Disneyworld

[Stutoonz]

Hi--Has any info been passed down as to any 'Wayseggers' out there as to any transporters being exhibited (or demonstrated) at Disneyworld? I don't mean the Cruise line, just at the Parks. My wife and I are headed there the end of this month to take advantage of our time share at 'Old Key West'. Any new or future owners of Segways members of the Disney vacation club?

stureis

[JosephM]

Oohh, Old Key West. You'll like it. Very nice. Just avoid Olivia's to eat, VERY SLOW. The Segway is being used all throughout Epcot for demonstrations and for practical use. Look for them. Innoventions East has one right inside the doors (NOTE! Innoventions east is what would be the west due to the fact that Epcot is upsidedown.) Look for them being used in the field in World Showcase and some other parks. That's where I saw them. But no riding. Sorry.

Visit our FIRST Help Boards at http://tucker.helix-designs.com//index.php !!

[Jon]

My wife and I were at Disney World last month the week before Christmas, and had the opportunity to speak to a couple of the Disney Segway users there. As noted above, the i and e models are being demonstrated in Innoventions East, the first things you'll see when you enter! We spoke with one of the supervisors, who reported that Disney is using some 30 Segways to move cast members from place to place, deliver pizzas in some of the Disney hotels, and to assist in the parking lots. Indeed, according to the person with whom we spoke, the presence of the Segways in the parking lots has improved the parking personnel productivity some 40%. Impressive. Various souvenir vendors in Epcot were gliding about on e-series models during the evening fireworks display.

While the Segways are thoroughly demonstrated by Disney staff ("cast members") in the Innoventions exhibit (using the yellow key!), you can't ride 'em. :-(

Enjoy!
-= Jon =-

quote:Originally posted by Joseph M

Oohh, Old Key West. You'll like it. Very nice. Just avoid Olivia's to eat, VERY SLOW. The Segway is being used all throughout Epcot for demonstrations and for practical use. Look for them. Innoventions East has one right inside the doors (NOTE! Innoventions east is what would be the west due to the fact that Epcot is upsidedown.) Look for them being used in the field in World Showcase and some other parks. That's where I saw them. But no riding. Sorry.

Visit our FIRST Help Boards at http://tucker.helix-designs.com//index.php !!

[pt]

wow! so it's accurate to say that the segway ht has been used around millions of people? i think the park gets millions per month (at least) right?

cheers,
pt

http://www.bookofseg.com

[JosephM]

Around 15 million people go through Epcot in a year, so lots.

Visit our FIRST Help Boards at http://tucker.helix-designs.com//index.php !!

[pt]

quote:Originally posted by Joseph M Around 15 million people go through Epcot in a year, so lots.

does anyone have any probs saying the segway ht has been around 1 million people? i think that's kinda interesting.

cheers,
pt

http://www.bookofseg.com

[JosephM]

no, more. It's been around 20 million ATLEAST. Disneyland has it too and it gets around 18 mill a year.

Also, PT, why don't you go to WDW and ride it around?

Visit our FIRST Help Boards at http://tucker.helix-designs.com//index.php !!

[pt]

would anyone like to help out estimating total number of people around the segway ht at disney? it's a big number and pretty impressive, it woul dbe great to talk about it in articles and such.

i went to disney tokyo, that was a blast-- i'm not sure when i'll be at wdw next.

cheers,
pt

quote:Originally posted by Joseph M

no, more. It's been around 20 million ATLEAST. Disneyland has it too and it gets around 18 mill a year. Also, PT, why don't you go to WDW and ride it around?

http://www.bookofseg.com

[JosephM]

I'd guess in one year, around 35 million people will have the OPPERTUNITY to see a Segway. Let's assume half don't see it in the parks (demonstrations, in work, etc.) then that'll be around 17 million a year. But it's much harder. Downtown Disney at Disneyland uses Segways and there isn't any way of finding out how many people are there. So I'd say that 20 million people a year get to *see* (look at one, see it move, etc.) at Disney.

Visit our FIRST Help Boards at http://tucker.helix-designs.com//index.php !!

[pt]

is 1 million people around the segway a crazy thing to say?

cheers,
pt

quote:Originally posted by Joseph M

I'd guess in one year, around 35 million people will have the OPPERTUNITY to see a Segway. Let's assume half don't see it in the parks (demonstrations, in work, etc.) then that'll be around 17 million a year. But it's much harder. Downtown Disney at Disneyland uses Segways and there isn't any way of finding out how many people are there. So I'd say that 20 million people a year get to *see* (look at one, see it move, etc.) at Disney.

Visit our FIRST Help Boards at http://tucker.helix-designs.com//index.php !!


http://www.bookofseg.com

[Stutoonz]

What do you think would happen if we brought our own PERSONAL Segways to the Disney parks. Do you think that they would try to prevent our entry to the parks? I mean they DO allow carriages, strollers, motorized wheelchairs and the like.
I would be willing to bet that they WOULD NOT allow you to use your own Seg to travel around! Even though we have been trained in the use of the 'instrument'---I'll bet that they will object--Your thoughts?

stureis

[BruceWright]

They absolutely would not let you in the gate! No doubt in my mind that they have that policy in place already.

Not sure what their policy is outside the parks on the resort property in Florida. They may be more lenient there.

They allow strollers which aren't motorized, and motorized ECV's and Wheelchairs based on ADA laws.

[pt]

it's private property so it's really up to them, you should contact them if you're really curious.

i've been to disney (fl, ca, tokyo) and would never even think to bring a segway ht, that's kinda silly.

cheers,
pt

quote:Originally posted by Stutoonz

What do you think would happen if we brought our own PERSONAL Segways to the Disney parks. Do you think that they would try to prevent our entry to the parks? I mean they DO allow carriages, strollers, motorized wheelchairs and the like.
I would be willing to bet that they WOULD NOT allow you to use your own Seg to travel around! Even though we have been trained in the use of the 'instrument'---I'll bet that they will object--Your thoughts?

stureis


http://www.bookofseg.com

[Stutoonz]

Just sent off inquiry to Disney Co. as to use of OUR Segway in park and around vacation villas. Explained that we Wayseggers are responsible beings who have had training before being allowed to use or own a transporter. Also, want from them an official reason if the answer is NO.
PT--If you've been to parks and especially new downtown Disney, you'll see that it isn't a silly request! Mucho and many miles to walk for an old guy like me and you can forget the Disney buses.

stureis

[pt]

silly was meant me for me, sorry if you thought otherwise (as in that would be silly for me).

as far as using your segway...hmm, well- segway (the company) will say this is not a medical device, so if you have some difficulties walking you might want to see what your options are, it might need to be a power-assisted device / wheelchair as odd as that sounds. until the segway "get out there" i'm not sure how easy or hard it will be to use one in a private setting like disney (they have them, but that might not matter).

good luck and let us know what they say. i'm really curious as well.

cheers,
pt

quote:Originally posted by Stutoonz

Just sent off inquiry to Disney Co. as to use of OUR Segway in park and around vacation villas. Explained that we Wayseggers are responsible beings who have had training before being allowed to use or own a transporter. Also, want from them an official reason if the answer is NO.
PT--If you've been to parks and especially new downtown Disney, you'll see that it isn't a silly request! Mucho and many miles to walk for an old guy like me and you can forget the Disney buses.

stureis


http://www.bookofseg.com

[JohnM]

quote:Originally posted by Stutoonz

What do you think would happen if we brought our own PERSONAL Segways to the Disney parks. Do you think that they would try to prevent our entry to the parks? I mean they DO allow carriages, strollers, motorized wheelchairs and the like.
I would be willing to bet that they WOULD NOT allow you to use your own Seg to travel around! Even though we have been trained in the use of the 'instrument'---I'll bet that they will object--Your thoughts?


Even if you got your Segway in, what would you do with it when you went on the rides? Nobody is going to steal it, but would you trust that some kid wouldn't mess with it? Its just too novel at this point in time to expect people to keep their hands off. Especially in an atmosphere like Disney where so many people let their kids run wild.

Runnin' with the Big Dogs

[JosephM]

Most rides will have an exit Cast Memeber watch over it or they could bring it on (like in Universe of Energy).

That's one of the reasons why I hear they won't rent Segways the park, that there will be hords of them at rides while people ride the rides.

Visit our FIRST Help Boards at http://tucker.helix-designs.com//index.php !!

[MrTechno]

Just returned from Disneyworld. Saw a guy on a Segway (E-Model) selling all kinds of light-up toys just before the start of EPCOT's "Illuminations". Pretty unique use of the technology. There's also a display at Innoventions which runs a video featuring DK explaining the Segway and a person riding one and answering questions.

I'm told by insiders that, throughout Disney, there are about 75 Segways in use! Park Managers, Security, Parking people, and guys selling light-up novelties....and we've heard the cruise ships use them as well.

No rides, just meet-n-greets and demonstrations.

Glad to hear about the use of Segway HTs at Celebration. That's what Celebration was built for. They're made for each other!

[BruceWright]

Yes, I've heard it re-iterated from knowledgable sources that Disneyland is "working on" getting a possible test ride experience for guests. Nothing official yet and no timetable, but I've heard it from a couple of people who are in the know.

[JosephM]

Will there be one by Summer when I go Bruce?

http://www.segwaychat.com/forum/icon_segway_happy.gif FIRST Pit News Mag @ www.pitnews.org

[GlideMaster]

Someone posted a while back that they were told by Disney that they would not allow private gliders in the parks.

<center>The GlideMaster</center>


quote:Originally posted by Stutoonz

What do you think would happen if we brought our own PERSONAL Segways to the Disney parks. Do you think that they would try to prevent our entry to the parks? I mean they DO allow carriages, strollers, motorized wheelchairs and the like.
I would be willing to bet that they WOULD NOT allow you to use your own Seg to travel around! Even though we have been trained in the use of the 'instrument'---I'll bet that they will object--Your thoughts?

stureis

[BruceWright]

Sorry, they didn't talk about a time frame. And remember, this isn't letting riders bring their Segways into the parks. They are merely exploring the possibility of a one-on-one session with a rider and trainer in Innoventions.

I wouldn't bet on anything by any date, Joseph. But I can let you know that Segways are already used by Disney employees almost everywhere in the Disneyland Resort, both "onstage" and "offstage." They are used everywhere that it doesn't conflict with the theme. That includes Tomorrowland, all of Disney's California Adventure and the Downtown Disney entertainment district. (Sorry, no Segways in Frontierland! ;) )

They are also demonstrating the iBot in Tomorrowland at Innoventions.


Again, any information here is unofficial. I'm not speaking for Disney here, and this isn't inside information. Any guest talking to a Disneyland Cast Member could get the same information. :-)

[JosephM]

I know, I read saw Kamen talk about this at the Kick-Off last year. He said by March of 2001. Never happened.

http://www.segwaychat.com/forum/icon_segway_happy.gif FIRST Pit News Mag @ www.pitnews.org

[Neelix]

I think that in the near future, Disney will rent Segways at the parks. They already allow people to ride the scooters that you sit on, and I don't see why they would disallow another device that takes up less space and is more versatile than one of those. What if someone's grandma is taking them, and she can't get around well? Then they rent a Segway for their visit, Grandma gets around fine, the kids ride Test Track forty eight times and Disney has another source of income. Think of the volume of people who would be willing to rent a Segway for their stay at Disneyworld. I have been there, and I must say, that even for a young'un like me (14 years old) it is a LOT of walking. With the original Disneyland generation getting older, since Disneyland itself is nearing the half-century mark, there would be a ton of demand from simply elderly folks who want to relive their childhood. Factor in people who want one for the novelty or health reasons, price them at $10-$20 per day, and that is an amazing amount of income right there.

Cities and organizations are taking the wrong stand against the Segway. They don't realize the safety and ease of the HT. It annoys me to see the Segway be discriminated against when only about 30 people of the general public own them. Let the cities and businesses decide what they want to do after 1 in 10 people own and use a Segway.

Fear not, even though I come from the forbidden city, I surely do not agree with the rules.

My avatar is the army of Segways waiting to change the world!

[JosephM]

Uh... I would be nice, but the main problem is parking. Look at storlers. They tie up intersections causing bottle necks. If stollers can do that and only a few are used by a select group of people, then imagine the amount of havoc thousands of Segways will do. Parking infront of rides. Everything.

http://www.segwaychat.com/forum/icon_segway_happy.gif FIRST Pit News Mag @ www.pitnews.org

[motleyorc]

I worked for Disney for 11 years. They would rent the Segways for $10-$20 per hour instead of per day.



http://www.segwayceleb.com

[Neelix]

Joseph:

Strollers are by nature much larger than segways. Also, couldn't people take their segways in line and put them in a lot at the load? Then the amount of Segways in the lot would be only the amount of Segway riders on the attraction/adventure.

On the stroller note, after going to Disneyland and getting bruises on my achilles heel by the hundred or so strollers that slammed into me, I think that strollers should not be allowed in the parks. These children will in no way remember what happened during their trip, so it seems pointless to bring them. Strollers are more dangerous than Segways in my opinion, since the Segway will stop when someone bumps into it, and idiot parents will simply decide that they are god and can ram the strollers through the crowds. I want to see a lawsuit from someone who was rammed by a stroller and fell into it, crushing the kid, and having the parents of the kid say that it was the fallers fault, when it was actually their own agressive actions that caused the harm of their spawn.

Fear not, even though I come from the forbidden city, I surely do not agree with the rules.

My avatar is the army of Segways waiting to change the world!

[JosephM]

AGREE! Strollers should be BURNED. They use them as rams.

But from what I hear, the someone from WDI went to Manchester to check out the Segway before unvailing to decide upon uses for the company. From what he said, they will use them in shows and CMs will use them. But he said to managment that they should not rent them since

a.) If a line in 2 hours long and there can be 1000 people through the ride in an hour, there can be a max of 2000 Segways outside.
b.) In the que (the line), many times it can be cramped and with very little space, even for a Segway (sure, a good drive can controll it, but a bad one?)
c.) if let though lines, many rides have stairs or you can get on and off at differnt points.
d.) Training. Many people buzz though getting a stroller since you just push it. But with a Segway, that will take people teaching the guests to use one and hand out keys and such.
e.) battery life. Can run 12 hours, but many times the parks are open much more.

http://www.segwaychat.com/forum/icon_segway_happy.gif FIRST Pit News Mag @ www.pitnews.org

[Neelix]

Okay, I understand what you are trying to get at. However, if they do not rent them, they most certainly should allow people to bring their own inside the park.

Fear not, even though I come from the forbidden city, I surely do not agree with the rules.

My avatar is the army of Segways waiting to change the world!

[JosephM]

I hope they change the rules and let people with Segs in, but so far they haven't changed their rules.

http://www.segwaychat.com/forum/icon_segway_happy.gif FIRST Pit News Mag @ www.pitnews.org

[mzokc]

The number one reason to use a Segway at a Disney park would be to gather up the Fastpasses that can require lots of walking ahead to get them.

Mark

[BruceWright]

Disney wouldn't open themselves up to the liability of allowing them. Rollerskates, bicycles, skateboards and scooters aren't allowed in the parks either.

[GadgetmanKen]

quote:
a.) If a line in 2 hours long and there can be 1000 people through the ride in an hour, there can be a max of 2000 Segways outside.


Lets us not forget how long it would take to determine which one is yours since right now they ALL look alike. Waiting for the rides is bad enough, but then waiting again for some people to find their SHT's come on... The intentions are good, but the practicality is bad.

Here I go again... How to find your Segway in a crowded Seg-Where lot?

Simply have a remote beeper locator, like many have on their cars for their alarms, etc. Then the only drawback, would be with everyone getting off the ride at the same time, there would be tons of the beeps and alarms going off at once... OH, the horror! [:0]

"Wouldn't it be cool, if?...is like Folgers in my cup"

[Homer]

My guess is that WDW will find a way to have Segways as soon as they find a way to make money on them. And it would have to be money that would be spent in addition to what the guest is already paying; having someone ride a Segway around rather than buy another sweatshirt isn't a gain. The best result would be that it would improve the quality of the guest experience so that he or she wanted to come back another day, especially if the guest were an older person with disposable income.

Understand that they know that the ever growing swarm of the bumper cars known as "Charlies" is a problem. If you think being hit by a stroller isn't pleasant, see how your lower leg feels after being rammed by one of those babies. They are a particular nightmare in crowds. They have a very big footprint. They are a nuisance to load on monorails, ferry boats, and busses. They are frequently driven with children sitting on the operator's lap. And they aren't available until you are inside the park, which sometimes is a long way from where you parked.

My guess is that they will find so many uses for them themselves, and become so comfortable with their ease of use, that they will find a way to make this happen. It will be awfully difficult to have CMs use them all over the place and refuse them to the public, especially by dismissing them as "unsafe". It's only a matter of logistics and profit margin at this point.

[BruceWright]

Homer,

That is, of course, unless Disney also stops using them in the parks. This is also a very likely scenario. Disney uses them in Futureworld to show off the technology. When everyone has a Segway, how future is that? When they don't fit the theme, they will be discarded.

I think we certainly will see Segways available for guest rental at the resort, but not in the parks. They currently let folks rent boats and bicycles for travelling around the resort, but don't let THOSE in the parks. Disney also lets its cast-members drive boats and bicycles (barbershop quartets) onstage in the parks, but not guests. Are bicycles and boats inherantly unsafe? No. Does it pose a safety issue to let random guests ride and drive them in the parks? HECK YEAH! It has nothing to do with being hypocritical. It has nothing to do with a technology that just needs to prove itself. It's pure liability.

You've been to Disneyworld, I'm assuming. Seen those bands of tourists who come on a group tour? I'm talking a gaggle of about 25 teenage girls all travelling together, running around, jumping, giggling and shrieking. We've seen how one Segway interacts with a crowd of pedestrians (very well). How does one pedestrian interact with 25 Segways coming at them from the opposite direction, all being piloted by giggling, horsing-around teenagers? All of them zipping back and forth around each other like a swarm of bees, not travelling in any neat single-file or anything resembling Frank's training video.


There's a reason Autopia cars are on tracks!


(again, speaking as myself, not some representative of Disney. I don't work at the parks!)


-Bruce Wright

Segway: Vehicle of Dream

[BruceWright]

Of course, if Disney had a deal with Segway to make Segways to rent that travelled at 2-miles-per-hour (or some other ultra-low-speed), that is forseeable, as the thrillseekers wouldn't use them. Of course training would still be an issue.

But if you were to do that, you might as well just build standing four-wheelers that would be cheaper and wouln't require training.

-Bruce Wright

Segway: Vehicle of Dream

[MrTechno]

I could NEVER see them rented in the parks. Would you turn loose a bunch of Segway novices among crowds of people? That would be nuts (unless, as you said Bruce, they ran at 2mph.) Maybe rentals at resorts, certainly within a closed area so people could try them...but that's it.

quote:Originally posted by BruceWright

Of course, if Disney had a deal with Segway to make Segways to rent that travelled at 2-miles-per-hour (or some other ultra-low-speed), that is forseeable,

[Homer]

Well, I not only have I been to WDW, I live here. I also worked in transportation for 10 mths. And in my current occupation and community I have occasion to meet a lot of WDW people in all capacities. Not that everything of importance isn't run out of Burbank, and not that the important people tell me anything, but....

Several points: Just as they don't rent Charlies to hordes of teenage girls, neither will they rent Segways; but I don't see them refusing to do it for the responsible, older, and affluent guests. "getting comfortable with them" meant backstage, where they will become routine for supervisors, maintenance, security, warehouses, etc.; this isn't going to cease because they are useful if not futuristic There is no way that training will be required to operate a Segway on a long term basis, anymore than you have to take a class to buy a bicycle. Let's dare to speak the truth on this matter - this is all about liability and overregulation, not because it's necessary You are correct that the capabilities will be different - certainly black key only, who knows what else the enginerds will develop over time. And they will appear at the resorts first - probably the campground, possibly Old Key West.

http://www.bookcase.com/library/icons/cartoons/simpsons/homer.gif

[JosephM]

Not letting people rent Segways because of proposed age is BAD. I'm 16 and a resposible Segway rider.

http://www.segwaychat.com/forum/icon_segway_happy.gif FIRST Pit News Mag @ www.pitnews.org

[Homer]

I'm sure they'll make an exception for teenagers who can demonstrate resposibility. Just propose another age.

[Blinky]

There was a recent article about the Segway and Disney, I posted it in the news section:

Cruise news: Disney ships employ Segways (http://www.segwaychat.com/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=1409)

An account will have to be setup on the news site to view the whole article.


http://www.bl.com/ben/gifs/Blinky.gif http://www.harpy.net/paul/blinky.jpg