My DD loves horses - ideas for parks?

[solanna2]

Okay...my DD3 is nuts about horses, and zebras after watching Racing Stripes, and I would like any suggestions on what to do in the parks that will add some more magic to our trip....I know on the promo video they have this horse carriage on Main Streets, but I have no idea where can you find them...do you need reservations for this? Any other ideas, of where we can find some horse-related activities? We will only be there for 4 days, so pony rides in FW is probably not an option, since we'll most likely spend all of our short time in the parks...

Thanks...
Mayte

 

[cleo]

You don't need reservations for the horse-drawn carriages in Magic Kingdom, but you do need them for the carriage rides at Port Orleans (when offered) and Fort Wilderness.

Fort Wilderness also has pony rides for smaller guests and trail rides for bigger guests, as well as opportunities to meet the draft horses who work in the park. Just about 5 minutes up the 535 (past the Grand Cypress) there is an equestrian center that offers trail rides, and Horse World (riding) is about 35-40 minutes away, down Poinciana Drive (Boggy Creek Airboat tours are out that way, just a bit further down Poinciana, for a terrific addition to a horseback riding day).

Busch Gardens and SeaWorld both offer the chance to meet the Budwiser Clydesdales (you can have a great picture take with them, too!).

Don't forget about Dixie Stampede and Arabian Nights dinner shows!

 

[bavaria]

There is a small exhibit in the horse barn at Fort Wilderness on Walt and horses. Typically she can watch them groom horses there, learn from the farrier as he shoes horses, and either do the trail ride or pony ride depending on her age. Since the petting zoo has closed, they now have the ponies in the petting zoo area so she can talk to them. It's well worth the short boat ride from MK. (and if I'm hanging around the horse barn, I often end up teaching the kids something!)

Don't forget to check out the washrooms next to Guest Relations at Fort Wilderness as they are horse themed.

If it's a relatively quiet day, stop at the MK at the top of Main Street by the train station. When the horse drawn street car stops, the driver may allow her to pet the horse and teach her a little.

At age four she will probably enjoy the carousel at MK.

At AK, there are zebra to be seen on the Safari ride. You can get a better view depending on time of day from AKL.

At MGM, the only horse which comes to mind is in the Western scene in Great Movie Ride, which is quite scary.

At Epcot I can't recall any horses.

You don't mention where you are staying, but you should consider POR as there are horse drawn carriage rides and again she can see and learn about the horses there.

Hope that helps - I have never lost my love of horses and always detour to Fort Wilderness. It makes for a nice break during a busy day and is definitely worth it for anyone horse crazy....

 

[jann1033]

if she can stay awake that long she might like the hay ride from fort wilderness. our kids loved it and it's horse drawn. think it's around 9 or so so you could do it after mk closes.( sorry didn't notice when you are going) it used to take you to where you could see the electrical water parade but don't know if it still does.

 

[NeverlandClub23]

I don't know if it's still there but during Illuminations on the globe in the middle of the lake one of the scenes is horses galloping around the globe. Also, I know it was mentioned above but at POR they have carriage rides for I think $30 for half an hour if you wanted to take a bus from the park. If you wanted to eat dinner one night at Wilderness Lodge (quick 5-10 min. boat ride from MK) at the Whispering Canyon Cafe they have kids ride "ponies" long broom handles with a stuffed animal horse head on the end around the place. As far as I know for the horse carriage ride there is a line somewhere around in front of the castle that you wait in and the horse carriage (I think it's almost like a trolley) comes around and takes you down Main St. and back up to the castle but I don't think it's offered all day because of parades and such. Maybe someone else has more info. That's all I can think of! Have fun!

 

[All Aboard]

If you time it right, you can sometimes visit with a horse in the Car Barn tucked away in the left hand corner of Town Square at MK. The Car Barn is between the Fire Station and Harmony Barbershop.