Hi Shelly,
There are a few ways to get to the
Tri-Circle-D Ranch for your trail ride from Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge using Walt Disney World resort transportation. You will need to take a bus from Animal Kingdom Lodge to one of the theme parks and transfer to transportation to
Disney's Fort Wilderness Resort. You could either take a bus to Animal Kingdom Park or Magic Kingdom Park and transfer to Fort Wilderness.
If you choose the route through Animal Kingdom Park, the Fort Wilderness bus will bring you to the Outpost Depot and you will need to transfer to another bus to reach the Settlement Depot. If you choose the route through Magic Kingdom Park, you will need to transfer to the green flag boat direct to Fort Wilderness. The Fort Wilderness dock is located near the Settlement Depot and the Tri-Circle-D Ranch.
It's very hard to guess how long transportation will take on any given day. My best recommendation would be to give yourselves at least an hour and a half. If it takes much less time you can always check out the sights at Fort Wilderness. If you are in a time crunch you can always take a taxi from Animal Kingdom Lodge to Fort Wilderness. It will probably cost around $15.00, maybe a little less or more depending on how many people are in your party.
Thanks for stopping by the Disney Parks Moms Panel! Please let me know if I can assist you with any other questions.
Wishing you a magical vacation,
Amy H