Posts Tagged ‘Disney’s Fort Wilderness’
Character Reference – Pluto
VITAL STATISTICS
Name: Pluto
AKA: Rover, Pluto the Pup
Favorite Sayings: “Bark! Bark!” “Grrrr” “Sniff, sniff, sniff”
Memorable Quote: “Kiss me”
Awards: #1 in The Greatest Animated Pets of All Time
Qualifications: cheerful, loyal, fun
Facebook Friends: Mickey, Minnie, Donald, Pluto, Fifi, Dinah
CHARACTER COORDINATES
Remember, the appearance of a specific character is never guaranteed. Some of the locations below have regularly-scheduled appearances while others are occasional. Always check the Times Guides for the most up-to-date information, and be prepared for possible substitutions at character meals.
Meet and Greet
- EPCOT, Future World, Character Spot
- EPCOT, American Adventure
- Magic Kingdom, Town Square
- Magic Kingdom, Toontown Hall of Fame (subject to change)
- Magic Kingdom, Liberty Square
- Disney’s Animal Kingdom, Camp Minnie-Mickey
- Disney’s Animal Kingdom, Dinoland entrance
- Disney’s Animal Kingdom, Oasis, main entrance
- Disney’s Hollywood Studios, Sorcerer’s Hat
- Disney’s Hollywood Studios, Mickey Avenue
Character Dining
- Disney’s Animal Kingdom, Tusker House, Donald’s Safari Breakfast
- EPCOT, Garden Grill
- Contemporary Resort, Chef Mickey’s
- Polynesian Resort, ‘Ohana Best Friends Breakfast
- Beach Club Resort, Cape May, Goofy’s Beach Club Breakfast
- Fort Wilderness, Mickey’s Backyard Barbeque Dinner Show
Shows
- Disney’s Hollywood Studios, Fantasmic!
Parades
- Magic Kingdom, Celebrate a Dream Come True
- Magic Kingdom, Spectromagic
- Disney’s Animal Kingdom, Mickey’s Jammin’ Jungle Parade
Miscellaneous
- Magic Kingdom, Main Street U.S.A., small bronze statue in the hub
Disney’s Wilderness Lodge Resort: Let’s Begin the Tour
The turn onto Timberline Drive is a detour to another place and time. Through the pines, past topiaried wildlife, around a bend, and the magnificent Wilderness Lodge emerges from the trees. A cheerful group of “park rangers” waits to greet guests and usher them into the spectacular lobby – a sight which never fails to astonish the first-time visitor. The subject of so many superlatives, this glorious interior is a study in contrasts: at once soaring and snug, dark but colorful, animated yet calm.
The architecture, art, and artifacts compose a harmonious song which echoes with the notes of grand national park lodges and Native American culture. The stones of the massive fireplace replicate the Grand Canyon’s geological strata and specially-commissioned totem poles rise more than fifty feet, adding to the majesty of the space. A small bridge spans the bubbling source of Silver Creek which meanders outside and tumbles down as a splashing waterfall on its “journey” to Silver Creek Springs Pool and Bay Lake.
All of the 727 guest rooms are housed in a single building designed in a rough “V” shape with the main entrance at the bottom and the wings enclosing the pool and courtyard and extending out towards Bay Lake.
Although it’s located right next to the park, this is the only deluxe Magic Kingdom resort not connected via the monorail, investing it with a sense of peace and seclusion.
Outdoor Pleasures
Despite its location in the heart of central Florida, there is a true sense of the great wilderness here, with towering pines, berried branches, and woodland animals.
Nestled in the trees, this beautiful resort extends an invitation to spend time outside, enjoying the woodsy surroundings. Guests can rent bicycles, surrey bikes, and boats from Teton Boat and Bike Rentals to explore the grounds and the waterways of Bay Lake and Seven Seas Lagoon. A mile-long bike path runs between Disney’s Wilderness Lodge and Disney’s Fort Wilderness. Bay Lake Beach provides a sandy stretch along the lakeshore which is not only a great spot for relaxation and playtime during the day, but the perfect place for viewing the Electrical Water Pageant each evening.
There’s catch-and-release fishing for some old-fashioned fun – arrange for a two-hour guided excursion out on the water, or mosey over to Disney’s Fort Wilderness for the dockside cane-pole variety.
The perfectly-themed Silver Creek Springs pool has a water slide, wading pool, and spa, and guests also have use of Hidden Springs pool and spa at the adjacent Villas at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge.
Transportation
In addition to bus transportation from its conveniently-located bus stop, boats travel from the dock to the Magic Kingdom, Disney’s Contemporary Resort, and Disney’s Fort Wilderness.
The boat ride to the Magic Kingdom may be the most pleasant transportation option at Walt Disney World; it’s certainly a great way to begin a day at the park. There is valet parking available, as well as self-parking in the main parking area, a short walk from the lobby.
Disney’s Wilderness Lodge Resort
901 Timberline Drive
Lake Buena Vista, Florida 32830
Phone 407-824-3200
Fax 407-824-3232
Fun for the Family
Since Family and Disney are the perfect match, we’re always on the lookout for family-friendly resources for our readers. Parents Randa Clay and Laura Groff are flagging the funspots on a great website, FunPlace Database.
Visitors can click on the map to learn about entertaining options all around the country, or right in their own back yard! Do you have a favorite fun place? You’re invited to add your own pushpin with a description of a park, play area, restaurant, museum, or other happy place that’s a hit with your family. Of course, Walt Disney World probably packs more smiles per square mile than anywhere else on earth, so we’ve added one of our own picks, Disney’s Tri-Circle-D Ranch, Farm & Stables!
Hoopla!
The menu features fried chicken and barbequed ribs, but the comedy is pure corn at the Hoop Dee Doo Musical Revue.
The Pioneer Hall Players entertain the audience in the rustic Pioneer Hall, located at Disney’s Fort Wilderness. It’s a wonderful recreation of an old-time dance hall with red velvet curtains, wooden walls, and “kerosene” lanterns. The six members of this talented troupe offer up lots of slapstick humor and silly banter which keep everyone laughing. It’s a washboard-strummin’ good time for all ages, with song and dance, music and merriment. A piano and banjo add to the folksy flavor.
Dinner is filling and fun, served family style from buckets and bowls, with plenty of refills. Tossed salad and cornbread, mashed potatoes, corn-on-the-cob and baked beans, and strawberry shortcake served with verve, round out the meal which also includes a variety of beverages: soft drinks, juices, coffee and tea, milk and lemonade, as well as wine and beer.
Tickets are available for pick-up at the Lobby Concierge seven days prior to show date. Guests staying in suites and concierge-level accommodations can arrange for their tickets through the concierge staff. Early pick-up allows guests to confirm seating times and learn of any changes in the check-in procedure. Tickets may also be picked up at the show box office. Plan to arrive at least 40 minutes before show time for box office pick-up.
Guests who are NOT on a dining plan are required to pay in full at the time of booking and must call 407-939-3463 (407-WDW-DINE) to cancel at least 48 hours prior to the reservation to avoid losing the deposit. For guests using any of the Magic Your Way plans that include dining, the reservation is guaranteed with a credit card. While not charged in advance, if they do not cancel and do not show up, the credit card will be charged for the full value of the tickets reserved. The Hoop Dee Doo Musical Revue uses two table-service credits. Prices include tax and gratuity.
Boat transportation is available from the Magic Kingdom to Ft. Wilderness, and Pioneer Hall is a short walk from the dock. Guests may choose to take bus transportation from any Disney resort to any theme park or Downtown Disney, then transfer to a bus for the Ft. Wilderness Resort. Boat transportation is also available from Disney’s Contemporary Resort and Disney’s Wilderness Lodge.
The show, approximately two hours long, is performed three times each night at 5:00 p.m., 7:15 p.m., and 9:30 p.m. There are three different seating categories:
Category 1 seating is on the first-floor level with tables right in the middle of all the activity.
Category 2 seating is located behind Category 1 on the first floor, or in the middle section of the balcony which faces the stage. Some of the Category 2 tables at the very back are high-top with bar-stool-height chairs. While they do allow diners to see over the tables in front, they may not be as comfortable for all guests.
Category 3 tables are located on the right hand side or left hand side of the balcony on the second floor.
Note: Guests seated in Category 2 or 3 areas may be required to ascend one flight of stairs.
Only Categories 2 and 3 are available using a Disney Dining Plan for the 5:00 p.m. and 7:15 p.m. shows. Category 1 is also available for the 9:30 p.m. show only.
One great thing about this production is that the actors make an effort to engage the entire audience, often walking to the middle and back of the main floor and shouting up to tables in the balcony, including everyone in the fun. There really are no “bad” tables at the Hoop Dee Doo.
Be warned that this is an “interactive” experience and those catching the eye of a cowboy or dance hall girl might just find themselves part of the show!
The best seats go to those who book early, so plan to make a reservation as soon as the 120-day window opens.
Hoop Dee Doo Musical Revue
Disney’s Fort Wilderness, Pioneer Hall
Nightly 5:00 p.m., 7:15 p.m., 9:30 p.m.
Approximately 2 hours
Adults $52.99 to $61.99
Children ages 3 to 9 $26.99 to $31.99
Character Reference – Goofy
VITAL STATISTICS
Name: Goofy
AKA: Goofus D. Dawg; Dippy Dawg
Favorite Sayings: “Gawrsh!” “A-hyuck!” “Well, whaddya know …”
Prized Possession: green hat
Qualifications: optimistic, good-natured, kind
Facebook Friends: Max, Mickey, Donald, Minnie, Pluto, Clarabelle
CHARACTER COORDINATES
Remember, the appearance of a specific character is never guaranteed. Some of the locations below have regularly-scheduled appearances while others are occasional. Always check the Times Guides for the most up-to-date information, and be prepared for possible substitutions at character meals.
Meet and Greet
- EPCOT, World Showcase, American Adventure
- EPCOT, International Gateway
- EPCOT, Future World, Character Spot
- Magic Kingdom, Town Square
- Magic Kingdom, Toontown Hall of Fame (subject to change)
- Magic Kingdom, Toontown Barnstormer (subject to change)
- Magic Kingdom, Frontierland
- Disney’s Animal Kingdom, Camp Minnie-Mickey
- Disney’s Animal Kingdom, Dinoland U.S.A., Chester and Hester’s Dinorama
- Disney’s Hollywood Studios, Sorcerer’s Hat
Character Dining
- Disney’s Animal Kingdom, Tusker House, Donald’s Safari Breakfast
- Contemporary Resort, Chef Mickey’s
- Beach Club Resort, Cape May, Goofy’s Beach Club Breakfast
- Fort Wilderness, Mickey’s Backyard Barbeque Dinner Show
Attractions
- Magic Kingdom, Toontown, Goofy’s Barnstormer (subject to change)
Shows
- Magic Kingdom, Castle Forecourt Stage, Dream-Along with Mickey
- Disney’s Hollywood Studios, Fantasmic!
Parades
- Magic Kingdom, Celebrate a Dream Come True
- Magic Kingdom, Spectromagic
- Disney’s Animal Kingdom, Mickey’s Jammin’ Jungle Parade
Miscellaneous
- Magic Kingdom, Town Square, photo op with statue sitting on a bench
fav5 Significant Splurges
#3 concepttm Itinerary
Expect White Glove treatment as you experience the Walt Disney World Resort in a unique new way with a customized itinerary from Whimsical World Travel’s concepttm program.
Each themed vacation includes a comprehensive package of arrangements, events, recreation, and entertainment designed to appeal to guests who are looking for an innovative and immersive experience.
Choose from some of our most popular offerings:
Boo to You! Halloween is a month-long celebration at Walt Disney World® and we’ve arranged a frightfully good time!
Over the River and Through the Woods Share the joys of the holiday season with family and friends at the beautiful Wilderness Lodge; dressed to impress in its Christmas finery.
Honeymoon Dreams Celebrate a marriage or vow renewal in unforgettable Disney style with romantic activities and memorable surprises.
Grand Indulgence Relaxing, rejuvenating, restorative – sybaritic spa treatments and sumptuous accommodations make this vacation special.
Other current themes include golf, birdwatching, theater, engineering, hot-air balloons, horses, architecture, history, animals, and transportation. Or, let us craft a one-of-a-kind stay especially for you. From autographs to zebras, we have creative ideas for your next significant splurge!
Vacation Navigation: Resort Categories
With the lure and excitement of the theme parks, it’s easy to forget that the Walt Disney World resort hotels are, in and of themselves, vacation destinations. Guests can step outside their room to view an African savannah at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge or lose themselves in the tropics at Disney’s Polynesian Resort; escape to the piney woods at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge or frolic on the sandy beaches of Disney’s Yacht and Beach Clubs. The color and fun of Mardi Gras, the tranquil beauty of the American Southwest, the Caribbean, even Andy’s Room: with such wide range of styles, settings and décor, there’s something to suit every taste. Although each has its own ambience, they all include the hallmark of the Disney experience – outstanding service.
Disney resorts fall into four “categories” – Value, Moderate, Deluxe, and Deluxe Villa. While each property is unique, those sharing the same category will have many similar characteristics.
The Value resorts typically reflect the lowest prices of the four categories. We say “typically” because sometimes a special offer can result in a normally higher-priced category costing less. Your travel concierge will always be on the lookout for the best value during your vacation dates.
The standard room at a Value resort has the smallest square-footage with two double beds and exterior corridors. The resorts themselves are very large and spread out with attractive, albeit basic, landscaping and a nice pool but one without a slide or extensive theming. All four have amazing oversized structures around the property which highlight elements of the resort’s specific theme. So, you’ll find giant memorabilia from the different decades at Disney’s Pop Century Resort, or enormous characters from the movies at Disney’s All Star Movies Resort.
Since there are no table-service restaurants at the Value resorts, the food courts are particularly expansive with many more options than those found elsewhere. Bus service is available to all destinations within the Walt Disney World complex.
Moderate resorts, a bit more expensive, feature slightly larger rooms although they do retain the exterior corridors. There are both “theme” and “quiet” pools, and the lovely grounds are an outstanding feature. Perhaps because, unlike the Deluxe Resorts, they are not built on the limited land closer to the parks, the Moderate resorts boast extravagant landscaping, arguably more beautiful than any other resort category. With the exception of Disney’s Port Orleans French Quarter, the Moderate resorts are enormous and very spread out over the spectacular landscapes. Plantings, design elements, and architecture are all chosen to enhance the sense that guests have truly escaped to the bayou, the desert, the Caribbean, or New Orleans.
Some Moderate resorts feature a table-service restaurant, and two have boat service to Downtown Disney, but otherwise, bus transportation is provided.
At the Deluxe Resorts, expect extensive theming and extraordinary public spaces with imaginative touches at every turn. There are generally numerous activities and amenities coupled with at least one exceptional dining venue.
The standard rooms are the largest, although they do vary in size from one property to another, generally have two queen-sized beds and often include a daybed, as well. Interior hallways give these resorts more of a “hotel” atmosphere and large lobbies and seating areas are invitations to linger. All except Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge have multiple transportation options which may include bus, boat, monorail, and pedestrian walkways to other locations. Bell services and room service are more comprehensive. The grounds are meticulously groomed and the theme pools are especially elaborate. Most also feature a lovely “quiet” pool.
Deluxe resorts also offer suites and concierge or club-level accommodations making them the most luxurious of the Disney properties.
Deluxe Villa resort accommodations are rooms allocated to retail sales from the Disney Vacation Club properties. Room configurations include studios, one- and two-bedroom villas, and three-bedroom Grand Villas. The studio is somewhat comparable to a standard deluxe-property room with the addition of a small kitchenette. The other units include a full kitchen, washer and dryer, two- or three-room master bathrooms with whirlpool tubs and walk-in showers, and plentiful storage. The Grand Villas add a dining room for family dinners and are wonderfully spacious.
Several of the Deluxe Villa properties are connected to existing hotels: Disney’s Boardwalk, Disney’s Beach Club, Disney’s Wilderness Lodge, and Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge. Guests staying in these villas have full access to all the amenities of their sister hotel including the themed pools. Disney’s Old Key West and Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort and Spa are dedicated villa properties without any standard hotel space connected.
Of course, each Walt Disney World Resort hotel has features that are uniquely theirs! Your travel concierge will be happy to provide in-depth information about each resort to assist you in making the perfect choice.
No Wake
Years ago, during one of my earliest visits to Walt Disney World, I was certain that, while driving to Disney’s Contemporary Resort, I had seen a boat glide by on an overpass. Each time I brought it up, I got strange looks from people and after a while, I began to think that I had misremembered.
Much later, while on the launch between Disney’s Wilderness Lodge and the Magic Kingdom, I was delighted to hear the explanation for that vivid memory from long ago: a water bridge! With an eye to keeping the vistas beautiful, Disney decided to put the water over the road rather than having a roadway over the water. While there is a second water bridge in the EPCOT resort area, guests can actually cross over the one that connects Bay Lake with the Seven Seas Lagoon.
Most visitors never realize that they are passing over a busy road as they travel between the Magic Kingdom and Disney’s Contemporary Resort, Disney’s Wilderness Lodge, and Disney’s Fort Wilderness.
All vessels cut their speed as they approach; a signal to passengers that the water bridge is just ahead. So, next time you’re cruising the lake or lagoon, watch for the NO WAKE signs and take a moment to appreciate this engineering marvel.
Playing Games
Looking for a little downtime from the parks? Pull up a chair and enjoy a board game. There are a number of places where guests of the Walt Disney World Resort can find something fun to play.
Members of the Disney Vacation Clubs have access to a variety of games in the Community Halls of each deluxe villa resort. The beautiful Carolwood Pacific Room at the Villas at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge is a cozy spot for a family game of Chinese Checkers.
Visitors can raft over to Tom Sawyer Island in the Magic Kingdom and settle into rocking chairs for a round of checkers, or travel to Disney’s Fort Wilderness Campground and enjoy a game at the General Store.
Most guests are not aware that the tables in the rooms of many of resorts have a checkerboard top. Both checkers and chess pieces are available at the front desk.
Little ones can play games during their stays at the childcare centers, and for the rest of us, there’s the inviting Belle Vue Room at Disney’s Boardwalk Inn with its library ambiance and game tables set for chess and backgammon.
Our favorite? It’s the third floor at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort and Spa. Chess pieces and giant checkers are waiting on tables by the windows, offering guests beautiful views of the grounds and an opportunity to slow down, relax, and enjoy the leisure time.
Do Reindeer Really Know How to Fly?
Reindeer are another recurring theme at Walt Disney World, and are found in some unexpected places. At Disney’s Wilderness Lodge, there’s a twinkling deer family grazing on a ledge over the main entrance. They add to the beauty of the lobby in the evening, when it glows with light and good cheer.
For the holiday parade at the Magic Kingdom, Santa’s reindeer have left their post to join the dancing on Main Street U.S.A. Wearing their “hollyday” bows and sleigh bells, they’re a favorite year after year.
Nestled in fields of flowers, the beautiful twig deer at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort and Spa draw visitors outside to enjoy the perfectly manicured grounds of this splendid resort.
Look for a reindeer motif featured on everything from antenna toppers to chocolate. Take the time to visit Disney’s Fort Wilderness and enjoy the fantastic holiday displays at the campsites. You’ll see lots of reindeer prancing through the woods.
But, do they really know how to fly? Oh, yes!
