Disappointed

[Hurricane Joe]

On my last trip to Fort Wilderness last month I was very disappointed in seeing no Hoop-de-do, Trail Inn only open less than half the time, and food trucks ( which didn’t look very clean). There was an group of teenagers sneaking around the campground destroying peoples blowups and trying to break in to the horse barn. Luckily they where caught and both teenager and parents should be prosecuted.

I also noticed that Disney is charging more and giving you less. Disney’s of old was always looking for the families of present and their kids as future generations to come, it seems like that ideals have gone with the wind. While I love Disney and have been going to the Fort since 1972 I will be limiting my time !

Maybe at some point Disney’s management will get back to Walt’s way of family first and his ideals.

 

[Teamubr]

On my last trip to Fort Wilderness last month I was very disappointed in seeing no Hoop-de-do, Trail Inn only open less than half the time.

I also noticed that Disney is charging more and giving you less.

Maybe at some point Disney’s management will get back to Walt’s way of family first and his ideals.

I think you are feeling the same thing many of us "regulars" have. Some of this is a result of the pandemic (no HDDR, TE buffet), but it started prior to that. The price increases are a way of Disney life. As long as there is more demand than capacity, Disney will keep pushing prices. They have made it clear in the past that price increases are a crowd management strategy. To many of us, it appears that Disney feels like the Fort is an unwanted necessity. They recognize it was a Walt original and serves a market, but doesn't generate near the revenue of a full resort or DVC.

Ultimately we each have to decide our value/price index and make the decision to go or not. I'm not there yet. If things return to "normal" when the pandemic settles (TE returns to normal, HDDR is back) then it will feel a little better.

As for the food trucks, I've only heard very positive things about the ones at the Fort. I'll be there in 4 weeks to try them out myself. As for not seeming "clean", I thought that was some of the food truck "charm". It definitely doesn't keep me from shopping the ones near me.

j

 

[FCDub]

I'm sure the food trucks were not "not clean" – I've lived in cities with hundreds of food trucks for years and can count on a single hand the ones that have been visibly, VISIBLY unsafe to eat at.

 

[tiggerdad]

Amen!

Hear this so much these days...

 

[jbrostek]

I do feel like no matter where you stay right now it is pretty clear that disney is doing/giving less for same or more expense. It is clear to me and many others the game they are playing is making Disney resorts just another commodity destination where the idea of leaving the bubble or just not visiting as often is a reality for more and more.

I am not at the price port where I would not go again, yet we have and plan to spend a LOT more of our vacation dollars elsewhere due to their changes. And that says a lot for a family that would go at least twice a year over the past several years since I met my wife. Before I met her I would go for 2 weeks a year at FW in the winter. We still like the fort, but it's clearly something current bonus seeking staff do not understand or see value in.

 

[Sjm9911]

I agree with the hoop de do, and most of what you said. Its diffrent now. As is everything. The kids running wild is disturbing.

When I was there in november the trucks were clean. I look, as I do fire inspections on the ones in my town. In NJ , food trucks are required to get a permit then have a fire and health inspection. Im sure disney does similer. They dont want sick guests.

 

[ScarletFire]

Food truck burgers from the grilled cheese truck are superior to Disney's burgers.

 

[lions1995]

The World is trying to return to full operation. It is happening (slowly) ., but I think a lot is dependent on labor.

As for destroying property, there are always bad apples. Hopefully they are banned from Disney.

 

[JETS70]

Food truck burgers from the grilled cheese truck are superior to Disney's burgers.

I had the chicken bacon ranch grilled cheese with tater tots. Delicious I'm not sure it would have been near as good had the deep fryer oil been new or the griddle been totally clean. IMO

If the trucks are there when we return, I will get this again. Next time with an extra order of tots


Steve

 

[Teamubr]

I had the chicken bacon ranch grilled cheese with tater tots. Delicious I'm not sure it would have been near as good had the deep fryer oil been new or the griddle been totally clean. IMO

If the trucks are there when we return, I will get this again. Next time with an extra order of tots
View attachment 630521

Steve

OK Steve,

Now you're just trying to make me hungry. Chicken Bacon Ranch grilled cheese. Hmmm.

j

 

[JETS70]

Jim, I usually don't recommend to many things especially food related because everybody's tastes are different, but this is one that I will recommend. If you try it, you'll have to let me know what you think.
We also tried the pizza cone truck but I wasn't as impressed with those. My son's wife had some dairy free ice cream and loved it. I liked having the trucks at the Settlement area. You have several other food options if P&J's or Trails End is just not what you are looking for.

Steve

 

[ilovedisneymm]

Trails End has been a disappointment the last three trips. Each trip, the quality of food was a little less, the staff a little less, the cleanliness a little less. The price a great deal more....

Trails End | Where the quality continues to go down all while prices continue to increase.

So ya know what, I'm just not going to go in for a sit down TE dinner this trip.

I don't need to go looking for disappointment, it finds me soon enough thank you very much!

For some reason, the food costs less and it tastes better when you just order it to go. I can't explain why this is but it proves true each time.

 

[bjschil]

We have reservations there tonight. We hope for better food than you experienced.

 

[Brett Wyman]

The World is trying to return to full operation. It is happening (slowly) ., but I think a lot is dependent on labor.

As for destroying property, there are always bad apples. Hopefully they are banned from Disney.

There are always bad apples but I feel like the pandemic(stimulus + extra time off + virtual school options) have brought many to the parks who don't have the same common courtesies as "regular" guests. Heres hoping thats what it is at least.

 

[ilovedisneymm]

It will be whatever you make of it, Barb.
Enjoy your day and your dinner this evening.

We have reservations there tonight. We hope for better food than you experienced.

 

[bdgrbckr13]

We have reservations there tonight. We hope for better food than you experienced.

Please let us know what you think. We will be there 1st week of March and are hoping it will be closer to the "old" Trail's End.

 

[Paulaparm]

I'm also hoping for a good report from your dinner tonight, bjschil.
We are eating there on our check-in day

 

[bjschil]

Today was a beautiful day to swim all day. Just came back to the camper to shower and get ready for supper. Life changes, experience changes, but I will let all know who supper was. The magic is still here, only if you find it with big open arms. We have been recipients of kindness, fun, magic and everything in between. We hope to pay it forward. Happy 2022, and may all of us spread kindness, even if it makes you feel uncomfortable. We are spreading kindness in honor of Carson, our dear nephew. Blessings and good health.

 

[tiggerdad]

I will let all know who supper was.

I hope it isn't anyone I know.

 

[bama_ed]

I hope it isn't anyone I know.

Don't cross Barb. That's what I learned reading that post, @tiggerdad. Ed