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by Trevor Bailey, May 2005

We recently returned from WDW and had the luck of experiencing the Simply Segway Experience on the last day before the $45 fee started. We were on the Undiscovered Future World tour when we walked by the Segway room in Innoventions West near the sculpture garden. Lamont was standing near the door and told us there was a free Segway class this afternoon and there were still some openings. After today it would $45. Our tour guide took us back to Guest Relations during a restroom break and we signed up for the Simply Segway Experience.

We met at Guest Relations where Lamont picked us up. We followed him back to the Segway room where we sat for a short video after picking out our helmets. Lamont then suggested we place all loose articles (glasses, cameras, hats) under our chairs. We then practiced turning on the Segway, setting the mode, and shutting it down. Then, each person began the "Segway dance" as Lamont and another cast member stood in front to prevent falls. Once everyone had mounted the Segway, everyone dismounted and had to mount again on their own with no help.

Once this was completed, we began a back and forth exercise...moving across the room while staying in our own "lane", turning 180 degrees and repeating. After a while, we gathered in the center of the room as the cast members created an oval with small orange cones. We traveled around the oval for some time, then turned and went in the opposite direction. The cast members moved the cones closer together and we continued our circuits. We then practiced zig-zagging around the cones as we went around the oval. During this time, each person was taken aside to practice traveling up and then down the ramp.

Once everyone had finished this task, we were taken out into the sculpture garden for a "victory lap". The garden was temporarily closed for our exclusive use. We traveled around the roughly oval paved path, with cones on one side to zig-zag around. This lasted about 5 minutes. We were then taken inside and parked our Segways back against the wall. At this point, we asked Lamont if he would take our picture on the Segways. He said "Sure. Put your helmets back on." He then snapped a couple of photos with our digital camera and even took a short video of us riding in the room.

This was a fun and surprising experience and we immediately tried to get reservations for the two hour Segway tour. Unfortunately, none were available during our remaining four days.

Keep in mind that, although you are moving, your legs and feet are not. You are using the heels and balls of your feet to balance and after 30 minutes your legs and feet get very tight and sore.

Other Tour Reviews:

Animal Kingdom Backstage Safari Wild By Design

Epcot Simply Segway Experience Around the World --on a Segway Epcot Seas Aqua Tour Behind the Seeds Divequest Dolphins in Depth Gardens of the World - Seasonal Hidden Treasures - Ended 4/27/07 Nature-Inspired Design Segway Tour Undiscovered Future World

Magic Kingdom Family Magic Tour Keys to the Kingdom Magic Behind the Steam Trains Mickey's Magical Milestones Virtual Magic Kingdom Tours - Discontinued

Disney's Hollywood Studios Inside Animation -- Discontinued 2002

Other Tours BackStage Magic Holiday D-Lights Yuletide Fantasy VIP Services Wilderness Back Trail Adventure