Questions about Fort Wilderness activities

[ErinInCT]

Planning a trip in mid June. I am debating heading to FW on our first day since we don't have park tickets. Normally we do Disney Springs but I think we'll save this for our last day. Questions:

How do I get from BLT to FW, do I have to go to MK and take a boat?

Only times for HDDR is 4:00pm or 8:15pm. We have three kids (9, 11, 13) who won't wait for 8:15pm for dinner. Our flight doesn't get in until 12:30pm, I'd add an hour for ME. Add another hour to get to FW so we're talking getting there about 2:30pm. What do we do to kill an hour before HDDR?

Is Tri-Circle-D open to just wander around? Are the trail rides pre-scheduled? No times are listed on the Disney website. If we could get a ride we would be too grungy to go to HDDR right after?

The playground would probably be a hit with the younger two kids so we could probably kill an hour there.

What about canoes or kayaks? Enough time to do this in an hour?

After HDDR does anyone know what time the campfire starts (guessing around dusk which is after 8pm in June)? Again no time listed on the Disney website. I'm guessing by 6pm after HHDR ends, it'd be too late to ride horses or kayak. How long does the campfire last and is it immediately followed by the outdoor movie?

Thanks for your advice.

 

[Robo]

Planning a trip in mid June. I am debating heading to FW on our first day since we don't have park tickets. Normally we do Disney Springs but I think we'll save this for our last day. Questions:

How do I get from BLT to FW,
1. do I have to go to MK and take a boat?

Only times for HDDR is 4:00pm or 8:15pm. We have three kids (9, 11, 13) who won't wait for 8:15pm for dinner. Our flight doesn't get in until 12:30pm, I'd add an hour for ME. Add another hour to get to FW so we're talking getting there about 2:30pm. What do we do to kill an hour before HDDR?

2. Is Tri-Circle-D open to just wander around?
3. Are the trail rides pre-scheduled? No times are listed on the Disney website.
4. If we could get a ride we would be too grungy to go to HDDR right after?

5. The playground would probably be a hit with the younger two kids so we could probably kill an hour there.

6. What about canoes or kayaks?
7. Enough time to do this in an hour?

8. After HDDR does anyone know what time the campfire starts (guessing around dusk which is after 8pm in June)? Again no time listed on the Disney website.
9. I'm guessing by 6pm after HHDR ends, it'd be too late to ride horses or kayak.
10. How long does the campfire last and is it immediately followed by the outdoor movie?

Thanks for your advice.

1. That's a great way to do it.
2. Yes.
3. Advance booking is recommended.
4. Likely so.
5. Yup. (Grungy alert there, of course.)
6. And, bicycles.
7. Figure an hour of rental, plus the bus-ride to and back from the rental area (Meadow Creek.)
8. Well, "dusk" is full darkness. The campfire activities will start before dark.
9. Yup.
10. Yes.

 

[ErinsMommy]

There's a boat from contemporary to FW I believe. Providing flight isn't delayed and you get to ME and you board and leave pretty quickly 230 is about right but I would plan more so for closer to 3 - then time to check-in, walk to dock, wait for boat, get to FW, walk to HDDR and you may not have as much time as you think you will. I wouldn't canoe or kayak unless you don't mind possibly sitting there a little wet. Just my thoughts

 

[mickeymom22]

Yes, you can just walk around the ranch. Yes, there is a ferry that goes from the Contemporary and FW. Yes, the movie starts after the campfire (which lasts about 30 minutes). Yes, I think that 6:00 pm is too late to ride horses.

Have a great trip!

 

[starjazz]

Planning a trip in mid June. I am debating heading to FW on our first day since we don't have park tickets. Normally we do Disney Springs but I think we'll save this for our last day. Questions:

How do I get from BLT to FW, do I have to go to MK and take a boat?

Only times for HDDR is 4:00pm or 8:15pm. We have three kids (9, 11, 13) who won't wait for 8:15pm for dinner. Our flight doesn't get in until 12:30pm, I'd add an hour for ME. Add another hour to get to FW so we're talking getting there about 2:30pm. What do we do to kill an hour before HDDR?

Is Tri-Circle-D open to just wander around? Are the trail rides pre-scheduled? No times are listed on the Disney website. If we could get a ride we would be too grungy to go to HDDR right after?

The playground would probably be a hit with the younger two kids so we could probably kill an hour there.

What about canoes or kayaks? Enough time to do this in an hour?

After HDDR does anyone know what time the campfire starts (guessing around dusk which is after 8pm in June)? Again no time listed on the Disney website. I'm guessing by 6pm after HHDR ends, it'd be too late to ride horses or kayak. How long does the campfire last and is it immediately followed by the outdoor movie?

Thanks for your advice.

From BLT, go to Contemporary and catch the boat to FW. There's also one at MK, but its a longer walk.

Hour to kill at FW? Swim, bike rides, if they still have those sea mice little boats they're super fun and easily done in an hour, grab the carriage ride if its going, play tether ball on the beach.

I do not think you'd be too grungy at all to do HDDR after a horse ride. We took both of our girls, and it wasn't a dirty situation.

 

[Lehuaann]

Planning a trip in mid June. I am debating heading to FW on our first day since we don't have park tickets. Normally we do Disney Springs but I think we'll save this for our last day. Questions:

How do I get from BLT to FW, do I have to go to MK and take a boat?

Only times for HDDR is 4:00pm or 8:15pm. We have three kids (9, 11, 13) who won't wait for 8:15pm for dinner. Our flight doesn't get in until 12:30pm, I'd add an hour for ME. Add another hour to get to FW so we're talking getting there about 2:30pm. What do we do to kill an hour before HDDR?

Is Tri-Circle-D open to just wander around? Are the trail rides pre-scheduled? No times are listed on the Disney website. If we could get a ride we would be too grungy to go to HDDR right after?

The playground would probably be a hit with the younger two kids so we could probably kill an hour there.

What about canoes or kayaks? Enough time to do this in an hour?

After HDDR does anyone know what time the campfire starts (guessing around dusk which is after 8pm in June)? Again no time listed on the Disney website. I'm guessing by 6pm after HHDR ends, it'd be too late to ride horses or kayak. How long does the campfire last and is it immediately followed by the outdoor movie?

Thanks for your advice.

You would need to be at HDDR early to pick up your tickets at the front desk concierge or Pioneer Hall ticket booth; check in; take a photopass; then stand in line...so an hour is fine.

We stay at the campground and 30 min early is pushing it...

 

[ErinInCT]

Holy mackerel, I had no idea how big Fort Wilderness is!! So spread out!

 

[Mainemama]

I think you need to either pick HDDR or the other Fort activities. Don't forget you will likely want to check in, see your room, etc. the boat transit, while direct from the Contemporary may take longer than you think. We were late to a HDDR after sitting on a boat for 20 minutes while the captains changed shifts. I love, love, love HDDR, but in your case, right after flying in, I would rent a boat or do another resort activity. Then, have dinner at Trails End, timing to do the sing along if you desire. That would take some of the stress of timing following your flight off. I do think you are wise to choose the 4:00 show if you go. You can do a wagon ride directly after that show, which is a fun way to see the Campground. You could also go back to BLT, swim, and maybe watch fireworks before bed.