What’s Open at the Fort - COVID Updates

[wdw_dine_junkie]

Cropping, that worked! Ty

 

[rgrimm]

Are all the Loops open and being used? We have been going to FW during early December to celebrate our anniversary since 2006, but I can not get a Sunday to Saturday reservation from mid-Oct thru Dec 18 .

Thanks,
Russ

 

[Bishoparc]

Are all the Loops open and being used? We have been going to FW during early December to celebrate our anniversary since 2006, but I can not get a Sunday to Saturday reservation from mid-Oct thru Dec 18 .

Thanks,
Russ

They have closed some during the week when demand hasn't been there but typically open on the weekends. That mid-October to December time frame is always harder to book. Availability does open up. I'd suggest using a travel agent such as Dreams Unlimited to watch dog it for you. They don't charge you any extra and can help get ya what you need.

 

[Haley R]

Is the trail to wilderness lodge still closed?

 

[rgrimm]

They have closed some during the week when demand hasn't been there but typically open on the weekends. That mid-October to December time frame is always harder to book. Availability does open up. I'd suggest using a travel agent such as Dreams Unlimited to watch dog it for you. They don't charge you any extra and can help get ya what you need.

Thank you. Usually I have made my December res a year out, but COVID and 2020 has just messed up my normal routine. I may try Dreams Unlimited.
-Russ

 

[Teamubr]

Is the trail to wilderness lodge still closed?

Yes it is still closed. With Reflections in limbo and the land between the two resorts a closed construction zone, it will be a while.

They do have an internal Fort bus (yellow I think) that goes through the construction area to WL, so it is easy to get there to eat at the restaurants or shop.

j

 

[Haley R]

Yes it is still closed. With Reflections in limbo and the land between the two resorts a closed construction zone, it will be a while.

They do have an internal Fort bus (yellow I think) that goes through the construction area to WL, so it is easy to get there to eat at the restaurants or shop.

j

We were hoping to ride our bikes with our son in the bike trailer but it sounds like that might not be an option

 

[Sjm9911]

Are all the Loops open and being used? We have been going to FW during early December to celebrate our anniversary since 2006, but I can not get a Sunday to Saturday reservation from mid-Oct thru Dec 18 .

Thanks,
Russ

Its probably open for all but the halloween weekend. I have been trying to get that since they opened the reservations. Good luck. I had to go after halloween this year.

 

[StormyCA]

I know this isn't strictly FtW, but there are a lot of people on here who 'know things' so I'm piggybacking on 'what's open'

Is there a whisper or even a glimmer of FP+ being reinstated soon? We're going in May and I'm worried that when I tell nDH (nonDisney Husband) that FP+ is still suspended he'll flat refuse to go. The thing he hates most is waiting in line. Even more than humidity and 'love bugs'.

Are the wait times really awful without FP+?

 

[Teamubr]

Stormy,

I wish we had the crystal ball on Disney and what or when they will re-implement things. I seriously doubt FP+ will be back in May. The FP queues are used on most rides to assure social distancing in the lines. I think the socially distancing need, in some capacity, will be required until, at least, the fall. The good news is, unless you are there at a really heavy time (holidays, school breaks), the lines seem to move pretty well. Much faster than the old standby lines since there isn't a FP line taking 75-90% of the seats. There have been reports this week of Disney quietly increasing ride volume by filling rows that have been blocked off, until recently, for socially distanced seating.

During our October trip, the lines looked horribly long (distance wise) due to groups keeping 6ft apart, but most moved fairly quickly.

j

 

[StormyCA]

Stormy,

I wish we had the crystal ball on Disney and what or when they will re-implement things. I seriously doubt FP+ will be back in May. The FP queues are used on most rides to assure social distancing in the lines. I think the socially distancing need, in some capacity, will be required until, at least, the fall. The good news is, unless you are there at a really heavy time (holidays, school breaks), the lines seem to move pretty well. Much faster than the old standby lines since there isn't a FP line taking 75-90% of the seats. There have been reports this week of Disney quietly increasing ride volume by filling rows that have been blocked off, until recently, for socially distanced seating.

During our October trip, the lines looked horribly long (distance wise) due to groups keeping 6ft apart, but most moved fairly quickly.

j

Thanks so much! Hopefully, I'll be able to convince him that the waits aren't too bad. I should be able to check a few 'wait time' websites to give him some examples. All he seems to be able to remember is that 'FoP had a 4 hour wait, no way I'm doing that!'.

I tried to pull up wait times on the MDE app, but I couldn't get the times to show. I know on the DL app you can check wait times 'any time, any place' but maybe the MDE app only shows them when you're actually in the parks as it's got a lot more 'fine tuning' than the DL app.

 

[Sjm9911]

Im with your husband, but im going also. From what im reading the waits look longer then what they are. Im planning to go early, ride as much as possable then just take in the scenery or head back to the campground. So , while we may get less rides in, we will see stuff that we didnt before by taking our time.

 

[StormyCA]

Im with your husband, but im going also. From what im reading the waits look longer then what they are. Im planning to go early, ride as much as possable then just take in the scenery or head back to the campground. So , while we may get less rides in, we will see stuff that we didnt before by taking our time.

nDH and I are 'park openers' and we hit the rides hot and heavy starting at EMH. He'll last til about 1or 2 pm (after lunch) then he's 'Disney'd out' and he returns to the Ft. Then it's my time to go shopping without him 'tutting' at the prices and ride the rides he doesn't like or re-ride my favs. I head back to the Ft in my own sweet time or he'll return later if we have a dinner ADR.

With parks opening later and no EMH I'm hoping he lasts until a little later in the day. I'm going to push the fact that waits aren't as long.

 

[Teamubr]

I tried to pull up wait times on the MDE app, but I couldn't get the times to show.

I see wait times on MDE (I'm at home).

One thing I have been reading about the wait times since reopening is they are very inaccurate. Usually the actual is much shorter than on the app. This was our experience in October. The actual wait was sometimes half of what the number on the ride (or MDE) said. Typical was the wait was posted at 40 and it was actually 25-30. They aren't using the red cards to track actual wait times due to Covid. Many have speculated this is why the times aren't as accurate as pre-Covid.

j

 

[PaHunter]

Wait times in October were all over the place, some shorter, some longer. But agree with @Teamubr, most were shorter. Biggest problem was people in line not paying attention and then the line moves a huge jump, then slams to a stop.

 

[tiggerdad]

Biggest problem was people in line not paying attention and then the line moves a huge jump, then slams to a stop.

Just like I-75

 

[Bishoparc]

Hesitant to post this as I haven’t personally verified this but have seen a post on another reliable source that Face Masks are no longer required while riding golf carts. They are still required to be with you when you exit your cart to visit the stores, etc.

Also, beginning April 8, Face masks may be briefly removed for taking photos, including PhotoPass. That has been confirmed by the DIS team.

 

[Sjm9911]

Hesitant to post this as I haven’t personally verified this but have seen a post on another reliable source that Face Masks are no longer required while riding golf carts. They are still required to be with you when you exit your cart to visit the stores, etc.

Also, beginning April 8, Face masks may be briefly removed for taking photos, including PhotoPass. That has been confirmed by the DIS team.

Who cares where it came from, im in! Was it a bus driver?

 

[tinkerdorabelle]

Hesitant to post this as I haven’t personally verified this but have seen a post on another reliable source that Face Masks are no longer required while riding golf carts. They are still required to be with you when you exit your cart to visit the stores, etc.

Also, beginning April 8, Face masks may be briefly removed for taking photos, including PhotoPass. That has been confirmed by the DIS team.

Would that be the same for riding bikes?

 

[tinkerdorabelle]

I’ve seen several threads recently asking for statuses of what is/isn’t open or operating so I thought I’d make a thread to capture it all. As always, the Bike Barn is the best place to call for the most current information- (407) 824-2932. Feel free to comment with updates and I will track them in this post. Also, here is the link to the official Disney site for experience updates at the Fort - Disney Resort Hotels: Know Before You Go | Walt Disney World Resort

• Meadows area
  • Bike Barn
    • Archery- Available
    • Bike rentals- Available
    • Canoe/Kayak Rentals- Available
    • Gem Mining- Available
    • Golf Carts- Available
      • Must be staying at the Fort to rent. Non-FW guests are no longer allowed to rent.
    • Fishing Excursions- Available
    • Segway Tours- Available
  • Chip & Dale’s Campfire- Closed
  • Dog Park- Open
  • Movies- Every other night
    • The off nights they have some sort of activity such as bingo.
  • Pool- Open
  • Pool Snack Bar- Open
  • Trading post - Open
• Settlement area
  • Arcade - Closed
  • Crocket’s Tavern- Open
  • Electrical Water Pageant - Running
  • Exercise Trail to WL- Closed
  • Motorized Boat Rentals - Closed
  • Hoop-Dee-Doo- Closed
  • MK Boat Service- Available
    • Bus service to MK also available at the Settlement Bus Depot
  • P&J’s Takeout- Open
  • Playground- Open
  • Resort Boat Sercice- Not available
    • The Yellow Line bus service has been extended from the Settlement Depot to allow transportation to Wilderness Lodge.
    • The buses usually say “Wilderness Lodge” but it doesn’t hurt to ask the Yellow Line bus driver just in case the sign didn’t change
    • Buses run to the Lodge at least until the restaurants at the Lodge are closed
    • No service available to Contemporary from the Fort but you could bus or boat to MK and walk to the Contemporary
  • Trading post - Open
  • Trails End- Closed
    • The building itself is open and a few tables are available to sit at to eat but the buffet (Trails End itself) is closed.
• Tri Circle D
  • Barn- Open
  • Carriage Rides- Not available
  • Pony Rides- Available
  • Horse Rides- Available

Is this still the state of what is opened and closed?