A couple old pics from the Fort

[AC in A2......Aaron 693]

Awesome pics! Thanks for posting!

[smf 9]

Very cool to see! I'll have to dig up my early 80's pics

[Tri-Circle-D 2,059]

Getting back to the issue of the opening date of the Meadow pool, I found this old thread here: http://www.fortfiends.net/forum/topic/8483-disney-2006-press-release-fun-history-of-the-fort/

 

That thread shared this link, which appears to be to an official Disney press release: http://wdwnews.com/releases/2006/11/14/disney-2/

 

According to the information provided by the second link, both of the pools, along with the tennis courts and snack bar were added to the Fort in 1985.

 

TCD

[Tri-Circle-D 2,059]

spring of 1989

 

Now, here's an area of the Fort that has not changed much in the 25 years since that photo was taken.

 

I don't recall seeing that stagecoach around, and the paint colors are different on the barn, but the barn looks the same now as it did then.

 

TCD

[CCIntrigue...aka Gwen 547]

I am thoroughly enjoying these old pictures!  Although we started visiting WDW in the mid-70s, our first trip to the Fort was in 1988.  So we missed out on a lot of the good stuff like the railroad.

 

Can anyone explain the boat in this picture to me?  Was it a part of Fort recreation, did it transport people to the Fort, or what?

 

out in bay lake

[Tri-Circle-D 2,059]

I am thoroughly enjoying these old pictures!  Although we started visiting WDW in the mid-70s, our first trip to the Fort was in 1988.  So we missed out on a lot of the good stuff like the railroad.

 

Can anyone explain the boat in this picture to me?  Was it a part of Fort recreation, did it transport people to the Fort, or what?

 

From what I've heard, those boats with the wheels on the side were around from the opening of WDW in 1971, and predate the big ferries they use now.

 

Here's a link to a page with more than you ever want to know about these boats:  http://www.bigbrian-nc.com/7seas.htm

 

As for what that boat is doing off of the Fort swimming area, that's a good question.  There is no reason that I can think of for that boat to be out in Bay Lake in the middle of an afternoon like that.

 

TCD

[CCIntrigue...aka Gwen 547]

TCD, thanks for the info!

[stryke-force 51]

spring of 1986

I thought this was interesting, you can still see the train tracks.

[Tri-Circle-D 2,059]

spring of 1986

I thought this was interesting, you can still see the train tracks.

 

Yes, that is interesting about the train tracks.

 

I think that's the 400 loop to the right of the tram.  It's interesting that there are no sidewalks along the road.  There's a sidewalk there now, poured over the old rail bed.

 

The other thing interesting about this photo is that we can see a bus in your photo of the Meadow Pool construction, which is from 1985, yet here is a tram in use in 1986.  I never knew that buses and trams operated at the same time.  Maybe the trams handled inside the campground transportation, and maybe the buses carried guests back and forth to the TTC?

 

TCD

[LONE-STAR 370]

Wow great pics, makes me feel like a kid again. Keep them coming.

[stryke-force 51]

spring of 1978

[stryke-force 51]

spring of 1982

[stryke-force 51]

_{another spring of 1982}

[stryke-force 51]

spring of 1989

[DaveInTN 3,247]

LOVE the pics throughout the years of the wagon!  

 

But they sure make me miss it.  

 

It's hard to believe it has been 4 1/2 years since they removed it.  

[LONE-STAR 370]

The wagon looked good in 78

[BradyBzLyn...Mo 2,023]

Love the wagon pics!

[CitaPita...Carmen 59]

This is becoming my favorite thread, I love seeing these pictures. More, please!   :heart:

[h2odivers...Ray 952]

My very first 2-wheel bike had a banana seat with bright flowers on it. Come to think of it, the bike was purple! :)

My first bike had a white banana seat with the big Ape hanger handle bars it to was purple. I got it from my grandmother and purple is our favorite color.

[disneyfam 0]

Yes, that is interesting about the train tracks.

 

I think that's the 400 loop to the right of the tram.  It's interesting that there are no sidewalks along the road.  There's a sidewalk there now, poured over the old rail bed.

 

The other thing interesting about this photo is that we can see a bus in your photo of the Meadow Pool construction, which is from 1985, yet here is a tram in use in 1986.  I never knew that buses and trams operated at the same time.  Maybe the trams handled inside the campground transportation, and maybe the buses carried guests back and forth to the TTC?

 

TCD

I remember as a child in the 80,s they had trams and buses in the campground. You are correct the buses were used mostly to take you from pioneer hall area to theme parks and ttc. There were a few that ran through the campground loops but majority were trams. I remember always making my parents wait for a tram and bypassing the buses. Ohhh to be a child again. Memories...

[stryke-force 51]

found another River Country wagon, spring of 1984

[stryke-force 51]

spring of 1985

[caveat lector 181]

Wow, these are great. Must have been a big storm, because it looks like the A/C units have been blown off the top of a lot of those campers.

[Jinpak 0]

The pictures reminds me about my old Nikon always hanging over my jeans

The fashion and style was unique :clint:

[Tri-Circle-D 2,059]

These photos are great!  Thanks so much for posting them.

 

 

spring of 1978

 

 

Wow.  Look at what that kid all the way over to the right is standing next to.  A cannon!   And I see an American Flag flying.  And maybe a covered wagon over there on the left.  Awesome.

 

Also, what is up with the wheels on the River Country wagon?  They are different in almost every photo.

 

spring of 1985

 

Now here's something that looks familiar.  The porch of Crockett's Tavern.  Except, you can't park you bikes there like that anymore.

 

Look at that Trail's End sign out front.

 

There's some kind of picture on it, but I can't make out what it is.  My best guess is a baked potato with a strip of bacon on it.  But, that probably isn't right.

 

TCD