Some small demolition work is underway outside the former Trail’s End Restaurant at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground.

Trail’s End Demolition

Green plastic barriers are in place to keep guests from walking into the construction area. A digger also sits behind these planters.

Facility Asset Management signage gives the typical “this area is being refurbished for your future enjoyment” message, while a safety sign hangs next to it.

Signage nearby informs guests of the closure of Trail’s End Restaurant, Crockett’s Tavern, and Daniel Boone’s Wilderness Arcade through the mid-summer. The nearest offering — P&J’s Southern Takeout and its Mobile Order window — remain open.

The former planter, stairs, and wheelchair ramp for Trail’s End are all covered under this construction. We can see plenty of dirt, concrete, and tree branches removed. Miraculously the wood sign for the restaurant remains intact despite all this chaos.

A sole digging shovel is unattached at present near the pile.

Parts of the concrete have been dug up, and we see posts in place for a possible refresh of the accessible ramp.

Trail’s End Restaurant was 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 closed April 17 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.

Trail’s End Restaurant Closed for Refurbishment

At the Trail’s End Restaurant located in Disney’s Fort Wilderness, guests could “feast on a down-home breakfast or dinner—served family-style—at this tasty Frontier mainstay.” Disney plans to reopen this summer with a different concept for the eatery.

When it reopens, it will be a marketplace with expanded quick-service options. Table service dining will no longer be offered.

Previously, reservations were suggested for dining at this location. With well-loved breakfast and dinner menus featuring guest favorites, Trail’s End was a popular choice for guests staying at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground.

Both breakfast and dinner were served family-style. The restaurant also served a variety of family favorites, including seasonal treats and desserts in Mason jars. Disney has not yet released menus for the quick-service options when the location reopens later this year.

While this restaurant is currently inaccessible, P&J’s Southern Takeout mobile ordering and The Chuck Wagon food truck are both available for guest enjoyment.

Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground

Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground is a 750-acre resort located on the shores of Bay Lake, just a short boat ride from Magic Kingdom. The resort offers a variety of accommodations, including campsites, cabins and villas.

Guests who prefer to sleep under the stars can enjoy a campsite for their tent, RV or trailer. Each site has its own picnic table, as well as a charcoal grill and fire ring. Communal restrooms and showers are located throughout the campground.

Cabins are also available for up to six guests each. Each cabin features two bedrooms, a kitchen, a living room, and a bathroom. There is also a private porch with a barbecue grill.

If you have a larger party and want to enjoy amenities at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground, villas can be booked for up to ten guests. Each of these has three bedrooms, two bathrooms, a kitchen, a living room, and a dining area. They also feature their own private patio with a grill.

When visiting, guests may want to take some time to visit Tri-Circle D Ranch. This is the home of horses and ponies seen around Walt Disney World Resort. When guests visit, they can view Cinderella’s Ponies, who pull Cinderella’s carriage, as well as a variety of horses who often work along Main Street, U.S.A. Pony rides are also available for children.

Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground is a place for families to stay who want to experience the magic of Disney World while also enjoying the great outdoors. The resort is located just a short distance from the Magic Kingdom, EPCOT, and Disney’s Hollywood Studios.

For the latest Disney Parks news and info, follow WDW News Today on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.