The Disney Wilderness Preserve

[Robin]

I didn't know about this place...

Why You Should Visit
The Nature Conservancy's Disney Wilderness Preserve is a remarkable place for nature lovers of all ages and interests. The preserve is home to hundreds of wildlife species and is bordered by one of the last remaining undeveloped lakes in central Florida.

A 3-mile hiking trail and off-road buggy tours are available to visitors who want to learn about the preserve’s resident plants and animals and the Conservancy’s efforts to restore and protect them.

Location
Just south of Orlando at the headwaters of the Everglades ecosystem.

http://nature.org/wherewework/northamerica/states/florida/preserves/art5523.html

http://nature.org/fun_and_free/newsletter/disneyslideshow.html

http://www.ecofloridamag.com/archived/disney_wilderness_preserve.htm

[Cinderella]

Never saw anything about this place before either. Anyone else?

Cinderella

[misspig]

I know it exists, but have never been there. I read about it in a book I read about planning/building the city of Celebration. The "Preserve" was set up to accomodate all the critters they had to pull off the Celebration land while clearing it for the city. Disney would definitely have had a PR problem if they would have done just about anything else and they couldn't just re-locate a zillion deer and gators to the Animal Kingdom :roll:

[Cinderella]

I see the site says it's closed until further notice due to damage from IVAN.
Maybe I can get there on one of the next trips if it's open. It would be interesting to see.

Cinderella

[Tagrel]

Thanks for sharing. I'd never heard of this either...

[Joe]

Looks like a great adventure to take during a down day!
Thanks for sharing Robin.
Joe

[MissBianca]

I knew about this and was kind of happier when it simply existed and wasn't advertised to recreationers. Some of the rarest of Florida wildlife does not like people hiking past their homes! Ah well, I can understand it's all in the interest of the almighty buck and image...

[WDWDen]

I think I've heard about this before, but not sure. Either way, its a great idea and just another reason that I love Disney!! I doubt I'd ever go, but the off road buggies DO sound fun!! :twisted:

Oh and Ta, if you go, NO using the pics from there for your little game! ;-)

[Rosebud]

I've known about it for some time. I've never been although I know the area it is in. I actually heard a few years back that they had sold it, but then it was still listed as Disney so I guess that was just a rumor.

I actually will probably never go because I've been to other similar type places in other areas of FL, and if I go again I'll probably stick to going when I'm visiting my mom and not when on a Disney vacation. But if I never spent time in other areas of FL, I would definitely consider going because they probably handle it better than some of the cheaper tourist traps.