What are the must-sees when exploring FW grounds?

[minniebride]

Hi there!

My DF are staying at the WL for our honeymoon/Christmas this year! We just booked a golf cart for the day on Christmas Eve, so we can explore FW. We have never been here before & we are really excited to check out the grounds!

What are some things on the grounds that we should make sure we do not miss? Aside from events stuff like HDDR & the campfire & movie-those are already on our list!

So far on our list of areas to explore are:
-The RV Christmas decorations (I think tent campers decorate too?)
-Cinderella's horses??? I think I read they are somewhere on the FW grounds?
-I read something about a petting zoo?
-Anywhere else???

Are there any remnants of the old FW train? I'm a sucker for historic WDW things.

**Also, I was watching a Youtube video of this really cool replica of the castle & a little light show from a camper at FW.....
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AHxIHqUWJb4&playnext=1&list=PL53D1324E49CB1C2E

Does this guy come every year? If so, is he an RV camper or a tent camper or what? I would love to see this in person!

Thanks

 

[retired and happy]

Petting Zoo has been gone for years. There are some remnants of the RR if you know where to look. The most knowledgable reporter on this no longer post on this board.

There's a Segway tour, archery lessons, pool, marina, 2 Trading Posts, lawnmower stump (formerly Lawnmower Tree).

HDDR only if you have reservations. Same for Mickey's Backyard BBQ.

Stop and talk to anyone who has a lime green Mickey head or purple flamingo displayed on their site.

But mostly it's the decorations at that time of year. Especially as you mentioned Dave the Castle Guy's display if you're there at the right time.

Be advised that Disney has ordered a cutback in site decorations this year. I don't know what the result of that order will be. I know our decorations will be diminished. Several sites have had outstanding decorations for years. I hope they still have enough to interest others.

 

[2goofycampers]

Just about any hump/hill you see is part of the old RR. Still a few ties in the back of 700 loop.

Dave's Castle is a must see. He is a true testament that 1 thing done well is as interesting as a whole site packed full of decorations. He was in 700 loop (RV) last year.

 

[DisCamper]

Here is whats left of the RR behind the 700 loop

 

[bama_ed]

Some who post here know quite a bit about the old FWRR.

There are still rails in the Fort if you know where to look.

Bama ED

PS - and somewhere in the Fort sidewalk system is sort of "hidden Mickey"....

 

[DisCamper]

PS - and somewhere in the Fort sidewalk system is sort of "hidden Mickey"....

We also have on of those

 

[bama_ed]

We also have on of those

Cool! I've seen others in the sidewalks. Could make it into like a scavenger hunt.

Bama ED

 

[FLDisneyFan]

There's a nice walk from Fort Wilderness to Wilderness Lodge. Just look for "Exercise Trail." I think its about 1.5 miles.

 

[DisCamper]

There's a nice walk from Fort Wilderness to Wilderness Lodge. Just look for "Exercise Trail." I think its about 1.5 miles.

I love that trail it’s a nice walk and lots of times you can see Deer and other wild life. One morning walking back from the lodge from breakfast we turned the corner and there was an 8 point buck standing there that was amazing to see up close.

 

[jeepfreak]

Did the

8:30 am Segway tour with SIL and it was really great!

 

[BigJon]

To find some remnants of the FWRR, from Pioneer Hall, go to the bus stop, and look to the left across the steet. There is a golf cart park area. Walk into the woods on the other side of that golf cart parking area, and look to your right. In February, I spent a couple of hours just walking around FW, and exploring the RR that I rode as a kid. At one point, I was walking through the woods on the RR, and it was a pretty dense area with trees and bushes. And I came upon a mom and dad with 2 small kids. When they turned around and saw me, I told them why I was there, and the dad spoke up and said they were there for the same reason.

 

[minniebride]

Thank you! I am writing all this stuff down!

What's the lawnmover tree and where is it located?

 

[FLDisneyFan]

The lawnmower tree is in the "Settlement Area" if I remember correctly. There's a tree stump, a piece of metal stuck in the bottom, and a sign with something about a lawn mower. Personally - I just didn't get it!

 

[Born 2 Fish]

If you are there at the right time and you walk the lake shore or canals , you might catch a glimpse of some guy standing in the water wear'n a gilligan hat,
(that most likely would be me )

 

[DisCamper]

The Lawnmower stump is next to the walkway down by the marina