A quiet and unsung hero of Walt Disney World table service appears to be closing its doors for good in a way, as it was announced today that Trail’s End Restaurant at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground will close in spring 2023 for refurbishment, marking the end of its current life as a table service outlet.
Trail’s End Restaurant is a part of Pioneer Hall at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground, having began as a table service restaurant when the building first opened in 1974. The restaurant will close sometime this spring to become a marketplace-style quick service outlet, bringing an end to nearly half a century of sit-down dining at Pioneer Hall. An exact reopening date is not known other than “later this year.”
We last dined at Trail’s End in March 2022, when we hailed the new desserts as “in the conversation for best desserts at Walt Disney World.” Operations of the Hoop-Dee-Doo Musical Revue, which shares a kitchen, will not be affected by this change and will continue as they have for 49 years.
Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, Trail’s End was a buffet experience, reopening in 2021 as a family-style outlet like many other buffet restaurants at the time. But unlike locations such as Cape May Cafe or Chef Mickey’s, Trail’s End never returned to its original configuration.
Are you disappointed to see Trail’s End fade away into history? Let us know in the comments below!
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Yes we are disappointed that trails end will not be a buffet dining service restaurant in the future. Campers deserve better. We have had many many experiences dining there. It was nice to go even if we were not camping.
I remember when they used to have the pizza Buffett at night after the magic kingdom closed early during spring break in the 80’s. Grew up at fort wilderness
As a frequent visitor to Disney World, this news definitely caught my attention. I must say that I am both disappointed and surprised to hear this change. Trails End Restaurant has always been one of my favorite dining spots at the resort, known for its delicious all-you-can-eat buffets and picturesque outdoor seating.
However, I understand that businesses often have to make tough decisions in order to stay afloat and continue to offer their guests a top-notch experience. The transition to a quick service establishment will likely allow for more efficient and streamlined operations, enabling the restaurant to serve even more guests and provide them with a wider variety of menu options. I also appreciate the efforts being made to incorporate the restaurant’s signature dishes into the new menu, ensuring that guests will still be able to enjoy some of their favorite meals.
I am curious to see what changes and improvements will come with this transition and look forward to visiting Trails End Restaurant in its new form. Thank you for sharing this update with your readers, and keep up the great work in keeping us informed about the latest news and happenings at Disney World.
Being hardcore Cabin tenants when we visit WDW, this is such disappointing news. I truly can’t see how this is a fiscal decision for Disney. Now there is no sit down dining, other than the dinner show. This makes the resort much less attractive. I hope they reconsider, otherwise this may require that we rethink our trips to disney.
Hi, very disappointed about the new change to the sit down dinning and buffet. I have been bringing my children to the campground and the buffet since the 70s. And now my grown-up children and I used to love and look forward to eating there for breakfast mostly. I hope someday you’ll bring back the sit down dining and buffet once again It was such good memories, and we think it was the best Restaurant and in Disney.
Very Disappointed! We’ve eaten there for 40+ years. To sit at a table with family & friends and have a good meal, to take a break from cooking at your RV or tent. Who makes these bad decisions and why don’t they put more thought into it. Take a Survey!