fort wilderness reopen

Working at Fort Wilderness: Seven Jobs on the Wild Side

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Disney’s Fort Wilderness has long been known as one of the best places to work at the Disney World Resort. Even from the earliest days, cast members reported feeling that they had something mighty special that other cast members didn’t. Getting to work around nature and with guests who tend to be more relaxed surely has some extra magic. The biggest challenge may be getting the assignment itself. A shiny smile and a Disney attitude can realistically lead to  getting an interview and a job offer. That’s especially true in the current job market. But getting assigned to the Fort may take a little more pixie dust. Continue reading “Working at Fort Wilderness: Seven Jobs on the Wild Side” →

Iger Ride of a Lifetime Book

‘Ride of a Lifetime’: 10 Things I Learned About Disney World from Iger’s New Book

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I finally had a day (recovering from dental work), that I could lose myself in Bob Iger’s just-released book. Already a best seller, The Ride of a Lifetime: Lessons Learned From 15 Years as CEO of the Walt Disney Company has an intended audience of organizational emerging leaders. Yet tucked in between the lessons on kindness, steady perseverance, and a willingness to take risks, are strong, rich narratives that reveal quite a bit more. Continue reading “‘Ride of a Lifetime’: 10 Things I Learned About Disney World from Iger’s New Book” →

fort wilderness ghosts

Haunted Disney: Where the Ghosts of Fort Wilderness & Wilderness Lodge Materialize

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With dark, thick forests dripping in Spanish moss, old train rooms, and an abandoned water park, it is quite fitting that the shores of Bay Lake are the fodder for spooky tales of the paranormal.  Here’s a few places where spirits of days gone by have allegedly been spotted. Are these apparitions a figment of imaginative minds – or do some folks really spend eternity at Disney? You decide. Continue reading “Haunted Disney: Where the Ghosts of Fort Wilderness & Wilderness Lodge Materialize” →

inaturalist

9 Best Apps to Download Before You Go to Fort Wilderness

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A twisted sense of guilt emerges as I realize the irony of downloading apps while trying to head to the woods. Part of what makes Disney’s Fort Wilderness extra splendid is that feeling of being a little off the grid in the midst of one of the most visited places on earth. However, there are a few must-have apps – utilitarian ones we need for planning, efficiency and safety. And then there are the astonishing ones that actually bring us much closer to nature during our visit. Continue reading “9 Best Apps to Download Before You Go to Fort Wilderness” →

brussel sprouts

Fall Forest Feasts: Applewood Salted Roasted Brussels Sprouts

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Back in the day, brussels sprouts were so culturally maligned that they didn’t even appear on the school cafeteria menu. Now, the health-packed little-cabbage things have been resocialized. And it’s all due to a fundamental shift if the approach to cooking them. No longer are they boiled and buttered balls of hate on a plate. Instead, they are seasoned and roasted, transforming them to bites of heaven with an entirely different flavor and texture. And there’s nothing complicated – they only need a slowish roasting and a nice seasoning. My favorite for brussels sprouts is applewood smoked sea salt. Continue reading “Fall Forest Feasts: Applewood Salted Roasted Brussels Sprouts” →

fort wilderness bikes trail old timers

First Timers at Fort Wilderness: Nine Ways to Live It Up Like an Old Pro

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Whatever your past camping or road tripping experience, nothing compares in any way to Disney’s Fort Wilderness. First-timers are often unprepared for its size, unique offerings of activities, prices, and other idiocyncrasies. Here are nine ways to fit in with those who have been going since the olden days. Continue reading “First Timers at Fort Wilderness: Nine Ways to Live It Up Like an Old Pro” →

zodiak fort wilderness

Fort Wilderness Zodiac: What Kind of Camper are You?

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As we drift into October and its bewitching nights, it’s time to have a little fun and look to the stars to find out what kind of camper you really are. Are you one who stays outside, the one who would rather be in a cabin, or the one most likely to get kicked out of the Fort? Continue reading “Fort Wilderness Zodiac: What Kind of Camper are You?” →

fort wilderness halloween

Grim Reaper: Is Fort Wilderness Frightening off the Best Halloween Campsite Décor?

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Much of the ghoulish fun that makes Fort Wilderness a sell-out more than a year in advance of Halloween is centered around the outlandish campsite decorations. Some Disney campers spend a kazillion dollars on elaborate displays that attract thousands of trick-or-treaters. These have been the delight of youngsters and their tipsy parents, making an evening at the Fort preferable to one at the parks. On the dark side, it seems that too many people have been showing up for the party. And this year, Fort Wilderness management-types have allegedly asked those with the largest and most popular displays to tone it way on down. Continue reading “Grim Reaper: Is Fort Wilderness Frightening off the Best Halloween Campsite Décor?” →

Homecoming Fried Chicken Salad

Homecomin’ Fried Chicken Salad with Impossible Mickey Eggs

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Art Smith’s Fried Chicken Salad has become quite a hit at his chi-chi Southern restaurant in Disney Springs. As simple as fried chicken seems, it usually takes a real southerner to get it both crispy and juicy. Two things I love about this recipe are the nearly fail-proof process for getting the chicken to the level of sublime, and the versatility to make it your own. In this case, I added some grated cheese, as a nod to our 90s favorite fried chicken salad at long-gone Mick’s in Atlanta. And then, I Disneyfied it a little more with boiled Mickey eggs – making it a hit for the kids. Continue reading “Homecomin’ Fried Chicken Salad with Impossible Mickey Eggs” →

horse fort wilderness

Forced Fun: Turning a Bored Teen into a Happy Camper at Fort Wilderness

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Yesterday, I asked my youngest today (now 16) what would make Fort Wilderness and Disney more fun for teens. His response – “stay home.” Come on – other than that. “Take the PlayStation,” he said.

Geez.

Where did that sweet little child go?

I’m going through it for the third time in 17 years. That little four-year-old who couldn’t wait to hug Chip and Dale is now a sullen teenager. And I remember the first time.  My oldest wanted to stay home when her friend ended up not being able to go with us. She was 15 at the time.  Oh the heartbreak. But we have Ohana breakfast, and you love that so much!  Dead silence. Continue reading “Forced Fun: Turning a Bored Teen into a Happy Camper at Fort Wilderness” →