Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort and Campground is definitely a campground. Guests can sleep in accommodations ranging from a personal tent or RV, to a fully furnished cabin with a full kitchen and living space. Think of all those great summer camp movies from the 80’s and imagine them on Disney property.
As a campground, it is as close to ideal as one can get. It is the ONLY campground my family unanimously agrees to having no cons, and we can be trusted; we are full time RV campers. The only problem we can come up with is that we never want to leave.
A New Way to Experience Disney
If you are looking for a new place to camp or a new way to experience Disney, they can both be found at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort and Campground. But be warned, you will probably have to come back year after year. Read on for the reasons my family just can’t seem to leave.
The Disney Of It All
There is something so special about seeing Cinderella’s castle and Space Mountain in the distance while casting a line from your camp chair. From on-site transportation to the parks to a rootin’ tootin’ great time at the Hoop-Dee-Doo Musical Revue and even character meet and greets at Chip and Dale’s campfire sing-a-long, Fort Wilderness campers can experience the magical touches of staying on Disney property while roughing it as little or as much as they want in their own camp style.
It’s hard to imagine anything more quintessentially Disney than catching the Magic Kingdom fireworks and the Electrical Water Pageant from the comfort of your own beach blanket.
Mousekeeping
So maybe Mousekeeping isn’t the official Disney term, but seriously, within minutes of a guest’s checkout there is a Cast Member on a cart with leaf blower and cleaning supplies there to spiff up the site (or cabin) to sparkling conditions.
They scrub the grills, clean the tables, and even clean the concrete. Even the garbage cans are clean. It is somehow the perfect blend of being one with nature while also feeling vacation pampered.
Crockett’s Tavern
Walk/bike up (full) bar window with specialty moonshine cocktails – needs no explanation but I’ll give you one – moonshine margarita. It’s a thing.
Community
Fall and winter are definitely the best times to experience the community vibe with many sites fully decked out in festive, maybe a little over the top, decorations but many campers find ways to spread the fun out year ‘round.
More than in a typical resort, neighbors feel like friends. Some fun favorite parts of being part of the neighborhood include scoring a Disney approved wandering fire pit for a night, Mickey head scavenger hunts, and golf cart cruising games. Be sure to bring sidewalk chalk to leave a hello!
Activities
There is SO MUCH to do around the Fort that some families visit without even stepping foot inside the parks. Many of the activities can be found in other camps, but like everything else, they are turned up to Disney level.
The pony rides are an absolute must try for small kiddos – We aren’t talking state fair ponies attached to a rope here. This is a full on trail ride guided by mom or dad. But it’s not all just for kids. Pack up your mini Yeti and spend the afternoon popping tops in your canoe. Just don’t be surprised if you have so much fun that you get to know the cast members at the rental desk by name from coming back again and again.
I absolutely must give an honorable mention to the Waggin Tails Dog Park. Fort Wilderness is the only resort on Disney property where your furry friends can actually stay with you on your vacation. How cool is that!? There are even doggie water fountains.
Spending time at Fort Wilderness is a unique Disney experience that all types of travelers will enjoy. With the easy access to fun cocktails, tons of stuff to do, Disney level service, and overall vacation your way vibe it is almost heartbreaking to start packing up the gear to head home.
There are tons of great reasons to book your next vacation at Disney’s Fort Wilderness. But, if you are a family who likes to do new things every year, this may be a bad idea. I’m not saying you won’t be able to leave. But you probably won’t be able to resist coming back.
When you’re ready to begin making your Disney camp dreams a reality, reach out to Laura Miller at Travel Ease at Laura@teplanners.com to get started with a complimentary quote. Make your next Disney trip your best Disney trip, whether it’s your first or 21st.
Laura Miller is a Travel Ease Advisor specializing in Disney vacations. She is a full-time RV nomad home-based in Orlando just outside the Disney gates with expertise in run-cations, couples trips, and family trips with small kids. Her favorite thing about planning Disney trips is finding something magical for every individual.