Remembering the Epcot Segway Tour – Keep Moving Forward: See the World, Share the Dream (2013)

Last year (2012), I had the opportunity to take part in the Epcot Segway Tour. I enjoyed the tour so much that I did it again later that year. My first experience was the “Around the World Segway Tour” in June. The second, in November, was the newly updated “Keep Moving Forward: See the World, Share the Dream.”

As you may know, Disney later canceled the Epcot Segway Tour. Say it isn’t so! If you’re a big Segway fan, you can still check out the Wilderness Back Trail Adventure at Fort Wilderness, which uses the Segway X2 outdoor model.

Being in Epcot before the official opening allowed for some great pictures of an “empty” Epcot. It was a surreal and beautiful way to start the day.

A Short-Lived Update

The timing of the cancellation was surprising. Disney retired the tour only a few months after the retooled version debuted on September 17, 2012. I was developing a blog comparing the two versions when I discovered the experience had ended. A quick call to Disney confirmed it—no more reservations were being taken. The Walt Disney World tours page only listed the Fort Wilderness experience. Simply put, that stinks.

I genuinely enjoyed both tours. Each guide had different stories and favorite spots. The tours could’ve worked as walking tours, offering insight into the World Showcase’s pavilions. But adding the Segway—a gyroscopically stabilized two-wheel personal transporter—was the icing on the cake.

Empty Epcot, Early Access, and Training

Both versions of the tour included detailed Segway training at Innoventions West, following check-in at Guest Relations about 30 minutes before the tour. Tours could start as early as 7:45 a.m. If you’ve ever entered an empty Epcot in the early morning, you know what a rare treat that is—aside from the occasional princess headed to Norway for breakfast.

It was easy to enter via the front gate, but getting in through the International Gateway was more of a challenge. Staying at the BoardWalk made this a little frustrating, but we made it work. Guests had to be 16 or older (accompanied by a parent if under 18), weigh between 100–250 lbs, and be in good health, able to stand for the duration.

New Touches and Breakfast Perks

The November tour included updates not part of the June version—most notably, breakfast! When checking in, we selected our breakfast served after the training session. From Innoventions, the group rode Segways across Future World to a backstage entrance near Imagination. We entered The Land pavilion through a side door and headed to Sunshine Seasons, where breakfast awaited.

We grabbed a Soarin’ FastPass on the way back to the Segway parking area. Our tour started at 8:00 a.m., and by 9:15, we were leaving breakfast with an 11:30 return time. Not bad, considering the park had only just officially opened!

Gliding Through World Showcase

This is where the tour shines. While the Segway’s purpose was transportation, it was also part of the fun. We navigated through Future World (now open and crowded) with the help of new earpieces. These allowed the guide to speak to us clearly while we were riding. One guide led the group, while another ensured everyone’s safety. The added commentary during the ride significantly improved the original format.

World Showcase doesn’t fully open until 11:00 a.m., but there’s early guest access between International Gateway and Norway. That created a small challenge—princesses everywhere! Guests were lined up at Akershus Royal Banquet Hall for breakfast. Getting through Norway and past Mexico required some maneuvering, but the real magic began once you were in China.

A Guide’s Tour of the World

The updated audio format allowed us to stop, line up, and listen without needing to “circle up.” The commentary was richer, and the pacing more relaxed. Every pavilion, from China to Germany, Italy to Japan, had something new to share. The guides were always ready to adjust. If work crews were active, we pivoted routes—like skipping the train exhibit near Germany one day and spending more time in Japan instead.

Why do both tours? For me, it was about family. I convinced others to try it, and we timed the second visit for the Epcot Food & Wine Festival. Each version offered different surprises. I saw pre-opening activities like watering plants, setting up merchandise, and even a wedding near Italy. I also spotted a family doing a PhotoPass portrait session in Canada. (Mental note: look into that.)

Final Thoughts on a Lost Classic

The Epcot Segway Tour was one of the most unique and joyful Disney experiences I’ve had. The storytelling, smooth transportation, and rare park access made it unforgettable. Most of the video I shot came from the first tour, though the earpiece in the second tour didn’t record well.

Highlights included early stops in China, then moving through Germany, Italy, America, Japan, Morocco, and France. Every pavilion had its own set of stories. I’ll save some of those for another blog—or check out the video edition of this podcast.

The tour may be gone, but the memories remain. If Disney ever brings back a version of this tour, I’ll be first in line. Until then, we hold on to the photos, the stories, and those magical early mornings in an empty World Showcase.