Trying All Sorts of New Stuff

[grarsh]

Hey Everybody!

So, my friends and coworkers are already tired of me talking about my next Disney World trip, but I'm super excited and just really need to share.

I'm in the process of planning a trip for next February (which seems way too far away) and I've decided that on this trip I want to try as much new stuff as possible. This includes:

-Taking the train from Boston to Florida instead of a plane.
-Taking the Backstage Tour where you get to go behind the scenes at MK, DHS, and Epcot.
-Doing the World Showcase Segway Tour (although I'm really nervous about embarassing myself on a Segway).
-Horseback Riding (I think horses are a little scary though)
-Doing all kinds of rides that I usually shy away from, like Tower of Terror and Splash Mountain (I hate the "dropping" feeling).

Has anyone discovered or done anything fun that's a little off the beaten Disney path? I'd love to hear what people have done!

Thanks!!!

 

[Tony-NJ]

Well we've never done the segway tor at WDW ands we've never went horseback riding at WDW. I can tell you that my Partner Chris has absolutely NO coordination but we rode segways for 2 hours in San Juan last Sept. They are very easy to navigate and lots of fun. I think I would like to try horseback riding at WDW - how long are you riding for?

I'm not sure we would take the train - we might consider driving in the future when time is allowed. Otherwise we fly.

Where are you staying?

 

[grarsh]

I think the horseback riding is only about an hour or so. I'm staying at the Pop Century. I heard they do the hustle in the lobby a couple of times a day. I'm really hoping they let guests join in.

That's good to know about the Segways. Maybe I'll be able to get out of the experience without crashing into something.

 

[OrlandoMike]

-Taking the Backstage Tour where you get to go behind the scenes at MK, DHS, and Epcot.

I hear this tour is pretty rushed, why not just do the backstage MK tour! It gives you more time backstage at the MK!

And one I've never done, but want to do, is the backstage steam train tour!

http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/tours-and-experiences/steam-trains-tour/

 

[DopeyDave]

-Doing the World Showcase Segway Tour (although I'm really nervous about embarassing myself on a Segway).

DP and I have done both Segway tours... World Showcase and Fort Wilderness. They were both fun. The Segways they had at Fort Wilderness were newer models and you could steer just by leaning sideways, didn't have to turn the handles. Much easier, I didn't fall once. (Almost dove head first into the fountain at Morrocco, and fell into the bushes in England on the World Showcase tour.) This was last July (2008). Hopefully they'll have upgraded the Segways in EPCOT by the time you get there and you won't have any problems. I think it was the best $90 spent. Especially if you can take advantage of a discount!!

 

[Timon-n-Pumbaa Fan]

I hear this tour is pretty rushed, why not just do the backstage MK tour! It gives you more time backstage at the MK!

And one I've never done, but want to do, is the backstage steam train tour!

http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/tours-and-experiences/steam-trains-tour/

You know, I was just thinking that I should check into doing the Steam Trains Tour during my upcoming trip. I was listening to my usual morning radio program and they were taking a group of special needs/very ill kids to WDW for a charity trip and one of the kids is a train nut. They hinted that he was going to get a chance to do something very special with the trains while they are there over the weekend. That made me think about just how much I would like to see the Round-House and stuff. But, then I remembered how I am not supposed to be planning things for this trip.

 

[rpmdfw]

You know, I was just thinking that I should check into doing the Steam Trains Tour during my upcoming trip. I was listening to my usual morning radio program and they were taking a group of special needs/very ill kids to WDW for a charity trip and one of the kids is a train nut. They hinted that he was going to get a chance to do something very special with the trains while they are there over the weekend. That made me think about just how much I would like to see the Round-House and stuff. But, then I remembered how I am not supposed to be planning things for this trip.

If it's any consolation, I drive past the building where Disney stores the trains on my way home from work. It's not really a roundhouse per se. It looks like a concrete warehouse with train tracks running into it on the ground level and monorail tracks running into it on the upper level. From what I can see, they don't have a "round house" type turntable. It's nothing spectacular to look at.


But then, I'm not a train buff, either, so what do I know?

 

[OrlandoMike]

Then you probably dont know about the big Cedar Point - Disneyland train swap!

 

[rpmdfw]

Then you probably dont know about the big Cedar Point - Disneyland train swap!

I probably don't care, either.

 

[Timon-n-Pumbaa Fan]

Well, round house or no round house, the trains are beautiful working pieces of history and I would love to hear more about them. I am thinking the morning of May 1st could be a fine time for it, but then again, I am not planning anything....except for lunch at HBD and a meet with a DIS'er from the boards on May 1st at MK.

 

[PeterPan09]

I vote for the backstage tour at MK as well. We did it two years ago and it was amazing. I did the one at DL too, also very good.

 

[wallyb]

I probably don't care, either.

Amen!
I feel ya Sister!
TESTIFY!

 

[grarsh]

The train tour does look really neat! I read that Walt Disney was a huge train buff and even had a mini-train that went around his house. I'm just excited to learn more about the history and development of WDW (yes, I know that probably sounds really dorky).

 

[grarsh]

Well, round house or no round house, the trains are beautiful working pieces of history and I would love to hear more about them. I am thinking the morning of May 1st could be a fine time for it, but then again, I am not planning anything....except for lunch at HBD and a meet with a DIS'er from the boards on May 1st at MK.

Yeah, booking tours would probably ruin the non-planning aspect of your trip. I've decided to hyper-plan my next trip...kind of like grabbing Disney World by the collar and slapping it around a bit...I'm hoping it works out.

 

[OrlandoMike]

The train tour does look really neat! I read that Walt Disney was a huge train buff and even had a mini-train that went around his house. I'm just excited to learn more about the history and development of WDW (yes, I know that probably sounds really dorky).

Part of that train can be found at the DVC lounge at the WL.

 

[soulmates]

We are doing the Segway tour as well...to me, that looks like SO much fun!! Happy for you! BTW, originally from Haverhill!! Small world!!

 

[Saxton]

We did the Segway tour in EPCOT in October and it was great. Try to do one of the earliest times - the park will be empty and you'll be returning to Innoventions just as it opens. But if you can't get the early ones you'll still be fine - World Show Case won't be open until 11:00 so you'll be able to ride around with no one there. Make sure you take a camera and ask your guide to take a picture of you.

I also suggest parasailing - it's awesome! I've done that twice - once alone and once tandem. You get a great view and it's so peaceful.

 

[jenn&nelsonrego]

We did the Keys to the Kingdom tour in November. It was a great time! I highly recommend it.

 

[jackskellingtonsgirl]

We have done the Mickey's Magical Milestones tour, La Nouba, an IllumiNations cruise, Lunch with an Imagineer, and the Sunrise Safari as our "extras" on past trips.

 

[wallyb]

We have done the Mickey's Magical Milestones tour, La Nouba, an IllumiNations cruise, Lunch with an Imagineer, and the Sunrise Safari as our "extras" on past trips.

Love the Sunrise Safari.
The other Safari At AKL is great too!