Earlier this week, our favorite chipmunks finally returned to the nightly Campfire Show at Disney’s Fort Wilderness. Some had almost given up hope that Fort activities would ever rebound post-covid, but lately the enchanted swampland is once again filled with song and dance.
Just last month, the Hoop Dee Doo Musical Revue returned at Pioneer Hall after closing down in March 2020. And this week, much of the ghastly construction fencing has been removed in the Settlement area, once again revealing Clementine Beach.
If you’ve never been to the Chip ‘n’ Dale Campfire Show (or maybe have forgotten some of it in the fog of the last two years), here’s a few tips to make the best of your evening.
Get There a Little Early if You Have Kids
Often, Chip and Dale will show up and play with kids before the singing and dancing cowboy begins the show. This can be a perfect time for capturing those Kodak moments on your iPhone.
If You’re Only Doing the Campfire Show, Pick a Night with a Less Popular Movie
There’s a different movie every night. You can find the schedule on our website (right column) or when you check into Fort Wilderness. Often people will plan their night around a well-known movie like Pinocchio. By going on a night when something like Camp Rock is playing, you’re likely to see somewhat lighter crowds.
Bring Your Own Marshmallows
Oddly, roasting marshmallows is bloody good fun even in 90-degree heat. And s’mores kits are available for sale at the show. Bring your own fixings and you’ll save enough money for a beer or wine. This may help you better appreciate 25 minutes of singing and dancing along to The Hokey Pokey, Mickey Mouse Club, and Hand Jive.
Pull Up a Chair
If those bleachers might be too inflexible for you, bring your own camp chair (and lammie) to keep your tushie cushy. You can sit up close, but I prefer to sit on the outskirts because I’m so unpeople-y.
50 YEARS OF ONE OF THE VERY BEST THINGS TO DO AT WDW
There’s campfires and movies nights at multiple resorts throughout Walt Disney World. But none compares to the nightly hoedown at Fort Wilderness that’s been going on (in some fashion or another) since 1971.
Last night we enjoyed one of our favorite experiences on Disney property. We went to the Fort Wilderness campfire and Chip and Dale sing along with s’mores supplies in hand (you can buy supplies there, but bringing them gives you a better bang for your buck!). It’s always fo… pic.twitter.com/2v2FkjfQIa
— TheBrookhartProject (@TheBrookharts) June 15, 2019
TBT my older sister and me at Fort Wilderness campfire area many years ago. pic.twitter.com/xS673Xoe7n
— kent calicoat (@kcalicoat) August 21, 2014
Know the Impact
So here’s the biggie if you got littles. You’re thinking this is just another night at Walt Disney World. But it’s not. This show has been going on for five decades (in one form or another), and it’s a simple but crazy-lovely childhood memory that persists. This is where the road to nostalgia begins – being at a place as a child that’s like nowhere else .
It’s that strange magic of Disney, but in the comforting arms of nature. And that’s why we keep coming back all these years later. So will they.
DETAILS
The Fort Wilderness Chip ‘N’ Dale Campfire Shows is nightly (weather permitting) and free. Campfires start around 7:30 (in the summer) with the sing-a-long beginning at 8 pm. The movie begins at 8:45 pm. These hours are typically earlier in winter months when the sun sets earlier.
No reservations are needed, but you will need to be able to get into Fort Wilderness. If you’re staying there OR have a dinner (such as Trail’s End) or carriage ride reservation, then you’re good to go. Otherwise, you can hop on a boat from the Magic Kingdom that goes directly to Fort Wilderness.
Another Lesser-Known WDW Treasure: The Hidden Carolwood Room in Disney’s Wilderness Lodge
