Sunday, April 13, 2025
Today we set off for Orlando to kick off our Disney World adventures, officially beginning tomorrow. Jane graciously volunteered to drive the hour-long route—north on I-95 and then west on I-4—into the heart of Orlando. Since we were set to arrive well before our campground check-in time, we decided to make a detour to Disney Springs, the lively outdoor shopping and dining district connected to the Disney Resort.
Everything was smooth sailing until we neared the city, where traffic thickened and our first white-knuckle ride began. Crawling along in stop-and-go traffic, we eventually veered off onto the Disney Springs exit. To make a long story short, after looping through the congestion and circling more than we’d like to admit, we finally discovered the RV parking lot tucked behind the shops. Thankfully, there were plenty of open spaces. Jane pulled in, exhaled deeply, and slowly pried her clenched hands off the steering wheel.
We wobbled out of the RV, stretching our legs as we crossed the expansive parking lot. Overhead, we noticed a tethered blue hot-air balloon gently swaying against the sky—a hint of the magic to come. Moments later, we stepped into the vibrant buzz of Disney Springs.
—— Entering Disney Spings ——
As we joined the crowds strolling the town-like streets of this waterfront resort, we were quickly drawn to the bright and colorful M&M’s Store—it was calling our names. We had to go in. Just inside, we were greeted by a vertical timeline stretching from 1954 to the present, showcasing the introduction (and retirement) of various M&M’s colors and varieties. After a quick study of this nostalgic display, we found ourselves immersed in the whimsical, candy-coated world of M&M’s.
Surrounded by vibrant merchandise and heaps of candy, we made our way toward the back of the store where the real showstopper stood: the curved Wall of Chocolate. Towering 17 feet high and lined with 130 tubes, it boasted every imaginable color and flavor—milk chocolate, coffee nut, white chocolate, and more. Guests were gleefully mixing and matching their own custom blends, filling bags with their favorites.
We stood there, gawking in sweet disbelief, caught in the hypnotic glow of candy colors. Eventually, we snapped out of our sugar yearnings and made our way back outside—without buying a thing—to continue our Disney Springs exploration.
—— The M&M’s Store ——
We continued rambling down the shop-lined street, soaking in the vibrant storefronts and displays. Eventually, the narrow walkway opened into a plaza, where we were greeted by shimmering views of the waterfront. Out on the lake, whimsical amphibious “cars” puttered across the water’s surface, adding a playful touch to the appealing scenery.
—— Disney Springs Rambling ——
We found ourselves drawn to a closer view of the tethered Aerophile Balloon with its panels of multiple shades of blue. It was too tempting to pass up, so we eagerly joined the queue for our flight. After a relatively short wait, we boarded the circular gondola alongside a group of fellow adventurers. Our pilot secured the gate, gave a brief safety rundown, and before we knew it, we were soaring upward—lifted by helium on a smooth, rapid ascent to 400 feet.
From our aerial perch, we were treated to an awesome panoramic view. On one side, Disney Springs stretched out in vibrant detail—shops, restaurants, and people bustling below. On the other, we could spot the distant geodesic dome of EPCOT, nestled in the Central Florida landscape. From high above, we even spotted our motorhome parked all by itself, looking a bit lonely in the vast expanse of the RV lot below. The sky was clear, the breeze gentle, and for a few magical minutes, everything felt peaceful and still. All too soon—perhaps after just ten minutes—we began our gentle descent. Moments later, our feet touched back down on solid ground.
—— Balloon Ride ——
After landing, we picked up where we left off, continuing our leisurely hike through Disney Springs. Our path led us past more scenic waterfront views, lively open-air plazas, and an ever-changing lineup of shops and restaurants.
—— Mo’ Ramblin’ ——
The only shop that truly tempted us to step inside—aside from the M&M’s Store—was The Spice & Tea Exchange. The moment we walked through the door, we were met with an overwhelming symphony of scents, a fragrant blend of exotic spices and teas that filled the air. Shelves and jars lined the walls, offering thousands of colorful blends that were as visually striking as they were aromatic.
Jane browsed thoughtfully, lingering over a few intriguing selections, clearly intrigued. But after weighing the options (and the price tags), she ultimately decided to pass on making a purchase. With our senses awakened and curiosity satisfied, we stepped back outside and continued our exploration of Disney Springs.
—— The Spice & Tea Exchange ——
At what felt like the farthest point of our journey, we stumbled upon eet, a charming restaurant offering a fresh take on modern Indian cuisine. The fast-casual atmosphere was a refreshing change—relaxed and uncrowded, exactly what we were craving. We settled in, savoring their flavorful vegetarian bowls, each brimming with vibrant spices and ingredients. To wash it all down, we enjoyed mango lassis. It was exactly the kind of reinvigorating reprieve we needed.
—— Eating at eet ——
After our relaxing lunch, we meandered our way back toward the exit, taking a more roundabout path to catch sights we’d missed earlier in the out-bound leg of our journey. Eventually, we found ourselves back at the edge of the sprawling parking lot, where our motorhome sat patiently waiting for us.
As we crossed the lot, a new wave of excitement bubbled up—we were finally headed to check in at the campground. Still, that enthusiasm was tempered by the looming thought of navigating our way back through Orlando’s notoriously congested traffic.
—— Return Leg Rambling ——
I took the wheel for the drive to the campground and, as luck would have it, the timing was perfect. After an easy right turn out of Disney Springs, the traffic lightened up, and before long, we were pulling up to the gates of Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground. Check-in was smooth—we received our campsite number and a map, then followed the tree-lined roads for just over a mile to our designated spot. Set-up was a breeze at our level, full hook-up site. Nestled in a peaceful pocket of forest with a palmetto understory, our site felt surprisingly private and serene.
—— Our Home for Four Nights ——
We were situated at the Settlement end of the campground and decided to set out on foot to explore the area. Along the way, we discovered a handful of Fort Wilderness staples—the Settlement Trading Post, the marina, Trail’s End Restaurant, and the iconic Hoop-Dee-Doo Musical Revue venue.
Eventually, we found ourselves drawn to Crockett’s Tavern, where we couldn’t resist stopping in for a cold beer. We grabbed a cozy window-side booth and took a moment to soak in the rustic charm of the place. While there was a minor hiccup with ordering and the beer itself wasn’t exactly top-shelf, the moment still hit the spot. It was a chance to relax, unwind, and look forward to the adventures waiting just around the bend.
—— The Settlement at Fort Wilderness ——
Wanting more information about transportation to EPCOT and the other parks, we hopped on a bus from the Settlement and rode back to the front of the resort—the area near the entrance known as the Outpost. There, we spoke with a friendly Guest Services cast member who helpfully explained our options and recommended two specific bus routes to employ tomorrow. Before we left, he also handed Jane a cheerful “1st Visit!” pin, which she proudly put on with a smile.
—— Fort Wilderness Guest Services ——
On our return bus ride, we hopped off partway to check out the Meadow Trading Post, which turned out to be larger and better stocked than the one at the Settlement. While there, a helpful cast member assisted Jane in linking her Disney card to one of our credit cards, making it easy for us to use it for all of our purchases across the Disney Resort.
Just a short stroll away, we also explored the Meadow Swimmin’ Pool area. The pool was impressive—with a fort-themed aquatic play zone for kids, a relaxing whirlpool spa, and a long, twisting corkscrew waterslide. The whole space had a lively welcoming feel.
—— Meadow Trading Post & Swimming Pool ——
We then waited at the nearby bus stop for the next ride back to the Settlement. Once we returned to the RV, we kicked back and unwound from the day’s adventures. After a simple but satisfying dinner, we spent the rest of the evening excitedly mapping out our plan for tomorrow—our very first park day at EPCOT.
—— Bus Stop at the Meadows ——
