Haunted Hayride

[SweetSpellsSweetie]

Hi
I was directed here to the camping thread after posting on the Resort thread.
Does anyone have any reviews on the haunted hayride? Would it be fun for two adult 20-somethings on a girls only trip?
Also - are the dates out yet for the nights that it will be offered?
Thanks

 

[des1954]

DO IT! DO IT! DO IT!!!

This event sells out quickly, so get to the Kennels at FW Campground first thing on the morning you want to go to get your tickets. I believe the tickets are $15 per adult ... but... well worth it!!!

Be prepared for some "fun" frights!

 

[des1954]

Here's the full 411 from "Mousesavers.com"


Haunted Hayrides at Fort Wilderness
Each October Fort Wilderness offers a Haunted Hayride based on the classic Washington Irving story "The Legend of Sleepy Hollow". These wagon rides include a performer who tells the story of Ichabod Crane and the Headless Horseman.

The wagons depart across from Pioneer Hall beginning around dusk. Prior to the Daylight Savings Time change, they run from 7:15 pm to 10:15 pm; after the time change (October 29-31) they run from 6:15 pm to 10:15 pm. Wagons depart approximately every 20 minutes.

The Haunted Hayrides cost $15 adult, $10 child (3-9). In 2006 the hayrides took place on October 18, 20, 21, 22, 25, 27, 28, 29, 30 and 31.

Tickets must be purchased on the day of the ride at the Fort Wilderness kennel from 9 am to 5 pm -- but be aware, they frequently sell out within the first half-hour! For more information, call (407) 824-2734.

 

[djblu883]

Hi
I was directed here to the camping thread after posting on the Resort thread.
Does anyone have any reviews on the haunted hayride? Would it be fun for two adult 20-somethings on a girls only trip?
Also - are the dates out yet for the nights that it will be offered?
Thanks

Ok had to search myself...I found it above this link in the navy banner...click on news..then scroll down the page and its with the dates for
MNSSHP ...I'll be in line for tickets on the 21st of oct...i hope to get them then,..if not i have a few more options!!!

 

[SweetSpellsSweetie]

Thank You for the info

We are staying on property, however not at FW. To nock some cost from this trip we are not renting a car, just doing ME to and from the airport and the busses since we aren't leaving property.
We will be there Oct 25-30.
I guess my best bet-to make sure we can get tickets- is to take a taxi over there in the morning then hop the bus to wherever we are headed for the day? Or should we take the bus to MK and take the ferry to FW? Would that still get us at FW by the time tickets go on sale for the day?

 

[djblu883]

Thank You for the info

We are staying on property, however not at FW. To nock some cost from this trip we are not renting a car, just doing ME to and from the airport and the busses since we aren't leaving property.
We will be there Oct 25-30.
I guess my best bet-to make sure we can get tickets- is to take a taxi over there in the morning then hop the bus to wherever we are headed for the day? Or should we take the bus to MK and take the ferry to FW? Would that still get us at FW by the time tickets go on sale for the day?

The busses start running pretty early you might want to ask that question on the transportation thread....I know after you get the tickets you can go to the outpost and decide if you want to take a bus IN (settlement)so you can ride the boats to MK or a bus out (outpost) to the park you want to go to...i suggest the first...the boats are so much fun!!!. ANd you can find items for sale at the Settlement store you won't find elsewhere on property!!! Maybe we will see you! We will be there the 21st -29...and as you see...staying at FW!!

 

[Tri-circle-D]

A word of advice for all of you interested in the Haunted Hayride.

This event has become extremely popular, and tickets go fast. Really fast!

We went a few years ago (maybe 2004?) and I think it was a new event then. Someone in our group got the tickets that afternoon for the hay ride that evening. It was really, really good. If I recall correctly, the hayrides were then cancelled in 2005 because of hurricane damage.

Last October (2006), we decided to do the Haunted Hayride on one of the nights we were visiting. I went down to the kennel at about 9:30 am to get tickets, and they told me I had missed out by a mile. Apparently, folks were lined up way before the kennel opened, and the tickets were long gone! For all of the rides that night! They told me that we could try to go standby that night, and we went down to try that, but there was a really long stand-by line, and the castmembers candidly told us that we could wait for a long time, and still not make it. So we did not wait. I'm not sure if it is like this every night, but that was our experience last year.

That said, this event is popular for a reason! I am not going to give anything away, but it is really well done, and a great value! A perfect thing to get you in the mood for Halloween!

TCD

 

[kg66]

Tri-Circle-D: My DD's are 10 & 7, will they be ok for this, or will they freak out? Thanks for any info you can send , without giving it away I understand!

 

[Tri-circle-D]

Tri-Circle-D: My DD's are 10 & 7, will they be ok for this, or will they freak out? Thanks for any info you can send , without giving it away I understand!

Your daughters are the perfect age!

My youngest DD's were 9 when they did this. It is good Disney fun! A little spooky, but no real frights.

They still talk about it.

I am going to give you a spoiler here, so you can make an informed decision as a parent.

If you want to be surprised, don't read any more.

OK, here goes:


The hayride begins as an ordinary hay ride. There is a castmember in a cowboy hat who begins the drive. You head back toward the Wilderness Swamp Trail (behind the Settlement Trading Post).

As you enter the trail, there are props such as signs directing you to Sleepy Hollow. A gentleman dressed as an old time undertaker is standing next to the path with a lantern. He asks to board the wagon. The castmember accommodates and lets him on.

The gentleman then begins to tell the tale of the legend of Sleepy Hollow. You know, Ichabod Crane, the headless horseman. The gentlemen who do this are obviously professional actors, and they are great. So, the wagon goes along. And the story develops.

As you come to the bridge behind the 300 loop, the story reaches the point about telling about the headless horseman, and how he is searching for a head. We learn that he hangs out around here, but lucky for us, for some reason, he cannot cross the bridge. Then, we see him. On his horse! He is just over the bridge! Dressed in black, holding a glowing pumpkin in his hand! He rides toward the bridge, but he cannot cross it we are safe.

So we turn to head back. We are out of danger! Wait, what is that? Do you hear horse hooves? OMG. he crossed the bridge, and he is chasing us!
This is the best part! The headless horseman comes right up to the back of the wagon. We were sitting in the back of the wagon. My kids screamed their heads off!

Then, the headless horseman goes away, we let our passenger off, and all is safe.

Of course, when we are done, the DD's say they really weren't scared. Right, whatever you say.

Do it.

TCD

 

[SweetSpellsSweetie]

I don't kow if this will help anyone, but when I was extending my stay yesterday I asked about official dates for the hayride while we will be there.

While we are there, it is offered Oct. 25, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31.

Looking forward to experiencing it for the first time!!

 

[kg66]

Tri-circle D: Thanks so much for the spoiler, now I Know what to expect. My DD's are pretty chicken, but that sounds great! I think especially since it's short they'll be fine! I'll just make sure not to be at the back of the wagon! Thanks again! We need to get these tix in the early am on that day by the kennel right?

 

[Minnie's Mate]

To give you an idea of the intensity of this ride, last year my then 6 yr old loved it and he and my wife sat on the back seat. Now, the horse is trained to run right up to the wagon and stop and turn around and then start running to the wagon a second time. The headless horseman has very limited visibility so the horse is trained to run up to the wagon. So the horse can clearly see the wagon, and so that the headless horseman can see it too, there are glow sticks on each of the back corners of the wagon. This may be more for the rider's benefit; I'm not sure. The horse runs soooo close to the wagon each time that my wife could actually feel its breath on her shoulders. So if your daughters are easily frightened, it would be best if you sit on one of the side seats closer to the front.

 

[seabee]

Here is some info I found about the hayride. I can't wait, I was worried it wouldn't be happening while we were there, but I have two days to try and get on. Here ya go....

Roam the woods of Fort Wilderness in your Haunted Wagon with a "Legend of Sleepy Hollow" theme.

Price:

$15.00 + tax for ages 10 and up

$10.00 + tax for ages 3 - 9

10/13, 14, 18, 20, 21, 25, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31

Tickets will be sold on a first come first come basis at the Ft. Wilderness Kennel from 8:00am to 5:00pm on the date of the Hayride. When the day's allotment is sold out, a sign will be posted in the Parking Lot.

There will be 6 hayrides each evening. Depending on the time of sunset, Wishes, etc. the times will vary.

Here is a link to a video of the ride. It will let you know if it will to intense for your child. It looks like the ride is a lot of fun!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1lGhwZhjhsw