First trip to the fort on 5/22 and have some questions

[Tippy 6]

Hello, I am new to the forum and have been to Disney several times in the past but this will be our first trip to the fort. I have been reading everyone's post and have a couple of questions. I was hoping someone could answer for me.

I have seen a lot of talk about the refill mug at the fort. Does it cost to refill it or do you just pay for it up front? Can you use it anywhere else but the fort?

We have 10 day hopper passes someone on this board said you could trade them in for annual passess. Does anyone know more info on this? How would you do this and the cost? We are thinking of coming back in November so it might be worth it.

I have read a lot about a restaurant (not sure of the name) where the waiters are very funny and make the expereince fun. I think it is on the fort properity but not sure. Any idea on the name and if you have to make reservations for breakfast or lunch?

Thanks in advance for any help you can provide. Our family has been counting down the days to this trip for some time now and can not believe it is only 9 days away.

 

[nessz79]

I have read a lot about a restaurant (not sure of the name) where the waiters are very funny and make the expereince fun. I think it is on the fort properity but not sure. Any idea on the name and if you have to make reservations for breakfast or lunch?

You may be thinking of Whispering Canyon at Wilderness Lodge (a short boat ride away). It's very loud, interactive, etc. Ask for ketchup- LOL! The waiters do make it fun. The hokie pokie is done with the kids, the kids run around on pretend horses, etc. Very cute. You make reservations 407-WDW-DINE

 

[AuburnJen92]

I have seen a lot of talk about the refill mug at the fort. Does it cost to refill it or do you just pay for it up front? Can you use it anywhere else but the fort?

We have 10 day hopper passes someone on this board said you could trade them in for annual passess. Does anyone know more info on this? How would you do this and the cost? We are thinking of coming back in November so it might be worth it.

You pay for the mug and whatever you get inside it and then you get free refills. That is about it on that. Now, what you refill it with is up to you...

As far as the hopper passes, yes you can upgrade them to annual. I know the renewal rate for FL residents is 335 and some change (I just got our renewal in the mail) and I am not sure what outofstater people are charged, but that should give you an idea of the price difference.

 

[clkelley]

First off welcome!!!!!

The refillable mug includes FREE refills once you purchase it. However, I've never bought one at Ft. Wilderness as it can be quite a distance from the campsite to the places where you can fill it up. No you can't use it at other places besides the restaurants in the Fort.

You will only pay the difference between Disney's price on a 10-day MYW parkhopper and the Annual Pass to upgrade. You go to guest services/ticket windows at ANY park, and tell them you want to upgrade to an annual pass. You pay the difference, show them your ID with name, address, etc. and you then have an annual pass. (This only works if your 10-day parkhopper has not been used yet, or is only 14 days old). If it is days leftover from an MYW pass from a previous trip, then you can't do this.

There are many restaurants around WDW where the servers can make the experience fun. Two of note. Whispering Canyon Cafe has many servers that have some funny stunts. This is over at Wilderness Lodge, a short boat or bus ride from Ft. Wilderness.

Another restaurant is 50's Prime Time Cafe over at Hollywood Studios. You are in "mom's" kitchen in the 50's and need to mind your p's and q's. No elbows on the table, no hats in the restaurant and if you don't empty your plate, there might be encouragement to do so. Also if you misbehave, you might find yourself standing in the corner.

Reservations are highly recommended at either restaurant.

There will be many other folks on this board there the same time you are. Check out the memorial day grand gathering thread to find times to meet folks in person!!

 

[PolynesianPixie]

Hello, I am new to the forum and have been to Disney several times in the past but this will be our first trip to the fort. I have been reading everyone's post and have a couple of questions. I was hoping someone could answer for me.

I have seen a lot of talk about the refill mug at the fort. Does it cost to refill it or do you just pay for it up front? Can you use it anywhere else but the fort?

All the mugs look the same now, so sure, you can use it in any of the resorts. just between you and me, you can use it when you come back this year again!

We have 10 day hopper passes someone on this board said you could trade them in for annual passess. Does anyone know more info on this? How would you do this and the cost? We are thinking of coming back in November so it might be worth it.

You can. A 10 day hopper pass is $270, with no expiration it is $450. An annual pass is $448. Hope that helps!

I have read a lot about a restaurant (not sure of the name) where the waiters are very funny and make the expereince fun. I think it is on the fort properity but not sure. Any idea on the name and if you have to make reservations for breakfast or lunch?

You must be thinking of Whispering Canyon...which is anything but whispering! Although, to get in on the action, go during traditional dining times (YES! make ressies!!!) they tend to be a bit "Ho-Hum" if they are in that transition time (ie 3-4 pm)

Thanks in advance for any help you can provide. Our family has been counting down the days to this trip for some time now and can not believe it is only 9 days away.

Have an amazing trip!!!!!!!!

 

[BigDaddyRog]

I thought the refillable mugs were now "resort generic" meaning that any refillable mug could be refilled at any resort?!?!?! Someone chime in if Im wrong here.

The restaurant that is located on Fort Wilderness property is Trail's End...and Ive heard stories that have praised the service of certain waiters because of the great personal attention they have provided. Some of the servers at Trails End have been there for decades, and thats saying something if youve ever heard stories about being employed by Disney.

I will be there at the same time as you guys(God willing).....hope you have a wonderful trip. If you can come up with more questions that may make your trip more fun, feel free to ask right here....SOMEBODY will know the answer, and if by the slight chance you stump us....we'll make the answer up and it will sound good and believable!!!

Welcome to the asylum that some mistakenly refer to as the DIS Camping Boards.

 

[chief19spixi]

I got one resort mug this year and realized that they had the same mug at every resort! So I took the darn thing with me whenever I left to go to another resort for dinner reservations or to go to counter service and filled it up there! It says use it at your own resort but its not like they are going to walk up to you and say are you from this resort.. where did you get that mug when they all look the same!

 

[Tent Camping Mom]

I thought the refillable mugs were now "resort generic" meaning that any refillable mug could be refilled at any resort?!?!?! Someone chime in if Im wrong here.

You are correct. And if I can find it, I'll quote it where there was a write-up in one of the newspapers about being able to use the mugs at all the Disney Resorts. And of course if it's in the news, it must be right

 

[Tippy 6]

Thanks everyone for such great advice. Whispering Canyon was the restaurant I was thinking of. Do you think it will still be just as fun to eat there at Breakfast or Lunch instead of dinner?

We really don't want to do any character dinners but does anyone have other suggestion on fun places to eat? We have been to the 50's cafe and will be going back there it was great.

We have 4 kids with a spread of ages DD 21 DS 18 DS 10 and DS 2 so entertaining them all will be a challenge.

Also any tips about how to travel to the parks would be great. I know we can take the boat to the magic kingdom. Is it the bus for the other 3 and DTD?

We also plan to take a day and go to Sea World. We have not been there in 16 years. Is it hard to get to from the fort.

Sorry for so many questions. Everyone on these boards seems to know so much.

Only 8 days until we leave for Disney!

 

[RvUsa]

First off, to our little piece of the asylum. LOL.

We only went to wispering canyon for dinner so don't know. Another fun place was the Sci-fi at DHS. Chef Mickeys was cool too, but it is a character meal. The mugs work everywhere, trust me, I know from experience. And trails end is very fun, and very yummy.

Don't worry about asking questions, we love it, ask away.

 

[BigDaddyRog]

Buses are the fastest way to the other 3 and DTD, if you can believe that...but you can get creative and take the boat to MK, then jump on the monorail to epcot.

Your kids age-spread is VERY similar to mine(18,16,11, 5 & 1yr GS), so yeah...its tough to find ONE place that entertains ALL.....so dont even try...just go for the meals...the entertainment just usually happens. The only places we've been to eat that may have been considered "boring" would be the upper-scale restaurants like Brown Derby or Mayan Grill, their just not geard for entertainment, they are focused more on food presentation(not neccessarily taste or flavor, just presentation!!)

 

[clkelley]

You are correct. And if I can find it, I'll quote it where there was a write-up in one of the newspapers about being able to use the mugs at all the Disney Resorts. And of course if it's in the news, it must be right

You are right. I had forgotten that. We haven't done the refillable mugs in awhile. Just not worth it at the Fort for us, and we've started bringing our own water and soft drinks to the other resorts, so had forgotten.

 

[VACAMPER]

We really enjoyed Donald's Breakfast Safari at the tusker house in Animal kingdom and Crystal Palace in Magic Kingdom.