FW is an Inexpensive break at WDW

[tallyfamily]

Just back from WDW last week. Using advice I read on these threads, in the late afternoon we decided to take a break from the Magic Kingdom. We took the boat from MK to Fort Wilderness.
The petting zoo was wonderful and peaceful. For $.25 you can buy food for the animals (goats, sheep, chickens, and beautiful peacocks). Then my DS (3 y/o) had a wonderful pony ride. For $3. an adult guides the pony along the paths through the petting
zoo. It was wonderful!! Not the typical pony ride where the ponies are hooked to a round carousel. Then we stepped over to the barn where the miniature horses that pull Cinderella's carriage were getting baths! Inside the barn a CM was grooming the two large working horses who would be pulling the hayride at FW later that evening. We got one to-go buffet from the Trails End Buffeteria from the advice we read on these posts. Since we were on a tight budget, we had been eating mostly sandwiches and fries. The Trails End food was a wonderful change of pace with good home-cooking type food. It was the best meal we had the whole trip and also the cheapest! For $15.99 + tax the to-go buffet fed all three of us back at our hotel. (don't forget to ask for your soup container if they don't give it to you at first- filled mine with mac & cheese for DS). The icing on the cake was as we were resting at the picnic tables next to the Hoop-De-Do Revue, the performers came out the side door in all their costumes on their way around to the front door for their performance! Each one of them made a point to say hello to my DS. I LOVED FW. It was beautiful, peaceful, and a nice break from our hectic day at MK.

 

[dgaston]

Even though we have had the chance to stay at moderates, and even the Poly, my kids say FW is their favorite. We make a point to visit the Buffeteria each trip. And the campfire is fun too!

 

[tallyfamily]

We are going to try the campfire/movie next time. The only night we had free to do it they were showing "The Rookie"- not very exciting for a 3 year old! I definately want to camp at FW but sometimes the Florida Resident deals at the hotels are too good to pass up!

 

[TandyR]

We normally hit FW as our first day at WDW. My DD6 talks about Snow the polny she rode last trip all the time even though it was a year ago. FW is wonderful and since we stay at WL and VWL (the only resorts my DH likes ) we sometimes rent a surry bike and bike over. FW is a hidden gem and I worry about talking it up too much because I don't want too many people to find it.

 

[Barringer75]

How do you find out about the times during your stay for all these fun things (petting zoo hours, pony rides, campfire, movie)to do at FW? For our next trip in June, we definitely want it to be more relaxed and I know our DD5 & DS5 would love this!

 

[campingcorgi]

Originally posted by Barringer75
How do you find out about the times during your stay for all these fun things (petting zoo hours, pony rides, campfire, movie)to do at FW?

Post your questions over on the Camping board--we love talking about FW there!

 

[The Sybah Shelstah]

I was going to add about the campfire thing- but I see someone else already mentioned it.
Ft Wilderness does seem like a secret gem or something- otherwise the place would be packed when you go there (by people that aren't actually camping there I mean) and it never is... or atleast it wasn't when I was there!
I hope it stays a secret- atleast long enough for my kids to enjoy it on the next trip without droves of people there at the same time. LOL
Thanks also for reminding me about the to-go buffet thing.

 

[disneydawn]

Please elaborate on the "to go Buffet". Thanks.

 

[Bichon Barb]

We've stayed at FW in in-laws motor home two or three times. I would rather stay there over anywhere in WDW (tent's excluded he-he). The best was when River Country was open. You could get in at a reduced price after 3:00 p.m. And then, because you didn't spend an arm and a leg, you wouldn't feel like you had to stay there for hours and hours to "get your money's worth".

On this trip we wanted to stay in a wilderness home, but $224 a night wasn't in the budget. We got a three bedroom townhome off property for about a third of that price.

 

[tallyfamily]

The Trails End Buffeteria is an all you can eat sit down buffet for $15.99 + tax, but you can also order it to go. You get three containers when you order a "to go buffet". One large styrofoam food container, one plastic salad container, one soup container, and one drink of your choice. You can place whatever you choose into the three containers. For example, I used the salad container for moist, delicious cornbread, and the soup container for creamy mac & cheese. There is no coming back for more with the to-go buffet, but the three containers hold plenty of food. The Trail's End Buffeteria is in the same building as the Hoop-Dee-Doo Revue. As you come off the ferry boat at Ft. Wilderness, it is straight ahead and just a little to the right.

 

[DMRick]

I hope it stays a secret- atleast long enough for my kids to enjoy it on the next trip without droves of people there at the same time.

You went at a very dead time. It's a lot more crowded from May - August! At that time, the area by Trail's end, is bumper to bumper golf carts..they are parked everywhere, and tons of people moving about. The movie is a lot more crowded.

 

[disneydawn]

Isn't there a lunch buffet that is cheaper? Can you do that one take out too? How much is it?

 

[tallyfamily]

Yes, they also have breakfast and lunch. What I had was the dinner buffet. Go to wdwig.com/dining and look under "all you can eat buffets". They have the menu and prices- I'm not sure how current they are as my dinner buffet was 15.99, not 14.99, but it will give you a good idea of prices, etc.

 

[Reminisce71]

We loved Ft. Wilderness! Lots of free stuff to do that was fun. Trails End was great too. My kids loved it and asked to come back.

The barrel foot massage is great too! Best one I have had for a quarter. LOL

 

[tallyfamily]

The barrel massage was awesome!!! My feet felt refreshed for the rest of that day and the next day!

 

[KathleenFL]

Where's the barrel foot massage?? I'll have to add it to my "to do" list.....

 

[tallyfamily]

When we were there last month, they were right across from the Trail's End and Hoop-Dee-Doo Revue building. Two large Barrels that you sit on and place your feet on the massager. You can't miss them if you are walking up towards the restaurants from the boat dock.

 

[KathleenFL]

Thanks for the info--I'll certainly be stopping there on my way back from all that walking at MK!!

 

[HvnzCaress]

I think you all just made my vacation!!

I did the barrel foot massagers at Six Flags last summer and thought they were just the best thing since sliced bread after a day of walking around the theme park.

Just yesterday I booked us for two weeks at FW for the end of August!!!

So much for pressed quarters....I know where all my quarters will be going!

 

[campingcorgi]

Originally posted by tallyfamily
We are going to try the campfire/movie next time. The only night we had free to do it they were showing "The Rookie"- not very exciting for a 3 year old!

They've always started the movie with a cartoon, so if you aren't interested in the movie you can always come and enjoy the campfire, sing-along, and Chip and Dale, and then leave after the cartoon. That is often plenty for the little ones!