What do you miss at the Fort ?

[BigDaddyRog]

swamp boardwalk as mentioned, the more private campsites, the days before everyone had golfcarts (I swear the busses were more frequent) and you would hike to the Dock, a rag tag motley crew of bleary eyed adults an hyperactive children slowly swelling into an army of Disney-philes, when no one knew what Fort Wilderness was except hardcore disney lovers, when most people tent camped with no a/c, no tv, no cellphones, maybe a walkman until your batteries ran out two days later, Coleman lanterns and stoves... good days.

Wow....you really made that sound GREAT!!!!

 

[Pickens native]

is minnie moo not there anymore we are coming to the fort in june and my kids where wanting to see her?

 

[LORNADUCK]

All of the above, plus we have been going there for 30+ years. Paying $25 a night and back then that was one of the highest priced RV parks. Being able to pull up on any given day and get a campsite without having to make a reservation 1 yr in advance.

 

[skyp4WDW]

I miss River Country and the view of all green at the Meadows; and I miss the former "small town feel" of Ft Wilderness. The Cast Members also used to be happy and helpful - and now they all seem crabby... "Disney" used to be all about fun, but now it's all about money.

 

[daddyphat808]

Hammocks on the beach!!

Wow I could use that today! what a way to spend an afternoon!

 

[DisCamper]

Sorry Minnie moo died I think 6 or more years ago

 

[DisCamper]

I miss the fresh sandwiches and subs from the deli at the Meadows trading post

 

[ftwildernessrick]

Rick..where y'at in LA?

I work in Monroe & live in West Monroe

 

[ftwildernessrick]

I miss the fresh sandwiches and subs from the deli at the Meadows trading post

The sandwiches were great & fresh made. They even used to have a small butcher shop with fresh meat, very limited variety, but always had fresh ground beef and could cut a steak to whatever size you wanted. The Meadow Post was mostly food products then. Sure, they charged at that time about 20% or so over what you would pay off Disney property, but it for that amount, it was not worth driving out.

 

[shafke]

I miss the trams that were used for internal transporation.
Also the gold flagged launch that went to the Poly. Especially taking this launch to the Poly one sunday morning for church services... 50 degrees, windy and driving rain... that was fun.

 

[BigDaddyRog]

I work in Monroe & live in West Monroe

Ahhh....we head up your way every so often to Lake Claiborne and Lake D'arbonne state parks.

 

[ftwildernessrick]

I miss River Country and the view of all green at the Meadows; and I miss the former "small town feel" of Ft Wilderness. The Cast Members also used to be happy and helpful - and now they all seem crabby... "Disney" used to be all about fun, but now it's all about money.

Disney definately changed they way they do business. Don't get me wrong, I still love WDW and FW and will continue to go as long as I am able, but I do get annoyed at things they do at times, especially since I know how it used to be.

One of the examples I can give would be along the trail ride from years ago. There used to be a barn & pasture out towards what is now the golf course next to FW. The trail ride used to go that way and our trail guide CM would point at the barn & pasture and tell us that the horses we see out there are retired from service from Disney and that is where they live out their remaining lives, in retirement. He said that Disney felt that since they had been dedicated 'employees' that they earned the right to a restfull retirement and they were still cared for. I was impressed. In later years the barn was torn down, golf course later put in, and I assume all the older animals are now sold off to whoever for whatever.

 

[ftwildernessrick]

Ahhh....we head up your way every so often to Lake Claiborne and Lake D'arbonne state parks.

The group I normally camp with will do Claiborne in the summer for the swimming and Darbonne in the fall for a big fish fry.

 

[ftwildernessrick]

All of the above, plus we have been going there for 30+ years. Paying $25 a night and back then that was one of the highest priced RV parks. Being able to pull up on any given day and get a campsite without having to make a reservation 1 yr in advance.

Amen to that. I was stunned to see they backed up the regular season rates from the 2nd week of June, all the way back to the week after Easter. Is it that busy or are they strickly doing it as a rate increase?

It seems almost overnight that Thanksgiving week, which normally had average crowds except for TG day & the weekend following, to flat out packed. I called one time, right after Christmas, to make resssies for the upcoming TG week for a group of 5 camp sites & 2 cabins and was told they were booked. Fortunately, I knew a few people that work at FW reception and they were able to set it up.

 

[I'mDownWithDisney]

In no particular order....

The swamp trail
swimming at the beach
the hammocks
the totem poles and teepee's
the lack of asphalt at the settlement
the old exercise trail equipment
the tram
more bikes...less carts
Crockett's Tavern restaurant
lower prices

 

[chipscamping buddy]

I miss the petting zoo. I just loved the relaxed family feel it gave. I also miss the relaxed atmosphere. It is still there to an extent, but there are more people who are there just as a place and not for the experience.

 

[DisCamper]

I miss the real buffet at TE and the good food that came on it. Not the crap they serve now

 

[ftwildernessrick]

I agree, I miss the food at the Tavern. It was nice to get, among other things, the beef ribs & strawberry shortcake just like they served at that time at the Hoop Dee Doo. They also had great fajitas.

And, isn't it weird to have a beach with no swimmimg. I never really knew whether to believe the story that went around and told by some CM's that the water quality was no longer safe for swimmimg. Especially since they still charter water skiing trips. I assume it was just another one of those liability issues.

I keep thinking the axe will fall one day and they will close the Meadow Pool in the evening.

 

[AndrewJackson]

The tram.

Our tradition was that Mom and Dad setup the campsite, while the five kids road around the Fort on the tram.

We would also ride it at night to cool off. Camping in the 90 degree summer in a tent would get rather hot - and no pool!

 

[Jack Rabbit Run]

I miss lots of things
River Country, the Train, the barrels of Tootsie Rolls that were at the entrances of both Trading posts, and Marshmellow marsh (nightime canoe ride after roasting marshmellows).