Our upcoming trip in Aug- ideas on our first day at the Fort?

[nessz79]

Hello everyone! We are planning our very first trip to the Fort in August. Since we live relatively close and school will be starting soon, it will be a short trip from August 3-6.

August 3rd we'll be arriving around 11, we hope anyway. We're going to spend all of this first day at the Fort. I know we definitely want to do the hayride and the campfire/singalong. How should we time these? Hayride first, then singalong? Or vice versa? How early should we show up to do the hayride if it's first come, first serve?

Also, is the petting zoo still in operation? It seems like it's not from some of the posts I've read, but I wasn't sure. If it's not around, can you visit the ponies, etc?

And any other suggestions on how to spend our day (I imagine a dip in the pool will be in order, but besides that)? Anything we can't squeeze in the first day we can fit into our 2nd day (which is DTD, ride the monorail day!).

Thanks very much!

 

[AlyLynn]

We were just there with our 4 kids, and are going back in August. I wish we lived as close as you do, though. We are 27 hours away! I'm not sure what time the hayride is because we didn't get to do it, but I'd do that first, and then go to the campfire because it takes some time, (don't forget to roast marshmallows!) and there is a movie afterwards. Our youngest kids are about the same age, and they had a great time riding their bikes and fishing. There are also playgrounds for the kids to explore. (When we were there the heat exhausted my kids so they napped almost every day! Thank goodness because the baby has never slept through the night!) We spent a lot of time at the Fort. Have a great time!

 

[ORLCampers]

Hello everyone! We are planning our very first trip to the Fort in August. Since we live relatively close and school will be starting soon, it will be a short trip from August 3-6.

August 3rd we'll be arriving around 11, we hope anyway. We're going to spend all of this first day at the Fort. I know we definitely want to do the hayride and the campfire/singalong. How should we time these? Hayride first, then singalong? Or vice versa? How early should we show up to do the hayride if it's first come, first serve?

Also, is the petting zoo still in operation? It seems like it's not from some of the posts I've read, but I wasn't sure. If it's not around, can you visit the ponies, etc?

And any other suggestions on how to spend our day (I imagine a dip in the pool will be in order, but besides that)? Anything we can't squeeze in the first day we can fit into our 2nd day (which is DTD, ride the monorail day!).

Thanks very much!

Keep in mind that check-in isn't until 1pm so your site may not be ready. If that's the case you can park in the overflow lot and still ride the bus back to the Meadows or Settlement until your site is available.

The campfire starts at 7:30, the Sing-A-Long at 8 and the movie at 8:40. You can catch the first hayride at 6:45 and still make it to the movie in time. The hayride is first come/first served so I'd get there about 15 minutes early and you should be fine (we didn't have any issue a couple weeks ago when there). the later Hayride is usually more crowded.

While the Tri-Circle-D area is still there and they have animals, the petting zoo part is gone (due to sickness at other petting zoos in recent years). They do have the ponies available for Pony rides for $4. There is a height limit of 48" and a weight limit (80 lbs I believe).

Since you haven't been to the Fort before I would suggest just exploring areas like the Settlement/Marina, Meadows area and just getting the lay of the land. They have activities at the pool daily (bingo, field games, etc) and you the bike barn has additional activities and supplies (canoe's, shuffleboard, bike rentals, etc). Some are for fee, and some are free.

Have a great time.

 

[toostsmom]

We're doing Hoopdedoo Revue on our first night.

 

[genhand]

thank you for those nice ideas, we are going in august too ( from the 5 till the 12) and we wanted to take it slow too so the kids could explore and be ready the next morning for our first day!

 

[christinou]

You might also enjoy taking the boat to the Magic Kingdom, just to go for a ride from there you can take the monorail around and the boat back to the Fort, we always enjoy doing that.

 

[nessz79]

You might also enjoy taking the boat to the Magic Kingdom, just to go for a ride from there you can take the monorail around and the boat back to the Fort, we always enjoy doing that.

We are definitely doing that!

Our kids LOVE riding the monorail...it's one of their main interests.

 

[Us3]

We are definitely doing that!

Our kids LOVE riding the monorail...it's one of their main interests.

Hehehe...my two youngest dd's love Disney transportation too! They love the boat rides and monorail.

Don't forget to walk into the barn and see the horses. You'll see the horses that are used on Main Street at MK. Also the horses that are used for special events like Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween party, Cinderella's coach etc. My girls love looking at the horses.

You can play on the beach, grab a drink and rocking chair at Crockett's Tavern. The kids can play on the playgrounds, swim, ride bikes etc. If you have a golf cart...enjoy spending time exploring Fort Wilderness! You'll probably find that this will be the most fun and relaxing day you have at Disney!

 

[LarryJ]

Hello everyone! We are planning our very first trip to the Fort in August. Since we live relatively close and school will be starting soon, it will be a short trip from August 3-6.

August 3rd we'll be arriving around 11, we hope anyway. We're going to spend all of this first day at the Fort. I know we definitely want to do the hayride and the campfire/singalong. How should we time these? Hayride first, then singalong? Or vice versa? How early should we show up to do the hayride if it's first come, first serve?

Also, is the petting zoo still in operation? It seems like it's not from some of the posts I've read, but I wasn't sure. If it's not around, can you visit the ponies, etc?

And any other suggestions on how to spend our day (I imagine a dip in the pool will be in order, but besides that)? Anything we can't squeeze in the first day we can fit into our 2nd day (which is DTD, ride the monorail day!).

Thanks very much!

What we've started doing is after settled in and if we don't have our AP then we drive over to SOG and get the voucher. Next we check out any new stuff at the Meadows and then the Settlement. We also eat at TE buffet that first night and at some time maybe ride each colored internal bus just to see what FW looks like overall and changes since our last visit.

Visiting the stables and the campfire are also good ideas for the first night.

Larry