We rode the New Segway Free! At Epcot

[*Marty_Mouse_House*]

We are at DW this week enjoying the free Dining Plan while staying at the All-Stars.

We were pleasantly surprised to see that there is an attraction at Epcot to ride the new Segway for free! Our teenager always wanted to ride one and this gave us all the chance!

There's a line in Innoventions West showcasing the Segway. You have to be 16 and older (with parent signature for 16 or 17 year olds). You go into a little training room where the CM shows the Segway and answers questions. Then you have to sign a waiver form.

They line you up and take you out to a section with cones on the floor. You get on the Segway and the CM directs you thru the cones, and you turn it around 360 degrees a couple of times and then ride it back. You are doing it all yourself - it's that easy to learn! The CM is there to direct you but they are not doing it for you.

It was Awesome! We all really enjoyed it! And yesterday they used the brand new model which was just introduced worldwide yesterday! (We also rode the old Segway model the day before and it was awesome too!)

Here's a brochure they had:

"The thrill of riding a Segway Human Transporter (HT) is yours to experience during Simply Segway at Epcot. This one-hour experience has been designed for new riders and participants interested in learning more about this alternate form of transportation. Presented daily at various times (except Tuesday). Some age and rider restrictions apply. Epcot admission is required."

Actually, it wasn't really a one-hour experience, just the short training session and then lining up in 2 lines watching everyone ride it. Also, some other restrictions were you had between 100-250 pounds, have to be able to stand upright, and no expectant mothers.

-------------------------
30 Plus Trips in 30 Plus Years!

 

[tkd lisa]

My DS found that back in May. We had split up and he called me to say I had to come back to Innoventions to sign a waiver. I thought he was too young (he's almost 13), and turned out I was right. But it was free, and I could have done it if I'd wanted.

Maybe when we go in September I'll try it. It looks like fun! But it kind of seems unfair for me to go when my kids can't, so maybe I'll just wait.

 

[BlindTyldak]

It's cool that they had the new model that quickly. I'm hoping to give it a try when we go.

 

[jiminyC_fan]

What a great tip. Thanks! I will have to get DH there in a couple of weeks.

 

[wdw nutz]

wow, that sound really cool. I'm going to disney in fifthteen days do you think they'll still have that deal?

 

[DisneyMommyMichelle]

DH did the simply segway exp and he had a blast!

 

[MelanieC]

We got to do the free Segway ride a week ago today. We had been to EPCOT 3 times during this trip and didn't find it till our last EPCOT day. It's at the back of Innoventions West. It's sort of tucked out of the way too.

It was very short, but I was glad to at least get to try it. Next year I'm going to do the tour.

 

[dznyacct]

DS and I did the Around the World at Epcot Segway tour in March. DS has been DYING to do this tour ever since he heard about it a few years ago . He was 16 on our last trip, so his dream finally came true . It was very much worth the $$. The pictures I got of DS were priceless. He had the biggest smile on his face the whole time. It REALLY made me glad that I did the tour with him . We are talking about doing it again next March. Hopefully DH and I can get in on the free ride next month when we're at WDW. Only 37 more days !

 

[tmt martins]

When you say you RODE THE NEW Segway was it the HT or the new i2 .

There's a big difference and I'm thinking of getting one ( The i2 )

The i2 has the handle unit that tilts from side to side as you lean the HT is in a fixed position.

If so I will have to stop by on our next trip if I don't get one by then . I have riden the HT and really like it as well but the i2 has some new stuff I have to check out.
'
Thanks.

 

[*Marty_Mouse_House*]

To answer your questions - the first day we rode the model with the handle that did not tilt from side to side. You turned the Segway 360 degrees by twisting the handlebar with your wrist. The very next day when we went to ride - they announced that they had just gotten in the brand new ones that day. They had just been introduced! This model had the middle bar that tilted from side to side and you moved the Segway 360 degrees by moving the entire middle column. The newer model was a lot more sensitive to movement. The CM asked me which one I liked better and I told her that as a beginner I felt more stable with the older model but I could see that after riding one awhile, the new one would be easier to turn.

As to how long they are going to keep this exhibit, I have to say that I didn't ask. It looks like it's a somewhat permanent set-up with the separate informational room, but I really can't say for sure. I will say that the line was really short every time we went - it seemed like people didn't know that you could try it out. It caught our eye because our son had always wanted to try one so we stopped to look at it and that's when we found out that we could actually ride one!

-------------------------------------
30 Plus Trips in 30 Plus Years!

 

[tmt martins]

Thanks

The i2's are the ones with the tilt and instead of a key they use a small wireless controller.

I might have to try them or book a segway tour as maybe they will switch them out as well.