1) A different slant.
2) Take the boat from Contemporary to Fort Wilderness.
3) Have dinner at Trails End.
4) For more excitement, Hoop-Dee-Do.
5) Afterward, take in the Campfire.
6) We did this, and now recommend it highly top others.
7) A nice relaxing way to kick off the vacation - adult or family.
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FORT WILDERNESS CAMPFIRE "411": (open to all, even non-resort guests)
1) Location:
. . . within the Fort Wilderness Campgrounds
. . . near Meadows Trading Post, behind swimming pool area
2) Transportation to Fort Wilderness
. . . car to Fort Wilderness parking lot
. . . bus to Fort Wilderness from almost anywhere inside WDW
. . . boat to FW from Magic Kingdom or Wilderness Lodge Resort
. . . monorail to Contemporary Resort, then boat to FW
. . . most resorts have a separate bus to Fort Wilderness after 5:00pm
. . . if you stay late, and boats have stopped, you can take a bus back to your resort
4) Transportation to Campfire
. . . take internal bus and ask for Campfire bus stop
5) Time
November-1 thru February-28
. . . Fire lighting with Chip-n-Dale at 6:30pm nightly
. . . Sing-a-long starts at 7:00pm nightly
. . . Movie starts at 7:40pm
March-1 thru October-31
. . . Fire lighting with Chip-n-Dale at 7:30pm nightly
. . . Sing-a-long starts at 8:00pm nightly
. . . Movie starts at 8:40pm
All movies & characters are outside.
. . . campfire show is held nightly if weather permits.
. . . if rain, sing-along is on trading post porch
6) Activities
. . . two fire pits to the right of movie screen for roasting marshmallows (thru the movie)
. . . marshmallows/smores available for EXPENSIVE purchase at Chuck Wagon
. . . Chip-n-Dale at fire pit for photos and autographs (approx 40-min)
. . . sing-along in front of screen, usually with a solo guitarist (appox 40-min)
. . . animated or live action outdoor Disney film (approx 1½-hrs)
. . . short walk to a play area
7) Things to Know
. . . free to any WDW resort guest (yes, actually free ! )
. . . one of few places for autographs not requiring a meal or admission
. . . bring a light jacket, as it can get cool after sunset
. . . seating is on benches and bleachers, so a pad is nice comfort
. . . there are grassy areas to bring a blanket and sit on the ground
. . . better yet, bring folding chairs
. . . fortunately, they do not grade you on your voice during the sing-along
. . . there is no dress code
. . . plenty of CM's around for child safety
. . . excellent bus transportation before and after Campfire
. . . good activity after the early show at Hoop-Dee-Do-Review
. . . you many bring you own marshmallows-food-drinks-beer-coolers
. . . pizza, hot dogs, candy, nachos, popcorn for purchase at Chuck Wagon
. . . coffee, beer, soda, juices available for purchase at the Chuck Wagon
. . . for rain, they move the sing-along, but you will still get wet
NOTE1: We find this to be a really great activity for either the first night at
WDW, or the last night before going home. Good time for family bonding, and
nice to veg-out. Do a Trails End dinner or Hoop-Dee-Do prior to Campfire.
NOTE2: For an option, you could view the Electrical Water Pageant from the beach.
. . . Wilderness Lodge at approx 9:35pm
. . . Fort Wilderness at approx 9:45pm
. . . the parade goes dark if Wishes is at the same time and it is still near MK
. . . then the parade resumes
NOTE3: The Chuck Wagon Menu
. . . Hot Dog$5.49
. . . Nachos with Cheese $4.29
. . . S'mores Kit $9.99
. . . Marshmallow Roasting Stick $0.59
. . . Marshmallow Bag $4.99
. . . Pretzel $3.99
. . . Popcorn $3.79
. . . Cotton Candy $3.99
. . . Nestlé® Mickey's Ice Cream Bar $3.99
. . . Nestlé® Orange & Cream Bar $3.79
. . . Strawberry Fruit Bar $3.79
. . . Nestlé® Mickey's Ice Cream Sandwich $3.99
. . . Frozen Lemonade Cup $3.79
. . . Assorted Candy (M&M's Plain and Peanut, Snickers, Skittles, Twizzlers or Hershey Chocolate Bar) $1.99