Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort and Campground Review
If you’re looking to experience the great outdoors on your next Walt Disney World vacation, a visit to Disney’s Fort Wilderness might be in order. It’s a resort that allows guests to get away from it all—well, at least the part of their vacation they spend there.
This vast resort (750 acres) is a true wilderness escape. Accommodations include campsites, spaces for campers and RVs, and, most recently, new cabins. The Cabins at Fort Wilderness became part of the Disney Vacation Club. For this review of Disney’s Fort Wilderness, we’ll examine the campground, accommodations, dining, recreation, shopping, and transportation. I’ll also provide information about renting a golf cart, campsite, horseback riding, and bike rentals.
A week spent at Fort Wilderness is like a vacation within a vacation. I guess that’s true of all the highly themed Walt Disney World Resorts, but the Fort has something a little extra special going for it. So grab a tent and don’t forget the instruction manual; we’re on our way to visit the most magical campground on earth, Disney’s Fort Wilderness.
Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort and Campground has always been considered a moderate resort. However, in 2024, new cabins were assembled on-site, making that specific area of the resort (The Cabins at Fort Wilderness) a Disney Vacation Club Resort. The Fort can also be considered a Magic Kingdom Resort. It sits along Bay Lake near Disney’s Wilderness Lodge.
For many guests, Disney’s Fort Wilderness is considered the ultimate campground destination. Guests who travel regularly with their RVS or campers can rent a space to set up camp for their vacation. Additionally, those who are interested in this type of experience can use a third-party rental company to have an RV, third wheel, or tent set up for them prior to their arrival. This is an excellent way to try out the camping lifestyle. Of course, you can always rent a cabin for the most luxurious “glamping” experience. Who knows? A successful stay at the Fort might lead to a new vacation lifestyle.
The new cabins at Disney’s Fort Wilderness sleep up to six adults. They have one queen-size bed, one queen-size pull-down bed, and one bunk bed. Other accommodations include a fully equipped kitchen with a fridge, microwave, a full-size oven with range, and a patio deck. Here are a few photos of the new cabin interiors released by Disney.
In addition to the cabins, Fort Wilderness Resort provides guests with four types of campsites. They are as follows:
- Premium Campsite
- Premium Meadow Campsite (Large RV)
- Full Hook-Up Campsite
- Tent Or Pop-Up Campsite (Pop Up Camper/2 small tents)
- Preferred Campsite (RV and Small Tent)
Learn More>>The Campsites at Disney’s Fort Wilderness
Disney’s Fort Wilderness is a pet-friendly resort. We’ve added the wording of Disney’s pet policy with a reference below.
Disney’s Website
- All pets must be kept on a handheld leash that is 8 feet or shorter or confined in the interior of the owner’s climate-controlled personal recreational vehicle. Pets are not permitted in tents and pop-up campers.
- Guests with pet privileges may take their dogs to play in the off-leash Waggin’ Trails Dog Park or walk the many on-leash trails. So that our Guests with pets can enjoy ample time at the Walt Disney World theme parks and destinations, day and overnight kennel care is available at Best Friends Pet Care.
- Pet owners are required to pick up after and properly dispose of their pet’s droppings.
- Pets that interfere with the quality of the Guest experience at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground in any away (such as aggression, noise, etc.) or generate a legitimate complaint to management will result in the pet owner being required to discontinue the pet’s inappropriate behavior, remove the pet to an off-site kennel, or leave the Resort.
- Please note that Guests who wish to stay with their pets at The Campsites at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort will be charged a $5.00 per night plus tax pet fee.
When it comes to planning a stay at Disney’s Fort Wilderness, you’ll have numerous recreational activities at the resort. Most will want to divide their time between these activities and spending time in the theme parks. Truth be told, you could spend an entire vacation at the Fort and have an incredible time without ever setting foot in a theme park.
Most of the resort’s recreational offerings are at The Meadow. The Meadow is home to the Meadow Swimmin’ Pool, the Meadow Trading Post, the Snack Bar, the Fort Wilderness Bike Barn, a playground, tennis courts, and more.
The Meadow Swimmin’ Pool is the resort’s feature pool area.
Related: The Pools at Disney’s Fort Wilderness
It has a fun waterslide that’s wrapped around a faux water tower.
An aquatic play area for younger children sits near the pool in a separately fenced area.
The pool has a circular walkway around its perimeter. On the backside of the pool area is a large double tennis court.
Several volleyball and basketball courts are also scattered across the resorts. If you have room, make sure to bring any sports balls or equipment with you so you don’t have to rent them.
A playground sits near the Meadow Swimmin’ pool.
The Bike Barn is to the far right of the pool area. Guests can rent bikes from this location.
The Bike Barn is open daily from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and offers the following extra-cost activities when available:
- Kayak Rental
- Canoe
- Bicycle
- Casting Rod Fishing Gear
- Worms and Nightcrawlers
- Specialty Cruises
- Guided Bass Fishing Excursions
- Wilderness Back Trail Adventure
- Wilderness Archery Experience
*Hours of operation might vary, so check before walking over.
During our visit, they were out of bicycles because so many had been reserved. So you’ll want to check for availability early on in your stay. We were told we would have to wait two days to get one.
Canoe and Kayak rentals are available. Lifejackets are provided
Electric Golf Cart rentals are available at the Outpost, which is at the resort’s main entrance across from the primary bus stop.
Most guests rent (or bring their own) bicycles and golf carts while staying at Fort Wilderness. Because the resort is so large, they use them to travel around it. Guests often ride their bikes or drive carts to the main bus station. When they return from the parks, they use them to return to their cabins or campsites.
Horseback riding is available at Fort Wilderness. The resort has two stables that make up the Tri-Circle D Ranch. The stable near the Outpost offers trail rides. It sits directly behind the primary bus stop at The Outpost. The trail rides here usually last approximately 45 minutes. They can be booked up to 60 days in advance. You do not have to be a guest of Fort Wilderness to reserve a trail ride.
It’s a beautiful area, and the trail ride is scenic.
Here are the times for check-in that were posted. Note that times are subject to change.
The following rules and disclaimers were posted.
Horseback Riding is a physically demanding recreation activity. Horses by nature may react if frightened or agitated during the ride, so you should be prepared for sudden stops, starts, or movements by the horse at any time.
Fort Wilderness Sign
- You are required to maintain control of your horse and follow guide instructions at all times
- You should be in good physical condition and free from neck, hip, or back problems, any condition that could interfere with your balance, or other conditions that could be aggravated by this activity.
- For safety, certain body shapes or sizes may not be able to participate in this activity.
- Persons who do not meet the minimum height requirement of 48″ may not ride.
- Persons who exceed 250 lbs in weight may not ride.
- All riders must be at least 9 years old.
A few small lockers are available for guests to store items, and a simple platform is available for guests to mount the horse.
Guests who aren’t participating can wait nearby at a couple of picnic benches.
The other stable at Fort Wilderness (Tri-Circle D) is located on the Bay Lake side of the resort, called The Settlement. This stable is home to the horses that are used in theme parks, weddings, and for carriage rides at the resorts. Guests can tour the barn at their leisure. It’s typically open to the public between 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. You might even see the horses that pull Cinderella’s carriage.
Related: Tri-Circle D Ranch at Fort Wilderness
A new stable was built here a few years back. We visit occasionally to see the horses. This stable offers pony rides for a minimal fee. Carriage rides are often available at Fort Wilderness. Carriage rides usually take place late in the afternoon or early evening from The Settlement.
Lastly, Fort Wilderness is home to a few other activities. The Daniel Boone Wilderness Arcade is located by the swimming pool, and there’s a Davy Crockett’s Wilderness Arcade at Pioneer Hall. An Assay station is also available near the Meadow.
Most children enjoy rocks.
Toward the back of the Meadow is where you’ll find the Chip ‘n Dales Campfire Sing-a-long.
Related: A Visit to Chip ‘n’ Dales Campfire Sing-A-Long
This sing-along typically happens nightly around 7:00 or 8:00 p.m. You’ll need to check with the resort for the exact timing. It changes based on the seasons and what time it’s getting dark.
Chip and Dale make an appearance while guests gather around the campfire for the sing-along. You can bring marshmallows to roast on the fires or purchase a kit if desired. While you are singing, the two chipmunks meet with guests and sign autographs. After the sing-along, guests can stay and enjoy the Movies Under the Stars. The resort’s recreation calendar will list which movies are playing nightly. You do not have to be staying at Fort Wilderness to participate.
The Settlement has the majority of Fort Wilderness’s dining options. The first is the popular Trails’ End Restaurant.
Disney’s Fort Wilderness is also home to one of the most famous theatrical dinner shows at Disney World, the Hoop Dee Doo Musical Revue.
Pioneer Hall is also home to Trail’s End Restaurant, a former buffet and table service restaurant now turned quick service. This is also the primary location where guests can refill mugs at Fort Wilderness.
Here is a photo of the dining area inside the restaurant. For more details, we have an entire overview of what to expect at Trail’s End Restaurant.
Crockett’s Tavern is the local watering hole. It has a walk-up window where you can order beer, wine, and cocktails. They’ve been a lifesaver, providing me with free ice water after a few jogs. You can also dine inside in the lounge area that’s connected to Trail’s End. They have a menu with a few entrees and appetizers.
Over at The Meadow, you might run into the Chuck Wagon food truck. Menu items include hot dogs and other snacks. The food truck is usually available during the nightly campfire sing-along.
Unfortunately, Mickey’s Backyard BBQ is no longer available. For more on dining at the Fort, make sure to check out our separate resort dining guide.
Related: Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort Dining Guide
Disney’s Fort Wilderness is home to two resort gift shops, The Meadow Trading Post and The Settlement Trading Post.
The store has fun Disney-theming and resort-branded merchandise you won’t find anywhere else.
It is well-themed with Mickey Mouse, and a log cabin feel.
Meadow Trading Post is one of the larger resort gift shops at Disney.
Here are a few photos of what was available during this visit. Note that these items are meant to serve as an example of what to expect. Merchandise changes from time to time.
However, most of these staple and grocery items are consistently available through the years.
There is plenty of milk along with juice options and electrolytes.
You’ll find an assortment of frozen foods.
Thankfully, you can pick up a few Mickey bars in the freezer section.
Most guests who plan to cook during their vacation will bring their own groceries. But these items are nice to have if you forget something or get burnt out on dining out and want to prepare something in the cabin one evening.
You could easily grab a bottle of condiments or make a plate of pasta with marinara for dinner one evening.
Other convenience items are available in the Meadow Trading Post.
Here are a few items like bread selections, chips, and dips.
The Settlement Trading Post is at the Bay Lake side of Fort Wilderness. You’ll run into this immediately on the left after docking from the Magic Kingdom boat.
It offers similar items. Here are a few photos.
Due to the enormous size of Disney’s Fort Wilderness, you will want to know how to get around.
The resort is so large that it offers an internal bus system with three loops: the orange line, the purple line, and the yellow line. Each line services a unique area of the resort. They all run between The Settlement and the Outpost, dropping guests off at each end of the resort.
Upon arrival, I recommend familiarizing yourself with the resort’s layout. Locate the bus stop nearest your accommodations and define which line you’ll use and where it will take you. You do not want to head straight to the parks and not know how to get back to your cabin or campground when you return later in the evening. (But if you do, a bus driver can help you figure things out.)
We have an entire guide dedicated to the transportation options at Disney’s Fort Wilderness. It goes into detail on how to get around the resort, and it’s our most recommended read to help you prepare for your stay.
Fort Wilderness has a boat dock at The Settlement. This boat service runs to and from the Magic Kingdom. An additional boat service is available after 3:00 p.m., which takes guests to and from Disney’s Contemporary Resort and the Wilderness Lodge.
Here is a photo of the golf cart parking lot at The Settlement. Guests have parked their carts here and taken the boat to Magic Kingdom. When they return, they’ll retrieve their carts and drive back to their cabins or campsites.
Here is a photo of the bus stop at The Settlement. You can take the internal bus system to the Settlement Bus Depot if you don’t have a cart or bike. From there, you can walk down to the boat dock for Magic Kingdom.
Here is a photo of one of the bus stops at a loop for the campsites.
Drivers are required to stop at every depot, so bus rides to and from the main stations can be lengthy. If you’re taking the bus to Disney’s Hollywood Studios, Epcot, Animal Kingdom, Water Parks, or Disney Springs, you’ll take an internal bus to the Outpost Bus Depot. There, you’ll exit the bus and wait for a bus headed to your destination. (The bus stop at The Settlement only services the campsites, Magic Kingdom, and Disney’s Wilderness Lodge.)
Here is the golf cart parking lot at the Outpost.
Suffice it to say, Disney’s Fort Wilderness is one of a king. From the tranquil campground setting to enjoying the camaraderie with fellow campers, a stay here is about as unique as they come. Once you get lost in the woods, it’s hard to remember that the most magical place on earth is only a short bus or boat ride away. Of course, you’ll soon remember at night when you hear the fireworks in the distance. You might even walk down to Clementine’s Beach to watch them and see the Electrical Water Pageant as it drifts by in the evening.
For more on this resort, try our Resorts Gal Guide to Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort and Campground. or you might like a few other resort reviews:
- Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort Review
- Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort Review
- Disney’s Port Orleans Riverside Resort Review
- Disney’s Port Orleans French Quarter Review
In the Comments
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