Trick or Treating

[PookaJean]

I know I've heard that there is trick or treating at the campground on Halloween, but how does it work? Do people knock on camper doors or do people sit out with candy? How do you know who is participating?

 

[Abagpiper5]

That's a good question.

 

[Duane]

We were at the Fort a couple of years ago during Halloween, also will be there this year as well.... Anyway, the way it worked when we were there, we were giving out treats, so we sat out at the street and gave out the loot as the kids walked or rode by in golf carts. Of course if the site is decorated, you can almost guarantee that someone is giving out something.

It a fun and festive atmosphere as there a lots of folks out and about that night....

Hope this helps...

 

[Tri-circle-D]

Officially, the Fort tries to organize "Camp or Treat" by having those who want to participate register at the Bike Barn. They give you a sign (just an 8 1/2 x 11 computer print out) to hang on your site or cabin, as described here:

But, in practice, it works as Duane described. Those who have treats to distribute typically set up chairs and/or tables in their sites, along the loops, and the trick or treaters walk by. Most folks do not bother with the registration and sign hanging.

You can read all about it and other Halloween fun in excruciating detail here:

TCD's Halloween 2008 Trip Report

Have Fun!

TCD

 

[krazy4crusing]

Is this for registered campers only? We will be staying at Pop Century but we would love to take our little ones trick or treating on Halloween.

Thanks!

 

[Tri-circle-D]

Is this for registered campers only? We will be staying at Pop Century but we would love to take our little ones trick or treating on Halloween.

Thanks!

I know for a fact that there were a lot of kids trick or treating at Fort Wilderness last year who were not registered guests at the Fort, or even at another WDW resort for that matter. I spoke to some adults who were with a group of kids who freely admitted that they lived locally, and brought their kids to the Fort because it is so awesome on Halloween.

I have to say that it rubbed me the wrong way. I love Halloween and trick or treating, but I kind of felt taken advantage of when it became apparent that many of the kids that we were distributing treats to had only arrived at the campground to take advantage of the generosity of Ft. Wilderness campers.

So, to answer your question, I believe anyone who wants to can come and trick or treat. But, I don't think it's right.

TCD

 

[auntie]

I personally wouldn't have an issue with giving out candy to little ones whether they were staying in FW or visiting from another Disney resort. After all, we visit many different resorts when we go to Disney. All Disney resort guests are welcome to the Campfire Movie as well as to the restaurants (although why they'd make a trip for the Trails End..I have no idea. Guests from all the resorts come to the Fort for the BBQ and the Hoop Dee Doo. I don't see the Trick or Treating on property as any different. They're not pool hopping or God forbid..filling up a mug from a different resort.
I can see being annoyed with people who live locally and aren't staying on Disney property coming by just for the treats. Yet, even there, I sympathize when in this day and age, there are so few places where you can let your kids go and have some good old fashioned fun. I'd just plan on buying some cheapo candy to give out...Save the good stuff for kids you know. Really I've found kids don't care about the candy (as much as the parents do) they just want to share in the fun of Trick or Treating. JMO...but what do I know.

 

[Tri-circle-D]

I personally wouldn't have an issue with giving out candy to little ones whether they were staying in FW or visiting from another Disney resort. After all, we visit many different resorts when we go to Disney. All Disney resort guests are welcome to the Campfire Movie as well as to the restaurants (although why they'd make a trip for the Trails End..I have no idea. Guests from all the resorts come to the Fort for the BBQ and the Hoop Dee Doo. I don't see the Trick or Treating on property as any different. They're not pool hopping or God forbid..filling up a mug from a different resort.
I can see being annoyed with people who live locally and aren't staying on Disney property coming by just for the treats. Yet, even there, I sympathize when in this day and age, there are so few places where you can let your kids go and have some good old fashioned fun. I'd just plan on buying some cheapo candy to give out...Save the good stuff for kids you know. Really I've found kids don't care about the candy (as much as the parents do) they just want to share in the fun of Trick or Treating. JMO...but what do I know.

You are right. It's not the kids' fault, and it was fun having crowds of trick or treaters (at home we're lucky if we get a few). Of course, it is my choice whether or not to give out treats. Lots of campers are away from their sites on Halloween night, probably out at the parks (or last year at a big party on the 1900 loop), so it is up to you whether or not you want to hand out treats. In all likelihood, we will be passing out treats again, but it still will probably bother me if there are obvious mobs of outsiders. I'd like to see what happened if the tables were turned. Say if there was some nice, free event at the Grand Floridian, and a bunch of campers showed up from the Fort to freeload?

TCD

 

[Pirate-Jeff]

You are right. It's not the kids' fault, and it was fun having crowds of trick or treaters (at home we're lucky if we get a few). Of course, it is my choice whether or not to give out treats. Lots of campers are away from their sites on Halloween night, probably out at the parks (or last year at a big party on the 1900 loop), so it is up to you whether or not you want to hand out treats. In all likelihood, we will be passing out treats again, but it still will probably bother me if there are obvious mobs of outsiders. I'd like to see what happened if the tables were turned. Say if there was some nice, free event at the Grand Floridian, and a bunch of campers showed up from the Fort to freeload?

TCD

We wouldn't go to the Grand Floridian. There is no where to park our Golf carts. Now if it was at the Wilderness Lodge We could go since we have our own Cart path. Disney thinks it's an "exercise trail" yea right!!!!

Anything else we can do to start a RIOT. Just good old fun.

 

[auntie]

Oh I can only imagine the horror...campers at the GF......

 

[krazy4crusing]

Thanks for your replies. I was hoping that it would be ok but I thought there would be a limit to WDW resort guests as opposed to it being open to everyone including Orlando area residents. I can understand how someone may be annoyed by having to give out tons of candy to people who could have gone trick or treating in their own neighbourhood. In our case we are a thousand miles from home and thought it would be a fair way for our kids to trick or treat. We would hand out goodies as well so that we were making a contribution as well as taking part in trick or treating just as we do at home.

Anyway, I will see how others feel and if most are annoyed then i will take my kids elsewhere so as not to deal with people who may be unhappy with our presence. Disney is too magical a place for hard feelings.

Thanks again.

 

[tungpo1]

 

[zakerdog]

I don't see a problem with other Disney guests coming to the campground with their children, I think it is a great way to spend the evening and what a wonderful time for the kids. They can go home and tell all their friends the trick or treated at Disney.

As for the locals dropping by, I guess with all the weirdness that is out there in the real world it is a compliment to the camping community that they trust us with their kids more than they do their own neighbors.

 

[SandrA9810]

Some neighborhoods can be very scary around here. I don't blame them for wanting to go to the Fort. I'll be there this for all the festivities, but I won't be staying at the campgrounds. I just didn't book early enough this year (I started checking back in april/may). I've been there for three years in a row and have handed out candy before. I never got that many kids coming by. Some of the more festive loops I'm sure get more trick or treaters like 900 and 300 loops. Especially if the family is walking, they're not going to visit ALL the loops, just the ones that have the most people giving candy out, or the ones closest to thier site.

I'm perfectly fine with the candy bag that chip and dale hand out at the campfire. That's my favorite part.

 

[NMK62303]

We loved trick or treating so much last year that we are going back again this year, it is one of the biggest reasons that we are returning on Halloween! We were not prepared with enough candy last year but we will be this year! Most people just sat at the end of their site our outside their camper. Really festive time! We were walking so we just did two loops -- but this year we will have a golf cart and starting earlier so should be a great night!! The decorations are AWESOME!

I would not have a problem with other resort guests coming over to enjoy the Trick or Treating. Last year we did not get out there until 7pm or so and some campsites had run out of candy. We will have a bowl at the end of our site since we'll both be going around with the kids, when it runs out it's gone -- saw others doing this too but maybe it's just because we started late? Anyhow we love Halloween (it is DH's birthday too ) and we love to trick or treat! Maybe we'll see you there!

 

[Whipperwhirl]

I cant believe how close halloween is! Im getting so excited - I really want to win the site decorating - hope my plan works out!

 

[Abagpiper5]

Bump!

 

[clkelley]

We don't care who comes for trick or treating, be it Ft. Wilderness folks, other resort folks or even locals!! At home we have 1 trick or treater and Rick LOVES handing out candy.

We gave out 7 or 8 pounds of candy last year and ran out early!!

Can't wait for Halloween again this year!!

(FYI, just so our 1 trick or treater at home doesn't miss anything, we usually even make up a goody bag for him and leave it for his mom to hang on our door right before he arrives at our house!!)