Trail’s End Restaurant Closes at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort (Photos from Last Day)

Hi everyone!

Trail’s End restaurant at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground is now closed for refurbishment until this summer to become a Marketplace concept – counter service only.  We booked a table for last night when it was the rumored last day (and confirmed it with the server when we arrived). While the website and app showed a possibility for reservations into May, there was never a reservation to be found after April 16th, 2023. The servers at Trail’s End are now being moved to other restaurant locations.

Disney’s website finally has information today on the Trail’s End closing: Trail’s End Restaurant is closed for refurbishment and will reopen in summer 2023. During this time, P&J’s Southern Takeout mobile ordering and The Chuck Wagon food truck are available.

We were told that P&J’s Southern Takeout will operate as usual until sometime into May. P& J’s Southern Takeout has been our go-to at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Campground ever since the Trail’s End buffet ended. And at some point, the Fort Wilderness food truck is supposed to serve breakfast, lunch and dinner. There may be something happening with the Daniel Boone’s Wilderness Arcade as well in regards to dining (maybe a temporary service counter?). I hope Disney will share more information soon.

I have visited Trail’s End restaurant since the mid-1990s, it was my favorite buffet on Walt Disney World property for years. Ken and Donnell were my favorite breakfast servers. Jeff has photos from years before that, including a photo of Fess Parker in the restaurant and also photos and video of a singer that used to perform in Crockett’s Tavern. Maybe we will share those in the near future.

We walked around for a handful of photos of the restaurant. I don’t know what will be different as far as the layout and decor when the Marketplace concept opens.

The family-style menu was okay, but I do prefer P&J’s Southern Takeout and the wonderful Hoop-Dee-Doo Musical Revue.

There was smoked chicken, pulled pork, brisket, corn, green beans and potatoes.

And there were three desserts in mason jars (my favorite was the one that looks like s’mores).

Trail’s End restaurant has had a long history and I had hoped the buffet would return. But it was nice to go back for one last meal and I hope the atmosphere and decor won’t change too much.