Horseback riding

[sharibrat]

I am looking for any feedback or experiences with people who did the trail ride. My daughter is EVERYTHING horse and currently rides and shows. I don't think she even knows this option exists in Disney and I would like to possibly surprise her with a morning ride.

Can you just show up at any time to 'stroll through the stable' and see all the horses?

Could I just let her decide then if she wants to do the ride? or is it like everything else Disney in that I probably should be booking a reservation NOW for a November trip?

I realize it will be a slow trot, but is it worth it?

Also, is it true there are no cameras allowed? Why?

Thanks!

 

[TheRustyScupper]

Can you just show up at any time to 'stroll through the stable' and see all the horses?
. . . nope
. . . you can look, bit no strolling through the tulips, or horses
. . . but, she can view them at the loading ramp/platform
. . . and, a good portion of the trail is visible

Could I just let her decide then if she wants to do the ride? or is it like everything else Disney in that I probably should be booking a reservation NOW for a November trip?
. . . wish I could answer
. . . but, I have no experience booking horse rides for guests
. . . so, I don't know how fast the schedule fills

I realize it will be a slow trot, but is it worth it?
. . . slow trot, nope
. . . medium speed crawl, maybe
. . . at times, riders will wave, but this is not at spectators
. . . this is at turtles that are behind the horse
. . . they are signaling for the turtle to pass

Also, is it true there are no cameras allowed? Why?
. . . safety hazard to handle a camera and hold the reins
. . . if you fall, WDW gets sued
. . . so, experienced or not, no cameras

 

[MadBeach]

Although your daughter would probably enjoy seeing the horses. The ride is pathetically slow, the horses often stop to chomp on greenery. Most people in the ride are not experienced and the ride often has to stop to get someone's horse away from his snack. If she does go, Bullseye is my favorite horse, he has a great deal of personality, try to request him. Depending on the time you go the ride can be totally booked or wide open. I prefer the earlier ride as it is not as hot, there is shade on the trail but at times it can be sparse. Make sure she gets over to the stables at the settlement near the pony rides, that is where the big horses are. You can't ride them but they love the attention of visitors.

 

[KristinU]

Anyone know the age requirement for the horseback ride?

 

[B.B. Sots]

Most of the questions are answered on this site:

http://allears.net/acc/faq_fw.htm#horseback

Feedback: My children all love it and we will be doing it again on our next visit. I agree that experienced riders will find it boring as this is not free range. These are trails.. in a line.. but the experience of riding a horse at the Fort is worth it for us.

Can you just show up at any time to 'stroll through the stable' and see all the horses? --> No, you will need to book in advance and slots fill quickly so get it done as fast as you can.

Could I just let her decide then if she wants to do the ride? or is it like everything else Disney in that I probably should be booking a reservation NOW for a November trip? Make the reservation, but look into cancellation policy.

I realize it will be a slow trot, but is it worth it? Depends on what you are looking to get out of it. As horse lovers, the experience is the idea of riding at Disney.. which is unique for us.

Also, is it true there are no cameras allowed? Why? and this is correct.... What Rusty said. U may want to look into hands free camera mounts (like Go cameras) (Hands free camera Mounts)

Age? 9 is minimum
Height? 48 Inch minimum
Weight? 250 lb Maximum

 

[KristinU]

Cool, thanks B.B.!

 

[B.B. Sots]

Always happy to help.

 

[loislane]

Ditto what others have said. It's nice, but for an experienced rider, it can get a little boring. The trail through the woods is nice and you might see some other animals - we saw a family of deer and some turkeys - but most of what you get to see is the butt of the horse in front of you.