Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground Facts and Fun
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Disney's
Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground opened on November 19,
1971.
The
name "Fort Wilderness" came from the fort on Tom Sawyer Island located
at Disneyland Park in California.
Dick Kline at Walt Disney Imagineering was the architect who designed Fort Wilderness.
When the Resort & Campground opened in 1971 guests had their choice of 232 campsites, two "comfort stations" and an assortment of themed activities and experiences. There were 40 cast members -- of which several are still creating magic for Fort Wilderness guests today.
In 1973 "The Fort" went though a major expansion as 482 campsites were added. And for guests who wanted to be a little less close to nature, 10 Airstream trailers were introduced. These new accommodations provided guests all of the luxuries of home and still allowed them to enjoy the peaceful, natural setting of Fort Wilderness.
The most famous part of the 1973 expansion was the addition of Wilderness Line Steam Railroad. The railroad consisted of four Forney-type 2-4-2T steam powered engines, each of which pulled five coaches that could carry up to 90 guests at a time. It was the primary mode of transportation around "The Fort," but was also extremely popular with guests staying outside Fort Wilderness, who, for $1, could ride the train all day long. The Railroad closed in 1977.
The tree trunk trashcans are recycled props from
the retired Indian Village attraction that was open in Frontierland® at Disneyland® Park
in California from 1955 to 1971.
Have
cookouts on charcoal grills (at Wilderness Cabins or Campsites) or
join in the fun at Mickey's Backyard BBQ (offered seasonally). No open
fires are permitted.
Be sure to visit the Tri-Circle-D Ranch — home
to the draft horses that pull trolleys down Main Street at the Magic
Kingdom Park. Guests can also interact with goats, ducks,
hogs and other small critters at the Petting Farm at Disney's Fort
Wilderness Resort & Campground.
The name Tri-Circle-D Ranch was a spin-off of a Mickey Mouse Club serial. In "The Adventures of Spin & Marty," the boys bunked at the Triple R Ranch, while the girls (including Annette) resided across the lake at The Circle H.
Fort Wilderness is home to almost 100 horses, including the large Percherons that pull the Main Street Trolleys, saddle horses, pony-ride ponies and, of course, Cinderella's fleet of white ponies that pull her carriage.
There is a tree, called "The Lawn Mower Tree" that has lawn mower parts exposed. There is a blade which is relatively easy to see near the base. It is located about 100 feet away from the marina building, five feet off the path leading from pioneer hall to the marina. There is a sign which describes the tree.
Disney's Fort Wilderness Resort and Campground now employs approximately 500 cast members.
Pioneer Hall (home to "Hoop-Dee-Doo Musical Review") was built with 70 tons of ebony stone from North Carolina and 1,283 logs from the forests of Montana that were shaped by hand.
In their "retirement," several of the cars from the Fort Wilderness Railroad were used as ticket booths at Downtown Disney Pleasure Island, and then later sold to private collectors.
There are four miles of canals in the Resort.
Hidden Mickeys
On the bedspreads
in Fort Wilderness Homes.
On the signs and
gates at Tri-Circle D Ranch.
