn it on, step onto it, place it in a couple different modes, read the idiot light, move forward, stop, move backward, turn in a 360 degree circle while standing still, turn while moving, move up and down a ramp, navigate through cones, and navigate over an obstacle, such as a curb. The forward and backward movement and stopping are all done by applying pressure with your toes or heels. Turning is done by twisting a steering knob on the left handlebar. It's pretty simple once you get the hang of it. The CM's are very helpful and do not rush anyone through the training.

This is a great tour! Enjoy it!

 

[MiJo]

MiJo and DW on January 26, 2005

 

[WWTBAMFAN]

My DW and DS did this back in October. They had a great time.

 

[2ofUs]

We just returned from our trip and did the 9:30 Segway tour on Tues, 2/8. It was the most amazing thing I have experienced. You absolutely DO NOT want to relinquish your Segway when the tour is over. My feet got a little sore/tired in the training area, but I think it was tension. One thing I found is that you should try to relax and 'feel' the Segway. There is really very little body movement required. The instructors are great and my new retirement plan is now to move to Orlando and be a WDW Segway Tourguide! Yup, told them to call me when there is an opening.

We did find that there are more 'people' obsticles after WS opens, but it wasn't bad, just more opportunity to show off your new-found skills! Us 4 are in our late 50's and no one had a problem. One of our group of 9 fell twice and it was a guy in his 20's. He was trying to 'skate board' the thing and didn't follow instructions too well. Other than that it was smooth sailing.

When we asked if WDW was going to do 'advanced' tours for 2nd, 3rd, 4th time people, it was suggested that we write to WDW and let them know of our interest - which we plan to do!

Our discount was through Disney VISA and was 20% when I booked back in December of 2004, but it dropped to only 15% in 2005. Still, at full price, it is worth every penny and then some.

What surprised us is the number of WDW CM's that knew NOTHING about this tour. We spread the word far and wide though!

 

[msmouse]

Mijo, it was great meeting you there. My son Brian loved it just as I knew he would. His aunt and myself did the tour in October. I was really surprised that they let my sister and I sit in on the class. she was able to take video of the entire training. My son loved it so much that he and his Dad will take the tour Oct 05.

 

[tomerin]

wish i could do this on our upcoming trip but DS#2 is only 15. so i guess we wil have to wait until then. i am really looking to do this tour.

 

[bjakmom]

tomerin - DH and I just did this with DS and his friend on the morning of his 16th birthday !! He has been fascinated with this technology since it was 'unveiled' and over the years has drooled over the segway on display in Epcot and, in the last few visits, over the CMs riding around the park on them. Needless to say, the tour was a huge hit and the boys even liked the guides, too - Octavio and Lamonte were both lots of fun and definitely 'cool' - I'm pretty sure he'll always remember where he was on his 16th birthday !!!

 

[MiJo]

It was nice meeting you, also. I don't suppose you have pictures of us? Here is one of Brian's group:

We're glad you were able to get into the training area. We really enjoyed this tour!

 

[MiJo]

If you do use it, let the CM know you are requesting the AAA discount at the beginning of the phone call or he/she will have to redo everything. It is probably best to call and say,
"I would like to book the Segway Tour in EPCOT using the AAA discount", or something similar.
Also, we had to be at Guest Relations at EPCOT 15 minutes prior to our 8:30 AM Tour. That didn't happen to due the POR bus schedule but we made it on time for the tour and it was no problem. The GR is to the left of SE near the Electric Umbrella. Have fun!

 

[northern michigan]

My DH 44 did their last tour in December. He loves telling people about it. It's a great tour. It got him excited about WDW again! He said you just have to think like you're standing on a sidewalk. The segway will adjust to you...you just need to stand there and let it do the work! He did have one person fall during his tour, but they did eventually "get it".

 

[twocat]

There is a book about the development of the Segway called Code Name Ginger which was absolutely fascinating. It was a really rocky road getting this (and it's counterpart Fred. Get it? Fred and Ginger!) conceived and built. I read it after taking the tour in November. Here's the Amazon listing for it:

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/t...102-3849971-5780145?v=glance&s=books&n=507846

 

[msmouse]

Mijo, just saw the picture you took of my son and his crew. Great shot. Thanks!

 

[Eyore4Ever149]

Last year a guy and his wife made a little movie with music of their segway tour, I have tried doing an advanced search to find it, but no luck, it was posted last February I believe. Might have been last March.

PS- I must be the only one who felt my money and time could have been better spent. My DH loved it. I am not partucularly a "group person" per se. They told us we would be free to do what we wanted as long as we followed their rules of speed, etc. But when we got to WS they wanted everyone to do these stupid weaving and exercises in and around each country. i was extremely annoyed, so I just stopped my segway and waited for them to finish their exercise so i could move on to the next country. The CM who was at the "tail" of our group came up and asked if I was enjoying myself. I said "No, Im not enjoying myself" (Im about honesty, not blowing smoke" He looked down at me and said "Do we need to take you back to guest services, are you going to be able to manage your segway?" He had been condesending during the teaching to everyone and now I wanted to FLOOR the guy. I had no problem using the segway, I just didn't like being told one thing, then having them change what they had told me. I wanted to be able to travel at a leasurly pace- independently, WS was not open yet.

If you are the type that likes to be independent, than I would not suggest this tour, or at least go knowing its like the trailride where your horses nose is required to be up the butt of the one in front of it.

 

[Eyore4Ever149]

PPS- My Husband just read my post and said I was a partypooper. LOL

 

[2ofUs]

I agree it would be WONDERFUL to go my own way on the Segway and would have LOVED more independance during our tour. My DH and the couple traveling with us considered kidnapping our Segways - even tried (for 5 brief seconds) to make a break-for-it. However, the fast I went the more nervous I got about how to stop the darn thing. Feels odd to 'pull it in' or 'move your feet back' to be able to slow down.

If they ever opened a 'rent-a-segway' I'd be first in line...but that will NEVER happen because of Liability issues. That's also the same reason they require us to travel together. We questioned our trainers a lot while on tour.

They did block off an area in Italy so we could have 15 minutes of 'free-range' time and also take some pictures/film of our new found thrill ride. That only increased our desire to do more Segway riding, so we asked if it would ever be possible to rent them. The answer was a quick and firm ABSOLUTELY NOT. Apparently it has been discussed but the risk factor was WAY TOO HIGH. Not only the risk of us hurting ourselves, but of pedestrian injury as well. During slower season it might not be as bad. But if you have ever been at WDW during high season, you know how almost impossible it is to get a stroller or wheelchair through the crowds, so imagine a Segway!

Not to be deterred, my new life goal is to retire, move to Orlando and become a WDW Segway tourguide - just so I can ride these marvelous machines every day! We felt it was worth every penny and then some.

We actually wrote to WDW suggesting they offer 'advanced' Segway tours for those who have 'been there, done that' and want more time just riding the park. Don't know if it would do any good, but it sure can't hurt.

As for the 'party-pooper' comment, yeah, your comment was a bit negative, but it was a valid statement of your feelings. 1st Amendment rights allow that, right? It's just hard sometimes for us 'free spirits' who get the hang of things quickly to be constrained, so I do relate. Freedom to the adventure seekers I say!

Hey, perhaps the two of us could sneak in and 'borrow' a couple of units. If we pilfer some WDW employee badges, perhaps they'll think we are Epcot managers and we won't get caught. I'm for driving those puppies through the International Gateway and all around the lagoon. Hey, we could even stop by Beaches & Cream for ice cream! Let me know when you want to give it a try?

 

[Eyore4Ever149]

I agree with the "advanced" version.

Our tour was during the hours before the park was open (except for the brief trip through FW to go back "home")

I think it would be cool if they altered the tour a bit- have a tourguide in front and one tailing behind, but dont require us to stay in a line and do the weaving stuff. Just let me cruise- there would always be someone behind watching from a distance. Do sort of a -okay you have 5 min in this country- then move us forward, kind of like herding cats a bit I suppose.

Hmmm.....a trip to Beaches and Cream- I LIKE THAT- but I do prefer to do it when the parks are closed, true with people who feel they could dart in front of you it could quickly become dangerous.

Did you experience the lovely "governor" they had on them- If you go too fast the machine doesnt just reach a speed max, the "steering handles" jyrate (spelling?) and come back towards you- almost as if they are trying to dump you off the back. LOL

 

[2ofUs]

Actually, though I got mine going a bit fast, I never got the 'jitters' but our instructor did demonstrate that to us in training. I did experience the 'pulling toward you' thing, though. That is why I paniced a little when I was going down-hill. It feels funny to pull back on something that is already 'pushing' back toward you!

We had Lamont (sp?) and Sarah for our trainers and they were both great. We did the 9-11:00 so we were dodging tourists almost from the get-go. Personally, I enjoyed the challenge of the weaving, though we had a couple of people in our group who kept falling off or bumping in to things. Overall, we had a terrific group of riders.

Lemont used our camcorder to film me from a distance doing some weaves and then followed me as I drove all the way back to where he was standing, did an 'in place twirl' (one of my personal favorite things to do on a Segway) and then I took an 'arm outstretched' bow to the camera. My daughter laughed so hard she fell off the sofa when she saw it - of course she is 'with child' so right now EVERYTHING makes her fall off the sofa!

I also swung around and pulled right up next to DH (who was standing still watching the others) and we turned and kissed - you know, like those little magnet 'dutch' couples do? Hope you are old enough to remember those, otherwise I'm embarrassing myself.

Anyway, Segway is one of the BIGGEST of all the wonderful memories I have of WDW. And, when we pilfer the Segways, it goes without saying we would have to do it after closing - at 5 mph we need all the time we can to get away!