Best way to view Ft Wilderness camper decorations?

[Golf4food]

I love Christmas lights and displays. I've always heard people mention the Fort Wilderness camp sites and how so many people put up really cool Christmas displays but have never been. Looking for something different to do this year and thinking of heading over to give them a look.

What is the best way to do it? Drive over and park and take the internal bus around everywhere? The carriage ride for $60? Something else? Any tips?

Thanks.

 

[tlenzendorf]

You could also rent a golf cart for a day and drive around. We stayed there in August 2009 and rented a golf cart, it was lots of fun! Everybody is really social and nice there.

 

[ntsammy5]

Looping in a golf cart is the best way.

 

[chipscamping buddy]

It is much harder to do as a non-campground guest. The internal buses don't go onto the loops and so you really can't see most of the sites. The carriage ride doesn't go anywhere near the campsites.

You could take the bus back to the loops and do some walking, hopefully you could get a better idea from the campground forum on where to see the best decorations. You could try to get the security to allow you to drive in and circle that way, but generally they should not allow that.

The best option might be to post on the campground forum when you are going to be there and see if you can get a guided tour by one of the disboard regulars.

 

[Golf4food]

Thanks for all the tips. We're not afraid to walk, so if the weather is nice we might just walk a few loops after or before a carriage ride.

 

[chartle]

Thanks for all the tips. We're not afraid to walk, so if the weather is nice we might just walk a few loops after or before a carriage ride.

You can also rent bikes.

 

[daisyduck123]

One year, after having Christmas breakfast at Chef Mickey's, we drove there in our own vehicle & toured the different loops to check out the decorations.

Very nice, & NOT BUSY at all on Christmas morning. (of course I'm sure the effect is better at night).

 

[sharadoc]

A golf cart for the day will cost around the same as a carriage ride. We're planning on doing that on an MK day. We'll drive to the Fort, pick up the golf cart, drive and park the cart and take the boat to the MK, then return to the Fort for dinner and looping, Chip & Dale campfire, more looping, then fireworks and Water Parade on the beach.

 

[missouridisneyfans]

A golf cart for the day will cost around the same as a carriage ride. We're planning on doing that on an MK day. We'll drive to the Fort, pick up the golf cart, drive and park the cart and take the boat to the MK, then return to the Fort for dinner and looping, Chip & Dale campfire, more looping, then fireworks and Water Parade on the beach.

We are doing the same thing. Our first time there to see the decorations. We plan to do it Christmas Eve.

 

[Robo]

It is much harder to do as a non-campground guest. The internal buses don't go onto the loops and so you really can't see most of the sites. The carriage ride doesn't go anywhere near the campsites.

The "Carriage Ride" may not, but the "Wagon Ride" does.
It travels through several of the FWC Loops and we have always enjoyed the many elaborate Christmas decorations on the mobile homes.

http://www.allearsnet.com/btp/carriage.htm

Wagon Rides at
Disney's Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground

Take an old-fashioned, horse-drawn wagon ride which offers a 45-minute scenic tour around Disney's Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground.

Wagon Rides depart at 7:00pm and 9:30pm nightly from the front of Pioneer Hall.

Fireworks Wagon Rides at 8:30pm for the 9:00pm fireworks at the Magic Kingdom. (offers audio track for show - subject to fireworks being held at the Magic Kingdom.)

Price: $8.00 Adult; $5.00 Child (ages 3-9) Children under 3 are complimentary. Children ages 3-9 must be accompanied by an adult.

Reservations: Not accepted; Wagon Rides are on a first-come, first-served basis only.

 

[Dolce27]

I would check with Disney about where exactly the “Sleigh Ride” takes you. We did that in 2008 after eating at HDDR one night. It did take us through the campsite and we got to see all of the camper’s Christmas lights and decorations. It was one of the highlights of the trip.

Allears says this:
http://allears.net/btp/carriage.htm#6

Sleigh Rides at Fort Wilderness can now be booked 90 days in advance. Beginning on November 29, 2009, and through December 30, a fire-engine red sleigh with garland and holiday lights will take you through parts of the 700-acre backwoods resort. The magic-makers at Tri-Circle-D Ranch have equipped sleighs with tires for rides around property. Four adults or two adults and three children should be able to ride on each sleigh. Depart from the Blacksmith's Shop near the Settlement area inside Fort Wilderness Resort and Campground and travel into the forest on each 25-minute ride. Cost is $60 for one group to ride; children ages 17 and under must be accompanied by an adult. You can book the experience by calling 407-WDW-PLAY.

But we didn’t travel into the forest – only around the Campground. So if the sleigh ride still goes the same route that it took me in 2008, I highly recommend it.

 

[Golf4food]

Might be all for naught as we tried calling last night and all sleigh rides are booked solid the entire week we are there, though we might get lucky with a cancellation... we'll see.