A new baby has arrived at Walt Disney World! Celebrate with us the arrival of a Shetland pony born on January 7 at Disney’s Tri-Circle-D Ranch located in Disney’s Fort Wilderness.
As shared via Disney’s Animals, Science and Environment Facebook page: “Here’s a first look at the newest baby at Walt Disney World, courtesy of our ranch hand friends at Tri-Circle-D Ranch. Meet Obie, a Shetland pony born to mom Lady on Jan. 7. He’s less than a week old, but the ranch team said he’s already keeping pace with his mom and nearly ready to make his onstage debut.
Dr. Mark takes to Instagram to share more details at @DrMarkAtDisney: “Guess what new baby just galloped into the world? Wishing a warm welcome to our newest addition, Obie! Obie joins a herd of 28 other ponies @WaltDisneyWorld’s Tri-Circle D Ranch. This little guy is a quick learner – standing and nursing within just one hour of his birth! He loves chasing his mom, Lady, around the field, running circles around her while she grazes on the green grass. Did You Know? Obie is actually the brother of Lilly, who was our first Cinderella pony born at the ranch? In a few years, he will join his sister and father on Cinderella’s pumpkin coach in parades and @Disney’s Fairytale Weddings throughout the resort.”
Walt Disney World’s Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground is ready to welcome guests back as of June 22 for the reopening of select Disney Resorts. Today, Disney introduced the new barn at Tri-Circle-D Ranch. Check out the details, photos and video below from DisneyParksBlog:
With the phased reopening of our Disney Resort hotels at Walt Disney World Resort, we’re excited to welcome guests back to the campground with a fresh new barn at Tri-Circle-D Ranch. Our animal care team continues to take great care of our horses, and are thrilled to share this magnificent milestone at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground.
Tri-Circle-D Ranch has a long history of housing “The Happiest Horses on Earth,” as it was part of Walt’s vision to bring horses to Magic Kingdom Park much like he did in Disneyland. Tri-Circle-D Ranch was established before opening day of Walt Disney World Resort, making his wish come true.
Back in August, we shared that our horses and ranch team were receiving a beautifully enhanced new barn, with plenty of space for play time, pony rides and more. The new stable features larger stalls for the horses, including 10 additional stalls – all equipped with automatic water stations. The barn is more than twice the size of the original barn with two tack rooms, a wedding harness room showcasing tack for Cinderella’s ponies and the return of the museum dedicated to Walt’s love of horses.
Along with the museum, our horses themselves brought an iconic piece of Disney history back to the barn—the 1907 Dragon Calliope. Walt Disney purchased the horse-drawn musical wagon for Disneyland Park in the 1950s, and it is currently on display at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground. Watch the horse-powered move below:
ut that’s not all that’s new at Tri-Circle-D Ranch! Last week, we shared the newest addition to our animal collection, Violet, a pony foal born right here at the new stable. Violet is already finding her independence as she plays around in the pastures and enjoys running around with her mom, Elsa, for some quality bonding time.
The ranch is a quick trot away from its original location, just around the corner from the bus loop by Pioneer Hall. To learn more about horses and many of the other animals in our care, visit DisneyAnimals.com.
With the start of Walt Disney World’s phased reopening on July 11, Disney Vacation Club has shared details on the reopening of its timeshare properties to members and guests. In addition, Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground will also be reopening.
Disney Vacation Club resorts at Walt Disney World will reopen to members and guests on June 22, in addition to Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground.
Disney Vacation Club resorts in Vero Beach, Florida, and Hilton Head, South Carolina, will also open to members and guests starting on June 15.
Plans to support required physical distancing as well as enhanced cleaning measures, along with a number of other safety and cleanliness protocols, will be implemented as part of this planned phased reopening.
Disney is temporarily pausing new ticket sales and Disney Resort hotel reservations in order to focus on guests with existing tickets and reservations. Disney Vacation Club members can still make new reservations.
@bioreconstruct took to the sky to show the newly-completed Tri-Circle-D Ranch, which was rebuilt as an initial part of the expansion ongoing at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground for the upcoming Reflections: A Disney Lakeside Lodge.
Imagineers have redesigned the Tri-Circle-D Ranch, which will offer a modern stable and updated outdoor spaces and facilities for “The Happiest Horses on Earth.” The new ranch will maintain the history and spirit of the original Tri-Circle-D, welcoming guests to explore exhibits of classic Disney equestrian artifacts, some of which date back to the 1950s!
There appears to be a completed walking path in front of the stables, and if you look closely, you can spot a few white horses, possibly ponies, near the stables.
The ranch houses nearly 100 horses in a wide range of breeds, including Appaloosas, Arabians, Belgians, Clydesdales, paint horses, Percherons, and quarter horses, as well as the aforementioned Shetland ponies. The horses are used for horse-drawn carriage rides, wagon rides, horseback riding lessons, pony rides, and during the holiday season, sleigh rides at the resort.
The new ranch is part of a major expansion plan of the area behind Disney’s Fort Wilderness Lodge & Campground, which was formerly a water park called River Country. Construction has continued on the site, despite most of the Walt Disney Resort remaining closed because of the novel coronavirus. While nothing has been confirmed, it can be ascertained that the new location of the Tri-Circle D Ranch will encourage guests of the both resorts to utilize this area for various activities.
Spring is on the way! Walt Disney World is springing into action with some exciting additions for Disney fans! Mermaids, chocolate, and more? What more could we ask for?! Check out the details below from DisneyParksBlog:
A selection of new and returning experiences that offer memorable fun for guests of all ages are set to bloom at Walt Disney World Resort Hotels this spring! Chocolate tastings, painting activities, pirate adventures and more are now accepting reservations for guests planning a springtime getaway.
NEW! The Chocolate Workshop Presented by The Ganachery
Come discover the delights of chocolate – nature’s most beautiful ingredient! This hands-on chocolate workshop hosted at the new Disney’s Riviera Resort will give guests a taste of The Ganachery, a specialty chocolate shop located in Disney Springs. Participants will learn from an expert Chef Chocolatier from The Ganachery how to properly taste chocolate, observe a demonstration on how ganache is made and create their very own chocolate truffle pops. Starting in March, the workshops will take place on Sundays at 11 a.m. at Disney’s Riviera Resort. Classes are $60/person (plus tax). Reservations can be made through 407-WDW-PLAY.
Mermaid School
Back by popular demand, Mermaid School at Walt Disney World Resort hotels gives guests ages 4 and older the chance to live out their mermaid dreams by participating in fun pool activities while wearing a swimmable “tail” – just like Ariel! At the end of the experience, guests will now receive a unique medallion to commemorate their time “under the sea.” Mermaid School will be back in session on select dates starting March 1, with classes offered in new additional locations. This year, Mermaid School experiences will be available at Disney’s Art of Animation Resort, Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort, Disney’s Yacht and Beach Club Resorts, Disney’s All-Star Music Resort, Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort and Disney’s Riviera Resort. Classes are $55/person (plus tax). Reservations for this experience are now open and can be made through 407-WDW-PLAY.
Crockett’s Craft Corner at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground
Guests can let out their inner-artist at Crockett’s Craft Corner at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground! This two-hour board-and-brush style workshop invites guests ages 8 and up to design, paint and take home their very own rustic wooden sign. As they paint, participants can enjoy a complimentary assortment of light food and beverage options. Crockett’s Craft Corner takes place on Wednesday afternoons inside Trails End Restaurant and is priced at $75/person (plus tax). Reservations can be made through 407-WDW-PLAY.
Walt Disney World Resort Fun Runs
Guests looking for a fun way to stay active during their vacation should check out one of the many Fun Run opportunities located at select Walt Disney World Resort hotels! These experiences offer scenic views of Walt Disney World, with courses ranging from 1.2-1.8 miles at the following resorts: Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort, Disney’s Riviera Resort, Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort, Disney’s Port Orleans Resort – French Quarter, Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort, Disney’s Yacht & Beach Club Resorts, Disney’s BoardWalk Resort, Disney’s Old Key West Resort and Disney’s All Star Resorts.
The total cost for this experience is $15/person (plus tax) and includes a custom bib, finishers prize and a selection of snacks. Guests 2 and under are free, and strollers are welcome during the runs. To reserve a spot, guests can call 407-WDW-PLAY.
Captain Hook’s Pirate Crew at Disney’s Beach Club Resort
Captain Hook’s Pirate Crew at Disney’s Beach Club Resort is bringing another year of swashbucklin’ fun! This immersive group experience invites kids ages 4-12 to go on an epic pirate adventure with Captain Hook and his crew as they search for hidden treasure, set sail for a short jaunt around Crescent Lake and enjoy a delicious Pirate feast! Captain Hook’s Pirate Crew is the perfect way for kids to make lasting memories in a safe and fun environment as parents enjoy time on their own, such as an evening at the Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival, opening March 4.
The cost for this experience is $55 (plus tax) per child. Now through May 31, Annual Passholders are eligible for a 10% discount. Disney Vacation Club Members are also eligible for a 10% discount with no end date at this time. For reservations and more information, guests can call 407-824-KIDS.
