arieljasmine
<font color=magenta>Who says these things pass you
- Joined
- Apr 12, 2004
- Messages
- 6,098
Day Five (Tuesday) - Segway tour, Animal Kingdom and resort hopping
Me - Laur's - 27
DH - Andy - 27
We were up at 7.30 am this morning with a very exciting day ahead. Today was the day for our Around the World at Epcot Segway tour. Andy has wanted a go on a segway ever since he saw Niles on one in Frasier, and we always go into Innoventions to look at them, and scowl at cast members riding them because we are jealous. Anyway, when I found out about this tour, I knew we had to do it. Andy is very excited this morning, I am a little excited and a little nervous.
We had some breakfast in the room, and then headed out to Epcot arriving around 9 am. The tour started at 9.30 but we had been told to arrive by 9.15 so I was panicking because the entrance was so busy, but we made it to Guest Relations just about on time. We had to sign a waiver form (well, I assume that's what it was, I didn't read it!) and were given stickers to wear with our names on. When everyone had arrived a guy came and took us over to the training centre which is in Innoventions. I think there were about eight people in our group.
We met the tutor and then had to pick out helmets, either medium or large, and put them on (I thought this was a bit overkill as we were just watching a video!). We watched the instructional video and I begin to realise just how tricky this might be. Hmm, nothing is as easy as it looks
The instructor then brings out a segway to demonstrate to us how it works and how you switch it on and turn left and right. Then comes, the moment of truth - we are led out to our own segways!
Me and Andy pick ones at the back and we are guided through switching them on (rubbing the "key" - a round piece of metal - on to the screen) and then shown how to get on and off - putting one foot on and then holding on, looking straight ahead and stepping up your other foot. Another instructor had joined us by this point so there were two guys looking out for everyone.
Once we had mastered this (with several people doing what they call "the segway dance" when it shoots forward as you get on because you have lent forward instead of standing up straight), we stand on them for a few minutes to get used to the sensation. The instructor tells us this feeling has been described as trying to balance on a log in a river. I can't think of a better way to describe it - this was exactly what it felt like. It's very strange you think when you first get on that this could never feel natural, but it really doesn't take long to get used to it.
We then learn to move backwards and forwards - lean forward to go forwards, and lean back to go backwards. We are told by the second instructor not to touch the wall to stop ourselves because if we lean forwards we could keep going or tip off the segway.
Once everyone has mastered backwards and forwards, we split into two groups. Our group firstly has a set of cones which we have to weave in and out of to practice turning left and right - with a twist handle on the left. I found this quite difficult especially as we were now on show in Innoventions and lots of people stopped to watch. I don't even like people watching me type! Anyway, we survived this and then we swapped with the other group and had to take the segway up and down a ramp. This was a little tricky, but not as hard as I suspected.
We were then brought back as one group and shown how to lift the segway over an obstacle - this was because we would be traveling round the World Showcase whilst CMs were setting up for the day so there was a possibility that there might be hoses across the ground. Luckily, we didn't encounter any obstacles.
We were then allowed out into the World! The scariest part for me was actually getting to (and later from) the World Showcase as Future World was pretty crowded. Not only are there people everywhere but the majority are shouting to you asking where you got the segway, can you hire them, and some jokers who think it's funny to call out your name when you are trying to avoid hitting anyone! I had a few false starts as I kept wanting to turn the handle to go back and forth instead of left and right, causing a few near misses! I am happy to report that I did not cause damage to any persons or property though!
Once we got to World Showcase, we stopped in each country as far as France and one of the instructors told us a bit about the country we were in. There were also some challenges along the way which were optional - I sat some of these out - but I did go round the water garden in Japan which was lovely. We stopped in front of the globe and the instructors took pictures for us and we had some free time and opportunity to whizz up and down up to the segways speed limit of 5 mph (trust me, that sounds slow, but on these it was really pretty quick!)
Once we got to France we headed straight back to the Innoventions centre (with me and Andy saying "Britain, Britain, Britain in our best Tom Baker voices). At this point I think I had three separate heart attacks as three different sets of people stepped out in front of me! Arrrghhhh, I don't know how to stop this thing! Luckily for them (and me) I managed to stop every time, but my nerves were shot by the time I got off the segway!
At the end of the course, we were all presented with a segway pin. These are only given to people who have taken this tour so are pretty special. I was thrilled with mine. It has a little man on a segway and you can make him move up and down.
One more thing, I always thought segways were for the idle rich. Whilst they most surely are for people who are better off, I totally take back the idle part! This was hard work - we both had very achy feet and legs afterwards, in fact, it was a struggle to walk for the rest of the day. I would recommend this tour to anyone remotely interested in segways, it was a lot of fun, if harder than it looks!
We staggered (!) over to Japan after the tour and went into the Japan shop to pick up some Hello Kitty stuff! I got a HK charm for my mobile phone, some HK marshmallows and these HK chocolate dip and sticks things that I always buy in there, very tasty. We also got some Thomas the Tank Engines sweets for our nephew, and some for Andy, and a plush HK wearing a kimono for Andy's mum for Christmas (how organised is that?!)
We then managed the few steps over to the Yakitori House for lunch. We shared a Japanese curry and a ginger cake, I had an apple juice and Andy had orange juice. Suitably refreshed, we headed back to Innoventions to look at the big segway they have in there.
We left the park after that, and arrived back at the Pop around 2 pm to get changed as we were headed to Animal Kingdom, which always seems to be sooooo hot.
We arrived at AK around 2.45 pm, and went to get FPs for Dinosaur as this is my favourite ride in the whole of the World. I want one in my back garden (suspending reality for a moment here, especially as our back garden is around the size of a postage stamp). We then talked each other into Primeval Whirl. We hadn't done this before mainly because I am scared of heights and rollercoasters (bad Big One experience) and Andy doesn't like things that spin! Anyway, as it turned out we both enjoyed it, laughed all the way round, and were covered in bruises afterwards! How violent is this ride?! Maybe next time, I'll even manage to keep my eyes open when we get to the corners!
It was then time for our FP for Dinosaur. Unfortunately, when we got there, the ride was broken down. Seriously broken down - they were evacuating people from the building. Queue mini-tantrum from me. This being the case, we went to get an ice cream (swirl, yum) and watched Mickey's Jammin Jungle Parade. We're not over keen on this, it just doesn't seem as magical as the others. I think it will be a few years before we watch this again.
We went on Kilimanjaro Safaris next, and were honoured to see a mother elephant with a baby at either side of her - so cute.
We then went back to Dinosaur to see whether they have opened it yet. It looks as though they might be about to as there are several CMs outside and a crowd is beginning to gather. We end up almost at the front as people drift away. The CMs say they don't know what's going on, but there is a manager there trying to sort it out. As it turns out, we wait for 45 minutes. It is a testament to how good this ride is that I don't complain once about anything (and I am usually the sort who says "I'm hot" about 300 times a day!) Just before they let us into the ride, some English guy starts shouting at the CMs and saying that they told us it would be open soon - like everyone wasn't in the same position and the CMs had told us no such thing. I was almost embarrassed to be English. The funny thing was though, halfway through his rant, they started letting people back in the ride, and he got left behind in the stampede!
We were lucky that we were the first ones down there, even after the preshow, so we got to be in the front row which is definitely best for this ride. I am pleased to report that it only stopped once very briefly!
Time is getting on by now and we are both hungry so we go back to the Pop for tea. I have Nachos Supreme again (think I overdid it a bit on the jalapenos though!) and Andy had a pepperoni pizza. We had a shower and decided we would do some resort hopping as we had never done this before and wanted to see the Grand Floridian and Polynesian resorts.
We got the bus to Epcot, and then the monorail to the TTC, then the monorail to the Grand Flo. We had a look round the main hotel building and the pool area. This is a beautiful resort, but not really our kind of thing, very oldy-worldy. We got back on the monorail and went to the Polynesian resort. Again we looked round the main building, I got a chocolate bar in one of the shops, and then went down to the beach and sat on the swing bench there. Now this really is our kind of place. It's so gorgeous and peaceful, beautifully themed and very atmospheric with the big fire lanterns everywhere. After a while we walked back to the TTC, got the monorail to Epcot and the bus back to the Pop. I was too exhausted to finish my notes tonight, and so don't remember what time we got to bed - I think I ate the chocolate and then flaked out!
ArielJasmine
Me - Laur's - 27
DH - Andy - 27
We were up at 7.30 am this morning with a very exciting day ahead. Today was the day for our Around the World at Epcot Segway tour. Andy has wanted a go on a segway ever since he saw Niles on one in Frasier, and we always go into Innoventions to look at them, and scowl at cast members riding them because we are jealous. Anyway, when I found out about this tour, I knew we had to do it. Andy is very excited this morning, I am a little excited and a little nervous.
We had some breakfast in the room, and then headed out to Epcot arriving around 9 am. The tour started at 9.30 but we had been told to arrive by 9.15 so I was panicking because the entrance was so busy, but we made it to Guest Relations just about on time. We had to sign a waiver form (well, I assume that's what it was, I didn't read it!) and were given stickers to wear with our names on. When everyone had arrived a guy came and took us over to the training centre which is in Innoventions. I think there were about eight people in our group.
We met the tutor and then had to pick out helmets, either medium or large, and put them on (I thought this was a bit overkill as we were just watching a video!). We watched the instructional video and I begin to realise just how tricky this might be. Hmm, nothing is as easy as it looks
The instructor then brings out a segway to demonstrate to us how it works and how you switch it on and turn left and right. Then comes, the moment of truth - we are led out to our own segways!
Me and Andy pick ones at the back and we are guided through switching them on (rubbing the "key" - a round piece of metal - on to the screen) and then shown how to get on and off - putting one foot on and then holding on, looking straight ahead and stepping up your other foot. Another instructor had joined us by this point so there were two guys looking out for everyone.
Once we had mastered this (with several people doing what they call "the segway dance" when it shoots forward as you get on because you have lent forward instead of standing up straight), we stand on them for a few minutes to get used to the sensation. The instructor tells us this feeling has been described as trying to balance on a log in a river. I can't think of a better way to describe it - this was exactly what it felt like. It's very strange you think when you first get on that this could never feel natural, but it really doesn't take long to get used to it.
We then learn to move backwards and forwards - lean forward to go forwards, and lean back to go backwards. We are told by the second instructor not to touch the wall to stop ourselves because if we lean forwards we could keep going or tip off the segway.
Once everyone has mastered backwards and forwards, we split into two groups. Our group firstly has a set of cones which we have to weave in and out of to practice turning left and right - with a twist handle on the left. I found this quite difficult especially as we were now on show in Innoventions and lots of people stopped to watch. I don't even like people watching me type! Anyway, we survived this and then we swapped with the other group and had to take the segway up and down a ramp. This was a little tricky, but not as hard as I suspected.
We were then brought back as one group and shown how to lift the segway over an obstacle - this was because we would be traveling round the World Showcase whilst CMs were setting up for the day so there was a possibility that there might be hoses across the ground. Luckily, we didn't encounter any obstacles.
We were then allowed out into the World! The scariest part for me was actually getting to (and later from) the World Showcase as Future World was pretty crowded. Not only are there people everywhere but the majority are shouting to you asking where you got the segway, can you hire them, and some jokers who think it's funny to call out your name when you are trying to avoid hitting anyone! I had a few false starts as I kept wanting to turn the handle to go back and forth instead of left and right, causing a few near misses! I am happy to report that I did not cause damage to any persons or property though!
Once we got to World Showcase, we stopped in each country as far as France and one of the instructors told us a bit about the country we were in. There were also some challenges along the way which were optional - I sat some of these out - but I did go round the water garden in Japan which was lovely. We stopped in front of the globe and the instructors took pictures for us and we had some free time and opportunity to whizz up and down up to the segways speed limit of 5 mph (trust me, that sounds slow, but on these it was really pretty quick!)
Once we got to France we headed straight back to the Innoventions centre (with me and Andy saying "Britain, Britain, Britain in our best Tom Baker voices). At this point I think I had three separate heart attacks as three different sets of people stepped out in front of me! Arrrghhhh, I don't know how to stop this thing! Luckily for them (and me) I managed to stop every time, but my nerves were shot by the time I got off the segway!
At the end of the course, we were all presented with a segway pin. These are only given to people who have taken this tour so are pretty special. I was thrilled with mine. It has a little man on a segway and you can make him move up and down.
One more thing, I always thought segways were for the idle rich. Whilst they most surely are for people who are better off, I totally take back the idle part! This was hard work - we both had very achy feet and legs afterwards, in fact, it was a struggle to walk for the rest of the day. I would recommend this tour to anyone remotely interested in segways, it was a lot of fun, if harder than it looks!
We staggered (!) over to Japan after the tour and went into the Japan shop to pick up some Hello Kitty stuff! I got a HK charm for my mobile phone, some HK marshmallows and these HK chocolate dip and sticks things that I always buy in there, very tasty. We also got some Thomas the Tank Engines sweets for our nephew, and some for Andy, and a plush HK wearing a kimono for Andy's mum for Christmas (how organised is that?!)
We then managed the few steps over to the Yakitori House for lunch. We shared a Japanese curry and a ginger cake, I had an apple juice and Andy had orange juice. Suitably refreshed, we headed back to Innoventions to look at the big segway they have in there.
We left the park after that, and arrived back at the Pop around 2 pm to get changed as we were headed to Animal Kingdom, which always seems to be sooooo hot.
We arrived at AK around 2.45 pm, and went to get FPs for Dinosaur as this is my favourite ride in the whole of the World. I want one in my back garden (suspending reality for a moment here, especially as our back garden is around the size of a postage stamp). We then talked each other into Primeval Whirl. We hadn't done this before mainly because I am scared of heights and rollercoasters (bad Big One experience) and Andy doesn't like things that spin! Anyway, as it turned out we both enjoyed it, laughed all the way round, and were covered in bruises afterwards! How violent is this ride?! Maybe next time, I'll even manage to keep my eyes open when we get to the corners!
It was then time for our FP for Dinosaur. Unfortunately, when we got there, the ride was broken down. Seriously broken down - they were evacuating people from the building. Queue mini-tantrum from me. This being the case, we went to get an ice cream (swirl, yum) and watched Mickey's Jammin Jungle Parade. We're not over keen on this, it just doesn't seem as magical as the others. I think it will be a few years before we watch this again.
We went on Kilimanjaro Safaris next, and were honoured to see a mother elephant with a baby at either side of her - so cute.
We then went back to Dinosaur to see whether they have opened it yet. It looks as though they might be about to as there are several CMs outside and a crowd is beginning to gather. We end up almost at the front as people drift away. The CMs say they don't know what's going on, but there is a manager there trying to sort it out. As it turns out, we wait for 45 minutes. It is a testament to how good this ride is that I don't complain once about anything (and I am usually the sort who says "I'm hot" about 300 times a day!) Just before they let us into the ride, some English guy starts shouting at the CMs and saying that they told us it would be open soon - like everyone wasn't in the same position and the CMs had told us no such thing. I was almost embarrassed to be English. The funny thing was though, halfway through his rant, they started letting people back in the ride, and he got left behind in the stampede!
We were lucky that we were the first ones down there, even after the preshow, so we got to be in the front row which is definitely best for this ride. I am pleased to report that it only stopped once very briefly!
Time is getting on by now and we are both hungry so we go back to the Pop for tea. I have Nachos Supreme again (think I overdid it a bit on the jalapenos though!) and Andy had a pepperoni pizza. We had a shower and decided we would do some resort hopping as we had never done this before and wanted to see the Grand Floridian and Polynesian resorts.
We got the bus to Epcot, and then the monorail to the TTC, then the monorail to the Grand Flo. We had a look round the main hotel building and the pool area. This is a beautiful resort, but not really our kind of thing, very oldy-worldy. We got back on the monorail and went to the Polynesian resort. Again we looked round the main building, I got a chocolate bar in one of the shops, and then went down to the beach and sat on the swing bench there. Now this really is our kind of place. It's so gorgeous and peaceful, beautifully themed and very atmospheric with the big fire lanterns everywhere. After a while we walked back to the TTC, got the monorail to Epcot and the bus back to the Pop. I was too exhausted to finish my notes tonight, and so don't remember what time we got to bed - I think I ate the chocolate and then flaked out!
ArielJasmine
