Visiting Tri-Circle-D Ranch at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort
Just a boat ride away from Magic Kingdom, there is a relaxing and unique activity away from the hustle and bustle of the theme parks. Tri-Circle-D Ranch at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort is a fun activity for kids of all ages.
Visiting this peaceful spot is a highlight of being at Fort Wilderness. It is home to the beautiful horses that work throughout Walt Disney World.
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You’ll find the horses at Disney World everywhere from Main Street, U.S.A. in Magic Kingdom to resorts.
Sometimes they are even pulling Cinderella’s carriage during special events. Whether you’re a lifelong horse lover or simply looking for a fun family outing, the ranch is a wonderful place to slow down and connect with Disney’s equine stars.
A Fun Family Outing at Walt Disney World
On our recent Disney trip, we visited Tri-Circle-D Ranch and had such a great time. The ranch is beautifully kept and offers the perfect escape from the busy parks. Making this an ideal half-day activity for kids and families.
We enjoyed walking around and meeting the horses up close. The kids learned more about the different breeds, and seeing the care that goes into keeping them healthy and happy. This is a fun activity for all ages and best suited for ages 3 and up.
One of the best parts of visiting is getting to see the same horses that appear in the parks! It’s like spotting a Disney character in real life!
All of the horses had their very own Disney names and name tags on their stalls! So you will know who they are if you spot them again!
Carriage Ride Displays
In addition to being able to see the horses, there are a few museum like areas at the Tri-Circle-D Ranch to learn more about the history of horses at Disney.
There is a great inset area that features Walt’s connection with horses. It shows images of how horses were first used at Disneyland.
There’s also a large carriage display where you can see a special event calliope and learn more about how it is used. All of the horse harnesses and saddles for special events are also on display.
Pony Rides for Younger Children
One of the unique activities for little ones at Fort Wilderness are the pony rides offered at Tri-Circle-D Ranch. The pony rides are perfect for younger children (80lbs or less and 3 years of age or older) who want a hands-on experience with the animals.
The rides are guided and it makes it a wonderful introduction to horseback riding. Parents are able to watch from the sidelines and there is a controlled track area where the ponies stay during the ride.
Our kids loved being able to meet the ponies and talk with the Cast Members about their care. There are also activity cards near the pony rides where you can do some self-guided activities around the stables as well.
Pony rides are available on a first come, first serve basis, so arriving earlier in the day is a good idea to avoid wait times.
Learning Activities at Tri-Circle-D Ranch
In addition to being surrounded by nature and animals, there are also some self-guided learning activities you can do while at Tri-Circle-D Ranch!
On display are different sizes of horseshoes and tools for children to take a look. Cast members are nearby if they have any questions about care of the horses.
Borrow one of the fun laminated cards from the learning station to point out different items around the stables. These are great for younger kids to learn more about horses, and older kids may enjoy these are conversation starters.
We love finding learning activities when we are at Walt Disney World, and this is a great stop if you are looking to learn more about horses and their care.
Trail Rides for Older Kids, Teens, and Adults
Trail rides are located in a separate corral area at Fort Wilderness, the Trail Blaze Corral. You’ll need to head to the south part of the resort down towards the Outpost Depot main bus stop for this experience.
For families with older kids or teens (ages 9 years and up), guided trail rides offer a more adventurous way to experience the ranch. Riders explore scenic wooded trails around Fort Wilderness, and it’s a great way to enjoy the Florida wilderness while still being in the middle of Walt Disney World.
We didn’t get a chance to do a trail ride on this trip, but we’re already planning to come back for it on a future trip. It looks like such a peaceful and memorable activity.
And being here is a totally different pace from the theme parks! Make sure to plan a few hours for this activity, because the trail ride itself is approximately 45 minutes long.
What to Know Before You Go
- Location: Tri-Circle-D Ranch is located at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground. You can take a boat from Magic Kingdom or bus transportation from other Disney theme parks.
- Cost: Visiting the ranch is free, but pony rides, trail rides, and carriage rides have an additional fee.
- Time Needed: Plan about 1 hour for pony rides and visiting the horses. Or 1-2 hours+ if you’re booking a trail ride.
- Note: There are two different ranch areas! The ponies and Tri-Circle D Ranch area you can walk through self-guided is on the north side by the Settlement. The Trail Blaze Corral with additional stables is the other area. This is where you will go for trail riding. It is on the south side by the Outpost Depot main bus stop.
Why We Recommend Tri-Circle-D Ranch
If you’re looking for something different to do on your Walt Disney World vacation, Tri-Circle-D Ranch is a fantastic choice. It’s a peaceful, scenic break from the rides and crowds. We love that it gives kids a chance to connect with animals in a hands-on way.
Visiting Tri-Circle-D Ranch is a magical way to spend part of your Disney day. There is a great variety of activities at Fort Wilderness, and we love this spot for kids!
We left with big smiles and lots of photos! Our family can’t wait to go back and try the trail ride on our next trip! This is also a must plan location if you’ll be staying at Fort Wilderness Resort.
Disclaimer:
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