Tri-Circle-D ranch?

[SuzaBanana]

We are staying off-site for most of our stay and want to visit the ranch. My DD is 7 years old and desperate to get on a horse. From what I've read she's too tall (over 48 inches) for the pony rides but too young (under 9) for horseback riding there. Can anyone shed some light on their experience at the ranch and if there is an opportunity that I'm missing?

 

[Disneypeach]

You can go into part of the big barn and see the draft horses and the Calliope. Also, there are "backstage" tours of the rest of the barn done certain days (sorry I can't remember when)....that was very interesting, ex. get to go into the "vet" room. And the CMs are great about answering your questions about the horses. I love wandering around over there. The Fort also has wagon rides if you think she'd be interested.

 

[SuzaBanana]

Thank you!
I'm wondering if they are forgiving at all on the requirements of the pony rides? My DD doesn't exceed the weight limit, just the height limit.

Also, we have friends staying at the Cabins while we are off-site. Are we able to join them at the Chip n Dale campfire and movie or is that only for on-site guests?

 

[MomTo3PrincessesInNJ]

Also, we have friends staying at the Cabins while we are off-site. Are we able to join them at the Chip n Dale campfire and movie or is that only for on-site guests?

The campfire and movie are for everyone!

 

[DisneyFansInNYC]

Our DD and her friend rode the horses last year and loved it. When we went you needed a reservation as when we got there someone else was trying to ride and there were no more horses left. I would go to the stables on your first day and ask - if they say yes you could then make a reservation for a future day if there is no availability. With the pony - you don't want your daughters legs too long.

In our video from April 2015 in my signature below there is a small part in the beginning and in the middle of my daughter and her friend riding the horses.

They don't check anyone at the camp fires or at the movies to see if you are staying at the resorts only the pools.

Enjoy your trip!

 

[StirlingSilver83]

I contacted Disney about this last year...my son was 8 and exceeded the height limit for the pony rides...my son has also been riding horses since before he could walk, lol...so I asked them since he knew how to ride could he do the trail ride...he was more like 8 in a half...but they won't allow it til he's 9...I guess its probably for insurance purposes or something...anyways I still took him over there and he still had fun getting to see the horses, although it really made him miss his horse...he didn't even want to go on the trip bc he didn't want to leave his horse that long, lol...the first night we were in Disney my mom was home pet sitting for us and he asked my mom to go to the barn so he could facetime his horse, lol

 

[BlueFairy]

We are staying off-site for most of our stay and want to visit the ranch. My DD is 7 years old and desperate to get on a horse. From what I've read she's too tall (over 48 inches) for the pony rides but too young (under 9) for horseback riding there. Can anyone shed some light on their experience at the ranch and if there is an opportunity that I'm missing?

Our experience was that my very short, featherweight 9 year old was too tall for the ponies. There wasn't any wiggle room. Also, the ponies must be led by an older guest. They do not lead them for you. It is a very short 2-3 minute ride.

DD9 did ride without me and enjoyed her trail ride. DD7 was not allowed, so I could not go. We stayed behind. It is a hot wait with nothing in the way of distractions available at that end of the property. A PP is correct - make a reservation. They fill up. We booked 1 day prior.

They seemed to be pretty strict. I guess it's possible you might get a CM that will bend the rules, but our experience says that's very unlikely.

You can go into part of the big barn and see the draft horses and the Calliope. Also, there are "backstage" tours of the rest of the barn done certain days (sorry I can't remember when)....that was very interesting, ex. get to go into the "vet" room. And the CMs are great about answering your questions about the horses. I love wandering around over there. The Fort also has wagon rides if you think she'd be interested.

Just to note - you are not allowed to touch the show horses in the big barn. They also have a ferrier who sometimes is changing shoes on the horses.

 

[SuzaBanana]

Oh well, sounds like DD can't have her ride. She's missing the chance to try horseback riding with her Girl Scout troop to come to Disney so I was trying to make it up to her. Sounds like we will still get to enjoy seeing the horses which will be nice. Thank you so much for all the info!

 

[MinnieMSue]

Maybe you could do a carriage ride instead?

 

[StirlingSilver83]

Carriages rides sounds fun and I also read that you can get a carriage ride from Port Orlean's River Side that goes along the path of the water...that sounds really awesome! I know if I had time to squeeze in something extra on our next Disney trip it would totally be that, lol...but my family wants a complete rest day with nothing but pool activity lol. I drove them nuts on our last trip with my go go go attitude!

 

[Disneypeach]

Found some info on the timeframe for the tour I took of the big barn (down by the pony area near Pioneer Hall)....I went on a Monday at 2:30pm. The sign didn't have a day assigned (it just said "today") but I'm sure if you contacted the Fort they could tell you other days of the week for the tour.

 

[ggc]

I would look for some local barns, riding stables. There should be some close to or in Kissimmee.
You could get an intro lesson and save some $$ and might be on your way to a new hobby.
Sorry, that will not save you $$. Believe me, I know!!!

 

[JoWilly]

We rode this last March and they very much adhere to the letter of their rules. I sat behind the lead CM on the ride and we talked all about their operation which they take very seriously.

 

[MrsDuck]

We did a trail ride at Tri Circle D Ranch... it was great!

 

[SuzaBanana]

Does anyone know where to find the schedule of movies shown after the Chip n Dale campfire?

 

[dansdad]

Does anyone know where to find the schedule of movies shown after the Chip n Dale campfire?

Here you go.

http://www.themouseforless.com/tripplanning/resorts/wdw/pdf/FWCalendar.pdf

 

[AtlantaDisneyDreamer]

Oh well, sounds like DD can't have her ride. She's missing the chance to try horseback riding with her Girl Scout troop to come to Disney so I was trying to make it up to her. Sounds like we will still get to enjoy seeing the horses which will be nice. Thank you so much for all the info!

We were in a similar situation a couple of years ago. DD (7 at the time) wanted to ride a horse so badly. Disney is strict on the riding requirements. She was too tall for the ponies and too young for the horses. They would not budge on the height and age restrictions. Oh well. The time has passed quickly and she is nine now. That will happen for your daughter, too.

 

[Nornster]

I would look for some local barns, riding stables. There should be some close to or in Kissimmee.
You could get an intro lesson and save some $$ and might be on your way to a new hobby.
Sorry, that will not save you $$. Believe me, I know!!!

We were going to the county 4H fair and were looking for the pony rides near the horse show ring. I said to my husband, "I wonder how much they cost, " meaning the pony rides, and a dad passing by said, "Thousands and thousands of dollars - it's like a gateway drug." I laughed when I saw his daughter leading her beautiful quarter horse into the ring.