A Q for the Fort Wilderness Pros

[sswally]

We are staying at Pop in a few weeks and would love to attend the campfire and sing-along/movie. I have researched and know all the times and movie schedules, but I can't really figure out transportation. We will be coming from HS. I think that there is some sort of "inner" transportation around the lodge/campgroud once you get there? How long will it take to get from HS to the campfire itself? I was looking for a place to use some quick service credits and carry it to the campfire. Is Roaring Fork convenient, or should we pick something up in HS before we leave? TIA

 

[mnsprk]

There are internal buses that run in the Fort, here is the map. You would switch buses at the Outpost. TE is at the far end of the Fort from where you will get off the HS bus and board the Fort bus. There is some limited CS available at the Meadows snack bar but it may not be open when you get there. I personally think you would be better off getting your food before you leave HS.

http://allears.net/acc/fortwmap2.jpg

 

[DaveInTN]

As mnsprk noted, you take the Fort Wilderness bus from HS to the FW Outpost, and transfer to an internal bus. My preference would be the Orange bus, and get off at the Meadows Trading Post stop to walk to the campfire. There are directional signs to guide you.

As far as food...the Fort is woefully short of quick service options...in particular during the winter months when the pool snack bar may have limited hours (not positive whether this is true anymore). Us Fort Fiends have been clamoring for a counter service restaurant for a long time, but to date there is not one. Roaring Forks is a great CS restaurant, but the Lodge is not part of the Fort Wilderness property so if you go there you would then still have to take either two buses to get to the campfire, or a boat and one bus. The properties are close...but not exactly adjacent. So, I agree with mnsprk and would get your QS meals before leaving the Studios, unless you have time to kill and want to visit the WL anyways...

 

[clkelley]

..............

 

[Bearikens]

One more thing to consider is getting back to the POP after campfire and movie. Buses don't run from the Fort to the POP, but they do run to the extended hours park and Downtown Disney where you can catch a resort bus back to the POP from there.

Last October my DW and I encountered this problem of getting back to the Fort after the buses stopped running in the area where we were (Contemporary) ...if it wasn't for a kind cast member at the Contemporary front desk we would have ended up walking back to our campsite. He informed us concerning our options and the only suggestion at the time of night was the options I suggested above.

 

[fugarwe]

This brings up a question. I've heard people from other resorts, like the OP, have come over to see our movie and campfire at the Fort. Is it okay if we from the Fort go to activities that are happening at other resorts? I was just reading on another board where they went through and kicked everyone out who was at the Poly to watch the fireworks. Made everyone leave that wasn't a current guest at the Poly, including those people that had just stopped by to eat at the restaurants. (this info came from CMs and seemed to be reliable)

So, if it's okay to resort hop at night (excepting the Poly of course) what ameneties are there to enjoy at the other resorts? We have four days this year without park plans, and I for sure wanted to ride the monorail around just because I think it's cool. But I didn't really think about stopping to see what kind of free activities there are at other places.

 

[Bearikens]

My DW and I have never had a problem enjoying the amenities at the other resorts and in fact we watched the fireworks at the Poly back in October. The only exception is the use of resort pools...Disney is kinda strict on that policy. Riding the monorail is just like riding the buses or boats, as a resort guest their use is included. My DW and I have rode the monorail all over the property and around the resort ring just for fun on several occasions and on several trips.

 

[DaveInTN]

I agree and disagree with Dave.

Well, I'll remember this! If you are ever stuck in your camper, you are NOT borrowing my can opener to get out!

I agree with you on the Yellow bus being quicker and probably the better way for the OP to go. I guess the reason I prefer the Orange option is the walk from the bus stop to the campfire is more interesting and prettier to me.

JMHO of course.

 

[starbuc71]

My DW and I have never had a problem enjoying the amenities at the other resorts and in fact we watched the fireworks at the Poly back in October. The only exception is the use of resort pools...Disney is kinda strict on that policy. Riding the monorail is just like riding the buses or boats, as a resort guest their use is included. My DW and I have rode the monorail all over the property and around the resort ring just for fun on several occasions and on several trips.

Were you at Disney in Orlando or California because Disney is not strict at all when it comes to using pools at other resorts at Disney World, at least the fort pool. A lot of people on here can agree that any day of the year especially holidays and weekends, you will find not only a lot of people from other resorts using the fort pool, but outsiders that live near by coming to just use the pool. I think Disney needs to crack down on the pool hopping as much as the under age driving of carts. We pay huge $ for campsites that have no housekeeping or room service, we could at least get the satisfaction of getting a lounge chair at our pool. I hope you agree

 

[rebelstand]

The Meadows swimming pool food/drink area closed before the campfire started when we were at FW for Christmas this year. Although you could still get hot chocolate at the gift shop.

 

[big kahuna1]

Unfortunately, if you are not staying in the campground then you are not allowed to partake in any Fort Activities. Sorry but that is the new rule for 2011.

 

[Tri-circle-D]

The image of the allears.net map linked in the post above is out of date. So are the ones available in the FAQ thread on this board. Those maps still refer to Hollywood Studios as MGM Studios, and the allears map still lists the Settlement Bus Stop as the bus stop for MGM. For quite a while now, the Orange Bus travels through the cabin loops, and not down the middle of the campground as the older maps show. And for quite a while now, transportation to Epcot, AK, and DHS has been from the Outpost Bus Stop. Here's a map which shows the bus routes correctly:

So, a Yellow or Orange bus will get you to the Meadow Recreation Area. I agree with clkelley that the Yellow Bus is faster, but the Orange Bus will work too.

This brings up a question. I've heard people from other resorts, like the OP, have come over to see our movie and campfire at the Fort. Is it okay if we from the Fort go to activities that are happening at other resorts? I was just reading on another board where they went through and kicked everyone out who was at the Poly to watch the fireworks. Made everyone leave that wasn't a current guest at the Poly, including those people that had just stopped by to eat at the restaurants. (this info came from CMs and seemed to be reliable)

So, if it's okay to resort hop at night (excepting the Poly of course) what ameneties are there to enjoy at the other resorts? We have four days this year without park plans, and I for sure wanted to ride the monorail around just because I think it's cool. But I didn't really think about stopping to see what kind of free activities there are at other places.

I think you got some bad information there.

I have never heard of anyone being asked to leave the Poly beach during fireworks. Members of the TCD gang were there for the 3rd of July 4th of July Fireworks and the December 30 NYE Fireworks this year without incident. I do know that they close the Poly parking lot to non-Poly guests on certain nights (like July 4th and December 31), but I have never heard of them clearing the beach. I don't believe it.

All of the resorts have activity schedules like the Fort. You can ask for one in the lobby of each resort. Except for the activities in the resort pools, these activities are open to all WDW resort guests. There are crafts and things like cookie decorating. As Fort Wilderness guests, we have been allowed to participate in a lot of these activities. And, for that matter, I do not recall ever being asked to show a resort ID.

TCD

 

[tobikaye]

This brings up a question. I've heard people from other resorts, like the OP, have come over to see our movie and campfire at the Fort. Is it okay if we from the Fort go to activities that are happening at other resorts? I was just reading on another board where they went through and kicked everyone out who was at the Poly to watch the fireworks. Made everyone leave that wasn't a current guest at the Poly, including those people that had just stopped by to eat at the restaurants. (this info came from CMs and seemed to be reliable)

I think that the Poly incident was specifically for New Years Eve and was only because of possible over crowding.

 

[UMADDBG]

This brings up a question. I've heard people from other resorts, like the OP, have come over to see our movie and campfire at the Fort. Is it okay if we from the Fort go to activities that are happening at other resorts? I was just reading on another board where they went through and kicked everyone out who was at the Poly to watch the fireworks. Made everyone leave that wasn't a current guest at the Poly, including those people that had just stopped by to eat at the restaurants. (this info came from CMs and seemed to be reliable)

So, if it's okay to resort hop at night (excepting the Poly of course) what ameneties are there to enjoy at the other resorts? We have four days this year without park plans, and I for sure wanted to ride the monorail around just because I think it's cool. But I didn't really think about stopping to see what kind of free activities there are at other places.

The Beach Club has games and towel animal demos in their lobby through out the day. They also have movies on the beach.

 

[fugarwe]

The Beach Club has games and towel animal demos in their lobby through out the day. They also have movies on the beach.

Hey, thanks for the info. This year may be the year to see how the other half lives. Especially if we like their movie selection better.


And the above referenced incident at the Poly WAS on NYE, so perhaps that was the problem.