If you are looking for somewhere new to dine at Walt Disney World, I have a favorite place that is rarely visited by those who aren’t staying at Fort Wilderness. The Trail’s End Restaurant is a great place to get away from the crowds and slow down for a while. AND you can’t mention Trail’s End without mentioning the amazing price. Right now it’s $19.99 per adult for breakfast and $29.99 per adult for dinner… and it’s all you care to enjoy!
There are a couple of different ways to get to Trail’s End. You can follow the signs and park at the Fort Wilderness parking lot and hop on any bus that is headed to the Settlement or Pioneer Hall. If you are visiting the Magic Kingdom or staying at one of the Magic Kingdom area resorts you can board a watercraft that is heading to Fort Wilderness. Whichever way you choose to travel, make sure you allow plenty of time to get there.
Plan ahead and make advance dining reservations for your meal. As of this writing Trail’s End is serving Breakfast and Dinner only and is serving both of them family-style. Breakfast reservations are available from 7:30 AM until 12:00 PM. Reservations for dinner may be made from 4:30 PM to 9:30 PM.
Arriving at Trail’s End you are welcomed to a rustic setting much like you would find in Frontierland at the Magic Kingdom. Step up on the wooden porch and check-in for your meal. If you have arrived early dinner, you can sidle up to the service window which serves the bar part of Trail’s End known as Crockett’s Tavern, and order up a beverage of your choice until your party is called in.
Trail’s End Breakfast
If you are coming by for breakfast, get ready for a bountiful meal beginning with a basket of fresh pastries and a berry-yogurt parfait for the table. Then comes a generous family-style skillet with all of those breakfast favorites, eggs, bacon, smoked brisket, sausages and cheesy potato casserole. Those favorite Disney breakfast Mickey waffles are included, too! Want more of any of those? Just ask your server! If you are ready to celebrate you might want to savor a Moonshine Morning Cocktail. Trail’s End’s own version of the Mimosa with passion, orange and guava juices, or a Mountain Mary with moonshine!
@briantreks Hidden gem! Great value at WDW! #waltdisneyworld #disneyworld #disneyfoodie #disneytips #disneysecret #wdw #orlandofl #disneyfood #disneybreakfast
If you feel like you need to walk off a little of that substantial breakfast you can stroll over to the Tri Circle D Ranch for a self-guided walking tour. This is where all of the horses that work at Walt Disney World reside. Push the button and listen to the music from the calliope for a little magical moment. Ranch hands are often available to answer any questions you may have. There are pony rides available for $8 dollars for your little cowhands! Don’t miss the tiny white ponies that pull Cinderella’s magical carriage!
Tri-Circle D Ranch Barn 
Say hello to Grady!
Trail’s End Dinner
Planning to mosey on down the trail for dinner? If you plan things right you may finish up just in time to watch the Magic Kingdom Fireworks from the beach right there at Fort Wilderness. If the Hoop de Doo is back operating, don’t get confused and get in one of the long lines to check-in for that, make sure you head toward the right side of the building (the one-story section) to check-in for your meal at Trail’s End.
The dinner, like breakfast, is served up family-style and starts with a basket of oven-fresh breads, including goat cheese chive biscuits, hushpuppies, and skillet cornbread accompanied by pimento spread and honey butter (honey butter on those biscuits…YUM!). A chopped salad of mixed greens, grape tomatoes, red onion, cucumbers, white cheddar, and cornbread croutons with warm bacon vinaigrette is crisp and fresh.
Check out my friend Adam’s TikTok showing off the family-style feast…
@adambryan_ $29 for family style, all you can eat. But I still can wait until the normal buffet style returns 😩 #disney #disneyworld #trailsend #disneyfood #fyp
YEE-HAW! Next comes that Smokehouse Skillet! I hope you are going to be ready for all that goodness! Pecan-smoked brisket, rotisserie chicken andouille, fingerling potatoes, green beans, buttered corn on the cob with chipotle barbecue and carolina mustard barbecue sauce. Remember, these family-style meals include refills on anything you would like more of. Just ask your server! BUT, don’t get too full! Dessert is next!!
The Covered Wagon Sundae is a wagon load of ice cream, topping, brownies, cookies, and chocolate-covered bacon! Enjoy!
BEVERAGES
During breakfast we had Pioneer Juice which is actually POG juice (Passion Fruit, Orange and Guava). POG juice is popular across Walt Disney World property and it is called something different at each location it’s served.
Trail’s End has a full bar and has some specialty cocktails available along with all of your favorite beers and wines.
You can go with something traditional like a Moscow Mule or get into the wild west spirit and go for one of the specialty cocktails like a Gullywhumper or a Moonshine Margarita! There are several Mocktails for those not interested in imbibing or the little cowpokes, too!
FOOD ALLERGIES and ADD-ONs
There are a few menu items you can add to your meal for an up-charge. Those include a half-slab of Memphis-rubbed pork spare ribs, Chilled peel, and eat shrimp or cornbread crusted salmon.
Trail’s End also offers an allergy-friendly family meal option.
The bread basket can be made safe for Gluten/wheat, egg, fish/shellfish, milk, peanut/tree nut, and soy allergies.
The chopped salad can be made safe for fish/shellfish, peanut/tree nuts, and soy allergies.
The Smokehouse Skillet can be made safe for Gluten/wheat, egg, fish/shellfish, milk, peanut/tree nut, and soy allergies.
The Covered Wagon Sundae is fish/shellfish-free.
You can always inquire when you arrive (in fact, your server will ask about allergies) about special food preparation.
FAMILY STYLE VS. BUFFET?
I am a fan of the new family-style meals versus the buffets they used to have, including this one at Trail’s End. I haven’t been to all of them across the property yet, but I really liked the family-style at the Biergarten at Epcot. It is great not to have to get up and go get your food, I think they may have less food waste and the food seems fresher and hotter to me. What do you think? Would you prefer they go back to the buffets? Do you prefer family-style? Let me know in the comments below and I will keep you posted as things continue to change post-pandemic!
I just dined with a group at the Biergarten in Germany at EPCOT yesterday and everyone in the group was thrilled with the family style vs. the old buffet! It was fantastic!