Horseback Riding at Fort Wilderness

[travelgirl77]

So, this year we will be taking some more breaks and exploring new activities on property. My 7 year old is obsessed with horses and currently takes lessons. She really wants to go horseback riding at Disney. Has anyone done this recently? Is it worth the cost? Is it more like a pony ride or more like a trail ride? If we forgo the horseback riding can we go see the horses? Thanks for any help!

 

[erionm]

The actual trail rides are for ages 9 and older.

https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/recreation/campsites-at-fort-wilderness-resort/horse-trail-rides/

 

[travelgirl77]

The actual trail rides are for ages 9 and older.

https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/recreation/campsites-at-fort-wilderness-resort/horse-trail-rides/

OH NO. I could have sworn I saw something for horse riding with younger kids. She is going to lose her mind. Thanks

 

[erionm]

OH NO. I could have sworn I saw something for horse riding with younger kids. She is going to lose her mind. Thanks

There are pony rides for $8.

https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/recreation/campsites-at-fort-wilderness-resort/pony-rides/

 

[epcotfortmama]

They do (or did last time when we were there, not sure with the construction) have pony rides. They do have restrictions: Under 80 pounds and 48 inches. Last time my daughter was too tall, and she is 8 now so has to wait until 9 before horseback riding would be an option.

 

[travelgirl77]

Yes, the pony rides are not going to work. Oh well, cest la vie.

 

[StarGirl11]

Even if she was old enough I’ve heard from others who have done it and have riding experience. It’s more geared to people who haven’t ridden before. I did a trail ride like this when I was maybe a year or two older then your daughter in Oregon. I was bored out of my mind most of the ride and don’t get me wrong I adore horses. I think even if your thinking future trips it’s probably better to pass. Point to point rides tend to be kind of boring for someone who actually knows what they’re doing.

If you ever look into riding elsewhere. Check out trekking. It’s more geared towards all levels versus the generic rides being geared towards the never ridden before in my experience. I’ve gotten to do some overseas and did a ton in Ireland when I was 10. They are so much fun for experienced riders because your doing more then walking in a line at at most at times a slow walk

 

[travelgirl77]

Even if she was old enough I’ve heard from others who have done it and have riding experience. It’s more geared to people who haven’t ridden before. I did a trail ride like this when I was maybe a year or two older then your daughter in Oregon. I was bored out of my mind most of the ride and don’t get me wrong I adore horses. I think even if your thinking future trips it’s probably better to pass. Point to point rides tend to be kind of boring for someone who actually knows what they’re doing.

If you ever look into riding elsewhere. Check out trekking. It’s more geared towards all levels versus the generic rides being geared towards the never ridden before in my experience. I’ve gotten to do some overseas and did a ton in Ireland when I was 10. They are so much fun for experienced riders because your doing more then walking in a line at at most at times a slow walk

Awesome. This is just what I was looking for and why I knew the pony rides were absolutely a no-go. It is now good to know that she likely would not even enjoy the other riding as well. She is into her second year of lessons so I will check out some other options, as we have a beach vacation following Disney and perhaps she can ride there. Thanks for the insight.

 

[livbeatles]

I did the trail ride in early December. I'm an experienced rider (owned horses, showed 4-H, was a riding instructor leading trail rides at a summer camp), and I enjoyed myself plenty. Yes, it's walking in a line, but I enjoyed getting to see the Fort Wilderness woods, having a talk with the CM leading the ride (as my horse was first in the line), and just plain enjoying being in the saddle. I think it's what you make of it. I do agree that if your daughter is taking lessons than the pony rides wouldn't be for her--those are led by CMs and the adult could also walk around with them (I think I saw that, at least). But I don't think being an experienced rider necessarily means the FW trail ride would be boring.

Granted, my horse decided to spook at the deer throughout the ride, so that added some adrenaline to my specific experience. I was really impressed that the other horses didn't follow suit!

 

[Betty Rohrer]

Awesome. This is just what I was looking for and why I knew the pony rides were absolutely a no-go. It is now good to know that she likely would not even enjoy the other riding as well. She is into her second year of lessons so I will check out some other options, as we have a beach vacation following Disney and perhaps she can ride there. Thanks for the insight.

are her lessons English or western? if English based on my daughters they had a very hard time with trail rides and not just at Disney. this was because English and western are so different. I grew up riding western and when younger I would never pass up a time to trail ride even if I was much above in ability