[chottsy]

i have read posts that say it was closed to re-open as cinderella's white pony rides, then read again somehwere else taht it is indeed still open as a petting zoo. does anyone know what is the current status of the petting zoo? i would love to go there the 1st day we arrive, my DD would love to ride the ponies, or even just pet some goats!! :)

thanks,

[Dana]

If you are referring to the petting zoo at the AK, I believe that is still open. You have to take the train to Rafiki's planet watch to go to it. As for the one at Fort Wilderness, I am not certian the status of it. I had heard it was suppose to close. I never heard anything about cinderella's ponies though.

[chottsy]

okay...thanks...

the cinderella's ponies info. i found in another thread (started by cavey, title FW petting zoo). it is a pretty old thread...like 2002 i believe...not sure.

i was referring to the petting zoo at Fort Wilderness Lodge. someone posted in the thread about "free or inexpensive things to do" that that was a good place to go, but then i read it had closed to re-open with the ponies in that other thread previously mentioned....so hence my question.

what is the deal with the petting zoo at FWL is it open, are there pony rides?

thanks:)

[Dana]

Char -
I am not entirely sure if the petting zoo is still open at FW or not. I haven't been there in years. Ditto for the pony rides. You can try pming cavey. He stayed there not so long ago or you can try calling fort wilderness and getting the official word. Sorry I couldn't be of more help.

[PrincessJill]

I looked some stuff up on the disneyworld.com site... I was curious too! I haven't been to Fort Wilderness in a long time, but I loved the petting zoo when I was little! My favorite was walking by the stables where they kept the horses that pull the trolleys on Main Street. And it says they still have that!

Here's what the site says:

Tri-Circle D Ranch & Farm
Enjoy wholesome outdoor fun at this remarkable ranch and farm. Round up your posse to hit the trail. Visit the home of Cinderella's Ponies and encounter loveable critters, including the majestic horses seen on Main Street in the Magic Kingdom® Park — all in the idyllic setting of Disney's Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground.

And specifically about the pony rides:

Pony Rides
Hay! Come on down to the farm for a gentle stroll around the stables. These trots for tots (ages 2 and older, with an accompanying adult at the lead) offer the ideal introduction to interacting with our four-legged equine friends.

This is all at the Campground - I'm not sure if the Lodge has anything like this.
Hope this helps! :)

[chottsy]

thanks princessjill!! wow that's terrific! i am printing out your post. i know i will check out the wdw site for myself. (obsessive planner that i am demands that i do it!!LOL)

glad that it's still there....wonder what "loveable critters" are there?? oh well, anything with fur will do!!hehehehahahhahah :)

thanks again!

[BDavis932]

We were there in June and they have goats and some pigs. They no longer have the "petting zoo" because of the nationwide trend of shutting these farms down because of e-coli and kids getting really sick. Disney never had any trouble with that, as far as I know, but at another Orlando area petting farm several people were hospitalized and not longer after that Disney's petting farm was no more. Basically now there is a very small area that you can walk though and see the goats and pigs, it's nothing like it used to be, and I don't think they allow you to feed them anymore either???

[maelstrom]

It's sad about the petting zoo. I love being up close to some animals that I may not otherwise encounter. I know we have the Safari at AK now, but they don't stop it for good pictures and you don't get all that close to the animals, unless they are in a good mood and sitting out right by the trail.

There's a farm up here that houses animals from some petting zoos and that they use in various circuses and shows (mostly in NYC). My boyfriend has seen elephants and zebras there. I saw a whole bunch of camels the other day. It's odd to see a bunch of camels lounging around with horses and cows in an open field in New York. I'd imagine the elephants and zebras would be even stranger.