You knew it had to be Fort Wilderness that would open up first. Afterall, camping IS social distancing and open air. What we didn’t know is that it would welcome guests three weeks before Disney World theme parks would unlock their pearly gates. After a three-month hiatus due to COVID-19 concerns, Disney’s Fort Wilderness proudly stepped ahead of all other WDW resorts to reopen on June 22.
And for the first time in decades, Fort Wilderness is once again in the limelight. Yep, the oft-forgotten stepsister is once again the belle of the ball.
but there’s a catch
Well, actually there’s a slew of them. And before you get ready to rent an RV and hit the road, remember WDW is not taking new reservations for now. If you’re going soon, that means you already had a reservation in place. Funny how that increases our desire to cross through those Outpost Gates of Heaven even more.
Now let’s just suppose you have that coveted reservation, or just want to imagine a week or two in a surreal paradise. Here’s what we know after the first week of reopening.
forget the mickey ears – You need a mickey mask
Never mind that it’s 100 degrees outside and there’s hardly anybody around. Whenever you’re not at your campsite, you’ll need to don the cloth over your germy mouth and nose. And you’ll be called out if you don’t – even on your golf cart or bike. But I think it’s a good thing. I’ll take a mask over a ventilator any time.
One place where a mask is not required is the pool, but you still gotta keep your distance.
campfire show is no s’more for now
No doubt, Fort Wilderness usually has the best free evening show of any resort – a campfire sing-along with s’mores and Chip and Dale followed by an evening movie. But an old-fashioned shoulder-to-shoulder singing of Americana classics like You are My Sunshine might feel a little awkward right now. The big consolation is that evening movies at the Campfire Show venue have made a comeback, at least on some nights.
vittles to go-go
Tired of slaving away over your crockpot and RV microwave? Not only have all reservations been canceled for Trail’s End Dining, but it’s not even open for sit-down service. But the fried chicken, cornbread and other favorites are there for take-out. PJ’s Takeout (menu) is located at Trail’s End. The Meadows Snack bar is also open at various hours, but the usual self-serve cola machines are unavailable.
Grocery delivery services through Instacart and others appear to be up and running.
Lunch at P&J’s Southern Takeout including cornbread at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Campground #disneyworld #WaltDisneyWorld pic.twitter.com/yqqxjkdLvu
— Denise at Mousesteps (@Mousesteps) June 25, 2020
both pools are quiet pools now – very quiet indeed
Both pools at Fort Wilderness have reopened, and this summer you may have them pretty much all to yourself. No mask is needed, but chairs have been strategically placed for social distancing. Early reports indicate that you can expect only a handful of fellow swimmers. This will likely increase after July 11 when the theme parks start to reopen, and there are fewer Fort cancellations.
Ponies and puppies and Playgrounds, Oh My!
While you can still take your pooch with you to Disney’s Fort Wilderness, the dog parks are closed, as are the childrens’ playgrounds. However, the brand-new horse barn has reopened where you can meet Violet, the new pony. And horseback riding is up and running.
TouringPlans Post: Tri-Circle-D Ranch Now Open at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort https://t.co/O7V7NKHtdH pic.twitter.com/K4yrqSwRNo
— Rikki Niblett (@RikkiNibs) June 23, 2020
Other Activities
Even without the parks, there’s still plenty to do at Fort Wilderness. Along with the trail rides, guests can enjoy canoes, tennis, archery, and shopping in both trading posts. For the time being, there won’t be any fireworks, character experiences, electric water pageant, or marina rentals. Arcades are also still closed.
getting around
It’s expected that boat services to the Magic Kingdom and monorails will reopen with very limited capacity once the parks open in mid-July. Fort Wilderness busses are back in business, and have partitions to separate areas, along with spaced seating. But this is likely the best time in history to have your own vehicle.
Soooo… learned how buses will work. Each bus divided into 5 or 6 “zones”. One group per zone whether its 1 or 6. So. When EPCOT lets out if there are 5 solo travelers in a row those 5 would fill the bus.
Pack your patience. pic.twitter.com/AypO7z33q1
— 🍹Drunk@Disney🍍🧉 (@DrunkAtdisney) June 23, 2020
Heading to the theme Parks? Well, Maybe not.
Just because you have a wonderful week booked in Fort Wilderness this summer doesn’t mean you’re going to the Magic Kingdom. Ticket sales have been paused, and if you’re not an annual passholder or didn’t already purchase theme park tickets previously, then nobody really knows when they’ll be available again. Even if you do have them, you’ll have to make a park reservation for a particular day that you plan to visit, and days are already starting to sell out.
If you do already have tickets and can get a park reservation, then there will be no fast passes. But limited park capacity means you’ll enjoy some of the smallest crowds you’ve ever seen.
Sad that my reservations for our first FW trip were cancelled, but I think I’ll let this play out a second or two. Hell of a time to be a local with reservations though.