On a beautiful Florida winter day, my dad, my daughters, and I went for a day visit to Fort Wilderness. We weren’t staying at the campground, and we weren’t going to any of the parks, but we do like to take advantage of as many free and cheap things to do on Disney property as possible. On this day, we had reserved a golf cart to tool around Fort Wilderness, with the specific intention of driving through the campsite loops once darkness fell in order to see the Christmas lights that the campers put out at their site. I had heard about how the people who stay in RVs and pop ups, and even tent campers put up Christmas lights and displays around their campsites at Christmas and I thought it would be fun to rent the golf cart and check it out.
I had made a reservation for the golf cart months in advance, and if the weather would have been bad, too rainy or too cold, we could have cancelled before 24 hours – but the weather was lovely; partly sunny and 78 degrees. We picked up our cart around 1pm and drove it the length of Fort Wilderness all the way to the end where the restaurants and boat launches are that people take over the to Magic Kingdom. Because I am a cheapskate, we had a packed lunch which we ate on a covered porch while we listened to pleasantly rustic instrumental versions of Christmas songs. The kids ran to the playground while my dad and I lingered on the rocking chairs and enjoyed the music and the weather.
We walked around and found the Tri-Circle D Ranch where the horses that work on Disney property are housed. These are the horses that pull the trolleys down Main Street, pull the wagons that tour Fort Wilderness and Port Orleans Riverside, and pull the wedding carriages. We learned by talking to one of the cast members that the horses go through an intricate training period – where they work in lower populated areas, such as the wagon rides at Fort Wilderness (for the rookies), and graduate up to Main Street. We walked along the beach, watched the pony rides, checked out the gift shop, and then took the boat shuttle over to the Contemporary Resort where we were able to take the resort loop monorail around to the Polynesian and Grand Floridian hotels to check out their Christmas decorations.
We returned to Fort Wilderness around dusk, loaded into the golf cart, and sped off at 15 miles an hour, eager to see the decorations. I was not prepared for the level of enthusiasm shown by the campers. People had lights dripping off the hoods of their campers, strung up all around the camper roof lines, along paths to their camp sites, Christmas vignettes arranged in the front windshields of their RVs, Mickey lamps with Santa hats, nativity scenes, and more blow-ups than I have ever seen in my life, both Disney and non-Disney themed. Mr. Potato Head, Olaf, Sully, reindeer stalls with each of Santa’s reindeer in them – each moving. Star Wars characters, polar bears, and more Santa Mickey’s than you can imagine. I can’t even begin to list the variety of inflatable décor that we rolled past. It was truly incredible. I’m not familiar with the RV world, but from what I gather, there’s quite a feeling of community and that vibe was clear and present here– and what made this collection of Christmas displays all the more Christmas-y.
This was such a festive and impressive display, that the girls and I repeated the experience on another non-park visit to Florida. This time it was cooler weather, and as the evening temperatures dropped and the breeze on our little golf cart got a bit chillier, we stopped at the Settlement Trading Post, the gift shop and camping supply store in the middle of the campgrounds, and grabbed a hot chocolate to drink as we tooled around.
I highly recommend this experience whether or not you are visiting the parks at Christmas-time. In fact, it might be a great thing to do especially if you’re visiting the parks at Christmas-time. Walt Disney World at Christmas can make a magical time of year even more magical, but it’s also very crowded and it can be easy to get caught up in the crowds and rush. Hanging out at Fort Wilderness might just be the peaceful, casual, festive activity that can relax the family, slow the pace, and help everyone enjoy each other and their time together. I know it is one our family’s favorite Christmas memories!
Fifty State Family 