Does anyone know if the walkway from the Wilderness Lodge to Fort Wilderness ever reopened?

[71 Truck]

Years ago there was a walkway from the Wilderness Lodge to Fort Wilderness.
When they started the the new resort at the Fort I was told it was closed.
Does anyone know if it ever reopened?

 

[WildernessMickey]

We were there last week and we didn't see it. I might have missed it but I don't think there is a path to FW anymore.

 

[Mle8308]

Still closed.

 

[71 Truck]

Thanks.
My wife and I like to stay at the Wilderness Lodge then walk over to the Trail's End Restaurant for breakfast or dinner. I know we can take the boat but we like the exerciser.

 

[Mle8308]

Unfortunately, the boat isn’t running, either. Just the bus. Hope the boat returns soon!

 

[wnielsen1]

I think the intention was to open it after Reflections was built. Check back in 10 years.

 

[PetePanMan]

Unfortunately, the boat isn’t running, either. Just the bus. Hope the boat returns soon!

is the boat from FW to MK operating? Thx

 

[CarolynFH]

is the boat from FW to MK operating? Thx

Yes, the FW to MK boat is running. It’s the boat that runs between CR, FW and WL that hasn’t resumed yet.

 

[Simba's Mom]

Unfortunately, the boat isn’t running, either. Just the bus. Hope the boat returns soon!

Does the bus from MK and/or WL bring you directly to the Trail's End part of FW? It's been so long since we've stayed at FW, I think the bus system might have changed.

 

[Wood Nymph]

Does the bus from MK and/or WL bring you directly to the Trail's End part of FW? It's been so long since we've stayed at FW, I think the bus system might have changed.

The bus that runs between FW and WL takes you to the Settlement depot which is the closest bus stop to Trail's End. It is a very nice bus ride.

 

[UrsulaTime]

*sigh* Yeah, I was told that the bit of groundwork started on Reflections makes reinstating the path between Lodge and Fort complicated.

 

[carlbarry]

Walking into Boulder Ridge this morning there was a Disney Executive briefing a group of CMs, and I heard her say that the path was closed as "too dangerous for our guests" and has been replaced by bus service.

 

[Mle8308]

Walking into Boulder Ridge this morning there was a Disney Executive briefing a group of CMs, and I heard her say that the path was closed as "too dangerous for our guests" and has been replaced by bus service.

It’s been closed for quite some time, prior to Covid. Originally because they were planning on building another DVC property.

 

[carlbarry]

Yep. And now apparently permanently.

 

[glamdring269]

Wow. A lot of the little things I liked about Wilderness Lodge are slowly disappearing. I know a lot of people probably couldn't care less about that walking path but we liked having that option as a nice way to stretch our legs in the afternoon. I wonder what earned it the "too dangerous for our guests" distinction.

 

[Nursemanit]

Many years ago I may or may not of have had too much to drink at Pleasure Island and took the last Wilderness lodge bus back confusing it with the Fort Wilderness bus. The bus driver said there is a path - When I asked a CM where the path was He said it was closed at night due to the "local wildlife" so it may not be reflection related.

 

[71 Truck]

Wow. A lot of the little things I liked about Wilderness Lodge are slowly disappearing. I know a lot of people probably couldn't care less about that walking path but we liked having that option as a nice way to stretch our legs in the afternoon. I wonder what earned it the "too dangerous for our guests" distinction.

My wife and I liked the path because we could walk over to the restaurants for breakfast.

 

[CarolynFH]

Wow. A lot of the little things I liked about Wilderness Lodge are slowly disappearing. I know a lot of people probably couldn't care less about that walking path but we liked having that option as a nice way to stretch our legs in the afternoon. I wonder what earned it the "too dangerous for our guests" distinction.

When Reflections was under construction, I believe that justified the closure. I don't know what justifies continuing it, now that Reflections is cancelled and the site is covered over. Unless they just don't want guests wandering through the woods, especially at night, being bitten by snakes or otherwise injured. Disney's attorneys are probably more risk-averse than they used to be, after the tragic GF alligator incident.

 

[bama_ed]

When Reflections was under construction, I believe that justified the closure. I don't know what justifies continuing it, now that Reflections is cancelled and the site is covered over.

They tore up the paved trail between FW and WL because the ground underneath it was used as a utility corridor to run buried various power, water, gas, communications, etc. lines to the R********* construction site.

And sadly, given all the prep work that Disney put into that work site, they'll eventually build SOMETHING there IMO.

Bama Ed

 

[CarolynFH]

They tore up the paved trail between FW and WL because the ground underneath it was used as a utility corridor to run buried various power, water, gas, communications, etc. lines to the R********* construction site.

And sadly, given all the prep work that Disney put into that work site, they'll eventually build SOMETHING there IMO.

Bama Ed

Thanks for that additional information. I didn't realize the utility lines ran beneat the roadway - that definitely adds to the reasoning for not reopening it.

And I agree - eventually they'll build something there. But how many years did they let River Country sit undisturbed?