The Last “Best” Breakfast Hurrah

Stop what you are doing and go eat at Trail’s End at Disney’s Fort Wilderness - then come back and finish this post. Alright, now that you’ve done that here is the reason why, Trail’s End is shutting down after the spring break crowds dissipate. This makes us sad for so many reasons. Here is why Trail’s End was Disney’s “best kept” secret for dining, and why it’s being closed.

Trail’s End was a chore for some people to get to. Not only did you have to arrive at Fort Wilderness and then take another bus to a remote part of the campsite, but you also were rewarded with an excellently priced meal with all the Disney magic and food as good or better than many family style alternatives.

I remember our first trip. We arrived “on time” only to discover we had to travel again by bus to another part making us 20 minutes late and 20 minutes hungrier. The learning curve was real, and they graciously understand this and honor reservations within reason. You get an all you can eat kids pricing for $12.99. You will be almost there in pricing if you take your kids to IHOP. By Disney standards this is cheap for an “all you can eat” skillet style meal. As an adult, I have matured to the point that I have learned breakfast food makes everything better. So bacon, eggs & mickey waffles by the dozens can keep you happy & full until supper. And on top of these benefits - you truly felt like you were in a different place, like the west, or maybe an early establishment in Pioneer Day is a better suited description. But now it’s going away. With so much love given by the masses, why is this changing? When fans often dubbed this as the best meal at a moderate price what gives? Here’s why all this is happening.

In a word, room. This part of Disney has always been “short” on dining availability options and everyone knows it. So how is shutting down a restaurant going to give more dining flexibility? By being redesigned. A redesign is always a double edged sword that cuts access to something we love for a time but then gives us something refurbished and fresh on the other side. Refurbs are what keeps Disney maintained and viable. This is not a typical “re-imagining” though. When this spots opens it will be a marketplace concept with quick service options that are expandable to meet the needs of the public on a rotation basis. Right now on this part of the resort you only have P&J’s Southern Takeout as an alternative and that is a very small counter dishing up mobile orders and personal ones as well. This simply is not big enough to meet the fast paced needs of Wilderness Trail guests if one sit down reservation is the only other option. To my very sad admission, this is a needed change for Fort Wilderness. But my nostalgia wants it to go on… (can you hear Celine Dion singing “My Heart Will Go on” right now?) and never change. A good alternative would be to just put up another building, but you can rest assured Disney has run the numbers and this is the best financial option for them while also meeting the needs of guests. If Fort Wilderness was a premiere property like Animal Kingdom Lodge or the Polynesian we might have seen an expansion, but for now we will have to settle for what time we have left with Trail’s End. Indications and word from Disney insiders are that the closure is to occur around mid April after the Easter crowds subside. This could maintain a level of “flexibility” but as of now this is the most likely timing for the re-imagining to begin.

So, if you want a great meal… actually, in these parts we say, “If you got a hankering for good food” get here soon. Don’t make it a “rushed trip” if you're at the parks and the lighting lane times are limiting your day’s flexibility. Make this a more relaxed time, and you will fit in with the “feel” of Fort Wilderness. When you are finished, you can see the horses, take a trail ride (reservation needed), kayak, rent bikes, visit the playgrounds, or enjoy the scenery. However, with a limited time left, this is truly a case of “hurry up” and relax.

Trail’s End will be remembered as a “secret” good food restaurant at an excellent price. Many will remember it as a place where they as hungry and hot campers watched the hour in which they were seated turn from hanger into a good family outing that framed fond memories not soon forgotten. Though it will be missed, there are still a lot of Disney restaurants in which to make those wonderful memories, and for that we can say (in the spirit of Trail’s End) Yeee- Haw. And I don’t even care if that sound corny.

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Cast member creations

Awesome cast members who love their jobs make the difference at Disney! This not so hidden Micky was left by a joyous cast member who wanted the kids playing at the playground to see Micky on a non-park day!