Ft. Wilderness Trivia

[racoonze]

OK this is pretty much for those who have spent some quality time in Ft. Wilderness... of course you might find the answer in the official guide.

1. Lawnmower Tree: What was the name of the guy who left his "reel" slow mower, alas on warm summer day aside a real fast grower?


2. True or False: Ft. Wilderness used to have a train running through it.

Not very hard, but hopefully very fun.

rac

 

[racoonze]

Well I guess nobody cares.

You know there is a great deal more in WDW than just the four parks.

Anyway, Billy Bowlegs is the name of the guy whose old fashioned reel lawnmower was absorbed into a tree near Pioneer Hall in Fort Wilderness. It is a cute little detail. There is not a lot to see but the story is fun.

And the second question. Yes a train used to move throughout Ft. Wilderness. I'm not sure when it stopped, but during my first visit back in the 80s there were tracks running where there are walking paths now. There were several smaller busses, like school busses and even Disney trams running guests through the park. I remember a 12-14yr old kid hopped off a moving tram and went head over heels in the grass. The driver had to stop the whole thing and fill out a long report.

Hope you enjoyed my reminiscing.

rac

 

[DisneyPhD]

Sorry for not posting earlier, I've been away from the computer for a few days. I do remember both of these things (although I admit I couldn't remember the name Billy Bowlegs). My family used to stay there back in the early and mid-80s. The tracks were still there then. In 1986, we stayed for 2 weeks which was a long time considering there were only 2 parks and one water park. We would go fishing in the canals. Those fish would eat anything. I think we had some biting empty hooks. I never fell off the tram, but I have fallen and landed on my head several times. In my opinion, it only makes you smarter.
Does anyone know if there's any lawnmower still visible. The last time I saw it, I had dragged my wife there to go to River Country, but I had to find the lawnmower tree! That was 6 years ago and there was just a corner of the mower still sticking out of the tree. They must still have the trams running through the place it is simply to big to walk around especially after a day at one of the parks.

 

[racoonze]

They run the nice modern Disney buses now. The hace two different routes "Chip" and "Dale."

There never was much of the lawnmower visible. Just a few pieces of metal sticking out. I mostly just like the story. I always figured it was staged... you know, Disney Magic!

rac

 

[sillyspook13]

Originally posted by racoonze
They run the nice modern Disney buses now. The hace two different routes "Chip" and "Dale."

There never was much of the lawnmower visible. Just a few pieces of metal sticking out. I mostly just like the story. I always figured it was staged... you know, Disney Magic!

rac

That would be called "Role in the Show". The cast members over the years have come up with stories that describe the attractions, resorts, etc. It makes the experience seem unique with an added legend. Another example of role in the show is the story of the ring at the Haunted Mansion.

 

[Lance]

I had to dig this thread up..........when I have nothing better to do, I search for threads about some of my favorite things......and I found this one.

I remember the days of the Brown trams(now Parking Lot Trams) that used to run inside Fort Wilderness. I wish they still did have the train. Seeing the ruins of the train always intriques me.

Ok, I guess this is a trivia thread, so.........When the train was in FW, where in FW could you catch a ride, where was entrance???

 

[donaldduck1967]

racoonze.....give us some time to answer next time. I knew both answers. Yes you can still see the lawn mower in the tree. I beliveve they stopped running the trains in the very early 80's.

 

[donaldduck1967]

[Ok, I guess this is a trivia thread, so.........When the train was in FW, where in FW could you catch a ride, where was entrance??? [/B][/QUOTE]


Meadow trading post and by the bus stop @ pioneer hall

 

[Lance]

Originally posted by donaldduck1967

Meadow trading post and by the bus stop @ pioneer hall

Correct!

Ok, sticking on the Train theme................the remaining FW trains are now gone, there at some historical train park.

BUT where in WDW, can you find two of the original train cars from the old FW train?

 

[donaldduck1967]

pleasrue island and downtown diseny. as for the rest of the trains i heard they left outdoors and are rotting away WDW.

they also used to have one in FW at one of the old horseback riding meeting places. when you take the main rd into FW about a 1/2 mile on the right you used to meet there for horseback riding.

 

[Lance]

Originally posted by donaldduck1967
pleasrue island and downtown diseny. as for the rest of the trains i heard they left outdoors and are rotting away WDW.

they also used to have one in FW at one of the old horseback riding meeting places. when you take the main rd into FW about a 1/2 mile on the right you used to meet there for horseback riding.

Very good

Yeah, for years, I guess they were rotting away, then a historical park took to remains and restored them, Disney took two of them and made them into ticket booths for DD/Pleasure Island.

And yes, the one train car in FW by the Horsback riding, I think it's still there, I hope it is.