Ft. Wilderness Holiday Decorations

[HouCuseChickie]

I'm debating about heading over there one night to check out all of the decorations. Aside from stopping there by boat and bus on our way to other places...we've never been over there. So, a few ???s...

- is it better to walk to look at it all or can you see the decorations by driving around?
- it will probably be kind of early or after 10 when we head by- do you think displays will still be lit?
- if it is more of a walking thing, how is parking? and how much walking?
- are there any regular displays we should try and see if we're going around Thanksgiving?

We have a 7:45p adr at Cali Grill the night I'm thinking of doing this. It's also a park free day for us. Not sure if I want to try and squeeze it in before dinner or drive over after. If we go before, I'm afraid of missing our ADR and if we go after - it might only work if it's something we can see from our vehicle since the girls will be tired, we'll have leftover bday cake in tow, and we have an early morning the next day w/dual 8am appointments at BBB.

 

[Tuvalu]

I'm debating about heading over there one night to check out all of the decorations. Aside from stopping there by boat and bus on our way to other places...we've never been over there. So, a few ???s...

- is it better to walk to look at it all or can you see the decorations by driving around?
- it will probably be kind of early or after 10 when we head by- do you think displays will still be lit?
- if it is more of a walking thing, how is parking? and how much walking?
- are there any regular displays we should try and see if we're going around Thanksgiving?

We have a 7:45p adr at Cali Grill the night I'm thinking of doing this. It's also a park free day for us. Not sure if I want to try and squeeze it in before dinner or drive over after. If we go before, I'm afraid of missing our ADR and if we go after - it might only work if it's something we can see from our vehicle since the girls will be tired, we'll have leftover bday cake in tow, and we have an early morning the next day w/dual 8am appointments at BBB.

Yes, it is absolutely worth it to go to Fort Wilderness to see the holiday decorations!

The best way to experience them is by walking. The most decorated sites are located near Pioneer Hall (where Hoop Dee Doo is performed.) You cannot drive a car through this area (car travel is very limited.) If you drive to Fort Wilderness, you need to park your car at the entrance and take an internal bus to the Pioneer Hall area (Settlement Depot). This area is more easily accessed if you arrive by boat. You can catch a boat at the Magic Kingdom, Wilderness Lodge or the Contemporary.

If you are driving to the Contemporary for your Cali Grill ADR, my suggestion is to arrive around 5 p.m. and take the boat to Fort Wilderness. This will give you about an hour to walk around and see the displays. Most campers turn everything on at dusk. Since you will be there around Thanksgiving, there will be fewer decorations than in mid-December. You can walk as far as you like (remember you have to walk back!) You can also board an internal bus at Settlement Depot and see some decorations from the bus windows; however, you won't get to appreciate them as much.

I would not recommend going after your Cali Grill dinner. If you feel like you will be rushed for time going before dinner, I suggest going another night. We usually have dinner at Trail's End on the night we do our light display touring.