Linda Mac's Orlando Adventures

Wilderness Back Trail Adventure is the newest Segway tour offered by Disney. As a first time Segway rider I was nervous that I wouldn't be coordinated enough to keep up the rest of our group. I put that negative thought aside since this is Disney and headed over to the day parking area at Fort Wilderness to meet my fellow "Segwayers," Deb Wills, two very special new friends, Masayo and Nozomi from Japan, and Mike Newell from MouseWorldRadio.com and WDWToday Podcast.

We were booked for the 8:30 a.m. tour. It should be noted that you will need your own transportation to Fort Wilderness day parking area for this tour. Allow an additional 20 minute to take the internal bus from the day parking lot to the settlement area. If you book the 11:00 a.m. tour, Disney transportation is available.

We made our way back to Mickey's Backyard BBQ Pavilion and received a friendly Disney welcome from a our Adventure Guides, Ron and Frank. After signing waivers, picking out helmets, a short but informative safety video and some verbal instructions from Ron, it was time to get started. Frank and Ron were amazingly patient, helping each of us individually to get on to the Segways. It was very simple, but it did take a few minutes to get used to being on top of two wheels totally controlled by your body's movement.

There were 10 people in our tour (the maximum) and 2 guides, so the one-on-one time was excellent when it came time actually stepping on to the Segway X2 Personal Transporters. These particular Segways are equipped with heavy duty tires to handle the terrain at Fort Wilderness where we were going "off roading". We practiced for 15 minutes making turns, going in between plastic cones and down a small incline.

The second hour of the 2 hour tour was spent exploring the trails around Fort Wilderness and Wilderness Lodge. Cameras are allowed on this tour but can not be used when you are on the Segway. There are a few photo opportunities so do bring a small camera with you. I really don't want to tell you exactly where we went because I think that would spoil a great part of the adventure. Sorry! I will tell that on one of the trails we encountered 2 or 3 deer only 15 feet away. That alone was worth the price of admission!!!!

I will give this tour an A+ for overall value, time on the Segway and the helpfulness of the our Adventure Guides, Ron and Frank, who really made the tour so enjoyable by sharing their knowledge of the resort and putting us all at ease riding the Segways.

Enjoy the photo gallery. At the bottom of the page you will find some facts about the tour to help you decide if it is for you and your family.

Photo Gallery of our Wilderness Back Trail Adventure on Saturday, October 27, 2007

Let the adventure begin as we made our way to Mickey's Backyard BBQ Pavilion

The special Segways were ready to go when we arrived.

Nozomi, Masayo and Deb Wills sign their waivers

Deb is showing off Masayo's Japanese Bear. This special little bear turns up in a lot of pictures I took this weekend.

Our fantastic adventure guides, Ron and Frank with Deb in the middle

Ron giving some final advice about riding our Segways. The pavilion where the safety lesson took place is right next to River Country.

Learning to Park. Trust me when I tell that dismounting properly is just as important as getting on the Segways the correct and safe way.

Ron giving us information about Fort Wilderness Resort and Campground

Nozomi during one of the photo opportunities

Halloween Decorations in the campground

How would you like to see this gang coming at you on Segways?

Cruising along the Trail.

Cinderella's Ponies

Deb Wills signing a copy of Open Mouse for Nozomi and Masayo after our Adventure

Happy Trails

Here are a few facts about the tour to help you decide if it is for you and your family. The Adventures tours may be booked for 8:30 a.m. or 11 a.m. on Tuesday, Friday and Saturday and last 2 hours. Segway Adventure Tours can consist of up to 10 people and meet at Mickey's Backyard BBQ Pavilion in Fort Wilderness Resort and Campground. The cost is $85 per person. 15% discounts are currently being offered to Passholders, DVC Members and Disney Visa Cardholders.

Guests wishing to participate in the tour must be at least 16 years of age and be accompanied by an adult if under the age of 18. You must weigh between 100 and 250 pounds to ride the Segways. Expectant mothers and guests with special needs may not participate due to safety reasons. Payment in full by credit card is required at time of booking. If you need to cancel your tour, you must do so at least 48 hours prior to the start of the tour to receive a full refund. Tours can be booked by calling 407-WDW-TOUR.