Want to try something new at Walt Disney World? Looking for something on property but outside of the normal park day? Then look no further, Fort Wilderness Archery Experience is the perfect activity for you and your family! The Archery Experience is available for anyone age 7 and older. Whether you’re an adventure seeking couple, an outdoorsy family, or a brave individual, this experience is a thrill for all. If you have any kids under 7 they can watch the activity from the bleachers. This 75 minute activity is held on select days at the Fort wilderness Campground at 11:30 and 2:45PM.
The Archery Experience
After introductions, our two Archery Guides quickly set the tone with safety guidelines and a brief but thorough hands-on training session. We were shown to the archery range, each of us equipped with our own Compound bow and designated spots. Benches lined the area, perfect for anyone wanting more of a hands-off view.
To our surprise, the other participants didn’t show up, leaving us with what felt like our own private Archery Lesson at Walt Disney World-a little sprinkle of Disney magic. Though you’re not allowed to take photos during the session (Safety, they did let us pose for a few shots at the end. In hindsight, I wish I had set up my camera to record the entire experience! *Jeneice’s Tip*: Set up a tripod and camera to video your experience!
Ready, Aim, Shoot – Bull’s-Eye, Well not at First
Finally it was time to put all the instructions together! The experience follows drum commands rather than verbal directions. 2 Beats – Get your Bow, 1 Beat – Shoot, 3 Beats Go Get your Arrows, 5 Beats – Stop. It took a few times to adjust to the drum beats and instructions, but soon we settled into a rhythm. Once we got the hang of it, aiming with our Compound Bows felt like second nature. My husband, daughter, and I all did well, even hitting the coveted bullseye a few times. With just the three of us, we had plenty of time to practice.
I’d recommend wearing light clothing and layers so you can remove them if you get overheated. Don’t forget the sunscreen-it’s Florida, after all. After the lesson was completed, we wandered around, looked at the pool and other various activities at the Campground, and browsed the Meadows Trading Post.
A Few Tips:
- Call the Bike Barn in case of inclement weather to confirm your activity.
- Wear casual, light clothing and closed-toe shoes-tennis sneakers are perfect.
- If there’s lightning, the lesson will pause.
- No photos are allowed during the experience for safety reasons, but a non-participating family member can snap some shots.
- Bring water to stay hydrated.
- Once the lesson was over, our instructor let us take some group photos. *Jeneice’s Tip* Make a day of it – Before or after your archery lesson, you can rent a canoe, kayak, or bike and casting rod fishing gear at the Bike Barn, or visit the Tri-Circle-D Ranch for a pony ride (ages 2+, $8, no reservation needed). Other fun activities include horseback riding, wagon or carriage rides, and holiday sleigh rides (advance reservations required).
Reservations and all The Details
Check out Disney’s Archery Experience or call (407) WDW-PLAY OR (407)939-7529 for availability. The Archery Experience is held at 11:30 p.m. and 2:45 p.m.
Reservations are required, but be sure to check for last minute cancellations. You can make reservations 60 days in advance of your Resort Reservation check in date. Disney Resort Guests can make reservations for up to 10 days after their initial check in date. Walk ups are also welcome if space is available.
Cost of the Experience
• The cost is $49 per person plus tax for a 75 minute session and class size is limited to 10 guests.
This is a great value for Disney and if you’re a Disney Vacation Club Member you’ll save 10% too. Those discounts can really add up on activities, dining and shopping! Be sure to ask if there are any discounts at check-out too.
How to Get to Fort wilderness!
- My daughter and I were at Magic Kingdom, so we took the boat over to Fort Wilderness and then took the internal bus to the Bike Barn stop. It was super convenient.
- My hubby had a massage that morning so he took an Uber from our resort and met us at the Bike Barn.
- If you drive to the Fort Wilderness Campground you’ll park at the entrance. Then take the Yellow or Orange Line to get to the Bike Barn
Check in at the Bike Barn for your, Fort Wilderness Archery Experience, at least 15 minutes early to sign the waivers. Then receive your safety goggles and head around the check in area to the Archery Experience stands.
Final Thoughts
After reading about our experience, I hope that archery is high on your list of things to do at Walt Disney World. Are you thinking after paying for your resort, food, and tickets to the parks, why would I want to do this?
Archery is a unique experience most people haven’t had the time to explore. Most kids and adults – love to try new things especially after they have seen it in the movies. Watch Brave before your vacation along with some of the other movies with characters they may see in the parks. I call it a warm up before actually meeting the characters or doing the archery experience.
This is just one of many tours available in the parks. If you’re craving more adventure, check out my blog post on this excursion for a unique and fun Disney extra!
