The following is Scott Fais' weekly blog detailing discoveries made while traveling through Florida and along the road of life.
In 2001, the next “big thing” to revolutionize our lives hit the market. The Segway Human Transporter, now called the Personal Transporter, was described by inventor Dean Kamen in USA Today as a device that "will be to the car what the car was to the horse and buggy.” I’ll argue the iPod has touched more of us this century than any other invention.
However, the Segway is just plain cool. The ride-on vehicle looks like something George Jetson would have hopped on when going to work. If you’ve never seen one, the Segway is a two-wheeled scooter with a pogo stick-looking device that connects to bike handles. Stand up and step on. This is one scooter you ride while standing up (see the slide show image above).
Problem is, hopping on a Segway yourself is hard to do. After all, there are no Segway dealerships lining the block. And the $5,000 to $6,000 price tag, prevents them from popping up in garages around the nation.
With gas and oil prices soaring and the “green” movement barreling (pun intended) ahead, we stay close to home this week and embrace eclectic mobility.
At the Walt Disney World Resort, you can hitch a ride into the future. The theme park icon offers two different Segway riding experiences.
For starters, I woke up early and headed to Walt Disney’s Experimental Prototype Community Of Tomorrow (better known these days as Epcot) to take part in the Segway Around the World Tour. The tour begins inside Future World’s Innoventions pavilion before heading outdoors for a behind-the-scenes look at the World Showcase.
Set the alarm. Those back here in the newsroom know it takes a lot to get me up early. And when I do rise and shine before dawn, it better be for good reason. Here, seeing Epcot behind the scenes aboard a Segway is worth it. Students arrive at Epcot before sunrise to join their classmates inside what can be described as the top of a giant egg. Following a brief slideshow, we picked out a helmet and a Segway i2 (the model with slim wheels).
The marvel of the Segway is like unwrapping the greatest toy on Christmas morning. Stepping on the platform is pure magic. “How can this thing on two wheels balance?” raced through my mind (the secret are the five gyroscopes under our feet).
Students quickly learn how to board and jump off their transporter, before moving forward and backward. Picking up the technique takes no more than five minutes. Soon, we were practicing riding in and out of cones and going up and down a steep incline.
After we proved our riding prowess, our guides lead us out of the air-conditioned comfort and into a warm and muggy Central Florida morning. Within moments, riders were no longer paying attention to the elements, rather the view as we began circling the World Showcase Lagoon. The well-regimented class makes stops at China, Germany, Japan and France before heading back to Innoventions where the next riding class awaits use of our i2 transporters.
Segway claims they “are devoted to moving you easily, efficiently, intelligently and simply.” And they make good on that promise. After all, the company boasts the name Segway came from the word segue, which is defined as, "to transition smoothly from one state to another."
Ready for something a little more terrain-oriented than the smooth paths at Epcot? I traded in the Segway i2 for a larger model that can handle the backroads: The Segway x2 (imagine this baby to have monster truck tires).
Next, we hit the trails of Disney's Fort Wilderness Resort and Campground. This tree-covered retreat covers 700 acres and includes riding trails for horses, and now, Segways with giant tires.
Our guides on wheels at the Fort Wilderness Back Trail Adventure were just as fun as going off-roading. Cast Members Ron Motley and Frank Zatorski make this class a riot. The two gentlemen pride themselves on having a good time with guests and having a good time at work. The atmosphere in the woods is what you would expect: relaxed and enjoyable.
Here, riders also start with learning the basics: move forward, scoot backward. Navigate the cones, ride around in circles.
Soon we left the pavement behind and hit a corral full of mulch and then it was time to go off the the beaten path. There are 408 "wilderness homes" and 784 private campsites at Fort Wilderness. We left them all behind and went for a "hike" in the woods.
Ron led the trail ride while Frank and I brought up the rear. Both retirees from the Chicago area have a great personality and are quick to laugh at each other and themselves. Their personalities are just as big as the huge Segway x2 tires under our feet.
The route canvases nature trails, sand pits, lakeside vistas, horse stables, walking paths at Disney's Wilderness Lodge, rustic cabin communities and dirt paths lined with tree roots.
Theme park buffs will enjoy seeing the World Showcase in the early morning hours with the Epcot tour. Cleaning crews, painting crews and landscapers are all on display, helping to “wake up” one of my favorite Orlando theme parks.
Meantime, for a more adventurous ride that allows you to experience a Segway on all different types of terrain, go for the Wilderness Back Trail Adventure.
I was not alone in this journey. Photographer extraordinaire from Tampa Bay on Demand “CJ” following all the action on four wheels. The man works hard to capture the essence of each location we visit together.
Darcy Cormier from Walt Disney World did a great job chasing me down in her golf cart. CJ rode shotgun to capture the action. Many of the photos this week in our slideshow come to us from super intern Alejandro Melendez, who has a quick draw on the shutter finger.
After the ride, you'll feel it in your legs and feet. I found my lower extremities a little sore from the trek. It sounds strange, since I didn't walk, rather rode, but you'll know you went bouncing around when you're through.
And once you hop off, check out the Trail's End Restaurant. This all you can eat buffet will leave you stuffed, satisfied and smiling.
Whether the Segway will indeed make cars obsolete waits to be seen. But you can touch the future daily just a short drive away.
Until next week, safe travels!
-SCOTT
Keep those e-mails coming! Scott Fais enjoys hearing about your adventures around the Sunshine State. And send pictures! E-mail Scott atsfais@cfnews13.com.
For more travel adventures with Scott Fais, go to Central Florida On Demand, Digital Cable Channel 300. Select Entertainment/Travel and then scroll over to Florida on a Tankful.
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