Is Fort Wilderness allowing visitors?

[EpcotNerd]

We're staying at Boardwalk in January for a resort-only stay. We'll have a car and don't want to use WDW transportation. Are we allowed to drive over to FW, walk around, eat lunch and P&Js just to explore? I know that resort-hopping isn't happening because of Covid but I wasn't sure if FW was different because it's all spread out and outdoors?

Thanks so much!

 

[Deb & Bill]

Probably not . They weren't letting anyone not staying there park in the lot last year before covid even hit.

 

[Joe Brig]

I believe they stopped allowing parking in FW last year unless you have a reservation. Currently there isn't any dining options that take reservations at FW. However, there is nothing stopping you from taking Disney transportation to FW.

 

[EpcotNerd]

Probably not . They weren't letting anyone not staying there park in the lot last year before covid even hit.

Interesting, even for dining and activity reservations?

 

[Dave006]

As others have posted above no go for arriving by car but 100% good to visit when using Disney transportation. You can't make dining reservations at Ft. Wilderness currently as @Joe Brig indicated above.

Your only valid way to arrive by car would if you have a reservation for Guided Fishing tours, horse riding or the pony rides as those are the only activities that currently take reservations. And for these you will have to take the internal bus or walk over a mile if you could park in the main lot.

From the Boardwalk Villas just take a bus to any park or DS or walk to HS and take the Ft. Wilderness bus to the resort. Another alternative is to take a bus to MK and take the Ft. Wilderness boat(s) over to the Ft. It will put you very close to all the Ft. activities.

Note: bus and boat service has capacity limits due to social distancing limits.

Also on a related note Disney even limited guests arriving for Halloween via boat or bus to only guests actually staying at Ft. Wilderness. The resort has become a favorite for guests and local visitors to visit Ft. Wilderness for Halloween decorations and Christmas decorations.

So we expect restrictions again for Christmas week.

Dave

 

[Dug720]

During Halloween there were a few livestreams I saw from people not staying there who had rented a golf cart to drive around after dark and see the decorations. Not sure how they were able to do it, but there were people not staying there touring the decorations.

 

[Best Aunt]

During Halloween there were a few livestreams I saw from people not staying there who had rented a golf cart to drive around after dark and see the decorations. Not sure how they were able to do it, but there were people not staying there touring the decorations.

i believe it was just Oct 31 itself that the prohibition was in place. Maybe you saw non-Fort Wilderness guests who were there on an earlier day?

 

[Dug720]

i believe it was just Oct 31 itself that the prohibition was in place. Maybe you saw non-Fort Wilderness guests who were there on an earlier day?

No, one I saw was on a Wednesday. And they are local residents who were not "staycationing".

 

[Dave006]

During Halloween there were a few livestreams I saw from people not staying there who had rented a golf cart to drive around after dark and see the decorations. Not sure how they were able to do it, but there were people not staying there touring the decorations.

There will always be some individuals that think rules, policies or guidelines don't apply to them. Just like the guy they found camping on Discovery Island or Youtuber that got banned from Disney for trespassing at the abandoned River country site to post videos.

Disney announced a Phase 2 closure for Halloween. Jackie Gailey from the DIS posted an article on the topic.

https://www.wdwinfo.com/news-storie...ort-wilderness-will-look-different-this-year/
https://www.disneyfoodblog.com/2020...ase-two-closure-on-halloween-in-disney-world/
https://**************.net/2020/10/fort-wilderness-phase-2-closure-rwb1/
Dave

 

[lanejudy]

No, one I saw was on a Wednesday. And they are local residents who were not "staycationing".

As PP mentioned, it was only October 31st that was restricted access, which was a Saturday. That said, I'm sure there are folks who can manage to sneak in somewhere despite best efforts by staff.

For OP's question -- there are very few activities at the Fort which take advanced reservations, and no dining ADRs right now. Even if you do drive and are allowed to park, you would need to take an internal shuttle once you arrive. Your best option is arriving via WDW transportation; I would park at MK and take a boat.