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 overhaul of the Fort Wilderness Cabins is entirely complete (we’ll get to that below). We’ve stayed at Fort Wilderness several times, and this review covers our experiences over the course of our vacations at Fort Wilderness, mostly in anecdotal form.
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.
When Sarah and I first stayed at Fort Wilderness, we didn’t book it because of my fond memories, but rather, for lack of a better option. By the time we went to book a room, none of the Value Resorts had discounted rooms, and for only $20 more per night, we could do a Fort Wilderness Cabin. Why not, we thought?
My biggest concern initially was the internal bus routes at Fort Wilderness, as we have heard that they can make getting to and from Walt Disney World’s theme parks a pain. After that first trip, I reported back that my concerns were unfounded…
After subsequent stays at Fort Wilderness (and visits there to eat), I think it’s a bit more complicated and at least in part depends upon where you’re staying within the resort, to which park you’re headed, and when you return.
During our most recent stay at the Fort Wilderness Cabins, we were reminded of how frustrating 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, that extra time can add up–and can get old.
However, this is the price you pay for the seclusion Fort Wilderness offers: it’s a necessary evil if you want this level of spaciousness and seclusion. I don’t think it’s possible to have it both ways, and given the situation, the Fort Wilderness bus routes are very workable. With that said, the spread out nature of the resort is also why so many Fort Wilderness guests rent golf carts.
Likewise, the marina transportation was quick and enjoyable. The smaller boats that transported guests to the Contemporary and Magic Kingdom showed up promptly and provided 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 (I’m probably forgetting a lot), 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 also contains one of the hidden gems of Walt Disney World: Trail’s End Restaurant. This is an all-you-cant eat (although it has tested an a la carte menu at times) cafeteria found in Pioneer Hall. We already have reviews of the Trail’s End Breakfast Buffet and the Trail’s End Dinner Buffet, and we’re working on one for brunch (spoiler: like the other meals, it’s also awesome).
Speaking of awesome, Hoop-Dee-Doo Musical Revue is a staple of Walt Disney World dining entertainment, and we think it’s a must-do. This long-running show has been entertaining guests for four-plus decades, and many families return again and again. I loved Hoop Dee Doo Musical Revue as a kid, and I still love it as an adult.
The cabins were recently overhauled, and we have a comprehensive look at what was changed–including improvements and downgrades–in our new Cabins at Fort Wilderness Review. Suffice to say, these cabins feature a full kitchen, living room (that doubles as a bedroom), and bedroom with queen bed and bunkbeds.
The cabins sleep 6 plus infants in a crib, but sleeping 6 adults comfortably would be quite a feat. Uncomfortably, you could probably sleep 8 people in one of these bad boys.
I’m not really sure what 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. There are four categories of campsites at Fort Wilderness: premium (big rig-friendly), preferred (better location), full-hookup (includes sewer), and partial (ideal for tents).
There are 15 comfort stations located throughout Fort Wilderness Campground. Some loops have their own comfort station and some of the smaller loops share a centrally located station. They’re all relatively convenient to access.
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!
Hello, We are heading to disney world in a few weeks and we have reservations at Trails end. We were hoping to head over to the chip n dale campfire after dinner. We are not staying at Fort Wilderness. After dinner at Trails end, can we drive over and enjoy the chip n dale campfire?
Jason,
There is zero parking spaces at the Hoop Review. You will park at the entrance of the camp ground and utilize the internal bus system. You can catch another bus to campfire before catching another back to your car.
We love Fort Wilderness and visit every trip. Trail’s End is delicious. My son appreciates that he can have 10! (bite sized) desserts and adults appreciate the variety. Three weeks ago, we did the pony ride and he loved it. The horse was so gentle and the staff member was awesome with him and other guests that were speaking with her about the horses. Highly recommend it for younger kiddos. At some point we will stay, most likely when my son has mastered bike riding. As Tom mentioned, the blessing and curse of FW is the huge property. Looking forward to our Christmas trip when we can tour the holiday decorations.
Thanks Tom and Sarah for all your recon.
We love Ft Wilderness! We make a point to visit once a trip, if possible. We usually eat a meal at Trail’s End, then visit the ponies and horses over at the ranch. FYI – this is not technically a petting zoo anymore (I remember them having more animals when I was a kid, but now it is just equines), as there are signs everywhere saying not to pet the animals. However, you can usually sneak a quick pet for the ponies if no one is around. Not that I speak from experience or anything! Last time we were there, there were no other guests around and the cast member manning the pony rides was eager to chat about the horses and her experiences working with them. She introduced us to the two ponies she had saddled up for rides and let us give them lots of pets. It was one of those special little moments that happen at Disney and make the experience memorable! We also did the trail rides out there once and had a lot of fun. I did a lot of camping as a kid and I have to say that from what I’ve seen of Ft Wilderness, it is way nicer than any campground I stayed at growing up! We would love to camp there someday!
I forgot to mention that we went out to Ft Wilderness on our recent trip to watch Wishes and we loved watching the water pageant and the fireworks from the beach!
It is important to note that if they ask you not to pet the animals, there is usually a good reason and may have to do with the well being of the animal, as well as human safety. Please don’t think that the rules don’t apply to you. You are the reason that the rules exist.
awsome pictures, i am gelous
I visited Fort Wilderness for the first time during a trip last month (we were staying at Saratoga Springs at the time) and I thought it seemed so cool that we came home a booked a stay there for September. We’re going to actually stay in a tent, so that should be interesting. I’ve read a lot from people who have stayed in campers or RVs but nothing from anybody who has actually stayed there in a tent. Has anybody stayed in a tent? Can you tell me about it?
There is a YouTube vlogger, search for Neverland Family….she has two young kids and seem to really like the camping experience . She also gives a tour of the comfort station and gives a pretty detailed overview of the campground.
We stayed in a tent there in October 2014, even being pregnant and getting up in the middle of the night to pee, I still loved it. We were right across from a comfort station so it wasn’t too bad. Also, we got really lucky and it didn’t rain once the entire week were there. We are going back this Oct. with a 2 year old, can’t wait. Loop 1500 has tents sites, great location right across from the pool/trading post/campfire area. I second the Neverland Family on Youtube, LOVE them.
It has been years since I’ve camped there, but for 4 years straight my exes family and I would travel down in an RV and they would stay in the RV and we would tent camp for the entire week. The sites were pretty clear of tree roots and such and the tree canopies above provided shelter from the sun heating up the tent. As with any other type tent camping, be sure to keep it zipped up at all times to prevent bugs.
Would you say that most of the activities are split evenly between the Settlement Post/marina era and the Meadow Recreation area? I’d also like to hear personal opinions about staying in one area or the other (or another).
Love camping at Fort Wilderness(FW), my husband and I are bringing my parents and brother next week to camp in a tent. This is our second time camping at FW. We love how much cheaper the resort is and how quiet and family friendly the resort is. We do not like the inter bus route; I would say this is the biggest drawn back. But, if you wake up early, you should be fine.
We stayed in the tent loop years ago. At the time, it was pretty luxurious as our usual camping trips were pretty rustic. The grounds were beautiful.
We have not been back to the campground since because of the long drive from NH and the price of the campsites. A campsite this summer is running close to a $100 for the tent loop, for a little more we could do a value resort with air conditioning and and have a bathroom close by.
For families who already have the camping gear and are within 12 hours or so driving, I would say it is a great option during the cooler months to make the trip more affordable.
If we could snag a discount on the campsite, I just might be tempted to throw our sleeping bags in the car and make the drive!
Another fun (and not so known) activity at Fort Wilderness, is the Wilderness Back Trail Adventure SEGWAY Tour! We did this on our last trip, and although it was FREEZING because it was January, we had an awesome time. The group is led by 2 experienced (and very patient) segway guides, who also give you fun facts and history about the campground via an electric earpiece throughout the tour. From someone who also spent many Disney vacations as a kid at the Fort, it was a super fun, different, and nostalgic experience! I highly recommend you and Sarah try it sometime!
I agree! This is the best of all of the Segway tours, but it’s also I believe, the only Segway tour still running. It’s been so long since I did this tour (February 2009 – also a sunny but freezing day) that’s it time to sign up again on our next trip. I wonder if the pin has changed?
Pin?
They used to always give out a Disney Trading pin at the end of the tour. The one for Back Trail was of the off road Segway.
Oh interesting..no pins at all when we were there in January! Bummer
We did an experiment that last time we were there and we drove our car from the cabins to all of the resorts while our friends, in the cabin next to us, used Disney transportation. We saved 30-40 minutes depending on the park over our friends. It was so much easier to drive. Of course, this doesn’t apply if you flew to Orlando but you might want to mention this time-saving tip to those that drive.
That’s interesting, but unsurprising. Was that true even for Magic Kingdom? My guess would be that the gap is closer due to the TTC.
We camped here for two weeks last August and tried every form of transportation to Magic Kingdom. Our boys were 7 and almost 4, we stayed near the Meadow area (easy walk to pool), and we arrived at opening each day. The absolute best, although possibly not ‘kosher’, method was driving to the Contemporary for ‘breakfast’ and riding the monorail over to MK. Second best time-wise was driving straight to MK. But riding the boat to MK is really special. It’s the timing of the internal bus along with the timing of the boats where you loose efficiency. Not to mention, the walk from the bus stop to the marina can be a marathon for tiny legs. =)
There’s no question that driving anywhere else was faster than the buses.
Love love love Fort Wilderness, and would argue that it’s good especially for kids–not just boys. We have only camped there, though I love the look of the cabins. The thing that made it especially good for us that I recommend to anyone who can get there via car (or who can rent them in Orlando, if that’s possible) is to bring bikes. We only used the bus system once or twice, but would ride our bikes everywhere, as well as over to the Lodge for breakfast. It made getting around a joy and it was so much easier and quicker than waiting for the buses. Campsites can be hit or miss based on who your neighbors are, but hands down it’s my favorite resort.
Great review. However, all of your articles and reviews are spot-on so keep it coming!
I do have a random question for you that I cannot seem to find the answer to elsewhere. I figured I would reach out to you before calling the resort. From my experience, if a cast member doesn’t know the answer to an odd request they tend to simply say no.
So here it is: There appears to be a roadway generally parallel to the footpath between Ft. Wilderness and Wilderness Lodge. Is this road only for use by buses? Or can it be used by other vehicles and the general public? I see that it is gated near Wilderness Lodge. I ask because I am taking my family there for a 3-day no-park getaway with Ft. Wilderness as our base. We are also brining our Low-Speed Vehicle (think golf cart licensed and insured as a car, but restricted to only operating on roads posted at 35mph or less). I thought it would be a blast to ride over to Wilderness Lodge for breakfast one morning via this peaceful looking route. Any thoughts?
Adam
This road is for the internal bus system. If you take the Magic Kingdom bus from the bus stop at the back of the resort (closest to the marina) you actually take this road to the Wilderness Lodge before continuing on to the Magic Kingdom. It is not for public use.
Hi Tom! Love your blog and read it once or twice a month. Your recent posts about your stay at FW have inspired me to comment, as I’m currently putting together my July trip.
I am a single guy who does a trip once a year, +/- 8 days in mid-late July: I’d go during Gay Days, but it unfortunately interferes with my teaching schedule. I have loved my all inclusive resort trips and use Disney to the fullest- no unused Dining Plan meals here. (For single folks who love to read: a Disney vacation is fabulous,. You can single rider “Aerosmith” and choose to not FP “Star Tours” and “Toy Story” and knock out this year’s NBA winner in the lines for those two- take in FP for “Tower” or a _STAR WARS_ fireworks seating instead. I used this strategy with “Peter Pan” in MK!)
My go-to resort for a long time has been Coronado. I LOVE Coronado. Few kids, cool visitors and bartenders. Rix Lounge is THE best adult spot for professional adult singles in Disney, for my money.
TO THE POINT FOR TOM BRICKER: Everything I’ve read from you has been on-spot. Do you think Fort Wilderness has decent accommodations for single adult travelers?
Loved a cook asst they had . Rachel hagan. I think was her name. Most employees were rude but she was super nice .
Absolutely love Fort Wildferness and the cabins. We stayed for a week in October. This was a trip booked after staying at the Poly in April. People think I am crazy when I say I would rather stay at the cabins over the Poly. Even some cast memebers were surprised by my comments. It is such an amazing feeling stepping off the boat from the Magic Kingdom… You go from all of the over stimulating (yet amazing) magic to a different kind of magic (peace). I can’t express my love more. We will be back next year and stay longer just to enjoy the resort. A favorite part for my girls was the golf cart rides. While an extra expense, well worth it. I factor this into our trip budget. Our cost then equal to staying at the Contempory. The added space the cabin offers and relaxed pace of the resort make this an obvious choice. Oh and the cast memebers…amazing!!! So sweet and helpful.
We are thinking of staying here in our rv & were wondering about hookups. Is it full service? Water, electric & sewer? Also how are the bath houses? Clean? Private? Thanks in advance!!!
Fort Wilderness is my favorite resort! I especially love renting a golf cart. It is such a special and magical way to get around the resort, which is sprawling. The first time we stayed at the resort we noticed that people really like to decorate their golf carts, too. That’s a fun way to tell yours apart from another, and also a great activity for the family upon arrival.
Fort Wilderness is especially fun during Halloween, when the folks with campers and RVs decorate their site for the season. I’ve heard that there is also a parade of decorated golf carts for those who have taken time to decorate for Halloween, but I’ve never seen it.
I love that Fort Wilderness feels so out of the way, like you are far away from the theme parks. My daughter’s favorite activity is the pony rides. I recommend spending at least one full day at the resort enjoying everything there is to offer – horseback riding, pony rides, petting zoo, boat rentals, campfire sing a long, the pool with special kids smash area… it is so much fun!
I’m sick and tired of this Country’s knee jerk reaction to everything. As tragic as the gator attack was why shut down all fishing in Ft wilderness. It’s not like you’re searching for an escaped convict. Great you killed 5-6 gators. There’ll be 5-6 more right behind them. It’s Florida for Gods sake. So now we’re heading home and I have to keep explaining why we can’t fish to my 7 year old granddaughter and her response is “Why grandpa we fish with them all the time in the Everglades “. This Country’s lost.
I am VERY unhappy visiting Ft. Wilderness last week,
Place is FILTHY! The pad for our motor home was all stained and had a lot of gravel / dead leaves on it.
The picnic table was also FILTHY with dirt!
Not worth a $100.00 . day!
We cancelled the rest of our trip and left with in one day.
Rental golf cart battery’s lasted no more than
an hour at a time.
Food was disgusting, extremely expensive and I chipped my tooth with something hard and white (like hard rice).
went o the rest rooms at 2 and 4 AM with my wife, doors were LOCKED!!!!!!! Called and they opened them remotely what what a horrible way to run a campground!
Campsite looked like it was in the center of a third world city,NO Privacy, laundry lines and wash everywhere you looked.
WAY TOO Controlling for adults! We were treated like small children
insyead of people in their 70’S!!!!!!!
Place is worn and very dated, needs a full updated, get rid of those stupid arm bands for the adults and clean your act up!
Most peopl
What’s the average price range for Fort Wilderness cabins? My family is planning on a trip sometime next year.
Cabins are about $300/night.