Chip and Dale Campfire questions

[Ella's Mom]

We are staying at VWL in May and I have a few questions about the sing -a-long. We've never been to it but it sounds fun. What time does it start? I've seen different times listed. Is it every night? Do we need to get there very early? I'm not sure how busy this gets. Is it worth going to? I have a 5 and a 2 year old.

 

[Tri-circle-D]

Welcome to the camping boards. There is a FAQ sticky above that has general information about Fort Wilderness.

Here is what it says about the campfire:

The Fort Wilderness campfire program happens year round in the "theater under the stars" located in the Meadows recreation area. It is free of charge.
The program consists of a sing along with a very talented Disney cast members leading the fun. After a brief introduction, our friends Chip and Dale will make their way through the crowd for pictures, autographs and general harassment of the guests. The sing along starts at 8 during the summer followed by a movie (the list is always posted at the top of the thread list) at approximately 8:40. During the winter (after daylight savings time ends, this year on Nov 4th) the sing along starts at 7 and the movie around 7:40.

There are 2 fire pits that are lit just before the sing along begins. These are for roasting marshmallows, hot dogs and whatever else you may wish to roast.

You can bring your own snacks and drinks with you or purchase what you need.
popcorn, candy, drinks and S'more kits are available at the chuckwagon, individual wooden roasting sticks are available.

Wooden benches are provided along with bleachers at the back of the theater. A blanket or cushion is always a good idea. The area is covered in pea gravel to prevent it from being muddy.

The restrooms are about a 100 ft walk behind the chuckwagon, the comfort station at the 1400 loop is utilized.

Be ready to clap, sing and participate (like so many other Disney activities)

Please make sure and say "Howdy" to the cast members and tell them you are a Dis'er

It isn't necessary to get there early, there is plenty of seating.

Any other questions?

TCD

 

[incruzcontrol2]

Hello.. We are planning to do the campfire sing-a-long with Chip n Dale too. We've heard so many great things about it. However, we are not staying at this resort so am not familiar with location. I've downloaded a map.. but I was hoping you could please help me out with estimates of time frame.. I read that since daylight savings started this past weekend that the fire pits are now lit at 7:30 and the sing-a-long begins at 8 p.m. and the movie follows at 8:40. (Please let me know otherwise). We will be in Downtown Disney earlier that afternoon/early evening.

My questions please:
1. What time should we plan on leaving Downtown Disney to make it to the lighting of the fire pits? We have a car rental so we will be driving to Fort Wilderness resort.

2. I also read their is another bus we have to take once we get to the resort, is that right? Should I just go to check in and have them direct me?

Thanks for the help.

 

[BibbidyBobbidyBoo]

Starting May 23rd- is that the 'summer" time TCD?

Hello.. We are planning to do the campfire sing-a-long with Chip n Dale too. We've heard so many great things about it. However, we are not staying at this resort so am not familiar with location. I've downloaded a map.. but I was hoping you could please help me out with estimates of time frame.. I read that since daylight savings started this past weekend that the fire pits are now lit at 7:30 and the sing-a-long begins at 8 p.m. and the movie follows at 8:40. (Please let me know otherwise). We will be in Downtown Disney earlier that afternoon/early evening.

My questions please:
1. What time should we plan on leaving Downtown Disney to make it to the lighting of the fire pits? We have a car rental so we will be driving to Fort Wilderness resort.

2. I also read their is another bus we have to take once we get to the resort, is that right? Should I just go to check in and have them direct me?

Thanks for the help.

Can't answer #1- I only know by taking bus from resort to park to FW and then internal bus- and it takes a long long time that way. LOL Definitely should be faster driving yourself.
But yes, you will have to park outside and then take an internal bus to get to the campfire area. I suppose you could walk- but that would probably also take a long time.

 

[BradyBz12]

1. What time should we plan on leaving Downtown Disney to make it to the lighting of the fire pits? We have a car rental so we will be driving to Fort Wilderness resort.

The actual drive from DTD to the parking lot at FW is pretty short - maybe 10 mins if you go the long way following the signs. Shorter if you keep straight on Bonnet Creek past Port Orleans (follow to end, left at light).

Once you get to FW, follow the sign for HDD which will lead you into the overflow lot. You need to park there and take an internal bus to the campfire. The bus station is right near the parking lot to the left of the kennel - can't miss it.

If it were me, I'd plan on about 30 minutes from the time I got into the car at DTD... just to be on the safe side and to have time to find a seat and get settled.

Have fun!

 

[incruzcontrol2]

Thanks for the info. That really helps out with planning..

 

[incruzcontrol2]

Hello.. Has anyone been to the campfire recently? I've read conflicting things about the time change.. .I've read that it changes when it's summer, then I've read that the time changes starting daylight savings (that was a week ago).. Can you please tell me if this is right: the fire pits are now lit at 7:30 and the sing-a-long begins at 8 p.m. and the movie follows at 8:40???? What time did you go? Thanks.

 

[2goofycampers]

Hello.. Has anyone been to the campfire recently? I've read conflicting things about the time change.. .I've read that it changes when it's summer, then I've read that the time changes starting daylight savings (that was a week ago).. Can you please tell me if this is right: the fire pits are now lit at 7:30 and the sing-a-long begins at 8 p.m. and the movie follows at 8:40???? What time did you go? Thanks.

Yep, this is correct.

 

[Irish Twins]

Hi !I have a quick question too. On May 15 we are going to the 5 PM HDDR . How do we get to the campfire from there?

Can't wait! Hope we like the movie they are showing!

 

[clkelley]

As far as taking the internal buses, I would take the Yellow Bus and then get off at 1500 Loop, then the campfire is just down the path across the road.

The Purple bus won't get you there and the Orange bus will take you through a grand tour of the cabins.

To me, it is a very short walk from Hoop De Doo to the Campfire, but the Orange bus or Yellow bus will get you there.

 

[supermommyof4]

How long does it take to get from DTD to FW via ferry?

 

[Born 2 Fish]

Sorry,, no ferry.

It's either by car or by bus. See the above posts for your car/bus info.

 

[GOBA Mom Lynn]

How long does it take to get from DTD to FW via ferry?

You may be confusing the campfire at FW with one they do at POR. They started one there a couple of years ago I think, and you can get to that resort via the boat from DTD. I don't think the campfire there goes all year, only during the summer, so I would ask over on the resorts board about it, if that's the one you're thinking of.

Hope you have a great time on your trip!

 

[Stinkerbell1973]

Hey Ella's Mom. Welcome to the boards!
I love that picture of your daughter! My DD, 4, has that exact same Minnie dress, and in fact, she wore it trick or treating this past Halloween in Fort Wilderness!
Have a blast!

 

[incruzcontrol2]

Hello..

We just got back and I wanted to post a quick reply and say thanks to everyone who responded to my questions, even though I am not the OP..

As for the OP, this is definitely worth going whether or not you plan to stay for the movie.
To give you some background of our experience, we got there at 7:30, bought the $10 smore's kit (one box of graham crackers, bag of marshmallows, 2-3 hershey's chocolate bars, and 3-4 sticks---sorry forget exact #s) but it was plenty! The firepit was already started when we got there and we had a blast roasting marshmallows.. 8:00 a "cowboy" came out and started singing songs with the kids; then a few minutes later Chip and Dale came out.. While the cowboy sang, Chip and Dale made rounds with the kids, taking pictures and signing autographs... The cowboy himself was great.. sang really good songs and all the kids were into it!! Then about 8:30, Chip and Dale left and they started the movie..
The night we came, we had already watched the movie that was showing, so we decided to head down to the beach area and watched the fireworks that started at 9:00 (these are the fireworks over Cinderella's castle--you can see the fireworks, but not the castle) but it was a really nice way to end our night.. We have never been to Fort Wilderness, so it was really nice to have spent a couple of hours there afterwards.. Along the beach area that they had, there were these horse carriage rides you can do, they have the restaurant there and just a lot of cool neat stuff to check out... I think we finally left Fort Wilderness ~11..

Anyway, it was definitely worth doing; would recommend to everyone.. even if you are just doing the campfire... the interaction with Chip and Dale was great! And I couldn't believe it was a free event!!! ok.. hope you go.. Have fun!!

 

[Sgt Mickey]

We were just thre and they lit the fire at 7:30 sing along at 8 and movie at 8:40. The first night we got there just in time for the movie and had to sit on the bacj bleachers so the next night i was there at 7. And other people started to get there just around then too.
My kids had a great time I only the last night we went to Hollywood studios but they would of loved to go back. They were singing and dancing and not only did we bring smore but we brought hot dogs.

 

[PEIMother]

We plan on taking in the Sing-A-Long and the movie, but will be staying at ASSp. Does anyone know how late the buses run from Ft. Wilderness to get us back to our resort (switching at the parks, or where ever)?

Thanks.

 

[Shan-man]

The buses to Downtown Disney run into the early morning hours, so that would be the most reliable route to take resort-to-resort.