Last Dance for Old Tri Circle D: New Barn and a Whole New World on Bay Lake

Published on by thewildernessprincess
New Barn Fort Wilderness
New Barn at Fort Wilderness Concept Art. Courtesy Disney

Even when we didn’t camp at Disney World through the decades, we always made a much-loved trip to the Tri-Circle D to see the horses and visit the petting zoo. Soon that welcoming structure that greeted so many wanna-be cowboys will be a memory, too.  Relegated to the retro files along with River Country, the Fort Wilderness Train, and River Country. Yes, it closes on August 19 forever.

The good news is that it will be rebuilt by spring 2020, and relocated just feet away – not way up yonder at the Outpost as the ill-informed insisted. Along with this, WDWNT has apparently come across some new permits and possibly some concept art for the Fort’s new neighbor –  Reflections: A Disney Lakeside Lodge.

But hold your horses, let’s go back to the barn first

Fort Wilderness BarnI’m guessing many of us assumed the new barn would be a replica of sorts of the old one. There  were even some who suggested it would be dismantled and rebuilt. How wrong we were. This has hardly a hint of rustic, with the exception of the tin roof. And off on the right side of the photo appears little glimpses of the post-modern new Reflections DVC resort (under construction) With the barn sitting right at the common edge of both Reflections and Fort Wilderness, this is our first look at how Disney intends to bridge the visual gap between the Old West and Eco Contemporary.

According to the official Disney Parks Blog, the new structure will provide for a state-of-the-art environment for the horses and ponies, along with outdoor areas. Historical “artifacts,” presumably those from the Disney Museum within the present barn, will be included in the new one.

Pocahontas, nature and a Kinder, Gentler world at reflections

Adding to a busy news week at the Fort (after a month or two of relative quiet), was WDWNT’s release of alleged concept art for the interior lobby of the new Reflections. While there has been a bit of internet criticism regarding the exterior, this concept, if accurate, seems to pull it all together in some ways.  Note the large statue of Pocahontas front and center.

Pocahontas, even in Disney’s interpretation, is a strong, free-willed woman, who openly accepted people outside of her tribe, and was one with nature.  Ironically, just down the road at Fort Wilderness we enjoy our Gullywhumpers at Crockett’s Tavern. Of course, Davy Crockett was hugely instrumental in displacing the Native Americans, but eventually found some redemption when he shunned Andrew Jackson’s violent approaches.

In my view, Pocahontas is the perfect story to tell at Reflections.  As I wrote a few months ago, Disney not only “entertains us, but influences us.” And WDWNT later this week divulged more alleged concept art that provides more details, with other characters from Brother Bear and Bambi.

new permits reveal more minor details around the settlement

Of course, the question for Fort-friends has been what the effect on the campground will be. Recently-filed permits suggest some shifting around of the cast member dock, the placement of bungalows all the way to the existing transportation dock. We’re also seeing a relocation of the playground, and some possible automobile parking near Pioneer Hall.  What I await most now is the eventual fate of the Wilderness Trail that once connected Fort Wilderness to Wilderness Lodge.

Trail to Wilderness Lodge
Old Trail to Wilderness Lodge

Related: For Better or Worse: 15 Ways Fort Wilderness Has Changed Since the 1980s