Cool New Tour: Around the World at Epcot -- On a Segway!

[Tagrel]

Just read on AllEars.net (http://allearsnet.com/btp/tours.htm#seg)

THIS would be cool! Pricy -- but COOL! :dazzle:

A brand new tour is being introduced in Epcot. Beginning February 14, 2004, you'll be able to travel Around the World at Epcot on a Segway, those futuristic-looking upright transportation devices on which you sometimes see Cast Members zipping around Epcot.

The tour, which will last two hours, will be offered daily at 8:45 a.m. The first hour of the tour will teach safety rules and allow you to practice riding the Segway, while the second hour will be a tour around World Showcase before it officially opens to visitors.

Cost for the new tour is $80 (park admission is NOT included).

Some restrictions apply: Minimum age is 16 (guardian must sign a waiver for ages 16 and 17), maximum weight for participants is 250 pounds, and expectant mothers and persons with special needs may not participate due to safety concerns.

A 15 percent discount will be available for AAA and Disney Vacation Club members, as well as Annual Passholders, Disney VISA cardholders, and Disney Cast Members. A photo ID will be required at the time of the tour.

[pixie]

Ah, I think they were testing that when we were there. They had groups riding around EPCOT. It looked like fun.

Hey, maybe the Healthinators can get them for the 1/2 Marathon!!! :rofl:

:tink: Barbara

[Tagrel]

Hey, maybe the Healthinators can get them for the 1/2 Marathon!!! :rofl:

:tink: Barbara

THATS how I can do the marathon!!!! :mrgreen:

[pixi]

OMG my son would LOVE this! Every Christmas since we first saw them, this is the first thing on his list (a segway)! LOL...
me thinks I will be trying to save more Disney dollars.....
for a little surprise! ;-)

[pixi]

Does the tour-ee have to be the one holding the AP? Just wondering if I could use MY AP to purchase the tour- and have my DS take it. We could also use AAA for the discount... but his name isn't on that either.

[Moley]

I'll see if I can get this picture to post here. I'll take it out in a few days, but you can see for now what this will look like.

To me, it would be worth it to have World Showcase to yourself for an hour while you gawk at every little pathway. This gives you the speed to skip areas of lesser interest quickly.

I see a Lazy Butt Tour in my future. :mrgreen:

http://www.cnn.com/interactive/us/0212/powerball.spending/gal.segway.jpg

[Moley]

Pixi, when you are purchasing tours for immediate family members, you should be able to use your AP to cover them all. Call the WDW Guest Services at Epcot to be sure. Nonetheless, you are right, your AAA card will cover him for sure since that is a family membership deal.

[pixi]

ok Tag, now where did you find that article? & Moley where did you find the picture?

[Tagrel]

ok Tag, now where did you find that article? & Moley where did you find the picture?

I linked to the original article on All Ears in the first post.

[Moley]

I found the image by going to Google Image Search, one of Tag's and my favorite search engines, and put in "Segway" into the search. I found that one, with a small enough size not to cause the boards to go crazy. Bonus features were it was actually in WDW and it was off a site that was heavily trafficked and would allow remote linking.

[pixi]

well thanks both of you- i'm saving the image to my computer so I can use it in a "card" to give to Sean as a surprise! WooHOOO!
Now I'm sooooo excited!
I have to think of something special for Danielle now.....

[DrBabe]

It sounds like so much fun, the price made me gasp just a bit!

[Tagrel]

Have to agree DrBabe! :shock:

Even so, I'm thinking of doing this during our July trip. The girls get a pool day (they just have park hoppers this year), while my AP will be burning a hole in my pocket... :mrgreen:

I was thinking about doing a tour this year on that day, and we are staying NEXT to Epcot, and I LOVE world showcase....

Tagrel runs off to dig out old computer stuff to put on ebay....

[MissBianca]

Auntie Moley, I think this is perfect for you. Sort of a Lazy Butt all day thrill ride!

[Joe]

That looks like it would be a blast! I just have to figure out what to do with Kasey (12) while we are Segwaying......

[FLSharon]

Well, do you have any idea what they do for that hour in the showcase? I'd like to do something special then not just the regular stuff. It really sounds like fun! And when i saw them for rent it was around 30 half hour.

This is a definite maybe.

[Moley]

My husband said I'd never keep my balance on one of those. Are they that hard to ride? Anyone here been on one? :target:

[MissBianca]

I haven't ridden on one but heard the inventor talk about them on NPR once. They are kept in balance by gyroscopes. The inventor said that they are very easy and natural to operate and stay balanced.

Of course, George Bush fell off, but I really think you're a lot smarter than he is! And more balanced! :rofl:

[pixi]

Moley, never say never! LOL especially when it comes to saving FEET! heehee-
I did NOT know that GB fell off...
but if they give you a 1 hour safety orientation....hmmmm

[Tagrel]

It can't be THAT bad if Disney is running the tour. I'm sure THEY have to carry the insurance for it! Anyone read anything about signing a release for for the tour? :shock: :mrgreen:

[pixi]

not me! I am still going to send my 17 yo DS on the ride around the world! I think he'll love it! Hey, what's a few bruises for the ride of your life, eh? heehee
next stop- Richard Petty Experience

[radar]

Hey guys,

I did take the opportunity to ride a SEGWAY on our DCL cruise about a year ago. I'd check age restrictions though, it came up on another site that you can rent them in Celebration, but must be 21. (that thread can be found here http://www.clubhouse.kathiandbrian.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=906&highlight=segway. ) I remember signing some sort of release, but really can't remember restrictions.

It really is pretty easy to ride, ask if you have further questions

RAD

[Moley]

I understand the gyroscopes keeping them afloat in motion. When they are stopped how do you keep them from tipping over? Your Padiwan Segway users await your learned knowledge.

Help us Radiwan. You're our only hope! :cool:

[AndyL]

Darn, I'm too extra fluffy to ride em :)

[radar]

I understand the gyroscopes keeping them afloat in motion. When they are stopped how do you keep them from tipping over?

Wow Moley, it's been a long time so the memory banks are a little foggy...

Seems to me the thing stayed upright while ON, not just while in MOTION. Like I stated in the above link;
No real tips, it was pretty easy to do. They let us split our 10 minutes, but you were just able to scoot around in a roped off section of the lobby, so 5 minutes was probably enough to get aclimated. It feels like you are flying when actually you are only going a few miles per hour. It definately feels awkward at first, and the leaning-forward-turning-with-your-hands part requires a little bit of tummy-rubbing/patting-head skills, but we survived with no accidents.
Now keep in mind we were just roaming around a roped off section in the lobby of the Wonder, not on the loose in World Showcase. I do remember asking and they said the ones we rode wouldn't go as fast as the 10-12 mph speed (think ours were only able to go about half that fast). I recall turning being the tricky part. (that's probably why the "leaning guy" in the picture you posted earlier looks so uncomfortable--I bet he was turning)

RAD