Which FW loops for Christmas decorations?

[liamthompson]

Planning a trip to fort wilderness to see the christmas decor, we'll be there the first week of December. Are there certain loops that are known for the decorations every year?

We'll be going during the daytime. No concrete plans that day, just resort hopping to enjoy holiday decor. All suggestions welcome!

I'm still a little fuzzy on how the internal bus system works so if someone would also share a quick primer, it would be much appreciated. We'll be coming from MK TTC.

(We visited this past summer and my family LOVED the golf carts...I promised we could come back and poke around the christmas decor)

 

[proudmomof4]

To get to FW, you can take a bus or boat from the front entrance to MK. They don’t have a bus from the TTC to FW.

You would catch an internal bus at the Settlement Depot which is a short walk from the marina if you arrive by boat. But if you take a bus from MK, it drops you at the Settlement Depot.

As for which loops, the closer to Christmas the more decorated sites there are. Loop 1200 is always a winner as the same folks come back year after year and stay in 1200. The stormtrooper guy is usually in 1200. If you don’t know what I mean, look it up on YouTube, his site is always very popular.

I’m sure others will have their recommendations, but you can’t go wrong with Christmas at the Fort.

I’m arriving to the Fort on 12/5, but I don’t know what I’ll be bringing for decorating yet.

 

[morrik5]

So to me it sounds like you're not staying at FW but just going to see the decorations? If so, holiday season restrictions may be in place to deter outside visitors from coming in. Hope you do get to see the decorations in person.

 

[sweet maxine]

Not really quite on the same topic... but, how exactly *do* you decorate a site? I thought about asking this yesterday, but it seems such a silly question....

I'll be coming in on the first, and staying 9 nights. It would be fun to decorate, but I'm not sure how the power source works for that as opposed to using it for my campsite necessities. I'm thinking might just try to outline my tent in lights? How does everyone dothis?

 

[proudmomof4]

Not really quite on the same topic... but, how exactly *do* you decorate a site? I thought about asking this yesterday, but it seems such a silly question....

I'll be coming in on the first, and staying 9 nights. It would be fun to decorate, but I'm not sure how the power source works for that as opposed to using it for my campsite necessities. I'm thinking might just try to outline my tent in lights? How does everyone dothis?

Lots of extension cords and power strips, lol.

You’ll be amazed at the number of decorations people are able to put up at their campsite.

You can also decorate with items that don’t require power. Wreaths, ornaments on palm trees. And those metal signs that stick into the ground. Battery powered lights too.
I have Mickey and Minnie pumpkins that are battery powered. Oh, and holiday themed garden flags.

 

[sweet maxine]

Lots of extension cords and power strips, lol.

You’ll be amazed at the number of decorations people are able to put up at their campsite.

You can also decorate with items that don’t require power. Wreaths, ornaments on palm trees. And those metal signs that stick into the ground. Battery powered lights too.
I have Mickey and Minnie pumpkins that are battery powered. Oh, and holiday themed garden flags.

I figured there must be a slew of extension cords involved!!

I don't think I'll have time to make one, but I love those lampposts with the Mickey head on the top. Might be able to figure out how to make a Mickey wreath if I can gather the things to make it with.

 

[liamthompson]

You would catch an internal bus at the Settlement Depot which is a short walk from the marina if you arrive by boat. But if you take a bus from MK, it drops you at the Settlement Depot.

We are staying on site and I realized we are actually coming in from MK, oops.

Does the internal bus stop at each stop or do I have to "ring" for the stop if I want to get off (otherwise the bus driver will keep going if no one is waiting at the stop)?

And is it safe to walk from one loop to another or will it be like walking alongside a busy road and not recommended?

Checking my understanding from looking at the map, please correct me if I'm misunderstanding - I want to take the yellow or orange line from settlement depot to 1200 loop. From settlement depot, if I want to head over to Wilderness Lodge, I will then need to transfer buses to one that is headed toward MK (via wilderness lodge)? Is any of this walkable?

 

[liamthompson]

So to me it sounds like you're not staying at FW but just going to see the decorations? If so, holiday season restrictions may be in place to deter outside visitors from coming in. Hope you do get to see the decorations in person.

Oh, I was not aware of any visitor restrictions...will you please clarify? Last time, we just took the MK boat into settlement outpost and there was hardly anyone there but it was shockingly uncrowded the entire week we were at disney.

 

[liamthompson]

I figured there must be a slew of extension cords involved!!

I don't think I'll have time to make one, but I love those lampposts with the Mickey head on the top. Might be able to figure out how to make a Mickey wreath if I can gather the things to make it with.

I'm no good with decorating and have realized over the years that I'm better off going out and enjoying other people's creations...so thank you all for sharing your talents!

 

[proudmomof4]

We are staying on site and I realized we are actually coming in from MK, oops.

Does the internal bus stop at each stop or do I have to "ring" for the stop if I want to get off (otherwise the bus driver will keep going if no one is waiting at the stop)?

And is it safe to walk from one loop to another or will it be like walking alongside a busy road and not recommended?

Checking my understanding from looking at the map, please correct me if I'm misunderstanding - I want to take the yellow or orange line from settlement depot to 1200 loop. From settlement depot, if I want to head over to Wilderness Lodge, I will then need to transfer buses to one that is headed toward MK (via wilderness lodge)? Is any of this walkable?

For 1200 loop you want the Orange bus route. The bus will NOT stop at every stop nor is there a bell to ring. When you board the bus, you will need to tell the driver where you want to get off. I would recommend getting off at the Meadow Trading Post, many loops are walkable from there.

The Fort is a very walkable resort with sidewalks on the main roads, but it is large so ymmv as to how many loops you get to.

The yellow bus line goes from the Settlement Depot to Wildernes Lodge. Make sure to check the marquee on the bus before you board, but you can always ask the bus driver to make sure.

Here is a map of the internal bus routes.


As to the restrictions morrik5 mentioned, as the days around a holiday are approaching the Fort goes into lockdown. Only guests of the Fort or those with dining/recreation reservations may enter the Fort or use the transportation to the Fort.

I hope this information helps.

 

[liamthompson]

For 1200 loop you want the Orange bus route. The bus will NOT stop at every stop nor is there a bell to ring. When you board the bus, you will need to tell the driver where you want to get off. I would recommend getting off at the Meadow Trading Post, many loops are walkable from there.

The Fort is a very walkable resort with sidewalks on the main roads, but it is large so ymmv as to how many loops you get to.

The yellow bus line goes from the Settlement Depot to Wildernes Lodge. Make sure to check the marquee on the bus before you board, but you can always ask the bus driver to make sure.

Here is a map of the internal bus routes.
View attachment 1016535

As to the restrictions morrik5 mentioned, as the days around a holiday are approaching the Fort goes into lockdown. Only guests of the Fort or those with dining/recreation reservations may enter the Fort or use the transportation to the Fort.

I hope this information helps.

Thank you for the map and explaining which buses to take! This makes sense now.

I had no idea about the restrictions...are the dates announced ahead of time for when the visitor restrictions are in effect? Or do I just need to show up to the MK boat dock and find out? And do these visitor restrictions affect wilderness lodge too?

 

[proudmomof4]

Thank you for the map and explaining which buses to take! This makes sense now.

I had no idea about the restrictions...are the dates announced ahead of time for when the visitor restrictions are in effect? Or do I just need to show up to the MK boat dock and find out? And do these visitor restrictions affect wilderness lodge too?

If you’re going the first week of December, you should be okay. the lockdown would be closer to the actual holiday.

The lockdown is specific to FW since campers go over the top with their decorations. There had been occasions where FW was over run with visitors not staying there and there have been unfortunate accidents. Which is why the lockdowns were instituted.

That doesn’t mean other resorts won’t have restrictions, but they are mostly limited to parking at the resorts.

 

[liamthompson]

If you’re going the first week of December, you should be okay. the lockdown would be closer to the actual holiday.

The lockdown is specific to FW since campers go over the top with their decorations. There had been occasions where FW was over run with visitors not staying there and there have been unfortunate accidents. Which is why the lockdowns were instituted.

That doesn’t mean other resorts won’t have restrictions, but they are mostly limited to parking at the resorts.

Thanks for clarifying! I'm hoping our week will still be on the quieter side for crowds

 

[Mle8308]

Thank you for the map and explaining which buses to take! This makes sense now.

I had no idea about the restrictions...are the dates announced ahead of time for when the visitor restrictions are in effect? Or do I just need to show up to the MK boat dock and find out? And do these visitor restrictions affect wilderness lodge too?

You should not have any problems going to the WL as long as you use Disney transportation. There is a bus that goes to the WL from FW at the Settlement stop. It is about a 5 minute ride. You cannot walk, the path was blocked years ago (sadly). After 3pm there is also a boat that stops at FW, the WL, and the CR. I do not know the order of the stops. It's a fun way to go between the resorts if you are not in a rush.

 

[morrik5]

We are staying on site and I realized we are actually coming in from MK, oops.

Does the internal bus stop at each stop or do I have to "ring" for the stop if I want to get off (otherwise the bus driver will keep going if no one is waiting at the stop)?

And is it safe to walk from one loop to another or will it be like walking alongside a busy road and not recommended?

Checking my understanding from looking at the map, please correct me if I'm misunderstanding - I want to take the yellow or orange line from settlement depot to 1200 loop. From settlement depot, if I want to head over to Wilderness Lodge, I will then need to transfer buses to one that is headed toward MK (via wilderness lodge)? Is any of this walkable?

If I remember correctly, the internal bus has a recording before each stop naming the loops at that location and if you're interested in getting off, you would "ring" or "hit the stop button" ??

As for walking from loop to loop, there are sidewalks which make it safe. Check out this couple's videos for all the loops and things to see at The Fort.

 

[bama_ed]

I've also had good luck when getting on the internal buses because my driver nearly always asks "where ya gettin' off"? The drivers look at the stops for guests who want to get ON the bus and ask the passengers where they're headed/getting OFF. Since the bus lines run in both directions, sometimes on/off is a question of in which direction are you headed?

The Fort has some great bus drivers. Notorious gossips though they are, they look out for their riders.

Bama Ed