Discamper 394 Posted April 12, 2011 Report Share Posted April 12, 2011 Fort Wilderness RailroadOpened in 1973, closed in 1977Featured four different five-car steam engines that burned diesel fuelBased on narrow-gauge "plantation locomotives" that had once operated in Hawaii and elsewhereTrains were designed and built internally by Walt Disney ImagineeringThe four locomotives were painted green with red trim and gold stripingLocomotive Stats:Scale: 4/5Length: 18 feet, 3 inchesWeight: 22,700 lbsTrack gauge: 30 inchesTrack length: 3.5 milesMax speed: 10 mphTwo of the former Fort Wilderness coaches were refurbished and used as ticket booths at Downtown Disney Pleasure Island, but were later replaced with permanent buildings. Later the two coaches were sold at auction to private individuals.One of the train locomotives is now on display at the Winter Garden Heritage Museum-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Discamper 394 Posted April 12, 2011 Report Share Posted April 12, 2011 I was a CM at the Fort in 1989 when they switch from tram to buses. I know that they moved the trams becouse they need them for the new park and people were getting hurt around them Quote Link to post Share on other sites
canadianfockerfiend Trevor 1 Posted April 12, 2011 Report Share Posted April 12, 2011 What do I know about the Fort......hmmmm..... Well I know you all know way more than me when it comes to the Fort. Hows that. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Retired and Happy (Ken) 101 Posted April 12, 2011 Report Share Posted April 12, 2011 Does anyone have information on the order the camping loops were opened? Was there a master plan for the expansion, or were new loops just added as demand for campsites grew?This is all quite fascinating. From one or two visits, it seems the Fort is pretty static, but from the info given here, it seems to be everchanging. Was it better then, or is it better now, or is it just different from time to time? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Discamper 394 Posted April 12, 2011 Report Share Posted April 12, 2011 Added in 1985:7 loops and an additional 363 campsitesRecreational facility (pool, snack bar, video game room and tennis courts near Meadow Trading Post)Pool and laundry facility near new loops Quote Link to post Share on other sites
tim5055 120 Posted April 12, 2011 Report Share Posted April 12, 2011 Does anyone have information on the order the camping loops were opened? Was there a master plan for the expansion, or were new loops just added as demand for campsites grew?Fort Wilderness opened November 19, 1971 on 750 acres between the Contemporary Resort and the Walt Disney World Village. At that time it had 231 camping sites including loops 100 - 600.June 1973 added 481 sites, loops 700 - 1900April 8, 1974 "Treasure Island" opened with a pirate themeApril 1974 Pioneer Hall openedApril 1976 Treasure Island renamed Discovery Island and became an accredited Zoological park June 1976 added 113 sites, loops 2000 - 2100June 1976 River Country openedApril 1979 added Creekside Meadow group camping areaDecember 1986 added 383 cabin sites, loops 2200 - 2800June 2008 New "Premium" site level created with the conversion of existing sites Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Discamper 394 Posted April 13, 2011 Report Share Posted April 13, 2011 1996 - Crockett's Tavern at Fort Wilderness changes from a full-service restaurant to a themed full service bar.Added in 1997: - Disney's Fort Wilderness Resort and Campground Wilderness homes begin being replaced by cabins (continues gradually through 2000) Quote Link to post Share on other sites
campingpixi 11 Posted April 13, 2011 Report Share Posted April 13, 2011 I did not know most of this stuff.. boy do I feel stupid right about now! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Lou... 3,118 Posted April 13, 2011 Report Share Posted April 13, 2011 I did not know most of this stuff.. boy do I feel stupid right about now!You're not alone, neither did I. And unlike you, I feel stupid most of the time. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
campingpixi 11 Posted April 13, 2011 Report Share Posted April 13, 2011 aww that can't be true :parrot: Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Discamper 394 Posted April 13, 2011 Report Share Posted April 13, 2011 1985 - Meadow Recreation Complex opens at Fort Wilderness.1985 - The 2300 loop (Shawnee Bend) opens for occupancy at Fort Wilderness.1986 - Fort Wilderness expansion is completed. (363 sites freed up by relocating trailers) Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Lou... 3,118 Posted April 13, 2011 Report Share Posted April 13, 2011 aww that can't be true Was that about the first sentence, second sentence, or both?We've only camped at the Fort 3 times and that was recent. Unlike most of the Fiends, it's not a special occasion. I miss out on the anticipation and excitement factors. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
campingpixi 11 Posted April 13, 2011 Report Share Posted April 13, 2011 If we could DH and I would retire there!! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Otter Spotter aka Debbie 58 Posted April 13, 2011 Report Share Posted April 13, 2011 Fort Wilderness RailroadOpened in 1973, closed in 1977Featured four different five-car steam engines that burned diesel fuelBased on narrow-gauge "plantation locomotives" that had once operated in Hawaii and elsewhereTrains were designed and built internally by Walt Disney ImagineeringThe four locomotives were painted green with red trim and gold stripingLocomotive Stats:Scale: 4/5Length: 18 feet, 3 inchesWeight: 22,700 lbsTrack gauge: 30 inchesTrack length: 3.5 milesMax speed: 10 mphTwo of the former Fort Wilderness coaches were refurbished and used as ticket booths at Downtown Disney Pleasure Island, but were later replaced with permanent buildings. Later the two coaches were sold at auction to private individuals.One of the train locomotives is now on display at the Winter Garden Heritage Museum--------------------------------------------------------------------------------I'm not sure which website you're cutting and pasting from (there are many out there). The train ran until 1980 when it was permanently shut down. From 1977 to 1980 it only ran on selected days - usually the weekends - but not every weekend. When it ran depended on the Fort's occupancy rate. The roundhouse was eventually turned into a cast member building that is still referred to as "The Roundhouse". There are many different thoughts on why the train went away. The most recurrent theory is that the train was too costly to maintain and operate. What is now the golf cart parking lot near the Settlement Bus Depot was once the Settlement Railroad Depot.I stand corrected about the trams. I forgot that they had both trams and buses at the Fort. The trams were indeed removed in 1989 as stated by Discamper.The bus stop that services the 300 & 500 loops used to be located between the entrance and exit of the 300 loop. It was moved because too many RV's clipped the corner of the bus stop roof and/or took out the fence around the bus stop. The 2100 loop was originally a camping loop that was turned into a cabin loop. (I'll give credit to Carol for this factoid.)One activity that was only available to Fort Wilderness guests was: Marshmallow Marsh. It required special tickets (in 1974 it was $4.00/adult) and here's how it worked... At the appointed time we met at what is now the Bike Barn to board Davey Crockett's canoe. When we went there were 4 canoes that held 10 people and a guide. The guide sat at the head of the canoe and all passengers were given paddles (no life jackets), told to take a seat, and once we were all seated, the guide(s), one boat at a time, hollered out "STROKE"!! The guide kept yelling "STROKE" until all passengers settled into a nice rhythm. Our canoe did NOT settle into a nice rhythm because out canoe had 4 adults and 6 kids!! The adults were able to finally obtain a somewhat synchronized paddle while the kids splashed water on the adults. This went on through the canals of FtW and out onto Bay Lake where we stopped at a beach on the lake. Oh, I forgot to mention that we sang every Disney song to keep the paddle rhythm going until we got to the beach!!We disembarked on the beach and gathered around a lovely campfire that was blazing especially for us. Makeshift benches were constructed around the campfire, and we were each given marshmallow roasting sticks and a Cast Member passed around a bag of Stay-Puffed Marshmallows. Yes - we reached into the bag, along with 39 strangers, and just plucked out marshmallows. 37 years later I'm still here to tell the story - so no fatal diseases were transmitted in the "passing of the marshmallows" ritual.Then a guitar wielding feller started strumming on his gee-tar and invited everyone to sing along - which most everyone did. After a few songs it was time for the entertainment!!! OH BOY!! WE were the entertainment!!! (Huh?)The gee-tar wielding guy slowly got to his feet and started picking out unsuspecting (and remember, we PAID for this) guests to participate in a play about nature, wildlife, cowboys, and indians. My DH was selected to be "Father Nature"!! If you've ever seen the street players in Italy and UK at Epcot, you know the kind of "play" that was performed on the beach of Bay Lake that evening. We all laughed. Well, maybe not "Father Nature", but everyone else laughed. When the play ended, gee-tar man once again picked up his instrument, we sang "The Mickey Mouse Song" and settled in to watch the fireworks at the MK. No music was piped in. Remember, this was 1974!! After the fireworks we piled back into our canoes and worked our way back to where we started. We never did Marshmallow Marsh again, and I think it was discontinued sometime in the late 70's or early 80's.It was a lot of fun, and it's too bad it came to an end. The End. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
stefa70 205 Posted April 13, 2011 Report Share Posted April 13, 2011 We did the Marshmallow Marsh!! As a kid, I actually felt like we went to some exclusive island for that campfire! :rofl2: I was so disappointed years later to find out they had stopped it. If I remember right, weren't the canoes "special" like real Indian syle canoes, instead of the plain red fiberglass ones that are there now? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Otter Spotter aka Debbie 58 Posted April 13, 2011 Report Share Posted April 13, 2011 If I remember right, weren't the canoes "special" like real Indian syle canoes, instead of the plain red fiberglass ones that are there now?Yep!! You're correct!! :rofl2: Quote Link to post Share on other sites
doodlebug....Cherie 461 Posted April 13, 2011 Report Share Posted April 13, 2011 It is so sad that they don't stuff like that anymore, but I suppose if they did they would charge $40 instead of $4 :rofl2: I feel like I missed the best of what the Fort had to offer ;D Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Discamper 394 Posted April 13, 2011 Report Share Posted April 13, 2011 If i remember right Disney stop the Marshmallow Marsh sometime in 1988 and i think the canoes were just like the ones at MK Quote Link to post Share on other sites
tim5055 120 Posted April 13, 2011 Report Share Posted April 13, 2011 Fort Wilderness RailroadOpened in 1973, closed in 1977Featured four different five-car steam engines that burned diesel fuelBased on narrow-gauge "plantation locomotives" that had once operated in Hawaii and elsewhereTrains were designed and built internally by Walt Disney ImagineeringThe four locomotives were painted green with red trim and gold stripingLocomotive Stats:Scale: 4/5Length: 18 feet, 3 inchesWeight: 22,700 lbsTrack gauge: 30 inchesTrack length: 3.5 milesMax speed: 10 mphTwo of the former Fort Wilderness coaches were refurbished and used as ticket booths at Downtown Disney Pleasure Island, but were later replaced with permanent buildings. Later the two coaches were sold at auction to private individuals.One of the train locomotives is now on display at the Winter Garden Heritage Museum--------------------------------------------------------------------------------I'm not sure which website you're cutting and pasting from (there are many out there). The train ran until 1980 when it was permanently shut down. From 1977 to 1980 it only ran on selected days - usually the weekends - but not every weekend. When it ran depended on the Fort's occupancy rate. The roundhouse was eventually turned into a cast member building that is still referred to as "The Roundhouse". There are many different thoughts on why the train went away. The most recurrent theory is that the train was too costly to maintain and operate. I would assume it came from HERE. That page is also incorrect in that no locomotives are on display at the Winter Garden Heritage Museum. All four Engines went out west to members of the Carolwood Pacific Railroad Club which restores old Disney railroad items. Engine #1 went to Jim Zordich in Oregon, #2 & #3 both went to Bill Dundas in California, and the #4 went to Michael Campbell also located in California.For a source of good information on the FWRR you can purchase a copy of Walt Disney World Railroads Part 1 Fort Wilderness Railroad By Mr. David LeaphartFor video fo the railroad, canoes, trams and much more in the early days check out this You Tube Video. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
BradyBzLyn...Mo 2,023 Posted April 13, 2011 Author Report Share Posted April 13, 2011 If i remember right Disney stop the Marshmallow Marsh sometime in 1988 and i think the canoes were just like the ones at MK... you don't happen to have a picture, do ya? :yourock: Quote Link to post Share on other sites
MicknMin...Holly 54 Posted April 13, 2011 Report Share Posted April 13, 2011 Just want you to know that I LOVE this thread! I know absolutely nothing about the past of the Fort. We stayed in the cabins back in the 90's (before they were actually cabins...more like trailers), but I remember very little about the Fort...except that we hated the bus system (I think the routes were Chip & Dale). Our first camping trip was about 2 1/2 years ago and we've been addicted ever since! I love reading all about the history of the Fort! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
BradyBzLyn...Mo 2,023 Posted April 13, 2011 Author Report Share Posted April 13, 2011 You all are an amazing WEALTH of information - keep it coming!!! :yourock: Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Discamper 394 Posted April 14, 2011 Report Share Posted April 14, 2011 In the 80?s Trails End had good pizza and every Friday night they had make your own pizza night. You walked down the buffet table and picked you topping and put them on your pizza then you paid for it and handed it to the chief. They also had night time entertainment with a sing-along Quote Link to post Share on other sites
K2P2mom 2 Posted April 14, 2011 Report Share Posted April 14, 2011 I loved the make your own pizza and entertaiment. One year I had the worst crush on the guy playing guitar and singing, I just KNEW he was singing Brown Eyed Girl to me :rofl2: Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Discamper 394 Posted April 14, 2011 Report Share Posted April 14, 2011 I loved the make your own pizza and entertaiment. One year I had the worst crush on the guy playing guitar and singing, I just KNEW he was singing Brown Eyed Girl to me :rofl2:That sounds like Sam. Dave song more of the country songs. They also opened the HDDR show and i think they also play the Marshmallow Marsh too Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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