Disney World-Segway Tours - a great experience for baby boomers (andeven older)!

Disney World Segway Tours

The Fear

My husband and I had been to Walt Disney World seven times, going on average every two to three years while our son was growing up. Our eighth trip, taken just last year with our 27-year- old son and daughter-in-law, was a little different. Because we had been to Disney World so many times, our son wanted to do a couple of "Behind-the- Scenes" tours. I wasn't sure I was up to one of them that he suggested.

The "Around the World at Epcot on a Segway" tour certainly sounded exciting. Who hasn't wanted to try one of these futuristic means of transportation? They looked like great fun. But my husband was 58 and I was a year younger. Although we're both in good shape, neither one of us is particularly athletic. And I've never considered myself to be very co-ordinated.

But I decided to go online and find out more about the tour. One of my first stops was at the AllEars.Net site where I found (at present time) 50 reviews, with a 9.9 average rating and recommended by 100% of the reviewers. This sounded like something not to be missed!

As I began reading the reviews, I found mention of other people in their 50's (and even a few in their 60's) who had done this and not only survived but who would gladly do it again. This was certainly encouraging. But the clincher for me came when I read a posting from a woman who had done this with her mother, aged 70, and aunt who was 77 years old! I figured that if these two adventuresome ladies were able to do this, then certainly my husband and I should be willing to give it a try. So I immediately signed us all up.

The Experience

Although the tour is given at 4 times during the day, I requested the second time slot of the day (8:30 a.m.) Since it was going to be on the last day of our vacation, I reasoned that we would be dragging by then and wasn't sure we could make the earlier 7:45 time. Note: plan on taking a taxi if you're taking one of the early tours and don't have your own transportation. The busses and monorails may not be operating at that time in the morning.

The parking attendant told us we were too early to enter, but when we informed her that we were scheduled for the Segway tour, she let us right in and told us where to go. You enter the park itself through the entrance for the Norway Princess Storybook breakfast (where they have your name), and then go to Guest Relations, located to the left of Spaceship Earth.

You'll need to sign a waiver (I guess accidents could happen -- but don't let this stop you. It turned out to be a very safe experience). Your tour guide will then take you to the indoor Segway training area room, located in the Innoventions Building.

Here's where you'll learn about safety and get some basic practice. You'll start with a brief introduction to the Segway and its history, followed by a quick video. Then you'll select a helmet and a Segway. At this point I was starting to get really nervous. I really was not sure I could do this.

Fortunately, our tour guide put us at ease, and worked with us individually and in a group. We learned how to mount and dismount, and how to work with the machine (which is constantly moving) to balance ourselves. It really was not hard. There were seven of us in our group, and none of us had ever been on a Segway before. And I noticed that even though my husband and I were the oldest ones there (but by possibly only a couple of years -- the other couple who were there with their son looked to be about in their early 50's), we were doing just as well as everyone else. In spite of my fears, it turned out to be pretty easy.

Admittedly, we were all a little shaky at first. But we quickly got over that. Our confidence grew even more as we practice going forward, backwards, stopping, turning, weaving around cones, going up and down ramps, and moving in a group. It was so much fun, I forgot to be nervous. After training for maybe half an hour, we were ready to venture outside.

Our first stop was to use the restrooms (a good idea). And then we were off to the World Showcase area. Since it doesn't open until 11 a.m., we had the place to ourselves (other than a few workers getting the place ready for the day, artists painting at their canvases, and a few fishermen out on a pontoon on the lake). Since I had only visited EPCOT when it was packed with tourists, this was a real thrill.

We visited several pavilions, weaving ourselves among the columns in Italy and the fountains and wares of Morocco. My favorite spot was when we traveled around the gardens and ponds behind the Japanese pavilion. Our tour guides provided interesting information along the way. And finally, we were able to just do some free-style riding on our own near Italy. We practiced our spins and turns, and went as fast as we could (which was only about 6 miles per hour). Our guides took pictures for us of the four of us poised on our Segways against a backdrop of Spaceship Earth in the background.

Much too soon, we had to head back to our starting place. By then there were people in the park. Fortunately, the cast members prepared the way for us and stopped other tourists at intersections so we could make our way easily (without running anyone over). This turned out to be a lot of fun. People was pointing, and saying things like "I want to do that!". We certainly felt special!

I will admit though that spending that much time standing up and controlling the Segway's balance by flexing muscles you weren't even aware you had can take its toll. I did so well with everything -- until my final dismount. I bumped lightly into the wall; I think I was a little stiff by that point. But fortunately no harm was done to the wall, the Segway or me -- just my pride. But even that minor mishap did not dampen my thrill at having done this. (And I had read about much younger people having similar "accidents", so age was definitely not a factor)!

I had also been a little concerned for both my daughter-in-law and myself, because both of us had had foot surgeries, and would experience pain when doing a lot of walking. Others had reported foot and leg pain, recommending that you try this tour on the last day of your vacation. But I was just fine with no side-effects within an hour. So if I could handle this, I really believe anyone can -- don't let your age stop you! It's not as hard as you might think. And out of all our trips to Disney World, this is the experience I treasure most. It really was the most amazing, fun, and wonderful thing I've ever done at Disney World and is not to be missed! I can't wait till our next trip. I'll definitely do it again -- I don't care how old I am!

The Basics:

Reservations: (407) WDW-TOUR Cost: $105.44, subject to change. (Discounts may be available for Triple A (Diamond) or Disney Vacation Club members, Annual Passholders, Disney Visa Cardholders, and Disney Cast Members.... be sure to ask). Note: You'll also need to pay for park admission. Times: 7:45, 8:30, 9:00, and 9:30 a.m. (Arrive 15 minutes early) Each tour lasts two hours. Ages: The minimum is 16. You'll be glad to know there is no upper limit! Weight: You must weigh between 100 and 250 pounds. Other Segway experiences are available: A 3-hour behind the scenes Future World Tour, and a 2-hour Fort Wilderness tour. (Both of these are done on an off-road style of Segway)

Tips:

Book the earliest tour you can. Next time I would definitely go with the 7:45 a.m. time. Then we won't have to deal with the crowds at all. But be aware you might need to provide your own transportation or take a taxi if the Disney Transportation is not running that early. (Also -- you cannot enter through the International Gateway; so even if you're staying at one of the Epcot hotels, you'll need to have your own transportation to get to the main entrance for Future World). Bring photo ID - it may be required. Don't forget your camera. Wear sturdy shoes! Be aware that this can eat up a chunk of your prime early morning park touring time. By the time you get out,, some of the lines for the attractions might be rather long. Try to pick a day that is not a busy one. (Definitely don't go when on a day when there is early or late entry -- those tend to be the busiest). Or if do pick a busy day at Epcot, but have a Park Hopper ticket, switch to a less busy park after your Segway tour. Plan for the weather -- it might be chilly. Even if it's rainy, you might still be able to tour. You can choose to do just the indoor part; and if it's not raining heavily, you may be able to do the outside portion as well. You'll get a refund for all or part of the tour, depending on how much you choose to do. And finally -- don't let your age stop you! It doesn't matter one bit. And we baby boomers always were a bit adventuresome anyway!

Linda S. Jones has a Master's Degree in Library Science and has worked as a librarian for over 20 years. Her passion is helping people connect with the up-to-date, reliable online information they need to know to get their questions answered or problems solved. She's also been a regular visitor at Disney World since 1988 and enjoys sharing with others what she's learned over the years to help make their own visits memorable and hassle-free.