visiting fort wilderness

[Lori74]

we are going to trails end for dinner in nov. and i was thinking about going to fw early and looking around. our dinner is at 7:20, so i'm not sure how the timing would work out going to see chip and dale. i also thought about the water parade, but that might be a bit late to sit around and wait for. i thought about visiting the stables and animals before dinner. do they close for the night? i just want to take advantage of traveling over to fw and experience more than just dinner. any suggestions are appreciated.

 

[TheRustyScupper]

FORT WILDERNESS CAMPFIRE "411": (open to all)
1) Location:
. . . within the Fort Wilderness Campgrounds
. . . near Meadows Trading Post, behind swimming pool area
2) Transportation to Fort Wilderness
. . . car to Fort Wilderness parking lot
. . . bus to Fort Wilderness from almost anywhere inside WDW
. . . boat to FW from Magic Kingdom or Wilderness Lodge Resort
. . . monorail to Contemporary Resort, then boat to FW
. . . most resorts have a separate bus to Fort Wilderness after 5:00pm
4) Transportation to Campfire
. . . take internal bus and ask for Campfire bus stop
5) Time
November-1 thru February-28
. . . Fire lighting with Chip-n-Dale at 6:30pm nightly
. . . Sing-a-long starts at 7:00pm nightly
. . . Movie starts at 7:40pm
March-1 thru October-31
. . . Fire lighting with Chip-n-Dale at 7:30pm nightly
. . . Sing-a-long starts at 8:00pm nightly
. . . Movie starts at 8:40pm
All movies & characters are outside.
. . . campfire show is held nightly if weather permits.
. . . if rain, sing-along is on trading post porch
6) Activities
. . . two fire pits right of movie for roasting marshmallows (thru the movie)
. . . marshmallows/smores available for EXPENSIVE purchase at Chuck Wagon
. . . Chip-n-Dale at fire pit for photos and autographs (approx 40-min)
. . . sing-along in front of screen, usually with a solo guitarist (appox 40-min)
. . . animated or live action outdoor Disney film (approx 1½-hrs)
. . . short walk to a play area
7) Things to Know
. . . free to any WDW resort guest (yes, actually free ! )
. . . one of few places for autographs not requiring a meal or admission
. . . bring a light jacket, as it can get cool after sunset
. . . seating is on benches and bleachers, so a pad is nice comfort
. . . there are grassy areas to bring a blanket and sit on the ground
. . . better yet, bring folding chairs
. . . fortunately, they do not grade you on your voice during the sing-along
. . . there is no dress code
. . . plenty of CM's around for child safety
. . . excellent bus transportation before and after Campfire
. . . good activity after the early show at Hoop-Dee-Do-Review
. . . you many bring you own marshmallows-food-drinks-beer-coolers
. . . pizza, hot dogs, candy, nachos, popcorn for purchase at Chuck Wagon
. . . coffee, beer, soda, juices available for purchase at the Chuck Wagon
. . . for rain, they move the sing-along, but you will still get wet
.
NOTE1: We find this to be a really great activity for either the first night at
WDW, or the last night before going home. Good time for family bonding, and
nice to veg-out. Do a Trails End dinner or Hoop-Dee-Do prior to Campfire.
.
NOTE2: For an option, you could view the Electrical Water Pageant from the beach.
. . . Wilderness Lodge at approx 9:35pm
. . . Fort Wilderness at approx 9:45pm
. . . the parade goes dark if Wishes is at the same time and it is still near MK
. . . then the parade resumes
.
NOTE3: The Chuck Wagon Menu
. . . Hot Dog$5.49
. . . Nachos with Cheese $4.29
. . . S'mores Kit $9.99
. . . Marshmallow Roasting Stick $0.59
. . . Marshmallow Bag $4.99
. . . Pretzel $3.99
. . . Popcorn $3.79
. . . Cotton Candy $3.99
. . . Nestlé® Mickey's Ice Cream Bar $3.99
. . . Nestlé® Orange & Cream Bar $3.79
. . . Strawberry Fruit Bar $3.79
. . . Nestlé® Mickey's Ice Cream Sandwich $3.99
. . . Frozen Lemonade Cup $3.79
. . . Assorted Candy (M&M's Plain and Peanut, Snickers, Skittles, Twizzlers or Hershey Chocolate Bar) $1.99

 

[bama_ed]

Lori,

One thing to point out in TRS' data above is that the campfire singalong/movie time, which has been starting at 8pm in the summer/Daylight Savings Time generally, moves back to a 7pm start time beginning November 1. So your dinner time is smack in the middle of it. You might want to make it earlier.

The horse barn does, I believe, close up in the evening but I am not sure of the time.

My suggestion would be to come over late afternoon and do the horse barn and pony rides for the kids if you wish ($5, under 80#, you lead the pony around fenced corral by a rope. Trust me, the pony knows where he's going. He does it over...and over...and over...).

There are playgrounds around for a little fun time (probably the closest to TE is at the point between the lake and TE or the 300 loop entrance by the dog park - easy walk). Walk back to a dinner at TE around 545pm or 6pm, then take a bus up to the singalong with C&D (in the center of the Fort in the area of the Meadow Trading Post and Pool). Chip works one side of the crowd, Dale does the other posing for pictures and signing autographs. They walk around the seats/benches so there is no crowding or kids pushing/shoving. It's all very low key.

I've been known to sit up near the front on Chip's side then after my photo op, I slide toward the back of Dale's side so I get pix with both. Stay for the movie if you want or bus back to the dock past TE and boat over to MK which is a fun ride.

We post the Fort movie schedule around the first of every month so you'll know in advance if the day you're planning has a movie worth staying for.

Hope ya'll have a good time.

Bama Ed

 

[Under the Library]

Many thanks to @TheRustyScupper & @bama_ed as we are also going to TE for a dinner in Nov. & were wondering about all of this. Now I can plan our evening & add a few free! extras around our meal.

 

[Lori74]

thank you very much for all the information! i'm excited to explore this area!