Spending a Day at Ft. Wilderness?

[Conservative Hippie]

We are Disney locals and I have always wanted to see what Ft. wilderness has to offer non-overnight guests. I have heard they have horse rides and boat and bike rentals. Are there hiking trails? We are considering spending a day there the week of Thanksgiving when my extended family descends upon us for our "Christmas." So, my question is, are these activities actually open to non-overnight guests, and approx what is the cost? Should we do Mickey's backyard BBQ or is that only for staying guests? My plan would be to also do our annual tour of the deluxe resorts Xmas decorations on this day. As far as details, we would be 7 adults and my 2 kids.

Sent from me.

 

[ArielRae]

We are Disney locals and I have always wanted to see what Ft. wilderness has to offer non-overnight guests. I have heard they have horse rides and boat and bike rentals. Are there hiking trails? We are considering spending a day there the week of Thanksgiving when my extended family descends upon us for our "Christmas." So, my question is, are these activities actually open to non-overnight guests, and approx what is the cost? Should we do Mickey's backyard BBQ or is that only for staying guests? My plan would be to also do our annual tour of the deluxe resorts Xmas decorations on this day. As far as details, we would be 7 adults and my 2 kids.

Sent from me.

Yes these things are open for non-overnight guests.

Yes there are some trails to walk.

The pony rides are $5 a ride. (They have regular horse rides for the adults.)

The marina rents the basic boats that Disney rents.

Mickey's backyard BBQ is open to any paying guest. (hoop de do revue is also recommend)

They also rent carriage and wagon rides. I think they still offer the backwoods Segway tours too.

Chip & Dale's Campfire Sing-A-Long in the evenings

 

[bama_ed]

I'll add on to what ArielRae said.

I would suggest visiting the other resorts first in the day and end your day with the Fort activities. There are no hiking trails but sidewalks along all the major roads. You can also rent canoes or kayaks and paddle around the interior canals and pond. Mickey's BBQ is a character interaction as well as music/meal. Hoop Dee Doo is more fun for all ages. Definitely hit the Chip & Dale campfire singalong next to the Bike Barn. It will start at 7 pm that time of year, C&D mix and mingle in the crowd, signing autographs and posing for pix, and the movie will start at 740pm (schedule comes out around the 1st of the month). You can watch the fireworks over the Magic Kingdom at the scheduled time from the Fort beach down by Trails End restaurant (music is piped in). Also a second electric water parade from the same location. Some folks may have Christmas decorations on their sites already (best to view at night) and I would look in the area of 700-100-400 first.

So there's lots you can do as a non-guest. About all you CAN'T do is use the pools. Have fun!

Bama Ed

 

[ArielRae]

Sorry when I said trails I didn't mean dirt trails unless you want to go and find the old railroad tracks off the path. There is a nice path between fort wilderness and wilderness lodge you can walk or rent a bike and ride. Is there still a path by the lake? I see it on the map to the right of the boat dock but haven't done that path yet.

 

[CDNCruiser]

Hi Hippie!

Here are a few links which might help you decide what to do.

An old blog on AllEars.net: http://land.allears.net/blogs/guestblog/2012/08/think_outside_the_parks_part_2.html
Prices may be out of date

The AllEars.net main information page about Fort Wilderness: http://allears.net/acc/faq_fw.htm
Click on "Recreation Activities

 

[photofreak]

There are also horseback trail rides. My dd loved it last time we went, but I forget the cost.

 

[BigJon]

You can park at the entrance. They have a huge parking lot. You can rent a golf cart there, or take the bus to Trails End restaurant, and have the breakfast buffet. Afterwards, you can explore the Settlement Trading Post. Take the trail behind the trading post, and it goes to the old "Marshmallow Marsh" area. You can then walk near the "beach" and to the marina to rent a boat. Or if you didn't rent a golf cart, you can take the bus to the bike barn and grab a bike. There's so much to do at the Fort. Have fun!

 

[TheRustyScupper]

Yes there are some trails to walk.
The pony rides are $5 a ride. (They have regular horse rides for the adults.)
The marina rents the basic boats that Disney rents.
Mickey's backyard BBQ is open to any paying guest. (hoop de do revue is also recommend)
They also rent carriage and wagon rides. I think they still offer the backwoods Segway tours too.
Chip & Dale's Campfire Sing-A-Long in the evenings

1) We are locals and CM's.
2) We do many of the above, whether staying at The Fort or doing day-trips.
. . . love the Campfire
. . . really like to walk or ride bikes around to view decorated campsites
3) However, we don't do
. . . the BBQ - it is too pricey for the value received
. . . the horse ride - when younger, we had chariots attached to them

 

[Conservative Hippie]

Hi Hippie!

Here are a few links which might help you decide what to do.

An old blog on AllEars.net: http://land.allears.net/blogs/guestblog/2012/08/think_outside_the_parks_part_2.html
Prices may be out of date

The AllEars.net main information page about Fort Wilderness: http://allears.net/acc/faq_fw.htm
Click on "Recreation Activities

Thanks!!! This is perfect, I sent the links to a few family members.

Sent from me.

 

[articfox676]

We bring our bikes and ride the loops and then have lunch (or pack a lunch) at the Fort. Even take in a park in the afternoon or Downtown.

If the Fort parking is full they will tell you to park at the Lodge and then we bike to trail over to the Fort. Either way it is a great day.