Christmas and Activities for visitors

[kace08]

Hello Everyone,
I'm planning an early December trip to Orlando with my family. We will not be staying on Disney property, but I'd like to be able to visit Fort Wilderness for dinner at Trails End and soak up some of the Christmas Spirit at the resort. I've heard that campers hang Christmas lights. Can we just walk around? Could my kids participate in the marshmallow roast? Our party includes DH and myself, DS (aged 11), DD (age 7), and 70 year old grandma who is not a fan of a lot of walking. Do you have any suggestions?

 

[wilkeliza]

You can participate in the marshmallow roast. Either bring your own or you can buy the kit there. Last time I was at the Fort they were not free marshmallows the Rec team just provided and maintained the fire and was there for safety. There is also the Chip and Dale sing along which you can also go to.

You can walk the different loops but it may be a little bit of a trek. A lot of people just slowly drive through looking at the displays.

 

[parrothead64]

You can't drive through the campground, you must park in the overflow lot and take a bus to Trails End. There are a couple loops close enough to Trails End that you could walk through a couple.

 

[kace08]

You can't drive through the campground, you must park in the overflow lot and take a bus to Trails End. There are a couple loops close enough to Trails End that you could walk through a couple.

Thanks for that info. I've seen an advertisement for a sleigh ride but our party is too big and it is a little pricey anyway.

 

[bama_ed]

There is also a large wagon ride that runs from across the sidewalk from the Pioneer Hall ticket windows in the evenings that can handle lots of people. They have steps up into the wagon if your grandmother can negotiate those. The wagon goes around the loops as well like the sleigh ride.

It runs a couple times each evening. Here is a picture I have of the wagon where they load/unload. It looks like the driver is standing on the steps on the left side of the wagon.



Bama Ed

 

[kace08]

Thanks for the info!

 

[TheRustyScupper]

heard that campers hang Christmas lights.

1) A true understatement.
2) MOST campers decorate their sites . . . and they usually go overboard!
3) I would rent a cart and drive the loops.
4) There is no bus or wagon ride that goes through all the loops and past all the sites.

NOTE: ANYONE can visit The Fort and visit the camp sites (staying on-site or off-site), as well as the DAILY evening campfire. Disney does not charge any guest for this. However, if you feel compelled to tip, you can send a $29.95 honorarium to TheRustyScupper, c/o General Delivery, Orlando, FL. (We shall make sure it gets put to good use . . . more or less.)

 

[kace08]

1) A true understatement.
2) MOST campers decorate their sites . . . and they usually go overboard!
3) I would rent a cart and drive the loops.
4) There is no bus or wagon ride that goes through all the loops and past all the sites.

NOTE: ANYONE can visit The Fort and visit the camp sites (staying on-site or off-site), as well as the DAILY evening campfire. Disney does not charge any guest for this. However, if you feel compelled to tip, you can send a $29.95 honorarium to TheRustyScupper, c/o General Delivery, Orlando, FL. (We shall make sure it gets put to good use . . . more or less.)

That is a great idea! But would I be allowed to rent a cart if I'm not staying at a Disney resort? Thanks for your help. This is going to be a lot of fun

 

[ajenks22]

Sounds like exactly what we want to do. What time is the marshmallow roasting? Also, is there a block of time to rent the cart and look at the lights?

 

[kace08]

Sounds like exactly what we want to do. What time is the marshmallow roasting? Also, is there a block of time to rent the cart and look at the lights?

I've read that the marshmallows are at 7 or 7:30. Not sure which. I also looked into the golf cart rental but you have to be a disney resort guest and you have to rent it for a whole day. I'm thinking we may just take a wagon ride and walk the kids around a couple loops that the wagon ride misses.

 

[bama_ed]

I've read that the marshmallows are at 7 or 7:30. Not sure which. I also looked into the golf cart rental but you have to be a disney resort guest and you have to rent it for a whole day. I'm thinking we may just take a wagon ride and walk the kids around a couple loops that the wagon ride misses.

kace308,

At Christmas time, the campfire singalong (meet Chip & Dale, roast marshmallows, and sing along) begins at 7pm and the movie that follows every single night is about 740pm. The singalong times change during the year when you move clocks - in March it moved to an 8pm start and all thru the summer and in November it rolls back to a 7pm start (when we turn the clocks back). Here is the December 2015 movie/campfire schedule as an example:



As far as renting a Disney golf cart, ajenks22, Disney only rents them "by the day" and the day is coordinated to the check-in and check-out times for campsites at the Fort. Officially, rentals begin at 1pm (the earliest check-in time for campsites) and are due back by 11am the next day (the latest check-out time for campsites) the next day. If you come over and use it for a few hours, you will still be charged for a full day ($59+tax).

There are 3 internal bus lines inside the Fort that run from the beach/Trails End/Hoop Dee Do end ("The Settlement (Bus) Depot) to the check-in area end ("The Outpost (Bus) Depot"). The lines are Purple, Orange, and Yellow. Orange and Yellow can be gotten at the Settlement Depot and can take you up near the Campfire singalong. Your bus driver can advise which stop to use.

There is a Conestoga wagon that is the concession stand just behind the bleachers at the campfire singalong. They sell a Smores kit for around $10 (some graham crackers, marshmallows, Hersheys bars, and sticks) or you can BYO or just get a small bag of marshmallows and sticks (cheap option). You can also walk through some loops to see the camper decorations or see the Electric Water Parade down at the beach or the fireworks over the MK (music is piped in).

There are 21 camper loops to see decorations so my advice is to just plan on seeing those that are convenient to wherever you are or will be.

If you have questions, let us know.

Bama Ed

 

[kace08]

Thank you Bama Ed! I really appreciate your detailed response