Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort Campground Review
Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground is an actual campground with both campsites and cabins at Walt Disney World. This review features photos of the both, the dining options and other amenities, and thoughts on the experience of staying at Fort Wilderness.
The history of Fort Wilderness is an interesting one, so let’s quickly cover that. The campground opened on November 19, 1971, shortly after Magic Kingdom. Fort Wilderness was viewed as a counterpart to Frontierland, giving guests a way to stay in the American frontier. The campground debuted with 232 campsites as well as Tri Circle D Ranch, which was primarily constructed as a convenient location for horses in the parades at Magic Kingdom.
In the years that followed, Fort Wilderness would expand considerably. Additions included the Fort Wilderness Railroad and River Country water park, both of which are now defunct. Another addition around that same time is more well-known: Hoop-Dee-Doo Musical Revue, which debuted on June 30, 1974 as a temporary summer show with a cast of college interns. Over 50 years later, the “temporary” Hoop-Dee-Doo Musical Revue is still going strong.
Today, Fort Wilderness offers campsites and cabins along with a wide range of recreational options. While Fort Wilderness is only a short boat ride from Magic Kingdom, it feels worlds away. The sprawling ‘resort’ is situated on 750 acres of pine and cypress forest, giving the campground a ‘buffer’ between it and the rest of Walt Disney World.
With a few big exceptions (more on those below), Fort Wilderness Campground largely exists as it did back in the 1970s. It’s one of the last vestiges of the Vacation Kingdom of the World, and a bygone era of Walt Disney World. Sadly, that is quickly changing, and longtime fans will tell you that Fort Wilderness is a shadow of its former self. But visit today for the first time, and you’ll still experience plenty of what those fans fell in love with in the 1970s, 80s, and 90s.
Fort Wilderness really is an experience, one that feels unlike any other resort at Walt Disney World. If you didn’t know any better, you wouldn’t realize you were just outside of a theme park. Not only is the “resort” isolated from the rest of Walt Disney World, but it’s also largely untouched and under-developed. It also offers a wealth of outdoor recreational activities and perks you won’t find anywhere else at Walt Disney World. With that said, Fort Wilderness definitely is not for everyone.
When I was young, my parents and I used to stay at Fort Wilderness in our camper. The few memories that I could recall from Fort Wilderness are good ones. I remember getting a Dale (dressed in his Chip ‘N’ Dale Hawaiian shirt) plush on one of our first trips there at the Outpost, going to the Hoop De Doo Revue a couple of times, and swimming at River Country, but that’s about it. However, I hadn’t even visited there in roughly 15 years prior to booking a return trip.
Fast-forward to 2026, and we’ve stayed at Fort Wilderness several times in the last two decades. A lot has changed during that time. We won’t bore you with the details, but we will start with some of the key recent changes as a threshold matter.
The recent development is that Walt Disney World has mostly replaced the old Cabins at Fort Wilderness, and turned that side of the property into a DVC ‘resort.’ The new cabins are known as the Cabins at Fort Wilderness – A Disney Vacation Club Resort. They’ve proven controversial among Disney fans, but we love the new DVC Cabins at Fort Wilderness.
This was done ahead of the addition of Disney Lakeshore Lodge, which is currently under construction adjacent to Fort Wilderness on the old River Country water park. Disney Lakeshore Lodge quite literally towers over the Settlement area of Fort Wilderness.
Neither of these things strictly concern the campground side of Fort Wilderness, but it is worth being aware of those changes as they are fairly consequential to the overall guest experience.
In the last couple of years, there have also been major changes to the dining scene at Fort Wilderness. Current options include the Chuck Wagon (food truck), Trail’s End Restaurant (counter service/marketplace), Crockett’s Tavern (quasi-lounge and table service), and Hoop-Dee-Doo Musical Revue (dinner show).
Although we’re biased as fans of the old Trail’s End buffet (RIP), we have to admit that the reimagined restaurant along with the connected Crockett’s Tavern are more functional. They’re spots at which we’ll dine at regularly during our Fort Wilderness stays, even if we don’t love them as much as the bygone buffet.
Additionally, a “collection of improvement projects” are underway at Fort Wilderness aimed at enhancing the guest experience, including proposed pool and walking trail upgrades. Construction is now taking place near the Meadow Swimmin’ Pool area to expand this area, during which time these pools will remain open. However, the nearby tennis courts, volleyball court and the Meadow Playground will be closed temporarily. This pool expansion is slated to be completed by mid-2026.
Aside from staying in the new DVC Cabins, we’ve also done tent camping at the Fort Wilderness campsites. As far as campgrounds go, Fort Wilderness is relatively unrivaled. We’ve camped at some really nice campgrounds on the West Coast, particularly in Utah and California.
Aside from ones overlooking sandstone arches or the Pacific Ocean, it’s almost impossible to beat Fort Wilderness. Certainly, when it comes to amenities, cleanliness, and overall quality, Fort Wilderness is tough to top. But it’s also the only campground at Walt Disney World, so those planning to camp don’t really have many alternatives.
Here’s everything else you need to know about Fort Wilderness Campground & Resort…
During our recent stay at the Fort Wilderness Cabins, we were reminded of how intimidating its transportation can be. There are 3 internal bus routes that deliver guests to the front and back of the the resort, with buses departing from the front to take guests to the parks, and boats departing from the back (Settlement) to take guests to Magic Kingdom (and other Bay Lake resorts).
This might not seem bad as a twice-per-day thing, but the resort is so spread out that a bus is also necessary if you want to eat, shop, or swim. The internal bus route is about as efficient as it can be, and although it can be a bit quirky and initially confusing, it gets the job done. Over the course of a week-long trip, though, the amount of extra time you’re spending on transit really adds up, and grows tiresome.
The internal transportation is the price guests pay for the seclusion Fort Wilderness offers, and it’s a necessary evil. Whether you’re willing to accept this is a matter of personal preference, but I don’t really think there’s any way around it while maintaining Fort Wilderness’ exceptional vibe.
It’s why so many Fort Wilderness guests rent golf carts, which itself is a fun “thing” that also makes Fort Wilderness so unique. (Note that there are somewhat new rules about golf cart rentals and insurance requirements.)
On a much more positive note, the marina transportation from the Settlement at Fort Wilderness is quick and enjoyable. The smaller boats that transport guests to the Contemporary and Magic Kingdom show up promptly and provide an enjoyable and unique method of getting from Fort Wilderness to the Magic Kingdom.
Taking a boat from Fort Wilderness is such a great and relaxing form of transportation. Although it’s not technically an “attraction,” this is one of my favorite attractions at Walt Disney World.
The entertainment and recreational offerings at Fort Wilderness are robust. I’d say the daily slate of entertainment at Fort Wilderness is better than any other resort at Walt Disney World. There are numerous paid offerings, from fishing to archery classes to boating, and more.
There’s also a lot you can do for free. From nature trails to the Electrical Water Pageant to campfires, there’s a ton to do. Most notable among these is Chip ‘n’ Dale’s Campfire Sing-Along, which is a nightly campfire show that occurs at 7 or 8 p.m., depending upon the season.
There’s also the petting zoo at the Tri-Circle-D ranch, and the Settlement Trading Post, which sells is your typical gift shop/grocery location. If you’re looking to rent a recreational option, the Meadows Recreation Area has a bike barn and the Fort Wilderness waterways and bicycle trails. You can also swim, and play tennis or volleyball at the complex.
Fort Wilderness Campground offers 5 categories of campsites: Tent or Pop-Up Campsite, Full Hook-Up Campsite, Preferred Campsite, Premium Campsite, and Premium Meadow Campsite. The first category accommodates two tents, while the latter four all have space for an RV plus a tent.
Beginning with Guest bookings arriving in 2026, maximum occupancy will be 8 Guests per site. Each campsite is equipped with privacy-enhancing landscaping, water, cable television and electrical hook-ups, a picnic table and a charcoal grill. Most campsites also include a sewer hook-up, and some even permit pets.
RVs can be rented by contacting a Disney Featured Provider, including:
- Meacham’s RV Rental – (941) 224-4939
- Escape RV Rental – (407) 374-3657
- Kissimmee Orlando RV Rental – (407) 368-7899
- Ohana Camper Rental – (386) 748-9328
When renting through one of these providers, you do not need to be present when the equipment is delivered to the Resort. The provider will work with our Cast Members to manage deliveries, set-up and returns of the rented RVs. All other RVs for designated campsite reservations are welcome, but must be brought to Fort Wilderness by registered guests.
Pricing is all over the place, but starting rates for most campsites with hook-ups are over $150 and can reach $250 per night. Our tent campsite cost a little under $100 per night, which was about the same price as a Value Resort for our dates. (Unlike Walt Disney World’s hotels, I know of no good hacks for scoring cheaper campsites.)
Tent campsites offer a paved parking spot and large area to pitch the tent(s). All Fort Wilderness campsites include electrical hook-ups, a picnic table, and a charcoal grill. Some are pet friendly.
All RV campsites at Fort Wilderness include a sewage hookup and paved pads ranging from 10 by 45 feet to 18 by 60 feet. Locations vary, with the most expensive spots being close to Meadow Trading Post, Meadow Recreation Area, Bike Barn, and the Campfire Area.
Comfort Stations are located throughout the Fort Wilderness Campground, and most campsites are probably within a 5 minute walk of one. These offer everything you’d find in a traditional restroom plus private shower stalls with changing areas.
By campground standards, these Comfort Stations are really nice and clean. They’re exactly what you’d expect of Walt Disney World and one aspect of the “resort” that helps justify the premium pricing.
I’m not really sure what else to say about the camp-sites, other than “they exist.” Actually, there’s quite a bit more to know. There are roughly 800 campsites at Fort Wilderness spread out across 20 loops. These campsites are secluded from one another by an overgrowth of brush and trees.
Campsites are back-ins with a combination of paved driveway and sandy pad. Each site is ~25 feet wide and includes a picnic table, charcoal grill, electricity, and water hookups.
One final note on the campground front: at Christmas-time, campers go wild decorating their campsites and golf carts at Fort Wilderness with all sorts of displays. (Hence the above photo, which otherwise might seem random.) It’s pretty cool to see, even if you’re not staying at Fort Wilderness.
One of my favorite things to do at Fort Wilderness is get up early and walk to the marina (no matter where we’re staying) to watch the sunrise. This early morning walk of the resort is a great experience, and really made me appreciate the place all the more. It’s so tranquil and undeveloped, and in many ways, still retains a lot of the charm of old school Walt Disney World.
It’s almost as if Fort Wilderness Campground is “off the grid” and hasn’t been victim to as many of the changes made that have sanitized and made some of the other original ‘Vacation Kingdom of the World’ resorts less endearing.
While I would definitely stay at Fort Wilderness again soon at the opportunity, it’s definitely someplace where we’ll stay when we have kids. I look forward to our kids enjoying playing at the playground, fishing, and enjoying other things like the Campfire Sing Along with Chip & Dale.
To me, it seems Fort Wilderness offers more for young children to explore than many of the other resorts at which we stayed. In an era when entertainment for kids primarily occurs in front of an LCD screen, Fort Wilderness is a breath of fresh air.
Overall, Fort Wilderness Campground is a breath of fresh air if you’re looking for somewhere at Walt Disney World that is totally different and lacking the same amount of hustle and bustle as the theme parks. If you want somewhere to stay that will balance out the chaos of the theme parks, or if you just want to get in touch with nature, Fort Wilderness is an exceptional option.
The amenities and entertainment are wonderful, cabins are really well done, and camping at Walt Disney World is a unique experience. My only real quibble is the transportation system, but even that is about as good as it can be considering the nature of the resort. I would not hesitate to book a stay at Fort Wilderness if a more rustic setting appeals to your party. It’s unlike anywhere else at Walt Disney World, and is a great way to shout SERENITY NOW! and get away from it all.
Not sure which Walt Disney World hotel is right for you? Check out our Walt Disney World Hotel Reviews page, which offers quick-hit capsule reviews of the strengths and weaknesses of every Walt Disney World hotel, plus links to our reviews and photo pages for every hotel we have reviewed. Looking for comprehensive Walt Disney World vacation tips? Make sure to read our Walt Disney World Trip Planning Guide.
Your Thoughts…
What do you think of Disney’s Fort Wilderness Campground & Resort? Have you stayed in a cabin at Fort Wilderness? What about one of the campsites? Have any tips in terms of entertainment, dining, or recreation at Fort Wilderness? Are you a “Fort Fiend” or is Fort Wilderness not your style? Any questions? Hearing from readers is half the fun, so please share your thoughts in the comments below!
My sister, my daughter, and I have stayed in the cabins in 2005, 2007, 2012, and 2014 and we love them! We have talked about staying elsewhere but always come back to the cabins.
We love the space to spread out in the cabins. We love that we have space and don’t have to hear doors slamming, loud t.v.’s, and people up and down outside of rooms like in a hotel. We love the peace and quiet when we come back from the parks. There is still lots to do with canoes/kayaks, biking, movies/campfires, dinner shows, etc. We never needed a golf cart – EVER! We never waited for an internal bus more than 10 minutes. Usually to boat to MK; and either took a bus to the other parks or drove. I would highly recommend staying here.
This fall will be our first experience at the Cabins. We are normally Orleans Riverside or Caribbean fans. Can I ask you a few questions about the transportation? If we ferry to MK, is there a place to park our car near the marina? And how long a trip is it, once on the ferry? As far as the bus, are there a ton of stops after you board the bus? Its such a HUGE place – it seems like you could be in the resort 30 minutes! 🙂 Thanks for the help!
Unfortunately, you need to park your car at the front of Fort Wilderness, or at your cabin. There is no parking near the marina unless you are parking your golf cart. We love renting a golf cart as it gets you right down to the marina very quickly, but you shouldn’t have a problem with the internal bus system getting you there, too. I’ve heard only good things about the bus transportation, but I’ve never experienced it for myself. If you can afford to spring for the golf cart, I encourage you to do so. It is just so fun!
The trip on the ferry from FW to MK is maybe 10 minutes? I’ve never really paid attention, actually, because the boat ride is so enjoyable. It is like another attraction before you’ve even entered the parks. You can also take the boat from FW to Wilderness Lodge if you make a dining reservation there. My husband and I have done that for date night, and the boat ride adds to the romantic experience.
My husband and I are planning a trip next year and want to stay at Fort Wilderness. We were thinking of going in October but now I’m thinking about December. So my question is, is Fort Wilderness/Disney better for Halloween or Christmas??
We stayed at the Fort Wilderness cabins from August 31 – September 8, 2015. There were six in our party and while we could have booked two rooms at a value resort for less money, we decided there were more amenities at Fort Wilderness. We were very impressed and would definitely recommend it. It is a huge resort with excellent bus service to take you around the resort. We did however rent a golf cart, but that was more to do with providing the four adult children (ages 19, 20, 21 and 22) that were accompanying my wife and I with a quick and novel way to get around.
The boat service to Magic Kingdom and the Contemporary Hotel were very efficient (there are two different boats).
Had arranged with Garden Grocer to have groceries delivered before we arrived and everything was in place in our refrigerator. This is a service I highly recommend.
Overall, I highly recommend Fort Wilderness.
We stayed at the cabins at Fort Wilderness in June 2014. We loved the cabins and they were perfect for our family vacation of 11 people! We had 2 cabins with 6 in one and 5 in the other. We had groceries ordered on line and delivered by Garden Grocer. Their service is amazing! The only complaint we had was the busing service. With twins in a double stroller, it made it quite a feat to unload and fold up each time we were boarding…especially in the pouring rain! Only one driver let us in the wheelchair door and we loved him for that! We would stay here again in a minute! It was a magical vacation for our family!
Hi, thanks for the tourist information on Fort Wilderness. Its a place I’ve always wanted to check out. Quick question, if you are traveling there single what would possible be the best option; tent or cabin, and are the tents on site or do we have to bring them?
You have to bring your own tent if you use a campsite.
A campsite is much cheaper. A cabin rents for about $300/night.
Thanks for this guidance…and sowing love to fort!!!
My parents are staying in the 100 area, are the cabins a far walk for my husband two year old and 6 year old to walk?
A far walk from what? There is an internal bus, so not if you use that, but if you choose to walk instead of using the internal bus, it is a long walk throughout the resort.
Thanks for the guidance here!
A question about room cleaning– are there maids/cleaning crew onsite daily to change bed linens and clean the cabins just like at other resorts?
Also, my parents are hoping to camp their 5th wheel at Fort Wilderness while my family stays in a cabin. How likely are we to arrange their campsite close to our cabin?
Thanks!
Yes, housekeeping in the cabins is just like a regular Walt Disney World hotel room.
Love the review. We’ve stayed off Disney site (don’t recommend for full experience) and on site. We absolutely fell in love with the new Art of Animation. It’s perfect for little ones. We are debating the cabins this March and I’m having a hard time deciding. Pluses are definitely the light show on the water and fireworks you cannot see from Art of Animation and having your car right at your room/cabin. I love the woods like feel with the ability to have your own shower/bathroom. My doubts are about the pool, it looks very small and plain from pictures I’ve seen and one this Art of Animation does extremely well is the pools and decor. You feel like you’re in a Disney park the entire visit. Also do cabins have regular hotel towel service? Do they have the cute disney soaps and shampoos? Meaning do you still retain some of the perks of a hotel? Also, the cafeteria at Art of Animation you can buy a Disney mug and get free fills ups of coffee tea and soda your entire trip, is this the case at the fort? We have two small families staying together and we enjoyed thoroughly taking turns watching kids so each of us could have some time to walk and get morning coffee and breakfast. Can we do this at fort? Kitchen is nice but if you have kids you understand those precious morning moments to yourself! Thanks for your help and insight!
Yes, you receive all of the standard Walt Disney World amenities at the Fort Wilderness cabins. The pool definitely isn’t as nice there as Art of Animation, and overall Fort Wilderness has a TOTALLY different tone. It’s more laid back, more “adult” (lots of older couples there), whereas Art of Animation is more family-oriented. Less Disney characters, more quiet moments (if that makes sense).
I love Art of Animation, but it and Fort Wilderness don’t really compare at all. They are apples and oranges. It’s hard for me to make a recommendation to you–just know that it is a very different experience, albeit still a great one.
We have found that renting a golf cart or bringing your own helps with the transportation issue. You do not have to ride the internal buses and can just ride them to either the marina or the bus depot to the parks. 🙂
Greetings! We were wondering…how long are you on the bus before getting to MK? And, same with the boat ride!
~Thanks!!
I have stayed there twice during the Christmas seasons. My favorite thing is to see all of the decorated camp sites; those people go all out and it’s amazing!
I am planning going with my family of six (husband, my mother, and three kids 11, 5 and 2 years old). But the only issue I have is that there is only 1 bathroom at the cabins. Is there any restroom near the cabins?
I have stayed at the Fort Wilderness cabin on many occasions. We usually rent a golf cart to get around except last time we had one of the two cabins in the 100 loop so we didn’t need one. We were so close that the fire works shook our cabin. We always have friends and family from Florida come and stay with us. You can park one car by the cabin and anyone else showing up can park by the check in building. You didn’t stop to do the s’mores at the Chip & Dale Campfire?
When did you stay is it something you requested? I’m staying here next week and would really like to stay in the 100 loop?
We need one night at the camping site before we go in the value resorts the next day. How is the TENT site? any tips? what time is the campfire?
Team Spence – there is parking for golf carts at at the Settlement area, where you catch the boat to the Magic Kingdom. There are two parking areas there, one is by the dock and the other is about 200 feet away by Trails End Restaurant / Pioneer Hall. There is also parking at the outpost, where you catch the bus to other Disney Parks. And no, there is no bus to Universal or any other non Disney Park. There is very limited resort to resort transportation. Fort Wilderness, Wilderness Lodge, and the Contemporary Hotel has boat transportation that runs between the three. From the Contemporary, you can catch the monorail to Polynesian and Grand Floridian. To get to other resorts, you have to get to one of the theme parks, then get on a bus to the other resorts. We will there in October ourselves. Don’t forget to get you tickets for Mickeys Not So Scary Halloween Party !
Also, if you there through Halloween, the Fort is well known for people decorating our golf carts and the golf cart parade and we have a lot of trick or treaters, mostly up in the Settlement area. The other year I gave out over 1200 pieces of candy.
Have fun!!
As someone who used to stay at Fort Wilderness annually during Christmas, this resort is truly remarkable. It’s very much “untouched” by Disney, but is unfortunately being tampered with, as of most recently. For those who worry about getting to the boat dock and the “main area” in a timely manner, I highly recommend renting bikes or to splurge, a golf cart. It’s very much worth it, especially to just “check out” all of the sites, or as many Fort Wilderness veterans call, “looping.”
How is it being tampered with now? I know there were plans for a Fort Wilderness Disney Vacation Club addition at one time, but those were canceled.
Little things are definitely becoming obsolete. The much loved lawn mower tree was taken down just a couple months ago. Hidden hangout spots (such as behind the 300 loop) is no longer an area where you can really fish or hang out, as they are replacing the log home with a bat house due to mosquito issues. There are a lot other things I haven’t noted, but the Fort Fiends website has a thread on it. I was extremely sad to see the lawn mower tree removed since it was pretty nostalgic! This, of course, won’t stop me from staying there, but it’s definitely a bummer.
My husband and I have always stayed at FW, first in a tent, then a camper, and finally the cabins. They are just perfect for a family – and in my opinion, a much better option than a hotel room, just for the fact that you can open the door and send the kids outside to play and still be able to see and hear them. In a hotel, they’d go down the long hall and take a trip in the elevator and then be completely unsupervised if they found their way to the lobby! The beach at FW is a nice place to watch the fireworks from the MK, as well as the Electrical Water Parade. Love, love, love Fort Wilderness and look forward to retirement when we’ll have time to drive the camper down and stay in one of the loops that allow pets. (The kennel there is NOT a great option, we found.) Biking around FW is a pleasure, as well. It’s all flat! I remember going to River Country on our honeymoon and I’m glad you mentioned it… I can’t for the life of me remember where it was! Please refresh my memory.
River Country was (still is, actually) back near the dock. You can still see remnants of it as you approach or leave Fort Wilderness on the boats.
We have stayed at Fort Wilderness all four of the trips we have taken and we LOVE it!! We usually request the 2800 loop so that walking to the bus stop is easy if we need to, but have generally reserved a golf cart on each of the trips. Some of the other fun things that we have done while staying there are Chip N Dale sing-a-long campfire! You can buy the fixins for smores there and it gives you enough for the entire family! We have also done the Archery Experience and that was wonderful. We have done the horsebacking riding on several occasions and found the people to be most friendly and helpful. I love the feeling of Fort Wilderness.
Another great option your readers may like to know about is renting an RV for Fort Wilderness. http://www.FloridaCamperRental.com offer several RV’s to choose from and included everything that a family would need for there camping trip. Including set up and delivery. Guest only need to bring there food and clothes and everything is provided, making a fun filled camping trip which is affordable and easy to do.