Life & The Disney Conservatory

Last weekend, Hayley and I decided to explore Disney’s Nature Conservatory on a scorching day, not realizing just how much the heat would impact our little adventure. I naively assumed there would be some sort of trees or shade lol. The trail itself was fairly straightforward, surrounded by tall grass and buzzing with bugs, but there was no shade…nada. SO HOT.

Okay so here’s the back story of this conservatory: It’s said to be a “peaceful retreat” featuring well-maintained trails that wind through natural Florida landscapes. It’s located in Kissimmee, Florida and spans over 11,500 acres and serves as a model of modern wetland conservation. Originally developed through a partnership between Disney and The Nature Conservancy, the preserve is home to more than 1,000 species of plants and animals, including sandhill cranes and bald eagles. Visitors can explore a 2.5-mile hiking trail that meanders through diverse habitats such as cypress domes, oak hammocks, and the shores of Lake Russell, making it an ideal spot for nature lovers seeking a break from the nearby theme parks​.

Eh, sounds fancier than it is.

The scenery isn’t really all that interesting BUT we did stumble upon a nice spot by a lake. But then read a sign about how bugs crawl up through the ground. How nice!

I was a bit disappointed by the lack of nature education along the trail. No signs about anything, not even the bugs, just- watch out. There may have been more to explore and learn on a weekday when it’s likely less crowded, but during our weekend visit, it felt like we missed out on something.

The highlight of the day came after we finished our walk because we went to Wawa 😂 We grabbed huge sodas, which were desperately needed in the heat, and tried their new pizza. I’ve been meaning to try it at the location near us, but this was pretty good timing. We were starving, and the pizza was actually good! It tasted like elevated skating rink pizza to me. Not overly herby, but very kid friendly.

Overall would I go back to this trail? Nope. I’d rather walk around Fort Wilderness.