The “World” According to Jack

It’s interesting what fond memories the Fort Wilderness Railroad conjures up in so many of us considering its short life. It only ran between 1973 and 1977. Still, this little train made a big impact and continues to cause us to wax nostalgic when we think of it.

Originally built at a cost of $1M, these trains were used to transport guests around Ft. Wilderness in the same manner the buses do today. They ran from 7am to 11pm and guests could ride all day for $1. The scenery was magnificent as you traveled beneath a pine and cypress forest, over canals, and through meadows. You didn’t need a destination. Riding was sufficient.

If this train was so great, then why did the Fort Wilderness Railroad have such a short life? Well, there are several reasons and they all combined to create a headache for Disney – a headache that aspirin alone couldn’t cure.

The design for the Fort Wilderness Railroad was based on narrow-gauge plantation locomotives that were used in Hawaii to haul sugarcane and pineapples from the fields to the docks. They were reliable and considered steadfast workhorses.

The four Fort Wilderness engines and rolling stock (five cars per train) were built in California by Mapo, Disney’s engineering and development department. Built at 4/5 scale, these engines had a 2-4-2T wheel design and used diesel fuel to heat the water for steam. Fully loaded, each train could accommodate 90 passengers.

The total length of the Fort Wilderness track was twice as long as the track that circles the Magic Kingdom. Yet, the Fort Wilderness engines only held 225 gallons of water and 175 gallons of fuel compared to the Magic Kingdom’s engines which carry 1,837 gallons of water and 664 gallons of fuel. This decreased capacity required the trains to make frequent stops to replenish their supplies – an often overlooked detail. It wasn’t uncommon for a train to run out of “gas” and be stranded on the tracks.

Much of this inattention could be attributed to Disney’s desire to save money. Rather than hire a professional railroad crew, inexperienced workers were employed off the street. These cast members were given the “basics” of steam train operations, but in essence, they were simply ride operators with no experience in running a railroad. A steam engine is a complicated piece of machinery with temperaments that require constant attention, something these undertrained cast members simply weren’t equipped to provide.

Another problem had to do with the roadbed. Corners were cut while laying the rails, installing the spikes, and placing the ballast. Because of this, the tracks often shifted and derailments were common. Repairs and maintenance were an ongoing nightmare.

There were also complaints from guests that the trains were too noisy and disturbed the tranquility of the campground. Since they started operation at 7am, campers did not appreciate being jolted out of their sleeping bags to the sound of the engines’ whistle. In addition, there were no barriers between the track and the campsites. There was nothing to prevent a child from wandering onto the rails as you can see in this next picture.

Eventually it was decided that the Fort Wilderness Railroad was more trouble that it was worth and Disney did not want to invest any more capital to fix the problems. The trains were retired and eventually found themselves in a field exposed to the elements. After years of neglect, several members of the Carolwood Pacific Historical Society purchased the decaying trains and have restored them to their original beauty.

Two of the coaches were briefly used as ticket booths at Pleasure Island, but they too were eventually replaced by permanent structures.

All of the track has been removed from Fort Wilderness, but you can still see some of the trestles that once spanned the canals.

It’s a shame this endeavor wasn’t undertaken properly in the beginning. If it had been, maybe we’d still be riding this lovely train today rather than buses on our way to the Hoop-Dee-Doo Musical Review.

Back in April, I wrote a blog about Fort Wilderness activities and the reopening of the swimming pool. At that time, the kiddy pool was not complete and I promised to return and take pictures once it opened. Also, a number of you requested additional swimming pool pictures. So today (May 29, 2009), I returned to Fort Wilderness with camera in hand.

First the bad news. The kiddy pool still isn’t ready.

But the good news is, it appears that the kiddy pool will open any day and I was able to get some pictures that will give you a good idea of what to expect once it’s done. It looks as if the water surrounding this slide is only a couple of inches deep. It also seems that their might be some water sprays emanating from the top of the structure.

Next to this new slide is another children’s wading pool. The depth here is about one foot.

Here is a picture of the spa.

The following pictures are of the main swimming pool and the new slide. As I mentioned in my previous blog, the barrel on the slide came from River Country.

A number of construction fences still surround various portions of this area. But from what I could see, everything looks close to completion and I have to believe Disney is doing their best to finish everything before summer.

The Ft. Wilderness swimming pool has been down for rehab for several months and just reopened last week. This prompted me to take a drive to the campground and check things out. I wanted to snap a few pictures for the Ft. Wilderness Fact Sheet on the Allears.net website.

I am not a camper. My idea of a vacation is a luxury hotel room with maid and room service. So you might find it odd that I would rank Ft. Wilderness as a “must experience” part of Disney World. But there are many very good reasons for my feelings which I will try to describe below.

This area is a surprise to most first-time visitors. They have no idea that such a peaceful spot exists on property. The designers of the campground did their very best to disturb as few trees as possible when creating Ft. Wilderness. Groves of pine and cypress surround the campsites and roadways. Combine this with numerous canals and grassy knolls and you have the perfect spot to pitch a tent or park your RV.

The campground does not allow personal vehicles to traverse the area other than arriving and departing. All transportation within this area is either by Disney bus, electric golf-carts, or foot. This keeps everything very quite.

I arrived at the Ft. Wilderness main entrance located off of Vista Blvd., parked my car, and caught a bus to the Meadows, which is located smack-dab in the middle of the campground. This is where you’ll find about half of the activities offered here – including the swimming pool.

To my eye, it didn’t look like much had changed in this area other than to refresh everything in order to keep it up to Disney standards. However, one nice upgrade has been added – a slide.

At first glance, I didn’t think it was as elaborate as some of the slides Disney has been adding to other resort pools. But upon further thought, I realized that it fits in perfectly with the rustic surroundings. And here’s a nice bit of trivia for you. The large barrel that the slide snakes around is from River Country. The Imagineers wanted to save a little of Disney’s original water park and incorporated it into this new structure.

After writing this blog, one of my readers, Jim, was kind enough to let me know that a hot tub was added in addition to the slide.

Also on hand is the Meadow Snack Bar where sandwiches, salads, and pizzas are offered.

Still under construction is a children’s play area adjacent to the pool. When completed, this spot will have water-spouts, nozzles, and moving objects to delight the little ones.

Please note, this pool is ONLY available to guests of Ft. Wilderness.

After I completed my mission of taking pool pictures, I decided to stroll around the campground and enjoy the tranquil atmosphere. Then it struck me. I should blog some of the many activities that are available to anyone vacationing in the area. With this in mind, I headed for the Bike Barn which is just a short distance from the pool.

As you might guess, this is the place to rent bicycles. These are definitely low-tech models, perfect for flat terrain. Bike paths crisscross the campground and this is the wonderful way to enjoy a cool summer morning or lazy afternoon. Prices are $9 per hour or $18 for the day.

The two gentlemen below are riding their bikes to their favorite fishing spot. Bass, catfish, and panfish are all waiting to grab hold of your hook. Note, all fishing at Walt Disney World is strictly “catch & release.” Cane poles can be rented for $4 for 30-minutes and $9.50 per day. Casting rods rent for $6 for 30-minutes and $12.50 per day. Worms are $5 per package and nightcrawers are $6.

Canoes and kayaks are also for rent at the Bike Barn for $6.50 per half-hour and $11 for 60-minutes.

Paddling along these canals is a most peaceful way to wile away an hour. One of the Ft. Wilderness canals makes a circle in and about the campsites and unspoiled woods. It takes about 30-45 minutes to complete the journey and along the way you’ll see a varied assortment of wildlife. You might also recognize one of the bridges that the old Ft. Wilderness Railroad once traversed.

A short distance from the Bike Barn you’ll find Wilderness Back Trail Adventure. This is an off-road Segway tour that takes you all the way to the Wilderness Lodge and back. The event lasts two hours including training. The price is $85 but a 15% discount is available to DVC members, Annual Passholders, AAA members, and Disney Visa Card holders.

Also located in the Meadows is the Chip 'N Dale Campfire Sing-A-Long. Each evening (weather permitting) you can join these crazy characters in song and a marshmallow roast.

Located nearby is a chuck wagon that sells snacks, soft drinks, and adult libations. When the festivities settle down, it’s time to enjoy a Disney movie under the stars. Please note, there is no charge for the Chip 'N Dale Campfire Sing-A-Long (except for marshmallows), but it is intended for Walt Disney World guests ONLY.

In the mood for a trail ride? Well that’s available here too. Call 407-WDW-PLAY for advance reservations and 407-824-2832 for same day reservations. Tickets can be picked up at the Ft. Wilderness Kennel Club located near the entrance of the campground. Then proceed next door to the Trail Blaze Corral where you’ll saddle up for a leisurely ride through the forest and meadows.

Don’t worry about mounting and dismounting. Disney has built a platform that allows guests easy access to their steed.

Note, this is a guided trail ride. No galloping or cantering. You follow a Disney cast member for an unhurried 45-minute walk through the wilderness.

The price is $46. Children must be 9 years old and 48” in height. There is also a weight limit of 250 pounds. In addition, no cameras are allowed (or any other carry-on) as guest need to concentrate on their riding and not be distracted by photo ops.

At the north end of Ft. Wilderness is the Settlement. This is where you’ll find the Hoop-Dee-Doo Musical Review, Crockets Tavern, and the Trails End Buffet. Also in this area is the Tri-Circle-D Ranch. This is the location where all of the horses seen on Main Street are housed each evening. A large barn is open to all and you can see for yourself how well these magnificent creatures are cared for.

Each horse has its own stall, complete with name tag and some interesting “horse” facts.

Also found in this area is the Tri-Circle-D Farm. Here you can discover Cinderella’s ponies, used to pull her glass coach for special events and weddings.

Pony rides are also available in this area. Children must weigh less than 80 pounds, be under 48” and led by an adult around the small course. The cost is $5 paid in cash or applied to a Disney room charge.

Mickey’s Backyard BBQ, located in the Pavilion, offers a nightly hoe-down. Ribs, chicken, corn-on-the-cob, and baked beans are served in a down-home style.

Throw in some Disney characters, a live country band, and line dancing, complete with lessons, and you have a hoop-hollerin’ good time. Dates for this show change by season and advanced reservations are required. Call 407-WDW-DINE. Children: $26.99 Adults: $44.99

Ft. Wilderness offers more than what I’ve described here. Of course, there’s the ever popular Hoop-Dee-Doo Musical Review. And don’t forget boat rentals at the beach , Trail Blazin’ Bingo in the woods, and archery events on the green. And I’ll be trying an evening carriage ride in the near future (watch for my blog).

But I wanted to save my favorite Ft. Wilderness activity for last -- rocking peacefully on the porch of Crockett’s Tavern. Nothing can beat the pleasure of sitting here with a good friend or loved one and talk about everything or absolutely nothing.

So next time you’re vacationing at WDW, set aside some time to visit Ft. Wilderness Campground. Even if you don’t take part in any of the activities I’ve described, you’ll be happy you spent some time exploring this wonderful spot.

Back in August, I reported that the Trail’s End lunch buffet had stopped serving “hot” entrees in favor of “make your own” sandwiches. I actually liked this change, but apparently I was in the minority – a very small minority. It seems that Disney received numerous complaints about this scaled-back menu. Many guests quipped, “If I wanted a sandwich, I could have stayed at my campsite and fixed one.” To remedy this problem, the Trail’s End Restaurant has removed the sandwich portion of the buffet and once again offers hot items for lunch.

However, things aren’t exactly as they once were. The buffet does not offer as many selections for lunch as they once did. One noticeable omission is pizza, a kid’s favorite. However, Mac & Cheese has returned. I also felt that there weren’t as many entrees as before. Here’s what was on the lunch menu today (November 9, 2008) when I ate there.

Three premade salads: Caesar, Chinese, and Strawberry and Blue Cheese.
Make-your-own salad
Potato Salad
Soup du Jour
Chili
Fried Chicken
BBQed Pork and buns
Mac & Cheese
Vegetable of the day
Rice
Cookies, brownies, and soft ice cream bar

Breakfast is served from 7:30am to 12 noon
Children: $7.99
Adults: $11:99

Lunch is severed from 11:30am to 2:30pm
Children: $8:99
Adults: $12:99

Dinner is served from 4:30am to 9:30pm
Children: $10:99
Adults: $18.99

From 11:30 to 12noon, both breakfast and lunch are served. If you arrive before 11:30 (check the time-stamp on the receipt the hostess gives the server), you pay the breakfast rate for both meals. If you arrive after 11:30am, you pay the lunch rate.

I have some good news and bad news for those of you waiting for the Hoop-Dee-Doo Revue. First the good news. A number of oversized games have been added to the area to amuse kids (and adults) while waiting to be let into the show. These include Ring Toss, Horseshoes, Jenga, Dominos, Chess, and more.

The bad news is this. Several of the rocking chairs have been removed from the porch to make room for these games.

Just yesterday, I finally finished writing my last Tokyo Disneyland blog. It won’t be posted for at least another week or so, but now I’m free to return to Disney World and look for local things to report on.

SIDE NOTE: The Tokyo Disneyland blog will resume in several days. If you need to catch up, here's the start of the Disneyland blog.

Today I decided to check out the new lunch menu at the Trails End Restaurant at the Fort Wilderness Campground. It seems that a decision was recently made to stop serving a full “hot” buffet at lunch in favor of a simpler “cold” buffet which includes soups, salads, and sandwiches. I wanted to see exactly what was going on here and find out why this change was made.

Lunch service now begins at 11:30 and I was there 11:31. Upon being seated, my server Lynda explained that breakfast is served until noon so there is an overlap of 30 minutes where both menus are available. Breakfast and lunch both are priced at $11.99. (Lunch with the hot buffet has been $12.99). I decided to take advantage of this overlap and helped myself to a small serving of scrambled eggs, bacon, and sausage. I also ordered a glass of orange juice that is included in the price, along with refills.

At 11:30, all of the breakfast items are consolidated into one area to make room for the lunch items.

Be aware, this “overlap” is an experiment on Disney’s part to see if this might entice additional guests to eat here. At the moment, the jury is out so don’t be surprised if this feature is extended or discontinued.

As I was taking pictures of the new lunch buffet, Chef Bob approached me and quizzically asked me if I had any questions. So I was blunt and asked why they had changed from a full “hot” buffet to a simple “cold” buffet. His answer, “To assure better food quality for our guests.”

It seems that lunches at the Trails End Restaurant can be patronized by as few as 40 guests to as many as 200 – and they have no way of knowing from day to day what their head-count might be. Because of this, a lot of food was being thrown away at the end of lunch or they might not have enough of a given item because larger than expected crowds materialized out of nowhere. A simpler buffet allows for less waste and easier replenishment when things get busy.

Personally, I have no problem with the scaled down lunch menu. I usually didn’t want that much food for my mid-day meal anyway. And rest assured, the breakfast and dinner menus have not changed.

First let’s start with the soups. Three different soups are offered daily along with their delicious chili. Today’s offerings included Chicken Noodle, Vegetable, and Beef Barley. I tried the vegetable and enjoyed it.

As you would expect, the salad bar is more extensive than on the old lunch menu. First, three premade salads are available, Caesar, Blue Cheese & Strawberry, and Chinese. The Caesar was excellent and the Blue Cheese & Strawberry was also quite good. I did not try the Chinese Salad.

If you want to create your own salad you can choose from iceberg lettuce or mixed greens. Toppings included beats, cheese, mushrooms, cucumbers, tomatoes, carrots, olives, garbanzo beans, radishes, bacon, and croutons. Five different dressings were on hand along with cottage cheese. I’ve seen more elaborate salad bars, but there were certainly enough choices here to satisfy the vast majority of people.

The sandwich bar offers the following breads, white, wheat, multigrain, hamburger bun, and French roll. Also included in the bread section were several breakfast style sweet rolls.

The sandwich toppings included beef, ham, turkey, tuna salad, and three selections of sliced cheese. Mayonnaise and mustard are available along with several side dishes like pasta salad, potato salad, and coleslaw.

The fried chicken at Trails End has always been a perennial favorite so “picnic” chicken is being served at lunch. Picnic chicken translates to cold fried chicken. This is the same chicken that is served at the Hoop Dee Doo next door.

Chef Bob told me that all of their fried chicken and BBQed ribs are prepared right there. Approximately 1,200 pounds of each meat are served every day. He went on to tell me that one cast member arrives daily and starts breading the chicken and will do nothing else for an entire eight hour shift. Shortly thereafter another cast member arrives to start frying the chicken for his entire eight hour shift. Wow! This preparation is for both the Trails End and the Hoop Dee Doo.

The dessert bar at Trails End has been expanded for both lunch and dinner. Now available is a soft-serve ice cream machine with a decent topping bar featuring Gummi Bears, M&Ms, nuts, cookie crumbs, chocolate chips, and several sauces. Also available for dessert are several varieties of cookies, Rice Crispy Bars, and brownies.

I have heard a few parents are unhappy that the new lunch menu isn’t “kid friendly” since pizza and mac & cheese are no longer available. I don’t have kids so I can’t say, but I would think that there is enough variety available here to please even the pickiest eater.

Personally, I like the new lunch menu. Because of its reduced price and lighter fare, I’ll be tempted to eat here more often. However, I can certainly understand that if you weren’t aware of this change and showed up expecting a full-scale buffet, you might be disappointed. But I left today completely satisfied!

For those of you not familiar with the “Lawnmower Tree” it’s an interesting oddity located at the Fort Wilderness Campground. It seems that years before Walt Disney World opened, someone leaned an old, push-style lawnmower against a tree and left it there. Over the years, the tree slowly grew around it. When the campground was being developed, the Disney Imagineers noticed this lawnmower half encased in a tree, thought it was interesting, and eventually put up a small sign to highlight this curiosity.

I’ve been visiting Walt Disney World since 1972 and on each visit have watched the slow disappearance of the lawnmower as the bark continues to incase it. Currently, only a very small part of the blades are still visible at the base of the tree. But I have sad news… For reason I do not know, most of the upper half of the tree has been cut off. Now, only about twelve feet of the trunk remains. Since the tree is now dead, the lawnmower’s slow disappearance has been halted.