50 Years of Magic, Merriment & Merchandise at Disney World’s Fort Wilderness Campground

Fort Wilderness Campground is presently celebrating its fiftieth anniversary, being one of many authentic three resorts to open at Walt Disney World. On this submit, we’ll share historical past of Fort Wilderness and take a look at how the country retreat is paying tribute to 50 years with “new” leisure, merchandise, and extra.

Not like Magic Kingdom, Fort Wilderness didn’t open on October 1, 1971. Together with the Up to date and Polynesian, “building” of Fort Wilderness was delayed within the house stretch of 1971. Not like these inns, it wasn’t fast-tracked to debut by opening day of Magic Kingdom. Actually, the land earmarked for the campground was primarily pristine wilderness as of Spring 1971 when the staff arrived on-site to start work on the mission.

Consequently, Fort Wilderness Resort and Campground opened on November 19, 1971 over a month after Magic Kingdom and the 2 inns. Just like how Up to date was seen as an extension of Tomorrowland and Polynesian of Adventureland, Fort Wilderness was seen as a counterpart to Frontierland, giving friends a approach to keep within the American frontier. The campground debuted with 232 campsites in addition to Tri Circle D Ranch, which was primarily constructed as a handy location for horses within the parades at Magic Kingdom.

Within the years that adopted, Fort Wilderness would broaden significantly. The primary massive addition was the Fort Wilderness Railroad, which tender opened in Spring 1973. Fort Wilderness Railroad consisted of 4 steam trains that every pulled 5 vehicles round a round route by means of the campground, much like that of the present inside buses, at a most pace of 10 miles an hour. Every practice was roughly 115 ft lengthy and having capability for 90 friends.

Fort Wilderness Railroad’s observe was far and away the longest railroad working in a Disney park, greater than double the 1 1/2 mile route across the Magic Kingdom. Through the heyday of the River Nation water park in peak summer season seasons, all 4 trains of the Fort Wilderness Railroad operated each day to supply ample capability to satisfy demand. Tickets price $1 and had been good all day, with the practice sometimes operating from 7 am till 11 pm. (Leading to an identical ‘wake-up name’ that friends staying within the Poly bungalows now get every morning!)

Fort Wilderness Railroad was comparatively short-lived by Walt Disney World requirements. There’s nonetheless debate over when it completely closed; we all know that service was decreased in 1977, however continued till not less than 1979. In early 1980, Fort Wilderness Railroad went on “hiatus” for a feasibility evaluation or analysis, however it by no means returned. (Learn more about Fort Wilderness Railroad.)

One other addition round that very same time is extra well-known. Hoop-Dee-Doo Musical Revue was one of many authentic ‘upcharge choices’ at Walt Disney World. This present was created to reduce the blow of decreased attendance within the wake of the 1973-74 Oil Embargo, debuting on June 30, 1974 as a short lived summer season present with a forged of school interns.

Hoop-Dee-Doo Musical Revue was a right away hit with friends, and Walt Disney World Leisure scrambled to audition a full-time forged by the tip of summer season because the interns headed house. Hoop-Dee-Doo Musical Revue opened as a everlasting present on September 5, 1974.

It’s now one of many longest-running dinner reveals in america, with greater than 40,000 performances. Whereas the present has been tweaked over time, it’s largely the identical immediately because it was in 1974, sustaining the identical spirit of Americana and old style household enjoyable served with down-home consolation meals.

Extra just lately, Tri-Circle-D Ranch was relocated and Mickey’s Yard BBQ was demolished in preparation for the development of Reflections Lakeside Lodge–a mission that Walt Disney World has since deserted. (Fortunately.)

At the moment, Fort Wilderness affords campsites and cabins together with a variety of leisure choices. Whereas Fort Wilderness is just a brief boat trip from Magic Kingdom, it feels worlds away. The sprawling ‘resort’ is located on 750 acres of pine and cypress forest, giving the campground a ‘buffer’ between it and the remainder of Walt Disney World.

Fort Wilderness is a blissful escape from the hustle and bustle of the theme parks, providing about as sharp of a distinction to Magic Kingdom as is conceivably potential for a spot solely minutes away. It’s virtually as if Fort Wilderness Campground is “off the grid” and hasn’t been sufferer to as most of the modifications made which have sanitized and made among the different authentic ‘Trip Kingdom of the World’ resorts much less endearing.

There’s an plain magic to Fort Wilderness, and it’s simple to see and really feel whereas strolling across the rustic resort, having fun with dinner, or catching the night leisure. It’s as if the ambiance rubs off on everybody who stays right here or visits, with a spirit of conviviality and neighborhood not like some other resort on property. To not overstate issues, however it positive appears to me like Fort Wilderness is the happiest place at Walt Disney World. It’s a extremely particular place.

Greater than anything, that is why we are saying “fortunately” about Disney’s determination to desert Reflections Lakeside Lodge. Whereas there are a number of causes Reflections was a half-baked concept, chief amongst them was the irreversible influence it’d have on the seclusion and serenity of Fort Wilderness, its largely unspoiled surroundings, and the ambiance that exists because of this.

Along with the aforementioned Hoop-Dee-Doo Musical Revue and Tri-Circle-D Ranch, different options of Fort Wilderness embody playgrounds, two heated swimming swimming pools, Path’s Finish Restaurant, Crockett’s Tavern, P & J’s Southern Takeout, Electrical Water Pageant, fishing, horseback using, wagon rides, and extra. There are showers, laundry rooms, restrooms, and Consolation Stations in each campsite loop.

This simply scratches the floor of the eating and recreation choices at Fort Wilderness. It’s actually exhausting to maintain observe of all the pieces. Along with everlasting meals vans, there are additionally short-term ones that seem through the week. We see one thing new every time we go to.

One of many causes for our trek out to Fort Wilderness on this specific night was catching Chip ‘N Dale’s Campfire Sing-A-Lengthy. This returned a number of months in the past, however we hadn’t but returned to test it out.

For these unfamiliar with Chip ‘N Dale’s Campfire Sing-A-Lengthy, it options the nutty buddies for a campfire celebration adopted by a traditional Disney film underneath the celebs. Previous to the character look, there’s a proficient performer who leads traditional campfire songs in an out of doors amphitheater.

Previous to Chip ‘N Dale’s Campfire Sing-A-Lengthy, hearth pits can be found for roasting marshmallows and making s’mores.

As soon as the characters seem through the efficiency, friends are invited up in direction of the entrance of the stage for an off-the-cuff dance get together. (I appear to recall this being completely different final time we did it–I believe Chip ‘N Dale mingled with the viewers through the first half of the present, signing autographs, posing for pictures, and interesting on the whole hijinks. It’s been a number of years, although!)

Regardless, Chip ‘N Dale’s Campfire Sing-A-Lengthy is nice ole usual enjoyable for friends of all ages.

The musician is proficient, and performs songs which might be really good. Count on to listen to “She’ll Be Coming Around the Mountain When She Comes,” “Ghost Riders within the Sky,” and “Take Me Residence, Nation Roads,” amongst others. I don’t have a full playlist, however should you just like the music of John Denver or Johnny Money, you’ll get pleasure from this.

Not that we make some extent of creeping on different friends throughout sing-alongs (generally it simply occurs), however it actually appeared as if everybody was having time throughout Chip ‘N Dale’s Campfire Sing-A-Lengthy.

It’s a type of issues that’s deceptively easy, and easily enjoyable. With campfires, good music, and character shenanigans, what’s to not get pleasure from? On the whole, that is the story of Fort Wilderness as a complete. It’s a ‘resort’ that will not appear compelling as in comparison with its extra spectacular counterparts at Walt Disney World, however is way more enjoyable in individual than it would seem on paper.

We regularly advocate Fort Wilderness to households with youngsters who’re excessive vitality and hands-on. It’s an incredible place for kids to actively discover and have enjoyable in actual life. With out fail, we see youngsters having a hoot at Fort Wilderness.

If I needed to rating resorts at Walt Disney World on their ‘enjoyable issue’ for teenagers, Fort Wilderness could be the runaway champion. (The one others that even come shut are Artwork of Animation, Caribbean Seashore, and Yacht/Seashore Membership.) In an period when leisure for teenagers primarily happens in entrance of a display screen, Fort Wilderness is a breath of recent air. Actually and figuratively.

As a child, I liked tenting at Fort Wilderness, which was my household’s go-to place to remain at Walt Disney World till Shades of Green opened in 1994. We stayed in our truck camper there not less than a half dozen occasions from the late Eighties by means of early Nineties. I’ve loads of nostalgia and fond recollections for Fort Wilderness because of this.

Sarah and I have stayed at the Cabins at Fort Wilderness several times in addition to the campsites. It’s one in every of our favourite resorts for bigger events, for anybody wanting a spot to decompress from the sensory-overload of the parks, or these wanting a convivial setting for group bonding.

On the whole, the (Walt Disney) World and life transfer at a slower tempo at Fort Wilderness. It’s an easier time and place, and that basically must enchantment to you and likewise mesh with the priorities on your Walt Disney World trip. For those who’re theme park commandos, it’s not for you. For those who’re fantastic with a extra leisurely expertise, it may work.

On an odd and random notice, one in every of my favourite “jokes” is stopping Sarah abruptly earlier than she’s about to enter Meadows Buying and selling Publish. I’ll exclaim: “Maintain on, we’re not allowed in there!”

“Why?” she questions.

“Properly, we’re not service animals, are we?!”

That is the corniest of corny dad jokes, and one that’s assured to induce eyerolls from your loved ones and buddies. Please be happy to borrow it. I promise you, nobody will snort. Perhaps it’s just too cerebral.

Whereas at Meadows Buying and selling Publish, we noticed a ton of superior fiftieth Anniversary merchandise.

None of that is new–I bear in mind seeing posts about it on social media some time in the past, however it was all new to us. I’m guessing it’s additionally new to lots of you, so I figured I’d share pictures of the road:

Perhaps I’m biased as a result of I like Fort Wilderness, however I believe this complete line is incredible. I ended up shopping for solely the Chip ‘N Dale mug so as to add to my rising assortment of rustic Wilderness Lodge and Grand Californian mugs, however I used to be tempted by a lot extra.

A number of of the shirts are actually good, however my favourite merchandise of all is the backpack. As somebody who all the time carries a pictures bag, I wouldn’t have any use for that…however I virtually purchased it, anyway. The standard is incredible and people patches are excellent. (For related causes, the water bottle can also be distinctive–however we solely use bottles with filters.)

Kudos to the merchandise staff behind these merchandise, as a result of they actually captured the essence of Fort Wilderness. I do want they may’ve introduced again “Musket Mickey Mouse,” however completely get why that wasn’t potential. No less than there are fan made/small store designs out there with him.

In the end, we had a incredible afternoon and night at Fort Wilderness, celebrating 50 years of the magic, merriment, and merchandise of this underrated Walt Disney World resort. Whereas it’s not for everybody, you would possibly simply be shocked by how a lot your loved ones enjoys Fort Wilderness. On the very least, we’d advocate reserving Hoop-Dee-Doo Musical Revue or taking a ship trip over for a noon break from Magic Kingdom to get pleasure from some scrumptious fried meals.

You would possibly even contemplate a keep at Fort Wilderness within the cabins or campground, relying upon your get together’s preferences. In our view, Fort Wilderness is the best intersection of being outside whereas nonetheless being part of civilization. It’s an ideal change of tempo from the craziness of the parks, and 50 years later, there’s nonetheless one thing particular about this place. It’s the perfect remaining embodiment of the “Trip Kingdom of the World” and continues to hold on the imaginative and prescient the Disney brothers (and others) had for the Florida Venture again within the late Nineteen Sixties and early Seventies.

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Your Ideas

Have you ever stayed on the campsites or cabins at Fort Wilderness? What did you consider the expertise? Have you ever visited for eating, leisure, or anything? Do you assume there’s a sure magic to the place? Agree or disagree that it’s a pleasant serene and secluded change of tempo from the parks? The rest so as to add that we didn’t cowl? Any questions we will help you reply? Listening to your suggestions–even if you disagree with us–is each attention-grabbing to us and useful to different readers, so please share your ideas beneath within the feedback!