Bay Lake cabins
New synergy
One of the exciting aspects of this project was the opportunity to use the synergy of a NEW River Country to tie together several aspects of Disney World on the south shore of Bay Lake. We purposely adopted a country vibe in our refurbishment, bringing echoes of Frontierland in the Magic Kingdom to the wilderness atmosphere of Fort Wilderness. This area of the park is challenged for parking and transportation, so a key element of our design calls for a new Fort Wilderness railroad to depart the Ticket and Transportation Center and stop at River Country as a gateway to Fort Wilderness.
We've added new walking and bike trails between Wilderness Lodge and River Country, and an important part of our project is the addition of Jamboree Junction to function as a laid back entertainment and shopping district strategically placed between River Country and Fort Wilderness.
We've added new walking and bike trails between Wilderness Lodge and River Country, and an important part of our project is the addition of Jamboree Junction to function as a laid back entertainment and shopping district strategically placed between River Country and Fort Wilderness.
Mickey's Barnyard BBQ
Located behind Pioneer Hall, this table dining service is a great alternative option for families who not only want a taste of some of the best BBQ found in Disney World, but a chance to meet Mickey and all of his friends. Replacing the outdoor pavilion will be 3 barns; this will spread out the tables so the cramped, hectic feel of the old backyard BBQ will be gone. These barns will also be fully enclosed so this dining option can be operational for the full duration of the year, as well as provide a much needed relief from the heat and humidity. Having three separate barns will also allow for different entertainment to take place at the same time. This also solves the major complaint that this is a loud, meet and greet experience that is dedicated solely to children and not to families as a whole.
Guests approach Mickey’s Barnyard BBQ on a clearly marked path, following the signs to check in. Once the guests are greeted by the hostess, they will be given a slip to directed to one of the three barns. There, they may wait inside in the horse stalls (comfortable “hay bales” serves as chairs and couches) until another greeter calls their name.
If it’s nice outside, there are games to entertain children and guests on nice days. There are hula hoops, bean bag toss, and horse shoes. This greeter will take them to picnic style tables where they may sit with other families to experience this finger-lickin’ good food. One of the major changes from the previous incarnation is that the buffet only features salad, cold fruit and vegetables, cheese, and desserts. All of the hot food will be made fresh and no longer be left under hot lamps or on heated trays.
Guests will be given a menu where they can order their main course which comes with an all-you-can eat BBQ option. Pick from chicken, beef, or pork and pack away as much as you want. Other options are catfish, hamburgers, hot dogs, chicken pot pie, and several vegetarian options including vegetable skewers and stuffed mushrooms. The children’s menu features hamburgers, chick nuggets, or hot dogs served with either French fries or corn on the cobb.
If that’s not enough to wet your appetite, there are plenty of servers coming around to each table with “pass arounds”. Servers arrive at each table, ready to dish out as much as you want of each fixin’. Pass arounds include: okra, corn, cinnamon apples, cornbread, biscuits, green beans, baked beans, mashed potatoes, and candied yams. Take as much as you want, there’s always more where that came from.
Desserts found on the buffet include: Mickey Ice Cream Bars, individual chocolate chip cookies, S’mores Bake, and during the holiday season, look for Snickerdoodle Cookie Bake.
Guests approach Mickey’s Barnyard BBQ on a clearly marked path, following the signs to check in. Once the guests are greeted by the hostess, they will be given a slip to directed to one of the three barns. There, they may wait inside in the horse stalls (comfortable “hay bales” serves as chairs and couches) until another greeter calls their name.
If it’s nice outside, there are games to entertain children and guests on nice days. There are hula hoops, bean bag toss, and horse shoes. This greeter will take them to picnic style tables where they may sit with other families to experience this finger-lickin’ good food. One of the major changes from the previous incarnation is that the buffet only features salad, cold fruit and vegetables, cheese, and desserts. All of the hot food will be made fresh and no longer be left under hot lamps or on heated trays.
Guests will be given a menu where they can order their main course which comes with an all-you-can eat BBQ option. Pick from chicken, beef, or pork and pack away as much as you want. Other options are catfish, hamburgers, hot dogs, chicken pot pie, and several vegetarian options including vegetable skewers and stuffed mushrooms. The children’s menu features hamburgers, chick nuggets, or hot dogs served with either French fries or corn on the cobb.
If that’s not enough to wet your appetite, there are plenty of servers coming around to each table with “pass arounds”. Servers arrive at each table, ready to dish out as much as you want of each fixin’. Pass arounds include: okra, corn, cinnamon apples, cornbread, biscuits, green beans, baked beans, mashed potatoes, and candied yams. Take as much as you want, there’s always more where that came from.
Desserts found on the buffet include: Mickey Ice Cream Bars, individual chocolate chip cookies, S’mores Bake, and during the holiday season, look for Snickerdoodle Cookie Bake.
Drinks will include soda, coffee, tea, fruit punch, and complimentary wine and beer for guests over 21 (with valid ID).
Entertainment
Thanks to having three separate barns, guests will be able to see a rotation of acts and characters, alternating boisterous, kid friendly music and activities with quieter family oriented entertainment. Please see below for example entertainment.
Barn One
Characters will greet guests at each table to pose for pictures and sign autographs. Example characters will be Mickey, Minnie, and Pluto all dressed in their western outfits.
Every 30 minutes the characters will invite guests to dance with them out on the dance floor.
Entertainment
Thanks to having three separate barns, guests will be able to see a rotation of acts and characters, alternating boisterous, kid friendly music and activities with quieter family oriented entertainment. Please see below for example entertainment.
Barn One
Characters will greet guests at each table to pose for pictures and sign autographs. Example characters will be Mickey, Minnie, and Pluto all dressed in their western outfits.
Every 30 minutes the characters will invite guests to dance with them out on the dance floor.
Once the characters make their rounds, they will go to Barn 2 and then to Barn 3 while those characters in Barn 2 and Barn 3 do the same.
Trick Ropin’ Trevor will perform fancy tricks with his rope and invite adults and children both to learn how to lasso a “steer”. Spoon Slappin’ Sam will play his spoons and wash board alternately while showing kids how to play the spoons themselves.
Barn Two
Example characters to meet and greet in their western outfits: Chip and Dale, Goofy, and Donald Duck.
Every 30 minutes the characters will invite guests to dance with them out on the dance floor.
Margo Rochelle & Rodeo Drive will perform live music playing such hits as “Red River Shore”, “Corn Whiskey”, the “Red Clay Country”, “Ghost Riders in the Sky”, “Sweet Betsy From Pike”, and “She’ll Be Commin’ ‘Round the Mountain”.
Barn Three
Example characters to meet and greet in their western outfits: Clara Cluck, Horace Horsecollar, and Clarabell Cow.
Every 30 minutes the characters will invite guests to dance with them out on the dance floor.
A storyteller will entertain the guests with various stories, including ghost stories during the Halloween season.
A troupe of performers will also take to the stage to joke around and perform “Ida Red”, a tor tapping, hand clapping song to get the guests excited.
Trick Ropin’ Trevor will perform fancy tricks with his rope and invite adults and children both to learn how to lasso a “steer”. Spoon Slappin’ Sam will play his spoons and wash board alternately while showing kids how to play the spoons themselves.
Barn Two
Example characters to meet and greet in their western outfits: Chip and Dale, Goofy, and Donald Duck.
Every 30 minutes the characters will invite guests to dance with them out on the dance floor.
Margo Rochelle & Rodeo Drive will perform live music playing such hits as “Red River Shore”, “Corn Whiskey”, the “Red Clay Country”, “Ghost Riders in the Sky”, “Sweet Betsy From Pike”, and “She’ll Be Commin’ ‘Round the Mountain”.
Barn Three
Example characters to meet and greet in their western outfits: Clara Cluck, Horace Horsecollar, and Clarabell Cow.
Every 30 minutes the characters will invite guests to dance with them out on the dance floor.
A storyteller will entertain the guests with various stories, including ghost stories during the Halloween season.
A troupe of performers will also take to the stage to joke around and perform “Ida Red”, a tor tapping, hand clapping song to get the guests excited.