Fort Wilderness and the Fountain of Joy: Why Campers are Really Happier Vacationers

Published on by thewildernessprincess

happy campers fort wilderness

When visitors from other resorts make their landing at Clementine Beach, they immediately notice something different. Surely, the pace is slower, the shade is thick, and the wildlife is abundant. But there’s something more, and science backs it up. People who camp (and even glamp) simply tend to find their getaways more pleasant and rewarding.  You’ll see it in the faces of the Fort natives and even the cast members there. Continue reading “Fort Wilderness and the Fountain of Joy: Why Campers are Really Happier Vacationers” →

Spicy Cucumber Salad Epcot

Gold in a September Garden: Nine Dragons Cucumber Salad

Published on by thewildernessprincess

It seems that the cucumbers always last a little longer than tomatoes, better surviving the shortened days of sunlight.  This sadly limits my days of my favorite Tomatocumber Dollars.  Enter, the infinite plethora of cucumber salads. The 70s southern ones have that sour cream mixture served in a grandma bowl. A decade later brought the still-popular onion-tomato-cucumber mixture, dressed in some rendition of a vinaigrette. Yet, the most imperial are the Asian versions, typically mild and served in a modest cup in a Thai or finer Chinese restaurant. Epcot’s Nine Dragons Restaurant has upped the ante on this, infusing the crisp cool with a contrasting bite of heat. Much like a September day. Continue reading “Gold in a September Garden: Nine Dragons Cucumber Salad” →

Fort Wilderness and WDW Parks Closing Tuesday Ahead of Hurricane Dorian

Published on by thewildernessprincess1 Comment

hurricane disneyNow that the moody, monstrous storm seems to have better settled on its direction, Walt Disney World announced closings that will begin tomorrow (Tuesday, September 3). Shortly after Orlando International Airport (MCO) announced that it would close at 2 am on September 3, WDW followed with news of adjusted park hours and the shuttering of the Fort. Continue reading “Fort Wilderness and WDW Parks Closing Tuesday Ahead of Hurricane Dorian” →

Jekyll Island: Fall Getaway to Georgia’s Coastal Crown Jewel

Published on by thewildernessprincess
jekyll island biking
Miles of bike trails through forests, the historic district and by the beach make daily exercise effortless.

It’s no wonder that this was the chosen land for America’s wealthiest in the late 1800s until the Great Depression. With a mild climate, abundance of wildlife, and pristine beaches, the island brought retreat from the everyday stresses of a burgeoning industrial society. “The world of industry and commerce, of railroads and factories, of trusts, mergers, and monopolies, is something wholly apart from this island paradise,” said an article in a 1904 Munsey Magazine.  While it no longer takes $1 million in wealth to access the island, the magical serenity remains for new generations. Continue reading “Jekyll Island: Fall Getaway to Georgia’s Coastal Crown Jewel” →

How to Find All Availability for Fort Wilderness Cabins Instantly and Quickly

Published on by thewildernessprincess
Fort Wilderness Cabin Photo
Photo: Courtesy Disney

Something that the My Disney Experience reservation system presently lacks is the ability to quickly see what dates are available by month. Instead, you must input a set of dates, and then click to find out whether or not there are openings for those specific dates. If not, you keep putting in more dates until you find the ones your want. This is particularly time consuming for peak times. Oh the tedium.  Continue reading “How to Find All Availability for Fort Wilderness Cabins Instantly and Quickly” →

Tomatocumber Dollars and a Debonair Savannah Wedding on a Dime

Published on by thewildernessprincess

Tomato Woosa Dollars

Nothing makes a mama’s heart warmer than seeing her only daughter happily celebrating a milestone wedding anniversary. Fit for the little wilderness princess that she is, her wedding was the crown jewel of my many years of hosting southern shindigs and soirees. Best of all, I saved about $15,000 by securing creative venues and making most of the pretentious spread myself. Continue reading “Tomatocumber Dollars and a Debonair Savannah Wedding on a Dime” →

Last Dance for Old Tri Circle D: New Barn and a Whole New World on Bay Lake

Published on by thewildernessprincess
New Barn Fort Wilderness
New Barn at Fort Wilderness Concept Art. Courtesy Disney

Even when we didn’t camp at Disney World through the decades, we always made a much-loved trip to the Tri-Circle D to see the horses and visit the petting zoo. Soon that welcoming structure that greeted so many wanna-be cowboys will be a memory, too.  Relegated to the retro files along with River Country, the Fort Wilderness Train, and River Country. Yes, it closes on August 19 forever. Continue reading “Last Dance for Old Tri Circle D: New Barn and a Whole New World on Bay Lake” →

Margaritaville is Making Big Waves at Lake Lanier’s New RV Resort

Published on by thewildernessprincess

Lake Lanier Campground MargaritavilleVisitors began flocking to the newly-opened section of the Margaritaville RV Resort back in May. Located just up the hill from a lakeside waterpark that bears some resemblance to Disney’s old River Country, the new RV area starkly contrasts with the old campground.  Jimmy Buffett’s company, Margaritaville, took over ownership and management of the water park, campground and other amenities at Lake Lanier Islands in 2018.  Although it is high-end (pricey), the improved resort is well poised to become a true vacation destination just 30 minutes north of Atlanta. Continue reading “Margaritaville is Making Big Waves at Lake Lanier’s New RV Resort” →

Seven People to Follow if You Love Fort Wilderness, Southern Backwoods, and Damn Good Cooking

Published on by thewildernessprincess
disney bloggers to follow
Reading off the beaten path.

Among the earliest Disney blogs I kept up with were Mousesavers and Deb’s Guide to Disney (which is now AllEars). My main motivations were looking for deals and hacks for planning Disney trips, and these were among the originals. I used them often, and gleefully saved thousands of dollars. Continue reading “Seven People to Follow if You Love Fort Wilderness, Southern Backwoods, and Damn Good Cooking” →

San Angel’s Queso Fundido and Mexico’s Language of Love

Published on by thewildernessprincess

Queso Fundido San Angel InnWelcome mis amigos
To friendly Mexico
To the land of fiestas
they’re everywhere you go
(Lyrics from El Rio del Tiempo boat ride, Epcot)

Set in a replica of a pre-Columbian pyramid, Epcot’s San Angel Inn lures guests into the most romantic restaurant in all of Disney World.  It begins with a table under faux starry skies on a cliffside patio that overlooks the river. Here, guests enjoy both a perpetual night (it’s always evening) and authentic Mexican cuisine.  In spite of offerings that now rival some of the best in Mexico, this restaurant is still more about the fiesta.  Yet, among the great standouts is the Queso Fundido, a filling cheese and chorizo appetizer that has become increasingly popular in America over the past decade. Continue reading “San Angel’s Queso Fundido and Mexico’s Language of Love” →