Welcome To WDW 1970's/ 80's and 90's

[DaveInTN 3,247]

 

There's nothing like wearing shorts on a metal slide in the Florida sun. 

[Tri-Circle-D 2,059]

There's nothing like wearing shorts on a metal slide in the Florida sun. 

 

I'll bet that slide got hot.

 

That looks like it might be the playground at the Settlement.  That slide would definitely get full sun for most of the day.

 

TCD

[Discamper 394]

I'll bet that slide got hot.

 

That looks like it might be the playground at the Settlement.  That slide would definitely get full sun for most of the day.

 

TCD

That is the playground at the front of the 1400 loop

[Tri-Circle-D 2,059]

That is the playground at the front of the 1400 loop

 

You don't mean it's the Fort Apache playground next to the dog park, do you?

 

There did used to be a playground on the left as you enter the 1400 loop, but the area depicted in that photo looks too wide open to be that little one at the 1400 loop entrance.

 

TCD

[Discamper 394]

You don't mean it's the Fort Apache playground next to the dog park, do you?

 

There did used to be a playground on the left as you enter the 1400 loop, but the area depicted in that photo looks too wide open to be that little one at the 1400 loop entrance.

 

TCD

Yes there was a big playground on the left of the 1400 loop before

[Discamper 394]

Fun Fact: there was a beach a swimming hole to the left of the dog park

[Tri-Circle-D 2,059]

Fun Fact: there was a beach a swimming hole to the left of the dog park

 

Every publication I've seen from the Fort says no swimming in the canals.

 

So, they let guests swim in that canal?  Or was this an unofficial swimming hole?

 

TCD

[Tri-Circle-D 2,059]

Back to that playground photo you posted, Todd.

 

I did a little super sleuthing, and found the collection that photo came from:  http://jupiter.smugmug.com/Disney/Old-Disney-Photos/22727457_Gh3qfv#!i=1822163848&k=t9Qqhnh

 

 

If you look at the whole collection, it looks like this family was staying at the Polynesian Resort, and then visited the Fort for the Hoop Dee Doo Revue.  All the other photos of the Fort from that collection are from around the Settlement, so I say these photos are of the Settlement playground, not the playground at the 1400 loop:

 

 

 

 

 

Those are some cool old photos!

 

TCD

[Discamper 394]

[Tri-Circle-D 2,059]

I love that map.

 

Discovery Island is called Blackbeard's Island. It was only called that for a little while. After that it was Treasure Island, then Discovery Island.

 

The campfire is down by the Settlement.  There is an Archery Range in the area where the campfire area currently sits.

 

There are only five loops.

 

There is only one trading post.

 

Pioneer Hall isn't on the map- it wasn't built until 1974.

 

There are no pools.  Just the beach.

 

The Wilderness Swamp Trail is called the Sweet Bay Swamp Nature Walk.

 

No River Country yet- that won't come along until 1976.  You can see that the map shows Tri-Circle-D ranch there.  The current horse barn/ petting zoo area was not built yet.

 

The location of the Reception Outpost is near where the hitch/unhitch area is today.  The current drive-through lanes weren't built until 1974.

 

The Fort Wilderness Railroad isn't shown on the map- it also was not yet there when Fort Wilderness first opened to guests.

 

There is no Bike Barn.

 

Bus stops aren't shown on the map.  Somebody drew a couple on it.

 

The 500 loop is shown with its original name:  "Toupelo" Trail.  What I don't know is whether that's a typo on the map, or if they really spelled it that way.  I have never heard of a Toupelo.  Tupelo yes, but not Toupelo.  Since the other loops are named after trees indigenous to the area, I assume that the intention was to name the 500 loop after Tupelo trees.  But it's not spelled right if that was the intention.

 

TCD

[Discamper 394]

Andrew I knew you would like that map. Think it as to be from 71 or 72

[Tri-Circle-D 2,059]

Andrew I knew you would like that map. Think it as to be from 71 or 72

 

Yes, I have actually seen this exact map before.  It definitely pre-dates 1974.

 

I forgot to mention the STOLPort- it's shown on the locator map on the bottom left corner.

 

I wish I had visited the Fort at this time- it sure would have been different from the Fort we know today.

 

TCD

[DaveInTN 3,247]

 

The 500 loop is shown with its original name:  "Toupelo" Trail.  What I don't know is whether that's a typo on the map, or if they really spelled it that way.  I have never heard of a Toupelo.  Tupelo yes, but not Toupelo.  Since the other loops are named after trees indigenous to the area, I assume that the intention was to name the 500 loop after Tupelo trees.  But it's not spelled right if that was the intention.

 

TCD

 

It just goes to show you.....Idiot Managers at the Fort is not a new phenomenon. 

[AC in A2......Aaron 693]

Great pics!

[Discamper 394]

[LONE-STAR 370]

I see a hidden Mickey.

[Discamper 394]

[LONE-STAR 370]

I wish that place still existed.

[Memphis 105]

I wish that place still existed.

 

Got me to thinking if the technology behind the movie "Total Recall"  really existed I would have some vacations from the 70s at the Fort embedded in my mind. 

 

That would be so cool.

[Discamper 394]

[Discamper 394]

[LONE-STAR 370]

I like how everyone is dressed it is very clean looking.

[Thrill Shakespeare (Andy) 58]

I saw Steamboat Willie for the first time in that theater.  Pure magic.

[YENSIDCAMPER 66]

 

Seeing topiaries from the monorail are one of the few memories I have left from my first visit to Disney World in 1975.

[Discamper 394]