Rod Wheaton

Hi Melissa! I can't even tell you what a great time you'll have at the Fort! I've been going to Disney since I was little when it first opened and my favorite place to stay BY FAR, is the Fort! Even more than the deluxe resorts! The Meacham's are great people. I've used several of their units. I also have a Disney podcast (WDWmousenger) that you can find on iTunes or stitcher and I had the Meacham's on as guests to talk about what they do. You might enjoy listening. I also did a couple of shows about the Fort's history, too, that you might like. And as for favorite loops, there are several great ones, but my personal favorite is the 700 loop. You're close to everything, and there's also no canal since I see in your post you aren't comfortable with one since you have the little ones. Also, the 500 loop is a good choice. Hope you enjoy the Fort as much as we do!

Disney built the Fort. The construction was overseen by Keith Kambak, who had been sent by Dick Nunis to drive the US looking at campgrounds to determine what were the best features and practices so that they could use and even improve on those things for their own to be built at WDW. I did a show or two about this on my podcast (WDWmousenger.com) and wrote several articles about it on mouseplanet.com if you'd like to hear the background and some cool stories about it!

I was talking to a friend who was talking to an electrician at the Fort. He was saying that he thought Disney bought an existing campground and then added to it to become what is now Fort Wilderness. I hadn't ever heard of that and figured this would be a good place to ask about it...

So? What was the very start of Fort Wilderness? Blank land and Disney built a campground? Or an existing campground that was bought by Disney?

That's another great article, Rod.

 

I was hoping that you might have gone back to the very first name Disney gave to the island, Blackbeard's Island:

 

I recently came across a map from 1971.  I don't recall every seeing one this old before:

 

 

Note that there are only 5 loops.  One trading post.  No Pioneer Hall or Trail's End.  The campfire area is down by the marina.  No petting zoo.  No pools.  No Bike Barn.  Just 5 loops, a trading post, and the Reception Outpost.  Oh, and an Archery Range.  Didn't know about that.  Discovery Island was called Blackbeard's Island, and the Sweet Bay Swamp Nature Walk was a big attraction.  Big enough to get mentioned on the map.

 

Look at where the Reception Outpost is on the map.  it's right near what we know today as the four way stop.  Only at the time, it wasn't a four way stop, because the Big Pine did not continue to the west.

 

What we know today as the Reception Outpost didn't exist in 1971.

Thanks Tri Circle D! Yes, you're right it started as Blackbeard's Island, and your map is awesome! I still kick myself because I found an original first year Fort brochure on EBay and let it get away...it showed a map similar to that one. Thanks for reading, see you at the Fort sometime!

Rod

Hi everybody, my newest article is out at the link below. I wrote about the history of Discovery Island, which most of you guys remember. For those who may not, it's the island right offshore from the Fort's boat dock. Here is the link:

http://www.mouseplanet.com/10975/Loving_the_Outdoors_the_Disney_Way__A_Look_Back_at_Discovery_Island

Have a great weekend!

Rod Wheaton

We just rented canoes back in January. There was almost no seaweed and the water levels were nice and high, the only problem was they didn't want us to take the entire loop around. They wanted us to go to the larger canal then turn around and come back. Since I was with a couple of guys we actually went past the point to turn around and was able to come all the way around the other side although there were a few branches and bushes hanging down into the water. I wish they would put in some effort and clean it up, because that is a very nice round trip canoe ride to take.

I've run marathons there and stayed at the Fort for 5 years. Never had a problem with the buses. Still, for Wine and Dine I like to drive to EPCOT, drop my car, and catch the bus to the starting line. Then after the after-party at EPCOT I also had my car there already.

And so you know, I cover some of these things (like the Fort's long gone RailRoad) over on the podcast as well. You can find it at WDWmousenger.com or on iTunes and stitcher.

Thanks, guys! I'm thinking of writing about Discovery Island next. The more I keep researching, and I'm only writing a fraction, has me considering writing the book about the Fort more seriously. There's a lot of fascinating stories. I have an interested publisher.

Hi guys, my new article in the series I'm writing about Fort Wilderness just came out this morning. This time I'm writing about River Country, Disney's first water park. I'm sure some of you remember it well. I used to love going there when I was a teen. Here's the article if you'd like to check it out:

http://www.mouseplanet.com/10944/Loving_the_Great_Outdoors_the_Disney_Way__River_Country_Disneys_First_Water_Park

You guys mentioning the old marshmallow marsh makes me want to dig way back in my old trunk of pix at my moms house and find pictures from going on it as a teenager...

Yes, I knew the idea of Walt seeing the windmill was silly. The story goes he saw Riles island from the air and fell in love with the place, but nothing about a windmill. I thought there might be an older windmill other than the one I know about. I think on Discovery Island there was a cabin that was occupied (before the land was purchased) by some hunters as a hunting camp and prior to that was actually a ham radio operators station. Most of what I've read on that is somewhat unconfirmed, and I know some of you have been staying here since the place opened and thought maybe someone might have some insight on either one that I'm not aware of. I intend to write them back, but I want to accumulate all the info I can first if anyone thinks of anything.

Hi everyone! Some of you know I have a Disney podcast and write for a few mags and sites about the Fort. I got an interesting question from someone and I want to know does anyone remember this that can shed some light. Here is the question:

Do you remember the old windmill at fort wilderness it was said to be the original one Walt saw when he flew over the property. And the little prototype cabin out back they were thinking of adding them to the fort as little honeymoon cabins?

I'd like to answer them, but don't remember much of either one of these items...any of you guys know about them??

Thanks,

Rod Wheaton

That is a GREAT idea...I got a message from a fellow runner over at AK lodge that they have one if I want to ride over. Disney people are great.

Thanks you guys! I could do it easily on the laptop--but then that's what I need the charger for! Can't say thanks enough

I'm on this iPhone app and can't figure out how to start a new thread...feeling really stupid!!

Thanks guys! I'm here in the fort for the next few days recording a couple of podcast. I know this is an odd question, but I just realized I don't have my MacBook charger...don't suppose anyone has one I could use to power my Mac back up?

Hi everybody! I wanted to let you know my latest article about the Fort is out this morning on mouseplanet.com. In this months column I feature the story and history behind the Tri Circle D Ranch and Walt's love for horses, along with the Hoop De Doo Musical Revue. Here's the link if you'd like to read it:

http://www.mouseplanet.com/10914/Loving_the_Great_Outdoors_the_Disney_Way__Enjoying_Life_Around_Fort_Wilderness

What would you want to see it include?

I forgot to post the link earlier-- here it is:

http://www.mouseplanet.com/10865/Loving_the_Great_Outdoors_the_Disney_Way__The_NonCampers_Guide_to_Enjoying_Fort_Wilderness

I agree with that. Long live Musket Mickey! And so many other things. Still I do love the place and really I'm giving serious thought to moving forward with this project.

Hi guys, the latest in my series of articles about the Fort came out today on MousePlanet. I know a lot of you have been following them so I'll post the link below...I want to ask your opinions about something. I actually spoke with a publisher about a book about Fort Wilderness. He thinks it's a great idea. What would you think? And what would you most like to see in it? I have loved the Fort since I was a kid, and writing this series of articles has made me realize how much there is to tell. I would love to interview some of the earliest people to work there, and other ideas. What do you think, would you like to see a book about the Fort?

Hi guys--you don't have to get sucked into iTunes at all; you can play straight from my website. There is a little play button I put there and you just click it and it streams straight thru. You can also get it from stitcher.

About the content, Jim is a great storyteller and I love to let him talk. I do want to convey good info, but I also like to have fun with the guests on the show, kind of like a conversation. About the track that's left, I plan to hack back into the woods with son and go looking tomorrow. I never stop finding finding things to live about this place.

Carol, biked by your camp yesterday-- didn't see anyone home

Hi everybody, I posted the podcast I recorded yesterday with Disney historian Jim Korkis all about the old Ft Wilderness railroad. It was a fun show, we recorded at Meadow Trading post. You can download or listen here:

http://wdwmousenger.com/episode-31-the-fort-wilderness-railroad-with-historian-jim-korkis/