Pony Rides at Ft. Wilderness?

[becka]

My DS is a huge animal lover and while watching the planning video he saw the part on riding a horse and went nuts!!! I don't think he knew you could ride a horse before now. LOL! Anyway he keeps asking me if he can ride a horse and I know he is too young (he will only be 3 1/2) for the actual horseback riding.

I looked on allearsnet.com and it looks like they have pony rides during the day at Ft. Wilderness. Can anyone tell me about this? Do they do this all year long? Will DS be old enough?

Thanks!

 

[spiceycat]

Yes I think he is the perfect age.

the pony rides are a $1.

however there are horses nearby and you can definitely tell the differences.

these horses you aren't allowed to even touch....these are the ones used in the shows and parades.

to get to this you need to ride a bus once you are at FW. Or take a boat from the MK.

the stables close to outside parking are the horse stables.

you need to get to the petting Zoo.

 

[dkostel]

When I took my niece on the pony rides (4 years ago) you (the adult) lead the pony around the yard once or twice. Nothing to exciting but she loved it!

 

[Lollipop Mom]

My sons, who were 'almost 3' and 4½ LOVED doing this! We stayed at Ft. Wilderness over Christmas this past year and we rode the ponies almost every day. I want to say it is $2 now. The ponies are fantastic with the kids as are the CMs there. You lead the pony around a winding path through the petting zoo. My sons loved it.

If you go, give Tonka and Blueberries a pat from us.

 

[Rneighh]

I wounder if thats the same Tonka from years ago or maybe it is Tonka II or III. We talked with a CM about 10 years ago and Tonka was a pony ride pony then. Your child will love it.

Renee

 

[FLPrincessMom]

My twins love them too! We went in January and it's $3 a ride. You do go just one time around the petting farm area. The minimum age is 3 so he is perfect for the pony rides.

It's funny because we live down the street from a horse farm and every time there is a white horse out they yell "Look it's Snow". So tell Snow we said hi...

 

[Kimberle]

Brittany has done this. She enjoyed it.

They are open from 9am-5pm each day by the petting zoo (behind Hoop Dee Doo/Trails End.) Your child must weigh less than 80#'s (they will weigh is questionable), and be wearing closed toe shoes. The wrangler will help your child onto a pony then hand you the reigh's. You will lead your child around a path.

We paid $3 last Sept.

 

[ruebeesoho]

I took my 2yr old DD on the pony ride in February. It was $3 and I led the horse around the petting zoo 1 time. She loved it and is looking forward to going again. You can also walk through the nearby stables and see the horses in their stalls. These are actual working/performing horses. Touching isn't allowed, but DD loved it almost as much as riding the pony.

 

[wildernesslodgelover]

Yes! I know "Tonka" and "Snowball" also! I remember it being $3. It is a wonderful way to spend a non park day...doing the petting zoo, visiting the stable, riding the ponies...looking at the peacocks that roam the property...ahhh...now I am missing FW!

 

[minkydog]

Your child must weigh less than 80#'s (they will weigh is questionable), and be wearing closed toe shoes. The wrangler will help your child onto a pony then hand you the reigh's. You will lead your child around a path.

Hmmm...my DS9 would love this, but he is over 90# now. Do you think they would consider letting him ride one of the trail horses in the same manner? I'd pay full price. He's handicapped and can't control a horse alone, but I'd be willing to side-walk if they would lead. anybody ever done that at FW?

 

[wildernesslodgelover]

Minky-I bet if you called in advance (maybe several days) they could possibly accomodate you. If I recall correctly, there were some ponies that were larger than others. Let us know if that works out for you!

 

[Cailin'sMom]

We let DD do this on our December trip. We paid $3. DH led her around the little path. She rode Tonka also. The ponies all appeared to be very gentle. DD loved the pony rides, and now no matter where we are, if there are ponies she has to ride. She was 2 1/2 at the time and they still let her ride the pony.

 

[campingcorgi]

Just for clarification: the adult leading the pony has to be wearing closed toe shoes (though I have seen them wave this rule if the kid is crying hard enough )

 

[Kimberle]

Just for clarification: the adult leading the pony has to be wearing closed toe shoes (though I have seen them wave this rule if the kid is crying hard enough )

humm, I had on very open sandels when I lead dd and the wrangler didn't say a word to me................