Can I still visit Disney Resorts even though offsite?

[TnTWalter]

I had planned on spending an afternoon at Ft Wilderness to check out for future camping stay [if I can talk DH into it].

I thought it would be fun to do the cane pole fishing [$4 per person], visit the free petting zoo, perhaps even take a hay ride [inexpensive..] or just roam around.

I initially planned on the campfire singalong but found out it's Disney resort guests only. No biggie.

But it made me wonder...I'm assuming I could do the above items but hadn't really thought about it.

Is it ok to visit? Can we pay for the fishing and the hayride and visit the animals or no?

Also I read they offer free parking at Ft Wilderness. Is this true as well?

Thanks so much!!

 

[kokomos]

Yes, you can visit any of the resorts and as far as I know you can do the campfire singalong unless that has been changed. Just tell them you are there to check things out and they will give you a temp parking pass for free.

 

[TnTWalter]

allears.net said it was open to all disney resort guests. i didn't want to break the rules.

Thanks!

 

[johnkhan]

Yes no problem, you can visit.

 

[Lisa P.]

I've read reports that they no longer have a petting zoo, just the pony rides. Haven't seen for myself. They don't ask for resort ID for the campfire sing-along or rentals. Just don't use the pools - that's always the main issue with offsiters. Have a fun visit!!!

 

[TnTWalter]

We're going later today and will report back...hoping to do campfire sing-along. We will not use the pools. I promise. I just have always wanted to check it out...thought the sing-along would be a great last night free treat....

And the day activites sound fun too...

And I read that we can do trails take-out...perfect....get pizza for kids and something for us...

I'll report later.

Trish

 

[goofy5]

oh! wow thanks for info. I didn't know you could do that

 

[HeatherPage]

I was thinking of us doing that our last day in town 6/18. I was even thinking of renting a golf cart there that day, driving around checking out the pony and horse stable areas, checking out the animals, going down to the beach, playground, etc. Then maybe eating at Crockett's(sp) Tavern (or Trails End if we can get a reservation) and finishing up at the campfire and movie (that night The Incredibles is playing!).

Anyway, I figured it would be a relaxing end to our week in Orlando. I say go for it!

 

[VAN]

Just some thoughts from someone who has stayed at Ft Wilderness many, many times.

I find it a bit unsettling that people would treat the resort like a public park. Camping is a bit different than staying in a resort in that unless you have a big rig, you cannot lock your items up like you can with a hotel room.

If the campground has a lot of people using the facilities that have not paid to stay there and/or are not even staying at a WDW resort (hence they would hang-out at their own resorts most of the time), as a camper I would be a bit uncomfortable that items could disappear from my spot by someone just "visiting."

I know it can happen regardless and that valuables should be locked in your car, etc.; however, we pay quite a bit of money to camp there and I'm not particularly happy to hear that people plan to come and enjoy the amenities like it is a public park!

I know this may not be a popular opinion, especially for those who have never camped either at Ft. Wilderness or anywhere else ... but that is my opinion. That is why Ft. Wilderness has a guardhouse that you must pass through like the other resorts.

Again, I hope Ft. Wilderness is not viewed as a PUBLIC recreational park. It is not. Those staying there pay almost and sometimes more than the value resorts for a campsite.

Suggestion: If you do want to visit a beautiful and very public park, try Celebration.

 

[reelmom]

We're going later today and will report back...hoping to do campfire sing-along. We will not use the pools. I promise. I just have always wanted to check it out...thought the sing-along would be a great last night free treat....

And the day activites sound fun too...

And I read that we can do trails take-out...perfect....get pizza for kids and something for us...

I'll report later.

Trish

I can't wait to hear how it went. We are looking for some stuff do do on our last day and this would be perfect.

 

[HeatherPage]

Have a great time everyone!

 

[HeatherPage]

By the way "Van"...I am staying at a Disney resort the day I may be visiting Ft. Wilderness. I will not be there to root around your campsite or steal any of your belongings and as Disney has no problem with onsite guests touring their other resort areas as long as there is no "illegal" pool hopping involved, I will go with their final consensus.

Thanks for your concern though.

 

[csss31399]

Isn't Hoop de Doo Revue and Mickey's BBQ at Ft. Wilderness? I don't think they could book up three shows a night with only Fort guests.

Trish, thanks for all your info this week. We are coming next week and you have given me a great preview into WH and Disney.

 

[MomofKatie]

allears.net said it was open to all disney resort guests. i didn't want to break the rules.

Thanks!

The WDW Resort encompasses the resort hotels and the theme parks. If you are visiting the theme parks, even if you are staying at an offsite hotel, you ARE a WDW Resort guest.

Disney allows guests not staying at FW to use the amenities (except the pool) there- if they didn't want others to do so, they wouldn't allow them on FW property without proper ID.

 

[TnTWalter]

forgot to post here!
Here's my thread with pics!

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2196347

 

[Lisa P.]

Thanks for posting about your visit. It sounds like you had a fun time! We've camped there and while it's pricy for a campground, it's really a lovely place to stay!

I find it a bit unsettling that people would treat the resort like a public park. Camping is a bit different than staying in a resort in that unless you have a big rig, you cannot lock your items up like you can with a hotel room..... Suggestion: If you do want to visit a beautiful and very public park, try Celebration.

I can appreciate this sentiment but Disney actually readily welcomes day guests to rent boats and bicycles, eat at Trail's End or the dinner shows, book a horseback/hayride/carriage ride, etc. That's part of the package deal when staying in a place that offers so many amenities that they may not be able to support them with revenue from onsite guests alone.

When camping at Fort Wilderness, we used to lock up valuables in our car. The front desk will also accept items into their safe for camping guests. We never had nor heard of security issues at the Fort.