Tri-Circle-D 2,059 Posted March 30, 2012 Report Share Posted March 30, 2012 Fort Wilderness just celebrated its 40th anniversary in 2011.There are not many folks who remember its humble beginnings.The Fort we know today was much smaller and simpler when it first opened.These documents show that clearly.We will start with a copy of the folder that used to be handed out to guests when they checked in.This is the cover:And this is the inside flap:Please take the time to read what is written there.Do you see how it mentions that Walt and Roy Disney visited what we now know as the Settlement area of Fort Wilderness?How do you like the photo of Bay Lake before it was developed? I have heard folks say it was just a swamp before Disney came along, but this photo suggests otherwise. And there is Discovery Island!Do you see what it says about the discovery of the Lawnmower tree?I think it's safe to say that Walt himself saw the Lawnmower tree.I zoomed in a bit on the photo of the Lawnmower tree from the folder. You can see that the Lawnmower handle is still intact:How cool is that?Walt and Roy visited the Fort!This next view shows the information provided to guests:A lot of this is the same today.This is all interesting stuff.But, by far, the most interesting thing about the folder is this map, from the back page:This is really cool.I have spent a lot of time studying it.This map tells me that some of the history I have heard about the development of the Fort is incorrect.For example, I have often heard that when the Fort opened, it only had the 100-600 loops, and that in 1973, the 700-1900 loops were added. This map seems to suggest otherwise.Here are just some of the interesting things I noticed on that map:- There is no Reception Outpost as we currently know it. The check in building is located along the road in the area we now know as the hitch/unhitch area.-The loops we know as 1100-1300, 1500 and 1600-2000 are not shown. Nor are any of the cabin loops. The road we know as Peacock Pass is not even shown. What we now know as the 1400 loop is shown, but it must not have been called the 1400 loop then, as there was no 1100-1300 loops. The loops must have had some type of numbers, as guests would need to identify their campsites, but they may not have had the same numbers they have now. It looks like the 500 loop must have still been the 500 loop then, as this camper's site number (539) is written where the 500 loop is currently located.-The 500 loop is called Tupelo Trail. Its name was later changed to Terry Trail, and then to Buffalo Bend. But, it started out as Tupelo Trail.-There is a comfort station shown in the area we now know as the 1700 loop. Odd.-The creeks around the Fort have names.-The area that we now know as the 300 loop playground/dog park is called the Horseshoe Bend Recreation area.-There is only one Trading Post.-There is no Meadow Trading Post or Meadow Pool. In fact, there are no pools at the Fort.-The area where the Meadow pool is now located is called the Field Activity Area.-There is no River Country.-What was later called Discovery Island was then called Treasure Island.-There is no FWRR- that came later.-The campfire location is shown as the area where Pioneer Hall now sits. Pioneer Hall and Trail's End had not yet been built.-The nature trail, which would later be called the Wilderness Swamp Trail, before it was closed, had a different name. But, the trail appears to have been something original to the Fort.-Note how the Lawnmower Tree is shown on the map. It used to get much more attention than it does now.I think it's worth taking a closer look at the little WDW map shown in the corner of the Fort map:Note the Stolport.That was an operating air strip where commercial flights used to serve WDW.I think this is all pretty amazing.And, be sure to check back, because I have a few more circa 1973 things to share.TCD Quote Link to post Share on other sites
BradyBzLyn...Mo 2,023 Posted March 30, 2012 Report Share Posted March 30, 2012 This is awesome stuff here, TCD - thanks! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Gots2pitt.. Jeff 64 Posted March 30, 2012 Report Share Posted March 30, 2012 Thanks for sharing TCD Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Tri-Circle-D 2,059 Posted March 30, 2012 Author Report Share Posted March 30, 2012 Back in 1973, WDW had only one theme park- the Magic Kingdom. And it had far less attractions than it does now.And, they didn't keep the MK open for as many hours as they do now. In fact, the MK typically was open from 9 am to 8 pm, and that was it. There was no Downtown Disney. So what did Disney do to try to extract more money from their guests? These documents, which were provided to Fort Wilderness guests back in 1973 give us a clue:So, they had a water ski show that you would watch from the monorail station. For a fee.And cruises- The World Cruise or the Showboat Cruise. And the last Showboat Cruise wasn't until 11:45 pm.At the Fort, there was canoe exploration- and 4 wheel drive vehicles?The Trading Post was open from 6 am to 11 pm. Nowadays, the Meadow TP doesn't open until 8, and the Settlement until 10. And they both close at 10 pm.Look how you could rent an Airstream Trailer back then. I have heard of this, but didn't know it started that far back.Also note how they had "big name" entertainment in the Top of the World Lounge at the Contemporary Resort.What I wouldn't give for a time machine.TCD Quote Link to post Share on other sites
North7... Jeff 2 Posted March 30, 2012 Report Share Posted March 30, 2012 -There is a comfort station shown in the area we now know as the 1700 loop. Odd.It may be that this is just a "legend" type thing to indicate that this figure represents a comfort station as it is larger and has text under it where the others in the camping loops don't.This is a great find TCD... thanks for sharing. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Tri-Circle-D 2,059 Posted March 30, 2012 Author Report Share Posted March 30, 2012 It may be that this is just a "legend" type thing to indicate that this figure represents a comfort station as it is larger and has text under it where the others in the camping loops don't.This is a great find TCD... thanks for sharing.Duh! I think you are right. That makes more sense than why there would be a comfort station over where there were no campsites.TCD Quote Link to post Share on other sites
mouseketab.....Carol 1,261 Posted March 30, 2012 Report Share Posted March 30, 2012 A couple of other things I noticedA Florida fishing license was requiredNo pets were allowed. The only kennel was at the TTC and it was $1.00 per day!!!This is cool!!! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Tri-Circle-D 2,059 Posted March 30, 2012 Author Report Share Posted March 30, 2012 A couple of other things I noticedA Florida fishing license was requiredNo pets were allowed. The only kennel was at the TTC and it was $1.00 per day!!!This is cool!!!Those are good observations, Carol.I meant to mention what the folder says about swimming-"You're welcome to swim in Bay Lake, but please no swimming in the campground creeks."It makes it sound like you could swim in the lake whenever you wanted. I think it's funny that they had to tell folks not to swim in the creeks. Unless the creeks were a lot cleaner than they are now, who in their right mind would even think about swimming in the creeks?TCD Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Tigger 33 Posted March 30, 2012 Report Share Posted March 30, 2012 They didn't need a pool back then you could swim on the beach Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Tri-Circle-D 2,059 Posted March 30, 2012 Author Report Share Posted March 30, 2012 They didn't need a pool back then you could swim on the beachBut not in the creeks!TCD Quote Link to post Share on other sites
mouseketab.....Carol 1,261 Posted March 30, 2012 Report Share Posted March 30, 2012 I also love the fact that they used the word "insure" instead of "ensure" regarding private boats!! Don't know if it was deliberate or not, but if it was, clever. Meaning their INSURANCE won't allow it!! :) Quote Link to post Share on other sites
mouseketab.....Carol 1,261 Posted March 30, 2012 Report Share Posted March 30, 2012 Wow!! There was no 3:00 Parade back then. Character parades were at 12:30 and 5:30 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Nicki aka Rebelstand 272 Posted March 30, 2012 Report Share Posted March 30, 2012 Those are good observations, Carol.I meant to mention what the folder says about swimming-"You're welcome to swim in Bay Lake, but please no swimming in the campground creeks."It makes it sound like you could swim in the lake whenever you wanted. I think it's funny that they had to tell folks not to swim in the creeks. Unless the creeks were a lot cleaner than they are now, who in their right mind would even think about swimming in the creeks?TCDyuck! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
CCIntrigue...aka Gwen 547 Posted March 30, 2012 Report Share Posted March 30, 2012 Remember when the Top of the World served a great breakfast? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Lil Lisa 53 Posted March 30, 2012 Report Share Posted March 30, 2012 Awesome stuff! I vaguely remember something about a water-ski show from when I was a really lil Lisa. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Lou... 3,118 Posted March 30, 2012 Report Share Posted March 30, 2012 Very, very, very, cool stuff Andrew. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
dblr....Rennie 224 Posted March 30, 2012 Report Share Posted March 30, 2012 Great trip down memorey lane!!!!!! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Starbuc71 162 Posted March 30, 2012 Report Share Posted March 30, 2012 Andrew, Here are a few photos od some old brochures I had. I think theyu are from 78. I can't resize them. Maybe you can. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Starbuc71 162 Posted March 30, 2012 Report Share Posted March 30, 2012 A few more Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Tri-Circle-D 2,059 Posted March 31, 2012 Author Report Share Posted March 31, 2012 S71/Dave-Cool stuff! It's pretty amazing how much was added between 1973 and 1978. I can't get over that photo of Discovery Island compared to how it looks today.TCD Quote Link to post Share on other sites
ImDownWithDisney 342 Posted March 31, 2012 Report Share Posted March 31, 2012 Wow! Cool stuff, TCD.This settles it.....the Fort was definitely a lot cooler back in the day. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
caveat lector 181 Posted March 31, 2012 Report Share Posted March 31, 2012 This is awesome! A true treasure. Many thanks for sharing.I cracked up reading the section on firearms. The way it reads there was not a problem having a gun, but you couldn't shoot it. Was this a "legal" maneuver, or we're they hoping for added old western type ambience (dad with his big leather gun belt and his daisy red Ryder bb gun protecting the settlement post)One curiosity: we all know that Lou would rather entertain a root canal, than to sit through EWP. I wonder if if the same sentiment would have applied to the water skiing show? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Lou... 3,118 Posted March 31, 2012 Report Share Posted March 31, 2012 One curiosity: we all know that Lou would rather entertain a root canal, than to sit through EWP.Two root canals.I wonder if if the same sentiment would have applied to the water skiing show?At least there would be girls in bathing suits to watch. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Discamper 394 Posted March 31, 2012 Report Share Posted March 31, 2012 TCD very cool I wish I had all my stuff from the 70's and 80's and 90''s Quote Link to post Share on other sites
stefa70 205 Posted March 31, 2012 Report Share Posted March 31, 2012 Fun info!I'm assuming the "big name" entertainers never got any bigger as I've never heard of any of them. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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