Finally, we will be moving on with this report.
I think it's time for some more random photos.
A while back, photographer extraordinaire Ynottony99 posted this photo on the Picture of the Day thread:
There were comments and discussion at the time pointing out that the first rock in the photo looked like a bear swimming in the lake, trying to fetch a stick. And, after this was pointed out, I have to agree.
Since seeing the photo, I have meant to go back and look at this in person.
This is right behind the Meadow Trading Post.
I'm sure I've been there a hundred times, and I never noticed the bear head rock.
So, I visited this area again on this trip.
And, I couldn't see the bear head.
I took these photos of the area where I thought it should be:
Now that I look at the photos- I see the problem. I was there in the morning. It looks like I need to visit in the afternoon. And, someone needs to pull some of those weeds growing around the bear's head. I'll have to try this again.
Here's a shot looking toward the foot bridge in the 600 loop:
And, here we are looking across the lake at the Bike Barn:
This isn't a huge lake, but it's a decent size.
So, why is everyone fishing from this same spot?:
(I think it offered the best shade)
When folks ask about free things to do at the Fort, someone will usually mention the basketball goals, playgrounds, shuffleboard, tennis, tether ball and such, but no one ever mentions hop scotch. Well, you can play it right here behind the Meadow Trading Post anytime you like:
And, if you get hot and thirsty, you can step right inside the Trading Post and get yourself a nice Goofy Glacier. Or some gourmet jelly beans!
A while back, KFK posted an old Fort Wilderness Gazette on the Best Thread of 2010. Among many other interesting things, it listed a food service location called the Beach Shack. I had never heard of the Beach Shack before, and I'm still not clear on where it was actually located, but I did notice something about the Fort Wilderness Marina building on this visit. When you walk up to the Marina building, this is what you see:
You see a big Coke machine and a Pressed Penny machine.
These have been here for as long as I can remember.
But, there's something hidden behind these machines.
Here's a side view of the Coke machine:
And here's what's behind the machines:
Looks like shutters to me. Like for a food service location.
Also, there are tables and umbrellas here on the side of the Marina building:
This is the side of the building closest to the tables:
Does anyone remember food being served from here?
I don't.
On Sunday afternoon, we headed over to the Contemporary Resort for lunch. We took the resort boat, and got a good view of Discovery Island on the way over.
Here's what you see from the Fort Wilderness dock:
The storage shed that you see in these photos has been sitting on that dock for years. It was not there when Discovery Island was open. I have no idea why that shed is there, and I have never seen anyone docked there to use it.
Discovery Island used to be encircled by white sand beaches. You can't see the beaches anymore:
This shipwreck has been the subject of much discussion on the Best Thread of 2010:
I appreciate the fact that the shipwreck is still there, and I look for it on every visit.
Here's a photo of one of the big boats heading to the Fort for transport to the MK:
While this is a pretty view of The Contemporary Resort and Bay Lake Tower, I miss the view of the castle and Space Mountain that you used to be able to enjoy from this part of Bay Lake:
Here we are making a stop at Wilderness Lodge before heading over to the Contemporary:
Have you ever seen the Bear Face at the Wilderness Lodge at night?
No?
The next time you are heading back to the Fort via boat at night, take a look at the Wilderness Lodge. Do you see the two dormer windows up top? These usually are lit, as are two small spot lights mid-way down the building that end up looking like a nose. The whole thing looks like a bear's face from the lake. I have tried before to get a night photo of this, but I haven't been able to pull this off from a moving boat at night. But, please check it out yourself some time, and let me know what you think.
It is now time for a very important news flash.
Something that may be of big interest to many Fort campers.
They have installed a self-serve soft-serve ice cream machine at the Contemporary Resort!
You know, it's just a quick boat ride away from the Fort?
Here it is:
The bowl they give you to use is a pretty decent size.
If you take your time, you can get quite a bit of ice cream in there.
Say, enough for three people to share.
And there is free caramel sauce.
And free chocolate sauce.
Yes, I said free.
If you want to visit this amenity, I suggest you go soon.
I predict someone is going to get fired over this.
And, it isn't going to be there for long.
Especially since campers can get there so easily.
I'm just sayin'
Seriously, though. If you find yourself at the Fort on a hot summer afternoon, a visit to the Contemporary for some soft-serve ice cream can't be beat. This is set up right in the new quick serve location in the Grand Canyon Concourse. You can sit there in air conditioned comfort enjoying your ice cream and watching the monorails whiz by.
It seems like people are always asking what time the boats start running from the Fort marina. The good folks at the Contemporary don't have to ask, because they have nice clear signs that tell them:
Don't quote me on this, but I believe the first run of the day begins at the Fort, so our start time is at 6:45 each day. I wish WDW management would throw us poor campers a bone and give us a sign like this, though.
Well, there you go.
Another post chock-full of photos.
And, there is more on the way!
Including some of the other side of Discovery Island (we took the boat back), and more Fort fun.
TCD