As the 2010 New Year rang in, President Obama was completing his first year in office, and the economy was beginning to recover from that hellacious Great Recession. Lady Gaga’s Poker Face was among the top hits, and Instagram did not yet exist. A one-day park pass was about $75, and partial hook-up campsites at Fort Wilderness were under $50 a night. Here’s a look at some defining or news-worthy moments at the Fort since January 1, 2010.
2010
This was the year that YouTuber Adam the Woo famously snuck into the abandoned River Country and revealed its state of abandonment as well as some strange artifacts. He was banned from Disney for life, but the ban was later lifted.
As mentioned this morning: The abandoned ruins of Disney World’s River Country, the first ever Water Park https://t.co/eyzne2zWMM
— Hawkeye (@HawkeyeOnAir) July 12, 2019
Both the Meadows and Wilderness pools shifted from being open 24/7 to shortened official hours, typically 7am until Midnight.
And on September 1, 2010, the new facility for Best Friends Pet Hotel opened outside of Fort Wilderness, permanently shuttering the old Kennel near the Outpost.
2011
Our beloved Meadows Swimming Pool added a splash pad and a slide. A tower from the old Fort Wilderness Railroad anchors the slide.
According to the Orlando Sentinel (2011), a lightning strike caused a brush fire on five acres between Fort Wilderness and the Magic Kingdom parking lot.
2012
Free Wifi finally arrives at Fort Wilderness, making it the last resort to receive it. This interrupted our peacefulness in nature, but allowed us to get a little work done, and hopefully extend our vacations for weeks and weeks and weeks.
2013
Fort Wilderness Lawnmower Half Tree. pic.twitter.com/7GSdz78o
— WDW Vacationer (@WDWVacationer) January 22, 2012
In October, a contractor quietly slipped in and removed all that was left of the famous Lawn Mower Tree. Wasn’t this the centerpiece of the entire property (sorry, Cinderella Castle)? The lawn mower tree was an accident created when someone left a lawn mower (likely pre-Disney) next to a tree, and the tree grew around it. Eventually, it became just a stump, but some of the blades could still be peeking out from the bottom. And suddenly one day – it was only a memory, too.
2014
More deer and other wild critters seem to appear as further construction takes place on undeveloped land near the Fort. The ultra-elite Four Seasons Resort opens nearly within a stone’s throw of the 1900 loop.
Also in 2014, Disney began offering a direct bus route from Fort Wilderness and Wilderness Lodge directly to and from the Magic Kingdom.
2015
A drunken guest at Fort Wilderness makes the news when he crashes a golf cart into the pier at the Fort Wilderness marina. In his apparent attempts to flee, he took a swim in Bay Lake, and was soon rescued and arrested.
In July, a mega-dollar private event is held in the Fort Wilderness pavilion and on Clementine beach, featuring Luke Bryan as a performer. Bryan allegedly glamped at the Fort in a swanky Prevost.
2016
Following the alligator attack on a child at the Grand Floridian in June 2016, WDW begins draining and filling in the abandoned pool (Upstream Plunge) at River Country, but says there are no immediate plans to dismantle the rest of the attractions. (Orlando Sentinel, August 2016). Rope barriers are also added along the beach immediately following the incident.
In October 2016, Fort Wilderness is evacuated in advance of Hurricane Matthew.
2017
One of the favorite improvements of the decade was the addition of a Food Truck in Fort Wilderness, generally stationed near Chip and Dale’s Campfire Show.
At nearby Wilderness Lodge, the Cooper Creek DVC Villas and Cabins opened, along with a new pool themed after a fictional quarry.
In September 2017, Hurricane Irma hits Fort Wilderness hard, and closes it for nearly two weeks. The damage is only evident today in the lesser number of trees.
Disney begins allowing pets in all Fort Wilderness campsites and cabins. They were previously limited to a select number of camping loops.
2018
In the biggest Fort news of the decade, Disney confirms plans for building a new resort on the old River Country property. The modern, nature-themed resort, Reflections: A Disney Lakeside Lodge, is scheduled to open in 2020.
In preparation for the new resort, and the pending demolition of the pavilion behind Pioneer Hall, Mickey’s Backyard BBQ celebrates its final night on December 31, 2018.
Chip, Dale and Goofy tonight at the last ever Mickey’s Backyard BBQ. #disney #wdw pic.twitter.com/CZ71y5MpVk
— Denise at Mousesteps (@Mousesteps) January 1, 2019
Minnie Van begins offering service to Fort Wilderness, offering door-to-door transportation from the campground to the parks and other resorts.
In May 2018, Trails End at Fort Wilderness began offering a soon-to-be-popular full brunch on weekends that includes both breakfast fare, salads, lunch items, and desserts.
2019
In March 2019, demolition of River Country commenced. We said good-bye to the Tri-Circle-D barn, as it is located where parts of the new resort will be. A new, larger barn began construction, and is projected to open in Spring 2020.
Clementine’s Beach and the playground area are closed for construction, and a new beach opens on the east end for Fort Guests. The playground was expanded and relocated nearby in the Settlement Area.
Lilly becomes the first white Shetland pony born at Fort Wilderness. She will be one of the “Cinderella Ponies” who guide the carriage.
2020 and Beyond
It’s hard to imagine what the next 10 years will bring. We know that the landscape is rapidly changing, and welcome the addition of new eating opportunities within walking distance. Hopefully, we will see a badly-needed new swimming pool, a path to Wilderness Lodge that opens sooner rather than later, one or two more loops, and other improvements that protect the core character of our favorite campground.
I wish we had a rig and a clue how great FW is/was. I can’t wait for our first trip this summer
So excited for your first trip! We had a big rig but it was a pain. We love our smaller one, and renting an RV is always an option that is relatively affordable. Can’t wait to hear about your trip!
Right on. I will most certainly document it. I’ll tag you in my blog post so my 6 fans know where to get all the great FW info.