There's No Sleep Like Disney Sleep : Day 2, Segway Day!

EsmeraldaX

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Aug 7, 2003
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Beautiful architecture and no bees : My Segway adventure
Day 2

Ah…there is no sleep like Disney sleep. You know that wonderful, fairy tale dream filled slumber one gets after walking around all day in the parks, and having all kinds of good food? There is nothing like it. No sleep at home is ever quite as peaceful and deep….sigh, nothing can wake me from my joyous sleepy time…*

* except for the child in the room above us, who was apparently in dire need of an exorcism, a fact we concluded after hearing ungodly shrieks that awoke us at an even more ungodly hour, and what sounded like someone throwing the various furniture about the room in a fit of rage all morning long…this did, in fact, wake us up from our Disney sleep..but I digress…

Finally, we dragged ourselves out of bed. The beds at AKL are very comfy so that was not an easy task. But when you are in Disneyworld, you don't mind leaving a cozy bed because you know you are about to go do something fun.

And today's fun would begin with a Segway tour around the World Showcase, something that my feet rather enjoyed since they didn't have to do any work. ;) So off we went. The bus was running a little slow and we panicked a bit that we'd miss the tour and end up crying when we saw other people zoom by us on Segways, but we managed to get there with time to spare.

The tour was incredible.

No, it was super awesome incredible-eriffic. And even a thousand times more fun than that!

I didn't run anybody over!!!!! :banana: :banana:

Go me! Go me! Awww yeah! Aww Yeah!! :banana: :banana: :banana:

No, really, I was the first in the group to step onto my Segway and I actually did have some trouble for approximately 10 seconds but we can just forget about that whole "cone smooshing" incident. ;)

The rest was smooth sailing and by the time we reached the Italy pavilion, I was getting all zany and riding with no hands!* I so rock! :cool1: Woooohooooooooohooooo!

*Um, I'm pretty sure this is actually not allowed or encouraged so, lets us let this be our little secret okay…Um…ok? Cool. We cool? Good. Now on with the story…

I loved riding through all of the pavilions, but the sad reality set in when we reached the pretty garden in the American pavilion that I would not be able to go through some of the courses. :( The pavilion in America has a lot of gorgeous flowering plants, which unfortunately attract bees and due to my severe allergy, I was not comfortable riding in such close proximity with no quick way to drive away. I stood that one out. There's a fairly good chance if I get stung, I'll either become very ill, or die and I'm guessing that would have tarnished the memory of the tour for the rest of the group, so I used caution at all costs.

Earlier in the tour, I'd had to swerve on the Segway (as much as one can swerve on one of those things) to avoid a bee. I was rather proud of my mad Segway skillz… ;) In that instant, where I knew I had to get away fast, I handled the Segway easily like second nature.

My favorite was riding through the Fez House in Morocco. Beautiful architecture and best of all (for me) no bees. ;) That's always been my favorite pavilion and seeing it from the Segway made it all the better.

I highly recommend this tour to everyone. It's really great fun. Now I wish I had a Segway at home…sooooo, if anyone has a spare $6000 laying around they could part with….my birthday is in November ;)

After the tour, we ran over to get a FP for Soarin'. While we waited we went on Journey into Imagination and saw Figment who was as cute as ever. I want to be a Figment when I grow up!

The man seated behind us kept trying to tell his wife that he was psyched to see "Terry Jones" doing the part of Dr. Nigel Channing, which made me really, really want to turn around and correct him as to his error, but I stayed quiet. Maybe someone else corrected him later in the day…heehee ;)

Then we went back to Soarin. This is an amazing ride. It's very peaceful and relaxing and not at all scary or hard on the body. I can't imagine many people having trouble on this ride (which may explain why the standby wait was usually around an hour and a half).

The best part is flying over the evergreens and smelling the scent of the pines. My only slight gripe was the lack of ease in the scene transitions. It goes from mountains, to valleys, to cities with no easing in, just quick, choppy transitions. But honestly, that really is not a big deal at all, and overall, I'd give this ride an A- on the grading chart of cool rides. We rode it 4 times over the course of our trip, and we just randomly got put in row 1 each time. This is a must see at Epcot. After we rode, we grabbed another FP.

After Soarin, we hit the Living Seas and saw manatees and dolphins and all the pretty fishies. The Living Seas has gotten better over the last year or so. Perhaps the best addition has been Turtle Talk starring the surfer dude turtle from Nemo, Crush. We saw the show and it was really both hilarious and technologically among the most impressive things I've ever seen. This is another must see.

Attention: People without kids…Turtle Talk is not just for 6 year olds! I promise. Go see it. See it twice, in fact. You'll be glad you did. :) And if you can figure out "how'd they do that?!?" , please let me know…

Righteous, dude. ;)

So then we left the cool calm of the Seas and wandered back out into the 89 degree weather of Central Florida realizing we had not yet eaten anything that day. We went to guest relations and attempted to make a PS for Teppanyaki but the only time they had was too late. So instead, we made early dinner PS for Marrakesh, our old favorite. We went to the Electric Umbrella and had some quick food and then went on Spaceship Earth. As per usual, it stopped several times and informed us that our time travel had been momentarily delayed. We didn't mind though. They can momentarily delay my time travel if they need do, though I prefer when they do it in the Egyptian scene so I can daydream about being Cleopatra and having all those cool statues and a palace and people who bring me trays of fruit at my request...

Oh...then it started moving again. Then it stopped again. Then it moved again. Time travel is apparently very much like Boston subway service. Lots of delays. What can you do? :confused3

After SSE, we went back to Soarin. Just as astounding the second time.

We walked through the butterfly garden and admired the flowers for the Flower and Garden Festival and made our way to the World Showcase. (It's a much slower walk when you're not on a Segway…and by now, my feet were beginning to get only slightly irritated with me and demanded to know why I was wearing my hiking boots in the middle of Orlando in May…)

I love butterflies. Partly because they aren't bees and mostly because I think they are the most beautiful, graceful things on the planet. There's just something about the way the flitter and flutter about that makes me feel like a small child, my eyes and heart full of the same wonder I feel when I look at Cinderella's Castle upon entering MK. I was absolutely giddy when one landed on me. Really, I think I was more excited than the small children around me who all started at me like I was insane when I giggled like a schoolgirl as a butterfly perched on my hand.

This giggling in turn horrified the poor winged creature who then fluttered off and landed on a nice quiet 3 year old.

We hit the Maelstrom on our way around to Morocco. I learned something about Chris. I learned that he really likes the voice over that says "You are not the first to pass this way" at the start of the ride…I learned this because he proceeded to repeat it repeatedly over the next several hours. ;) Heehee.

As we realized we had 5 minutes to make it from Norway to Marrakesh for our PS, we sort of stopped paying attention to the pavilions and just wondered how on earth we'd make a 20 minute walk in 5. Somehow, we actually did it, much to the dismay of my now annoyed feet...

Marrakesh is my favorite restaurant at WDW. If I could have but one food for the rest of my days it would be that bread they serve. It's perfection on a plate. We were seated quickly at the same table we had in December, and our food was, as always, perfect. I had chicken kebobs and Chris had shish kabob. Our waiter was great and he actually brought me extra rice at no extra charge when I asked if I could have a little more because it was so good. He also brought out extra bread. Did I mention how good that bread is? It's good.

We ended our meal with a couple of Marrakesh Expresses while we watched the dancer dance with kids from the audience. So cute. One little girl, she must have been about 2, got up and danced around.

We left there and got our wristbands for EMH. Then we hit Mission Space (we were able to walk on) twice and Soarin one more time. We decided around 10:30 to head back the hotel for a swim.

The pool at AKL is really nice and the warm sun all day made for relaxing temperature in the water at night. The pool was pretty much empty and we swam for a bit and then went in the Jacuzzi and listened to the birds behind us on the savannah. This is the life… I wonder if they'd let me live here? I could live in the little room in the lobby where they have the animal viewing area.

We headed back up after we started to get really sleepy, making sure I said goodnight to the zebras on the way up. They are my pets this week, you know!

We were happy to note that all was quiet in our room, and either the possessed child was sleeping or had the evil spirits properly disposed of. Our Disney sleep that night was even more peaceful than the night before, (although I think I heard my feet curse at me one or two times...)

Goodnight Disneyworld…see you in the morning!

More later!

~S

ETA : Day 3 is here: http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=824344
 
Sounds like I have to try that Segway tour!

I am enjoying your reports - please say you'll have day 3 tomorrow!!!
 
bajanswife said:
Sounds like I have to try that Segway tour!

I am enjoying your reports - please say you'll have day 3 tomorrow!!!

:) Yes, Day 3, the infamous Smirnoff Spilling day, will be up tomorrow evening. :)
 
After we did the tour, we checked ebay and saw they had Segways for around 2k. Very tempting! lol! I just can't see myself carrying it up 4 flights of stairs though. Hehe!
 

EsmeraldaX said:
My only slight gripe was the lack of ease in the scene transitions. It goes from mountains, to valleys, to cities with no easing in, just quick, choppy transitions. But honestly, that really is not a big deal at all, and overall, I'd give this ride an A- on the grading chart of cool rides.
I thought the same thing, at least I'm not alone.
 
These are great trip reports...thanks so much for sharing. You are making me feel like I am there...and since I probably won't be for a while, I really appreciate it:)
 
Great report. I still can't believe you and Chris rode by us in Morocco while we were on the Hidden Treasures tour and I couldn't pick either of you out that time or when we passed you again in the course later. :confused3
 
This was so fun to read! :teeth: Your writing is hysterical! :rotfl:

Note to self: Do NOT read Sheri's trip reports while drinking Diet Dr. Pepper at the same time...makes a big mess! :p
 
crcormier said:
Great report. I still can't believe you and Chris rode by us in Morocco while we were on the Hidden Treasures tour and I couldn't pick either of you out that time or when we passed you again in the course later. :confused3

I'm truly befuddled that we didn't see you either...we probably said hi to you and didn't even know it. :) :confused3
 
Well done! Now get busy with day 3! :earsgirl:
 
What excellent reports! I am making our AR (old PS) for Morroco tomorrow (90 days out!), and I can't wait to try the bread.

Isn't DisneyWorld more fun than a Nor'easter?!
 
You are an excellent writer! Anxiously awaiting Part 3. :rolleyes1
 
Loved reading your summaries. Hope you link the next days to this also so I can continue your trip with you.

Can you post the information on the Segway tour? Would love to do it in December when we go.

Thanks.
 
QuiltTeddy said:
Loved reading your summaries. Hope you link the next days to this also so I can continue your trip with you.

Can you post the information on the Segway tour? Would love to do it in December when we go.

Thanks.

Sure!

http://www.allearsnet.com/btp/tours.htm#seg

The Segway tour is open to guests of WDW age 16 or older. It is $80 per person , there are discounts available to AP holders etc.

It is about 2 hours long. The first half, you go into a training room and they teach you how to ride the Segway. It is surprisingly easy. I have no balance whatsoever and found it to be very easy to handle. I did run over a cone at the very beginning, but quickly realized what I did wrong and corrected it. After that I had no issues.

I can't stress enough how uncoordinated I am. See, I was hit by a car almost 10 years ago and after that, my balance has never been quite the same. For me to say balancing something is easy, I mean it is easy

It's very fun, they teach you how to go forwards, backwards, around obstacles, up and down ramps. You'll do this for an hour or so. Then there is a quick break and then you are off to the World Showcase.

You do ride through Future World, in a straight line and past guests. This was the hard part for me, and also, where I encountered the bee. I rode off to the side away from the bee and realized that moving on the Segway was almost like second nature to me at this point.

The World SHowcase is not open to the public at this hour. So we were alone except for the other tours. We went through a "course" in every country. For instance in China, you go up over the bridge and in America you go through the flower garden.

When you reach Italy, they have free ride time, where you can go wherever you want in a small area.

Then you have to go back through Future World at the end. A lot of people will take pictures of you and ask you where you got the Segways. I noticed that.

It was a great time and I really recommend it. :)
 
That just sounds so great!! It would be such a great surprise for my husband, however, I don't see us getting a few hours of alone time in the mornings at WDW anytime soon! Ah well only 10 1/2 more years and Matt can come with us! :earsboy:
 
I thought that about Soarin as well...

Funny about Chris and the Maelstrom voice. It would be neat if you could buy a magnet or something that played it. I'd buy it!

I'm enjoying your report! :)
 
Great trip reports! Keep 'em coming!

I was debating on eating in Marakesh during my August/September trip...you just made up my mind, I have to eat there!
 
Great report, thanks for writing.

I can't wait to read more.

I thought the same thing about sorin, I was disapointed that the height requirement was an inch more then my DD is (she is a shorty I guess, like mom.) I think she would of really liked it, oh well always next trip (she might not be there by the next trip since it is in Jan, I might need to get her heels.)

We thought Turtle Talk was great. He talked to DH, I thought it was pretty funny.

I love Epcot in May don't you?
 












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