Dd wants to ride the ponies--do I need a ressie?

[chamonix]

Dd gets to ride at home all the time, but still wants to ride at WDW this trip. Where is it, do I need to reserve it ahead of time, and tell me about the age requirements too please! (or just direct me to the info, lol)

Too bad it's such short notice, I wouldn't mind a carriage ride instead if I could talk her into it. Hmm.

 

[A Mickeyfan]

OK, do you mean the small ponies for the children or a regular horse back riding horse. Both of them are in Fort Wilderness. The horse trail/ranch is up near the check in site & the ponies are at the petting zoo. The ponies are like $1 or $2 a ride and there is a weight limit of like 70lbs (maybe) and there are no pre made ressies. The actual horse trail is much more ex*****ve (maybe $25 can't remember) and those you can pre-arrange. Hope this helps...

 

[chamonix]

Thanks! Now, do you (does anyone) know how old they have to be to ride a horse alone?

Do they have helmets?

OK, I think that's it.

 

[duranfan]

the pony rides are very safe. Disney only gets very gentle animals. I think they may have started helmet use. I think most riders start at age 3. There is a height requirement and weight limit. The parent leads the pony around. The ponies basically know the path they take around the fenced in area.

They've had various pony rides since the place opened.

Also at Ft. W they have a hay ride several times nightly. During OCt. through early Nov. they offer a special "Sleepy Hollow" version complete with the headless horseman!

Imagine our surprise while we were driving our golf cart through the campground when the headless horsemen was Following us! ha! You know its fake, but still kind of creepy! lol

 

[chamonix]

Actually, I'm not worried about the pony rides, dd rides at home all the time--but I don't know if she is old enough "officially" to ride the horses on the trail ride--anyone know? It's probably 8-10 I would guess, but dd is only 7yo.

The headless horseman hay ride sounds fun too. I think dd wouldn't like that though! She loves horses, but not scary stuff.

 

[SYDNCLAIRESMOM]

WE LOVE FW!! Whats this I hear about a "headless horseman hayride"?? And when is it??!!

 

[Sammie]

Riders on the trail ride must be 9 years old and at least 48 inches tall.

 

[BeamsofLight]

Originally posted by chamonix
Thanks! Now, do you (does anyone) know how old they have to be to ride a horse alone?

Do they have helmets?

OK, I think that's it.

As Sammie said, 9 years old and 48 inches tall for the trail ride. They do have helmets that they supply for you. I found it interesting when we went in January that the helmets weren't required, though. There were 2 younger girls (I'm guessing around 11 years old) riding without them.
They supply the helmets free-of-charge though (well, aside from the charge of the ride itself).
We tried to get a reservation for the same day, but they were all booked up. We got one easily for the next day, though. I imagine it might be more difficult in a busier season.

 

[Kimberle]

Brittany rode the ponies last week. They are at FW, behind Trails End. It is $3 for abt a 5-10 minute ride, depending on how fast you walk. Closed toed shoes are required and the child must be less that 80 #'s. They will weigh you child if they look close. They are from 9 - 5. You pay the man, then they help your child up and hand you the leash. You walk with your child following a trail.

No helmits.

To ride the actual horses, you must be at least 9.

 

[Memph1s]

If your child rides regularly at home she will probably be board with the ride at FW. It is really just a pony ride for adults. It is a well worn path that you ride slow walking horses nose to tail. Its ok for people who do not ride but if you do it a yawn.