Archery at the Fort

[GaDawgFan.....Kelly 799]

How old do you have to be? How much does it cost? Do you really have to make reservations?

[Family of Bears 98]

You have to be six. 35$ I think. Yes, it was full when we went.

Bella had just turned six. She liked it but had to stop cause her little fingers were hurting. These bows are the real deal. Mrofbears did it and loved it. But I will say he got a blister on his fingers from the bow and it bothered him for a few days. So just be careful with that

[Lou... 3,118]

$25 plus tax.

It's for ages 7 and up.

[DaveInTN 3,247]

You have to be six. 35$ I think.

$25 plus tax.

It's for ages 7 and up.

I'll say $30 and 6 1/2.

:rofl3:

[Family of Bears 98]

Im not gonna argue with Lou, cause he'll make me cry, but I will say that the age is most definately 6 and up. Price is 25 +tax, so it winds up somewhere in the 30something range per person.

Lou you're the best!! Although I do wonder if you put 7 on purpose just to get a rise out of me.

[GaDawgFan.....Kelly 799]

Ah, Z is too young anyway then. But good info for others!

[Tiger Bait 0]

Good info...

[Lou... 3,118]

I'll say $30 and 6 1/2.

Doubting Dave

Price is 25 +tax, so it winds up somewhere in the 30 something range per person.

Is that South Florida math?

Although I do wonder if you put 7 on purpose just to get a rise out of me.

No, I would do that to others, but not to you Brandy.

I get just about all my info directly from the Mouse.

[BradyBzLyn...Mo 2,023]

We actually have a page for this... :)

http://www.fortfiends.net/_/activities/archery-r18

Granted that's from June 2011, so if there's any new/changed info, let me know and I'll update.

[DaveInTN 3,247]

They wouldn't allow someone celebrating their 101st birthday to do it?

[Lou... 3,118]

if there's any new/changed info, let me know and I'll update.

I think Dave just did. You're SOL if you're 101 years old.

And no, I'm OK for a few more years, but Dave isn't if I have a bow and arrow at the Fort.

[BradyBzLyn...Mo 2,023]

A review of the Archery experience at the Fort has hit the Disney Parks Blog...

 

Test Your Steely Nerve and Steady Hand with an Archery Lesson at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground

posted on August 23rd, 2013 by Russ J. Stacey, Writer, Yellow Shoes Creative Group

 

All right, I confess. I never shot a bow and arrow in my life. So when the opportunity to partake in an archery lesson at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground arose, I jumped at it.

 

From the Fort Wilderness main entrance, I headed through this 750-acre woodland oasis to the Bike Barn where the lesson is held and was surrounded by tranquility-inducing sights, sounds and smells: pillars of cypress trees, the fragrance of pine, a meandering stream perfect for canoe rentals, people horseback riding. Civilization? What civilization?

After checking in, I was ready for my outdoor adventure.

 

Each class is limited to 10, and participating with me were two adults and seven youngsters. It’s not surprising that the grown-ups were outnumbered. “The kids tend to really enjoy it, and are surprised at how much fun it is,” Lisa Moore, recreational regional manager, Disney’s Wilderness Lodge/Fort Wilderness, told me.

 

No simple aim-and-shoot exercise, this is a thorough rundown of what a person needs to know to get started. Our instructors, Ron and Forrest, explained what we’d be learning — everything from how to safely hold the bow when not shooting to the proper arm and foot position. Hey, did you know the notch at the back end of an arrow that holds it in the bowstring is called the “nock”? They patiently coached us on each step as we got used to the compound bows (composed of a levering system of cables and pulleys to bend the limbs); full size for the adults, smaller ones for the kids.

 

After the instructions, it was time to shoot some arrows! Most of the 90-minute session was devoted to practicing our newly acquired abilities. Chatting with some of my classmates, I was relieved to discover that I wasn’t the only newbie there that sunny day.

 

Thanks to our tutors, I felt comfortable handling the bow, positioning my body, loading the arrows, drawing back on the string with three fingers, aligning the shots, aiming and releasing. We shot a few rounds 15 feet from the targets, then a few more 21 feet away and finally from 30 feet, increasing the challenge each time. To put that in perspective, Olympic archers shoot from 229 feet. Yikes! I better get to practicing.

 

While most of my arrows hit the target, I’m not about to quit my day job. Still, Ron encouraged me by saying he thought I was doing well.

As relaxed and engaging as the training was, safety was always paramount. From the mandatory safety glasses and blunt-tip arrows to the proper way to handle the equipment, Ron and Forrest ensured we all enjoyed the class without getting hurt.

Gallery

 

An overall satisfying experience that left me with a sense of accomplishment, I recommend you do not miss out on this rousing, family-friendly test of dexterity, concentration and skill. Who knows? You may even discover your inner archer.

 

Call 407-WDW-PLAY (939-7529) to reserve your spot. The Fort Wilderness Archery Experience costs $25–$39 and is open to all aged 7 and up. A stay at Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground is not required. But as Lisa advises, “book early because it sells out quickly.”

 

 

 

http://disneyparks.disney.go.com/blog/2013/08/test-your-steely-nerve-and-steady-hand-with-an-archery-lesson-at-disneys-fort-wilderness-resort-campground/

[DaveInTN 3,247]

Merida has to have helped the popularity of this attraction. 

[GaDawgFan.....Kelly 799]

I'm sure the fact that they have a redhead doing it isn't a coincidence.