Disney World Segway Tours A Great Experience for Baby Boomers and Even Older

The Fear
My husband and I have been to Walt Disney World seven times, taking place average every 2 to 3 years while our son was growing up. Our eighth trip, taken just a year ago with our 27-year- old son and daughter-in-law, would be a little different. Because we ended up to Disney World so many times, our son wanted to perform handful of "Behind-the- Scenes" tours. I wasn't sure I was around one too which he suggested.
The "Around the World at Epcot on the Segway" tour certainly sounded exciting. Who hasn't planned to try one of these brilliant futuristic method of transportation? They looked like extreme fun. But my hubby was 58 and I would have been a year younger. Although we're in very good condition, neither one of us is especially 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 in the site where I found (presently time) 50 reviews, using a 9.9 average rating and recommended by 100% in the reviewers. This sounded like something to not be missed!
As I began reading the reviews, I found mention of others of their 50's (or even a few within their 60's) who had performed this and never only survived but who would gladly repeat. This was certainly encouraging. But the clincher for me personally came when I read a posting coming from a woman who had performed this with her mother, aged 70, and aunt who had previously been 77 years of age! I figured that if these two adventuresome ladies could actually make this happen, then certainly my partner and I should be ready to try it out. So I immediately signed all of us up.
The Experience
Although the tour is given at 4x throughout the day, I requested the other time slot in the day (8:30 a.m.) Since it was going to be on the last day in our vacation, I reasoned that people would be dragging at that same moment and wasn't sure we could make the earlier 7:45 time. Note: anticipate having a taxi should you be taking one from the early tours , nor have your own transportation. The busses and monorails will not be operating at that time each morning.
The parking attendant told us we had arrived too soon to get in, when we said we were scheduled for the Segway tour, she allow us to right in and told us where to go. You enter the park itself with the entrance for the Norway Princess Storybook breakfast (where they have got your business), after which go to Guest Relations, located left of Spaceship Earth.
You'll need to sign a waiver (I guess accidents might happen -- such as the permitted this to hold you back. It turned out to be a very safe experience). Your tour guide might take you on the indoor Segway training area room, perfectly located at the Innoventions Building.
Here's where you'll find out about safety and acquire some elementary practice. You'll start having a brief introduction towards the Segway as well as history, followed by a quick video. Then you'll select a helmet plus a Segway. At this point I was starting to get really nervous. I really was not sure I could make this happen.
Fortunately, our tour guide put us confident, and dealt with us individually and in friends. We learned how you can mount and dismount, and the best way to use the machine (which is constantly moving) to balance ourselves. It really was not hard. There were seven folks within our group, and none people had have you been over a Segway before. And I remarked that although my better half and I were the oldest ones there (but by possibly only a couple of years -- one other couple have been there using son looked to become about within their early 50's), we had arrived doing equally well as all the others. In spite of my fears, it turned out to be pretty easy.
Admittedly, we had arrived all somewhat shaky to start with. But we quickly got over that. Our confidence grew more once we practice moving forward, backwards, stopping, turning, weaving around cones, increasing and down ramps, and relocating a group. It was a great deal fun, I forgot to become nervous. After working out for maybe around 30 minutes, we had been prepared to venture outside.
Our first stop would have been to make use of the restrooms (a good idea). And then i was off to the World Showcase area. Since it doesn't open until 11 a.m., we had the place to ourselves (besides a few workers getting the place ready for that day, artists painting at their canvases, along with a few fishermen out on the pontoon around the lake). Since I had only visited EPCOT if this was filled with tourists, this was obviously a real thrill.
We visited several pavilions, weaving ourselves one of the columns in Italy as well as the fountains and wares of Morocco. My favorite spot was whenever we traveled throughout the gardens and ponds behind the Japanese pavilion. Our tour guides provided interesting information on the way. And finally, we could just do some free-style riding on our own near Italy. We practiced our spins and turns, and went as soon as we might (which has been just about 6 miles-per-hour). Our guides took pictures for people of the four individuals poised on our Segways against a backdrop of Spaceship Earth in private.
Much prematurily ., there was to go time for our starting point. By then there have been people in the park. Fortunately, the cast members prepared just how for individuals and stopped other tourists at intersections so we will make our way easily (without running anyone over). This developed into loads of fun. People was pointing, and saying items like "I want to do that!". We certainly felt special!
I will admit though that spending that much time standing up and manipulating the Segway's balance by flexing muscles you weren't even aware you needed can take its toll. I did so well with everything -- until my final dismount. I bumped lightly to the wall; I think I would have been a little stiff by that point. But fortunately no harm was over for the wall, the Segway or me -- just my pride. But even that minor mishap failed to dampen my thrill at having succeeded in doing so. (And I had read about much younger people having similar "accidents", so age was not really an issue)!
I had already been a bit concerned for both my daughter-in-law and myself, because both individuals had had foot surgeries, and would experience pain when you are conducting a lot of walking. Others had reported foot and leg pain, recommending which you make this happen tour about the last day of one's vacation. But I was just fine without side-effects inside an hour. So if I could handle this, I really believe now you may -- never allow how old you are prevent you! It's not as hard you may think. And out of all our trips to Disney World, here 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 what age I am!
The Basics:
Reservations: (407) WDW-TOUR
Cost: $105.44, at the mercy of change. (Discounts could possibly be designed for Triple A (Diamond) or Disney Vacation Club members, Annual Passholders, Disney Visa Cardholders, and Disney Cast Members.... make sure you ask). Note: You'll also must pay for park admission.
Times: 7:45, 8:30, 9:00, and 9:30 a.m. (Arrive 15 minutes early) Each tour lasts 2 hours.
Ages: The minimum is 16. You'll be glad to understand 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, along with a 2-hour Fort Wilderness tour. (Both of these are done while on an off-road style of Segway)
Tips:
Book the initial tour you'll be able to. Next time I would definitely go with the 7:45 a.m. time. Then we won't experience the crowds in any way.
But be aware you might must provide your own transportation or have a taxi when the Disney Transportation is just not running that early. (Also -- you cannot enter from the International Gateway; so even if you are staying at one of the Epcot hotels, you'll have to have your individual transportation to get for the main entrance for Future World).
Bring photo ID - it may be required.
Don't forget your camera.
Wear sturdy shoes!
Be conscious this can eat up a chunk of one's prime day park touring time. By the time you will get out,, some of the lines for the attractions may be rather long. Try to select a day that isn't a lively one. (Definitely don't go when on หนังชนโรง if you have early or late entry -- those tend to become the busiest). Or if do select a busy trip to Epcot, but have a very Park Hopper ticket, exchange signal of a less busy park after your Segway tour.
Plan for that weather -- it could be chilly. Even if it's rainy, you might still be in a position to tour. You can decide to do just the indoor part; of course, if it's not raining heavily, you could possibly be in a position to do the outside portion also. You'll get reimbursement for all or part of the tour, depending on how much you decide on.
And finally -- do not let your age prevent you! It doesn't matter one bit. And we seniors always were a lttle bit adventuresome anyway!