7 Ways to “Horse” Around at Fort Wilderness Resort in Disney World

Walt Disney’s love of animals is legendary. That love of animals, particularly horses, is on full display at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Campground and Resort. Whether you’re a horse lover or you barely know the difference between the front and back end, you will have plenty to do and explore at Fort Wilderness. Here are seven ways you can “horse” around at Fort Wilderness!

7 – Explore the Gorgeous Tri-Circle D Ranch

In June 2020, Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground opened a brand new barn at Tri-Circle D Ranch in the Settlement Bus Depot in the back of the resort. The barn is gorgeous and includes larger stalls equipped with automatic water stations. It is twice as large as the original barn! Today, about forty-five cast members work at the Ranch.

We recently enjoyed a tour of the barn and learned so much. When Walt Disney was developing Disneyland, he wanted horses to be part of the experience. Years later, horses were also included at Walt Disney World. In fact, the original barn was one of the first buildings that was erected as part of Walt Disney World. Around 102 horses live at the barn today, including the horses you’ll see on Main Street, U.S.A. (parades, special events, and even weddings), ponies for pony rides, Cinderella’s ponies, and about 45-50 horses that provide trail rides at Fort Wilderness (see #5).

Some of the “costumes” the horses wear are on display in the special event harness rooms. You’ll see the harness for the Cinderella ponies, a coach harness with patent leather, custom-made horse collars, bridles with their names on them, and show harnesses with Mickey Mouse silhouettes on them.

The museum room showcases the history of horses at Walt Disney World and Walt Disney’s love of horses. There are photographs of some of the different kinds of activities the horses enjoy, a model of the Dragon Calliope (see #6), and models of the different horse breeds that Disney uses.

The front of the barn is open to the public, and Cast Members are available to answer questions or teach visitors about the horses.

6 – See the Famous Disneyland Calliope

You also don’t want to miss the 1907 Dragon Calliope, a horse-drawn musical wagon that Walt Disney purchased for Disneyland Park in the 1950s. It was used as part of the opening of Disneyland in 1955. It is currently on display at the new barn! While it is an original 1907 calliope, parts of other wagons were added to the wagon to create the wagon you see today, so it is uniquely Disney. A calliope is a musical instrument that uses steam whistles, and you can hear the music by pressing a button at the Tri-Circle-D Ranch. The wagon was brought from California for the centennial celebration and has remained in Florida since then.

5 – Horseback Trail Rides

Guests nine and up can sign up for a Horseback Trail Rides through the Fort Wilderness trail, which is full of Florida wildlife. Deer, ducks, armadillos, and rabbits may be spotted on this adventure! This experience is perfect for beginner and intermediate riders. Reservations are recommended by calling (407) WDW-PLAY, although walk-ins are accepted. Closed-toe shoes are required. Riders must be over 48 inches tall and weigh under 250 pounds. The cost is $65 per person for a 45-minute trail ride. Check-in is at the barn near the front of the resort near the bus stop.

4 – Pony Rides

Younger guests can enjoy a memorable pony ride on the petite ponies at the Ranch. Riders must be at least two years of age yet under nine years old, under 80 pounds, no taller than 48 inches, and able to hang on by themselves. There is a track near the barn, and the children can do one or two circles. A parent or guardian must lead the pony at all times, though Cast Members are happy to help if any parent feels uncomfortable leading the horse. Our children and our nephews all enjoyed pony rides when they were younger, and we have fantastic memories of the times they enjoyed pony rides at Fort Wilderness. Pony rides are offered daily from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. at Tri-Circle-D Ranch in the main barn near Settlement Bus Depot. The price is just $10, and no reservations are necessary.

Nearby there is an educational display where children can learn about the different horses in the barn, see their shoes, learn about different types of food the horses enjoy, and other items.

3 – Wagon Rides

Enjoy an old-fashioned, horse-drawn wagon ride on a scenic tour through the resort and campground. These tours are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Wagon rides depart daily at 6:00 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. from the front of Pioneer Hall. These 25-minute wagon rides are $15 for guests ages ten and up and $10 for guests 3-9.

2 – Carriage Rides

For a more personal experience, guests can also take in the beautiful Fort Wilderness Resort through horse-drawn carriage rides. Carriages fit up to 4 adults (or two adults and three small children). Rides depart from the main entrance of Crockett’s Tavern near Pioneer Hall from 5:30-9:30 pm. Each carriage ride costs $65 and lasts about 25 minutes. Reservations are recommended and can be made online or by calling (407) WDW-PLAY. Check-in is near the Settlement Bus Depot in front of Pioneer Hall.

1 – Holiday Sleigh Rides

Although there won’t be snow, you’ll go over the river and through the woods on this magical holiday sleigh ride. The sleighs are decorated with lights and garlands and are available during December. Holiday Sleigh Rides depart from the main entrance of Crockett’s Tavern near Pioneer Hall. Rides can fit up to 4 adults (or two adults and three small children). Each carriage ride costs $80 and lasts about 25 minutes. Reservations are recommended and can be made by calling (407) WDW-PLAY.

All of these options provide an excellent opportunity for a slower-paced, relaxed experience that 99.9% of visitors to Disney World don’t even know is available. They provide a chance to slow down and enjoy nature for a break from the overwhelming hustle of the parks. All of these experiences are open to all guests. You do not need to stay at Disney’s Ft. Wilderness Resort & Campground to enjoy!

Editor’s Note: Disney Vacation Club hosted us for a day at The Cabins at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort with guided tours of the new cabins and the Tri-Circle-D Ranch. We were also provided with two meals, a golf cart rental, and a fishing excursion. However, as always, the thoughts and opinions contained in this article are entirely our own.