Tri-Circle-D Farm at Fort Wilderness Resort

[Disney_Princess83]

Hi everyone!

We have a HUGE horse lover with us during our trip in October and we were hoping to go and visit the stables. We won't be staying at Fort Wilderness but from what we understand it's open to everyone (we are staying on property)

We were thinking about visiting in the morning, probably from 9am and then head into MK. We don't do rope drop so it won't bother us to arrive late. We will pick a day when there is evening EMH or the park is open later.

For anyone that has done this, any idea how long we should allocate to the stable visit? Are the stables close (walking distance) to transportation (bus or boat) to get to MK? We have never visited FW before but it looks lovely.

Thanks

 

[Robo]

Hi everyone!

We have a HUGE horse lover with us during our trip in October and we were hoping to go and visit the stables. We won't be staying at Fort Wilderness but from what we understand it's open to everyone (we are staying on property)

We were thinking about visiting in the morning, probably from 9am and then head into MK. We don't do rope drop so it won't bother us to arrive late. We will pick a day when there is evening EMH or the park is open later.

For anyone that has done this, any idea how long we should allocate to the stable visit? Are the stables close (walking distance) to transportation (bus or boat) to get to MK? We have never visited FW before but it looks lovely.

Thanks

The "ranch" (mostly a large horse stable) is open to all.
Multiple horses to be seen in their stalls.
(No petting or feeding in the stable allowed.)

It is situated very close to FtW boat dock (access to MK) and Pioneer Hall.

 

[BeerMe]

Best bet is to take the boat from MK to FW. The stables are within walking distance of the docks. As for time - you could spend all day there especially if you ride or take some wagon rides.

 

[gwmort]

I would recommend saving it for a lunch break. Get the boat from MK over to FW, have a nice lunch at the buffet over there, then go check out the stables nearby. Its fairly shady and cool and a nice break from the parks.

 

[Brian_WDW74]

I've moved this thread to the Resorts board.

 

[GrandCalifornian]

We often start the day at FW. We just find it to be such a quiet peaceful place that we love going there before heading into a busy park.

Like others mentioned, the Tri Circle D barn is near the Pioneer Hall and boat docks at the North End of Fort Wilderness that they refer to as the "Settlement Depot". Getting here by boat is easy from MK or the Wilderness Lodge or Contemporary Resort since there is a resort boat loop. You can walk through the woods to/from the Wilderness Lodge, which we enjoy. Busses also come in here from MK and the Wilderness Lodge, but most Fort Wilderness busses take you to the South end of FW, what they call the "Outpost Depot." From there you can take any internal FW bus to get to the Settlement, but it is a little over a mile away and up to a 10 minute ride.

The only disadvantage I can see to going in the morning is they might not be out doing much yet depending on how early you get there. You should still be able to walk through the barn and see some horses, but we have seen the doing horseshoeing later in the day. There are pony rides in a fenced area for little ones right there too. Also, it is worth noting that this isn't where you go for the adult horseback ride trips, they leave from the Outpost depot, where there is another set of barns.

Enjoy your visit to FW. You may find yourself wanting to come back by, and if you're hungry Trail's End is a nice buffet restaurant right in the area too.