Parking to run at Ft. Wilderness?

[pianomanzano]

I have a stay at Wilderness Lodge the first week of December and want to do some early morning runs (5-6am) while on property. Since the path between WL and Ft Wilderness is closed, would security have an issue with driving/parking in the parking lot to do a run and leave? I know they're generally strict about this at the monorail and boardwalk area resorts, and I imagine it may be similar here because of the Christmas decor at the campsites and cabins so figured I'd ask here before I attempt/try it during my upcoming trip. Looking to do 5-7 mile runs, so the short running trail at WL won't cut it/ will get boring fast (as will a treadmill). If not, any locals have any suggestions for short drives off-property to do some runs? Perhaps around Celebration? Thanks!

 

[bama_ed]

I can give you the OFFICIAL answer and then my ED answer.

The OFFICIAL answer is:

The Exercise Trail is, as you say still off limits to all traffic.

The Bus road that runs parallel to the ET (West Wilderness Road) is off limits to runners.

The main entrance to the Fort will not admit you if you are not a guest there, not entering to visit a specific family name at a specific family campsite/cabin, or if you don't have a revenue generating reservation (HDDR, archery, Segway tour, etc.) within an hour or two of arrival.

The unofficial ED answer I would offer is:

The Fort internal bus lines between the HDDR-end (Settlement) and check-in end (Outpost) start to run at 6am (infrequently in the first hour or so). Those lines include a BUS from Settlement (near HDDR) to Wilderness Lodge (for folks looking for table service breakfasts, for example) and then return back to the Fort and run an internal route.

At WL the bus stops have this sign and you will want a bus in slot #1 that is running to FW (buses in this slot serve MK and FW in both directions). Although at an early hour like that it's not headed to MK or back from there yet.



But if you are at the bus stop at 6am, a bus from FW will pull in soon and then leave out to return to FW (with you on it). That means starting soon after 6am but it should get you there.

I have a favorite route I walk/run at the Fort that is a 5k/3.1mile route which you could do twice (maybe in opposite directions?) to get your mileage in. It follows the two big main roads (Fort Wilderness Trail and Big Pine Road, adds in the main road through the cabin loops (Peacock Pass), and then throws in the two camping loops 1500 and 2000 get get the 5k distance right. Or leave off the loops 2000 and 1500, just follow the main roads, and it will be 2.9-3.0 miles.



Spanish Moss Lane is loop 2000, btw. The bus from WL will come into the Settlement bus depot which is at the red dot at the top near the HDDR symbol.

The nice thing about this route is you can run on the main roads or the close-by sidewalks if there is vehicular traffic. Finish back where you started and take a bus from the Settlement bus depot back to WL and cool off.

The sun rises to the east (right side) of these maps along Big Pine Trail and I am always struck by the silhouette of the trees here as I'm out early in the morning.



That's my suggestion. The Fort is a great place to put in some mileage but access before 6am would be difficult.

Bama Ed

PS - you could try to talk your way in the front gate at 5am but that would be a little hit-or-miss IMO.

PPS - also at the early 5am hour, the West Wilderness Road between WL and FW won't have much/any traffic anyway. And you could always take an internal Fort bus back down to WL from the Settlement at the end of your run after 6am.

 

[pianomanzano]

I can give you the OFFICIAL answer and then my ED answer.

The OFFICIAL answer is:

The Exercise Trail is, as you say still off limits to all traffic.

The Bus road that runs parallel to the ET (West Wilderness Road) is off limits to runners.

The main entrance to the Fort will not admit you if you are not a guest there, not entering to visit a specific family name at a specific family campsite/cabin, or if you don't have a revenue generating reservation (HDDR, archery, Segway tour, etc.) within an hour or two of arrival.

The unofficial ED answer I would offer is:

The Fort internal bus lines between the HDDR-end (Settlement) and check-in end (Outpost) start to run at 6am (infrequently in the first hour or so). Those lines include a BUS from Settlement (near HDDR) to Wilderness Lodge (for folks looking for table service breakfasts, for example) and then return back to the Fort and run an internal route.

At WL the bus stops have this sign and you will want a bus in slot #1 that is running to FW (buses in this slot serve MK and FW in both directions). Although at an early hour like that it's not headed to MK or back from there yet.



But if you are at the bus stop at 6am, a bus from FW will pull in soon and then leave out to return to FW (with you on it). That means starting soon after 6am but it should get you there.

I have a favorite route I walk/run at the Fort that is a 5k/3.1mile route which you could do twice (maybe in opposite directions?) to get your mileage in. It follows the two big main roads (Fort Wilderness Trail and Big Pine Road, adds in the main road through the cabin loops (Peacock Pass), and then throws in the two camping loops 1500 and 2000 get get the 5k distance right. Or leave off the loops 2000 and 1500, just follow the main roads, and it will be 2.9-3.0 miles.

View attachment 914352

Spanish Moss Lane is loop 2000, btw. The bus from WL will come into the Settlement bus depot which is at the red dot at the top near the HDDR symbol.

The nice thing about this route is you can run on the main roads or the close-by sidewalks if there is vehicular traffic. Finish back where you started and take a bus from the Settlement bus depot back to WL and cool off.

The sun rises to the east (right side) of these maps along Big Pine Trail and I am always struck by the silhouette of the trees here as I'm out early in the morning.



That's my suggestion. The Fort is a great place to put in some mileage but access before 6am would be difficult.

Bama Ed

PS - you could try to talk your way in the front gate at 5am but that would be a little hit-or-miss IMO.

PPS - also at the early 5am hour, the West Wilderness Road between WL and FW won't have much/any traffic anyway. And you could always take an internal Fort bus back down to WL from the Settlement at the end of your run after 6am.

Thank you for the detailed reply!! Also appreciate the the loop suggestions, I mapped out a similar course while planning some of my runs already. I might try your last suggestion to get back to the room as early as possible b/c the kiddos have a habit of waking up early when we're on vacation! Thanks again!

 

[RuntheMouse]

@bama_ed gave you a great response! The busses to FW run really early. I believe I’ve seen them even earlier than 6!

If you happen to have any shorter runs on your schedule, I run a lot at WL and have done 4 miles there w/o getting bored. Watching the sun rise over the lake is magical! Below is the route I usually run.

 

[bama_ed]

@bama_ed gave you a great response! The busses to FW run really early. I believe I’ve seen them even earlier than 6!

If you happen to have any shorter runs on your schedule, I run a lot at WL and have done 4 miles there w/o getting bored. Watching the sun rise over the lake is magical! Below is the route I usually run.
View attachment 914380

That's cool, @RuntheMouse!

My favorite (when all routes were open) were to run from Fort Wilderness 100 loop (down close to the lake and HDDR) to WL via the Exercise Trail, take my life in my hands going across World Drive to the TTC, then veer right out the back of it to heads toward the Contemporary, go under the waterway, and run to the MK gate, snap a pic, then back to the Contemporary and the small boat from there back to FW (when the small boats ran in the morning pre-covid, which they don't now).

I would like to ever do a similar route (however slowly) but once I get to MK continue around the walkway to GF and Poly (blocked off now I think near Poly) and get back to the Fort some how.

I recall running from FW to WL early in my running career (20+ years ago) and you could hear the MK doing practice run of parades or light shows or something (around 5am). There was talking/voices over there, and I was pounding down the road in the dark. This was during Marathon week most likely in early January.

Running in the early morning hours around the MK resorts is really magical IMO. While it's dark, there is a kind of stillness and magic that gets shared with you while you run/walk and few others. I really enjoyed that and would like to do it again when the Poly walkway and FW-WL walkway is available again (ignoring the stupid DVC money grab buildings at my beloved Fort). I love running/walking the Fort, WL and the MK area.

I ain't too old yet!

ED

PS - and let me be the first to admit I'm getting older, slower, and lazier but I STILL like getting out there and pounding the pavement. We just got back from the Wine & Dine Half Marathon weekend where I did the 5k and 10k. Even got my pic with the Country Bear Jamboree character, Big Al.

 

[IndySmitty12]

I have a stay at Wilderness Lodge the first week of December and want to do some early morning runs (5-6am) while on property. Since the path between WL and Ft Wilderness is closed, would security have an issue with driving/parking in the parking lot to do a run and leave? I know they're generally strict about this at the monorail and boardwalk area resorts, and I imagine it may be similar here because of the Christmas decor at the campsites and cabins so figured I'd ask here before I attempt/try it during my upcoming trip. Looking to do 5-7 mile runs, so the short running trail at WL won't cut it/ will get boring fast (as will a treadmill). If not, any locals have any suggestions for short drives off-property to do some runs? Perhaps around Celebration? Thanks!

If you don’t mind having to be a little defensive, I highly recommend just running World Dr. over to the Fort and then running the Fort as much as you’d like. I’ve done this many times. It’s a little over 2 miles by road, then you can get your miles in the safety of the Fort. I highly recommend hopping a boat and riding over to MK and then jump on the WL boat back to your place. It’s a super relaxing way to cool down after a long run.

 

[bama_ed]

If you don’t mind having to be a little defensive, I highly recommend just running World Dr. over to the Fort and then running the Fort as much as you’d like. I’ve done this many times. It’s a little over 2 miles by road, then you can get your miles in the safety of the Fort. I highly recommend hopping a boat and riding over to MK and then jump on the WL boat back to your place. It’s a super relaxing way to cool down after a long run.

Well, honestly I see two problems with this plan.

First, going up World Drive from WL to Vista Blvd to the front entrance of Fort Wilderness (and I assume that's the route you spoke of) has more traffic, less shoulder, and some great curves you can't see around. Unless of course you're running at 3am.

Plus, the problem is the boat return you spoke of from FW to MK (and then go from MK to WL) doesn't get to the FW dock until 720am (for a 9am official opening) to take you to MK. It gets to the MK dock about 750am (been there, done that, OWN that tshirt). I've only camped annually at Fort Wilderness for 20+ years and know the route well.

The OP will get back to WL at almost 830am at best which is not a winning solution. He's looking to get back a little after 6am as best he can if I read the posts right.

You can attempt the route you suggest but all options have risks, tradeoffs, and I don't see the advantage of the plan you advocate over any others.

Bama Ed

PS - the boat leaves the FW dock about 720 (bus 730am) and gets to the MK about 750am. The turnstiles open about 10 minutes later and you go down Main Street to to stand in front of the Teacups for the early rope drop. But if not going through the turnstiles, back to WL you go.