If you’re looking for a taste of the old American Frontier during your next Disney Family vacation, Fort Wilderness Resort and Campground is where you’ll find it! Tucked away on the sprawling Disney property hidden in a pine and cypress forest, Fort Wilderness offers Cabins and Campsites (including RV sites). It’s also one of the oldest Disney resorts opening 1 year after the park!
Accommodations
The Cabins are freestanding and grouped throughout the resort. Cabins are 1-bedroom with a fully equipped kitchen and sleep a max of 6 people. There’s a bedroom with 1 double bed, bunk beds and a pull-out couch in the living area. We love the space of a ‘suite’ style room and because the cabins are spacious you can put your kids to bed and still hang out and watch TV. It’s also great for the mornings when wake-ups may be staggered. Plus, our kids were beyond excited to sleep in bunk beds- it’s like their holy grail of hotel rooms. There’s also a grill on the porch for more cooking options.
Amenities
The resort is enormous! It’s 750 acres and while you can walk or ride bikes (for rent) the best way is through their free on-resort bus transportation system or renting a golf cart. Golf carts are by far the most convenient and fun, but most expensive option ($60 plus tax/24 hours).
We love going to places that have great kid friendly pools and Disney usually delivers. The biggest and most child friendly is their Meadow Swimming Pool with a water slide and a great splash pad/small kids water play area. It tends to be the most crowded after park hours.
There’s also archery, wagon rides, horseback riding, pony rides, boat rentals, kayak/canoe rentals, fishing, volleyball courts, and Segway Tours. There’s a ton to do!
We also checked out several of the playgrounds and there’s an arcade for those who want to try your hand at some games.
In the evening there’s the Chip N’ Dale fireside sing-a-long where you can roast marshmallows and then the Movies Under the Stars where weather depending you can take in one of your favorite Disney movies al fresco.
If you want to check out some of the other resorts the ferry will take you to the Contemporary Resort or Wilderness Lodge.
Dining
There are several great food options on the resort and campground.
There’s The Trail’s End which is a southern comfort food buffet offering breakfast, lunch and dinner. Located at the little village area known as the Settlement it has some comfy porch rocking chairs to take in the views while you wait.
The Hoop-de-Doo Musical Review is a fun 2 hours of dancing, singing and comedy in a Wild West setting. An all-you-can eat dinner is included with your ticket. Show times are 4 pm, 6:15 pm and 8:30 pm.
For more casual and quick service dining there’s P&J’s Southern Takeout, the Meadow Snack bar (poolside), the Chuck Wagon (food truck), and Crockett’s Tavern (bar with some light food options).
There’s also the option to cook in your cabin which will save you a bundle and now they offer in-room grocery delivery so you can have all your favorites waiting for you when you arrive (I know, who wants to cook on their vacation? But, it’s a big budget saver)
Getting Around
There are two options to get to the parks: bus or boat.
If you want to travel to Animal Kingdom, Disney Springs, or Hollywood studios you can pick up the bus from the Outpost Depot at the entrance to Fort Wilderness.
If you’re planning on Magic Kingdom there is a boat that travels directly to the Magic Kingdom entrance. It’s extremely convenient! There are two routes which also include stops at the Contemporary resort and The Wilderness Lodge. The beach at Fort Wilderness also makes a great spot to watch the evening fireworks.
Epcot can be accessed either by bus as the other parks or you can take the boat to Magic Kingdom and hop on the monorail.
As with any on-site Disney property the complimentary Magical Express will take you to and from the Orlando International Airport (advance booking required)
For an added fee the Minnie Vans operated via Lyft, will get you private transfers in and around the Disney property and to the airport.
