In the latest of a long string of changes at Disney’s Fort Wilderness, gone is sit-down dining at Trail’s End. It’s all been replaced with the standard Disney World fast food get-up.  Also missing are most of the wall props that glamourized the American cowboy days since Trail’s End first opened.

But for most of us, this really shouldn’t be that big of a deal.

Here’s why.

Our Old Trail’s End Pre-Died a Very Long Time Ago

Even though Trail’s End at Disney’s Fort Wilderness only recently changed to a fast-food venue, those romanticized days of homemade country cuisine have been long gone. I mean the last time it was like my grandma’s cooking, there were probably still ashtrays at the tables.

Back in the 1980s, that breakfast became legendary. And Friday nights heralded a beloved seafood buffet (along with London Broil)  for $11.99. To be fair, that’s about $35 in today’s dollars. And there used to be some form of entertainment at various meals, along with late hours and make-your-own-pizza.

It was just a magical place to be.

And that was before some of you were even born.

You really weren’t eating there very much anyway

Many campers only did one sit-down meal there during a one-week stay – at least in recent years.  I mean a breakfast buffet at $25-ish a pop is a pretty big commitment for a family. Especially when you have Fruit Loops and milk and Toaster Strudels in your camper from Walmart.

It’s just the thought that we don’t have that option anymore that bugs the bejeepers out of us, right?

Who amongst us really needs an endless buffet?

Well, it ain’t me. I’m a fairly good dieter and religious exerciser, but there’s always 10 or so pounds that I’m at nuclear war with. One big, delicious buffet will instantly put me up four pounds (six pounds for Boma).

Now, we can go into Trail’s End and grab just one thing – and actually sit down at the tables to eat.  Previously, sitting down meant paying the large price of the bottomless buffet or meal.

And possibly going to hell for gluttony.

For $9, we can have a sausage-egg croissant (with potato barrels). Or a “Bountiful Breakfast” with eggs, bacon, sausage, french toast sticks, potato barrels AND a biscuit for around $13.

Let’s get into the 21st century and save buffets for major hangovers and birthdays with great-grandma.

Wilderness lodge food is better and you can get there from here

Yep, I’m ready for the boat from Fort Wilderness to Wilderness Lodge to return on a regular schedule pronto.

In the meantime, the bus ride from Fort Wilderness to the Lodge is not incredible, but it 100 percent works. For afternoon light meals, nothing beats Geyser’s Point and that view of Bay Lake. So skip the $30 ribs at Trail’s End and go for a bison burger ($21) or that filling and incredibly-delightful cheesy brisket dip ($11).

Your camper kitchen wants you to love her

So some of you ladies tell me you want a break from cooking when on vacation. You know I get that.

But RV cooking is different. You’re not expected to make the big stuff. There’s a man grill outside for that.

Keep it simple and save hundreds of dollars during your stay with a large pot of spaghetti, a pork butt, some chicken salad (homemade or store-bought), burgers, and a couple of casseroles (I make at least one in advance).

Pack up on cheap lunch stuff and even take it into the park. My grown-up kids just recently told me how much they loved the slightly-soggy ham, lettuce and tomato sandwiches that I used to take to the Land Pavillion at Epcot for lunch. Apparently, they just tasted better after a couple of hours of fermenting and getting a little smushy.

If you’re renting an RV, it can be even more fun. In our experiences renting with Kissimmee-Orlando RV, we found more than everything we needed in the kitchen. And all the Mickey-themed items got the kids a tiny bit into the cooking groove as well.

Take a little of that money you saved and get a nice massage for having to do a little work in the kitchen. Here’s the formula – one minute of kitchen time equals two minutes of massage time.

You Can still get the cornbread, fried chicken and Strawberry shortcake.

That sweet, sweet loaf of cornbread hasn’t changed one iota. And it’s right there for the taking. I like to pick up a loaf and add to my own camper meal. Adding fried chicken is a pretty good idea, too.  I just much prefer to make my own mashed potatoes, mac & cheese, and baked beans.

Now, I suppose I’m being nonchalant and all Serenity Prayerish about all these changes at Fort Wilderness. Don’t misunderstand. I’m still seriously grieving River Country and $35 campsites and Bob-A-Round boats. Sometimes I even have longing thoughts for Eisner, but that’s just my head playing tricks on me.

And that walking trail to Wilderness Lodge? Perhaps the biggest loss of all – still hopeful for a comeback.