Fw Experts: Can You Please Help Me??

[kahluacream]

I'm planning a May trip to the WL, and would love to head over to FW at least one evening for the activities there. (Going with DS-5 and DS-2) I've read that there's a campfire, singalong, and movie. I'd really appreciate input from the experts on this board to help me plan our FW outing. Here are my questions:

1. How long does it take to get from WL to FW? What is the quickest way to get there, bus or boat? Is it walkable?

2. Can you watch the Wishes fireworks from FW? If so, how far is the viewing area from the campfire site?

3. Is there also some kind of hayride and petting farm?

4. We'll be on the dining plan... Would you recommend using CS or TS credits on a meal at FW? How's the food?

5. What are your recommendations for a fun afternoon/evening with two young kids at FW? What should we do in what order? (Compulsive planner here, sorry!)

Thanks so much!!!

 

[ftwildernessguy]

Personally, I prefer the boat ride to a bus. It really only takes 10-15 minutes or so. Maybe a little longer if it stops at Contemporary. There is a paved walking path, maybe a mile or so long, but it is unlit so maybe not what you want to do at night.

Wishes fireworks are visible from the FW beach, but only the high ones. It is about 1/2 mile from the campfire program.

There is a nightly hayride, and one which coincides with the fireworks at MK. The petting zoo is pretty much gone now, there are still ponies and horses there.

Not well versed on the dining plan, but there is no counter service at FW. Food at TE and HDD is excellent, in my opinion.

FW has paddle boat and canoe rentals, bike rentals, water mice, pontoon boats, fishing excursions, bank fishing, horseback riding, pony rides, the campfire program with chip and dale, the nightly movie, the electrical water pageant, shopping at two stores, two small video arcades, Crocketts Tavern, Trail's End, Hoop De Doo, anything else?

 

[kahluacream]

Very helpful info... Thanks so much, ft. wilderness guy!

 

[auntie]

We also took the boat launch over to FW when we were at the WL. I believe we took the bus back to the resort. Both are fine. The launch is very scenic and leisurely. Don't forget that you can rent bikes at the WL marina and ride over to the campground via the bike path during the day. I wouldn't recommend using this at night, as mentioned it isn't lit. There is the Hoop Dee Doo Revue a dinner show...don't know much about the dining plan but perhaps you can use it toward a dinner show. It is the best dinner show in Disney and worth the trip to FW to see it. It is typical BBQ..chicken that sort of thing..but quite tasty. Beer and Sangria are offered also. The show itself is hilarous! If you can include this with your dining plan you'll be happy you did. You will need advance reservations for it. We often did this and then saw the Electric Water Pagent afterward on Bay Lake. The hayride also runs at around the same time. There is counter service at the Trails End. I thought that drinks and appetizers were served at Crockets Tavern...perhaps someone else can come along and fill you in on that.

 

[Gillian]

Dinner at trails end is pretty inexpensive, so you may not want to use a TS credit for that.

It's 2 TS credits for the HDD. The cost is around $50, including tax & gratuity.

What you choose to do depends on the other meals you have planned. We decided to use 2 TS credits for HDD. It might not be the best deal (table service meals with a menu are generally cost more than buffets or fixed price meals) but we also have a 2 year old who eats free at those types of things. It's a trade off.

If we do Trails end it will be cash.