If you had a whole free day at the Fort

[MinnesotaChill]

Okay, I've stayed all over property, we own DVC and one of my best childhood memories was staying at the Fort when I was in second grade. So I booked three nights there at the end of our trip in Jan. We will be moving out of a Grand Villa at SSR and into one of the trailers. I am really excited, but am worried that my childhood memories will not be quite the same (ya think?). I can't put my finger on what I loved, but we just had so much fun there.

I remember a canoe ride & marshmallow roast (I know that the canoe ride no longer exists) and renting bikes. One of the things I am teased about most by my family to this day is that I was really nervous on my two wheel bike that my parents rented at the Fort and I was so worried about an older couple walking toward us (thought they were in my way) that I actually fixated on the man and drove across the road we were on and, despite the fact he did everything to avoid me, I managed to ride right between his legs at full speed. My dad felt so bad for the guy... you can just imagine where my handlebars went. For the rest of the week, whenever we saw anyone in a wheelchair, my dad said, "hey, I think that's the guy you ran into!"

It looks like we'll have one entire free day at the end of our 11 day trip. What would you do to fill that day at the Fort (or surrounding areas)? We'll have already done the parks, DTD, etc. Our kids will be 9, 9 & 8. I'd prefer to not rent bikes...

 

[stacktester]

They still have canoes for rent. Whether or not late January will be a good time to rent one or not is up to you.

Some of the not to miss things I'd suggest are:

Magic Kingdom Fireworks

Electric Water Pageant usually around 9:45 p.m.

campfire program/movie

rent a golf cart and ride thru all the loops

Hoop Dee Doo Revue or at least eat at Trails End Rest.

I'm sure others will suggest a few things as well. You will not be bored trust me.

 

[des1954]

We LOVE bike riding around FtW. The exercise path that connects FtW with WL is an excellent area to spot wildlife - especially towards the late afternoon. Alas- golf carts are not allowed on this path.

I too, recommend renting a golf cart for a day and going "looping".

Don't forget the "non-petting" petting zoo for the kiddies & you can go through the horse stables to see the beautiful Belgian Work Horses. They are amazing. Also, for a nominal fee, you can take one of the hay rides in the evening. Check to see at which time the hay-ride stops behind the 300 loop for the best fireworks viewing, ever!

Soon, you will become a FtW addict, like the rest of us.

 

[4mickey2]

get a pizza and sit outside on the porch by trailsend and watch the people go by..

watch the fireworks at the beach. go take in the nightly movie..

 

[BigDaddyRog]

Man...you're at a camp ground....just camp. Do nothing until something comes up...dont make any rigid plans....just "hang with your kids" and let spontaneity take over...what probably made your memories of FtW so great were that you were just hangin with your old man, doing what Dads and kids are SUPPOSED to do...bond. Be bored with them, so bored that ya'll think that renting a bike is the greatest idea ever. I LOVE camping with my kids, it forces them to drop the IM TOO COOL FOR THAT attitude, and allows me to stop being MR. GET THE BILLS PAID, and enjoy doing absolutely NUTTIN with my kids. I KNOW I'm not alone when it come to not spending enough quality time with my kids....who really can, lifes expensive and its hard to earn the money, or run the business, etc AND successfully be WonderDad. I often confuse being wonderdad with buying my kids everything they need, and always have to remind myself that sometimes what they REALLY NEED cant be bought.
"Hey, I think thats the guy you ran into!".....I bet thats a priceless memory for you, and THAT couldn't have been planned

Just My Opinions, your milage may vary.

 

[MinnesotaChill]

Great reply Big Daddy. You're right about everything you said, especially about the guy I ran into. Today he would have thought he'd been punked! I love what you said about letting us all get "bored." That is a philosophy we try to live by, but it gets harder and harder as the kids get older.

Thanks to everyone for the other ideas as well, some I was already planning to do. The canoe ride I was remembering was to a marshmallow roast in a giant canoe with a bunch of other people. I think that's gone now, right?

Also, we are a family of five, can we all fit in one golf cart? Is this something I need to reserve ahead of time? We're going to be at FW Feb 1-4.

 

[lawnspecialties]

I must admit, we hit a park every day we're there. It allows us to get the parks and Fort everyday. Sort of "the best of both worlds."

I'd vote for Hoop-de-Doo Revue. If you do, call ahead though. We're going again this trip but if you've never been at all, it's a little pricy but well worth it. Especially for the whole family.

By the way, as you see, we'll be there at the same time. Jan. 25-Feb.6

 

[TheCabralFamily]

The exercise path that connects FtW with WL is an excellent area to spot wildlife - especially towards the late afternoon. Alas- golf carts are not allowed on this path.

Where does this "Path" start? Is it by Mickeys BBQ?

 

[PolynesianPixie]

Okay, I've stayed all over property, we own DVC and one of my best childhood memories was staying at the Fort when I was in second grade. So I booked three nights there at the end of our trip in Jan. We will be moving out of a Grand Villa at SSR and into one of the trailers. I am really excited, but am worried that my childhood memories will not be quite the same (ya think?). I can't put my finger on what I loved, but we just had so much fun there.

I remember a canoe ride & marshmallow roast (I know that the canoe ride no longer exists) and renting bikes. One of the things I am teased about most by my family to this day is that I was really nervous on my two wheel bike that my parents rented at the Fort and I was so worried about an older couple walking toward us (thought they were in my way) that I actually fixated on the man and drove across the road we were on and, despite the fact he did everything to avoid me, I managed to ride right between his legs at full speed. My dad felt so bad for the guy... you can just imagine where my handlebars went. For the rest of the week, whenever we saw anyone in a wheelchair, my dad said, "hey, I think that's the guy you ran into!"

It looks like we'll have one entire free day at the end of our 11 day trip. What would you do to fill that day at the Fort (or surrounding areas)? We'll have already done the parks, DTD, etc. Our kids will be 9, 9 & 8. I'd prefer to not rent bikes...

How funny! I did the same thing on skis! I can still see that poor guys face as I plowed into him

Anyway, I'd kind of like to know what to do too. I've planned some non-park days as well.

 

[MinnesotaChill]

I'm still looking for more golf cart info... Is there a type a family of five can rent and how far ahead do I need to do this (Jan/Feb)?

 

[tungpo1]

You can fit 5 on a cart!!!!!! just call the bike barn and tell them when you are arriving and ask them when you should make your ressie for your cart. Im not too sure how far in advance you can make ressies for your cart rental.

 

[Duane]

You can call right now for the golf cart ressie. I pretty sure you can make a reservation up to a year in advance for the carts.

If you're even thinking about renting one, I would go ahead and call the Bike Barn and set it up. You can always cancel if you change your mind.

The number for the Bike Barn is: (407) 824-2742.

You will have a blast!!

 

[TheCabralFamily]

Howdy!

Question, does anyone know where the "Nature Trail" starts at Fort Wilderness?

It's the trail that connects Wilderness Lodge, with Fort Wilderness.

Thx

4 Days to go! Yipee

 

[Duane]

Its across the road from the bus stop by the petting zoo/horse barn near Trails End. Its a paved trail all the way to WL

 

[TheCabralFamily]

Duane! Thank You very much! We're there tomorrow. Can't Wait to try it out!

Thanks

 

[Duane]

Hope you guys have a great time. Travel Safe!

Duane

 

[sapdaddy]

We always have a free day at FW built in to the schedule. We usually arrive on Sunday afternoon and get the site set up for our stay. We usually stay for 10 days and have 7 day passes. Monday we go to trails end for breakfast and then go to get groceries because we only carry what we need for thr 2-1/2 day trip down. When we get back and stock the camper then what ever happens happens. The DS's want to hit the pool right away and we have been there for hours some days. Hang out, go to the sing along, watch a movie. no real plans.

Last trip DS7 and I went on a Daddy and me adventure to get icecream. Took the boat to the Poly, got on the Monorail to the TTC, went on the monorail (driver's cabin) to Epcot, took a bus to wilderness lodge, finally had the icecream and took the boat back to FW. Before you all are wondering why we would travel all that way to get just get icecream, my DS7 is big into trains and has to ride everyone at WDW and the monorail is high on his list. The origional plan was to just ride the monorails for a few hours but icecream became part of the plan.