Hello, John! From one North Carolinian to another, welcome to planDisney! You've come to the right place! We love helping guests plan their
Walt Disney World Resort vacations, so I'm happy to help you with your question!
Disney's Fort Wilderness Resort and Campground is a unique place at Walt Disney World. You'll find amenities exclusive to this Disney resort like pony rides, archery, and yes, kayak rentals. I sing the praises of this resort every chance I get, and many of my previous planDisney answers reflect that! I just spoke with a friendly Cast member at the Bike Barn who confirmed that guests are not permitted to bring their own kayaks (or watercraft of any kind) to use in the waterways. She also informed me that the water levels are currently so low that the canals are closed. With spring already arriving in Florida, she is hopeful they will reopen soon, but there is no guarantee, of course. You can give them a call to check the status, if you like. The number is located toward the bottom of
this page. Select option six to speak with the Bike Barn coordinator.
Since you like outdoor activities, I'd like to suggest an evening at
Winter Summerland Miniature Golf or
Fantasia Gardens and Fairways Miniature Golf. Our family likes to visit one of these locations on one of our days off from the theme parks. The scenes are whimsical, and the courses are challenging enough for your competitive players but plenty of fun for beginners, too. You can call and make a reservation, but walk-ups are welcome, as well. Last year, I played a round with my teens at Winter Summerland, and it has become one of our most magical memories. None of us scored very well, but we sure had a good time!
The
EPCOT International Flower and Garden Festival just began, so you will have the opportunity to experience it during your visit. You can see stunning topiaries and gardens, attend the Garden Rocks Concert Series, and grab a bite from one of the dozens of outdoor kitchens serving festival-exclusive foods and beverages.
Disney Parks Blog has some helpful information, in addition to the menus.
The answer about kayaks might not be what you were hoping for, John, but I am certain you will make the best of it! I hope you have the most magical vacation yet! If you have any more questions, please come back and see us here at
planDisney!
Always Dreaming -
Elizabeth