Disney's Fort Wilderness Resort

Disney's Fort Wilderness Resort is the only campground resort on property and caters for campers in tents or RVs and those wanting a bit of rustic charm staying in a one-bedroom log cabin.

Rating: 3 stars
Rooms: 784 campsites and 408 cabins
Rates: from $265 to $410 Check rates

Address: 4510 North Fort Wilderness Trail, Lake Buena Vista, FL 32830
Area: Magic Kingdom Area
Nearest airport: Orlando International (MCO)
Map: Click to view

As it's name suggests, Fort Wilderness is themed on the American Frontier set in over 700 acres of towering pines, cypress trees and lush Florida vegetation to provide an idyllic natural retreat. Fort Wilderness was amongst the first resorts to open at Walt Disney World in 1971.

Fort Wilderness is a very large resort strung out along tree lined 'loops'. At one time there was a railway that used to run around the campground but it was removed some years ago after the nearby River Country water park closed.

There are miles of quiet trails and water canals where you can observe the local wildlife including deer and rabbits. If you do not fancy walking you can hire both bicycles and electric carts (day or weekly rental) to help you get around. For the ultimate in transport, you can take a 2 hour Wilderness Back Trail Adventure on a Segway Personal Transporter (guests must be at least 16 years of age).

Fort Wilderness is situated on the south shore of the Bay Lake about 2 miles from the Magic Kingdom theme park and about 1/2 mile from Disney's Wilderness Lodge Resort and Disney's Wilderness Lodge Villas. Each evening you can watch the Electric Water Pageant from the beach.

Transportation to the Disney theme parks, water parks and Downtown Disney is by Disney motor coach. You can also take a water launch to the Magic Kingdom park.

Campsites

The 784 campsites are divided into four different categories and range in size from 25 feet to 65 feet, each on a hard-standing:

• Tent/Pop-Up Campsite - two tents, one pop-up tent or one camper-van type vehicle plus tent
• Full Hook-Up Campsite - two tents or one RV plus tent
• Preferred Hook-Up Campsite - two tents or one RV (largest motorhomes or trailers) plus tent
• Premium Campsite - two tents or one RV (largest motorhomes or trailers) plus tent

Rates start at $43 per night and each site has a maximum occupancy of 10 guests. All have mod-cons such as water, electrical hookup, a picnic table and barbecue grill. All except the tent/pop-up campsite also have sewer-hookup and cable television connection.

The Preferred Hook-up and Premium Campsite are in better locations with upgraded picnic furniture and charcoal grills. Pets are allowed at select sites.

Located throughout the site are air-conditioned Comfort Stations with private toilets and showers, laundry facilities, telephones and ice machines. Safe deposit boxes are available upon request at the Reception Outpost.

Cabins

As well as the campsites, there are also 408 one-bedroom cabins made to look like old fashioned log cabins with their own private patio area, charcoal grill and picnic table.

Each cabin is around 500 square feet and sleeps six. The single bedroom has one double bed and one bunk bed and there is a pull-down double bed in the living area. There is also a fully equipped kitchen with refrigerator, electric stove, microwave, coffee/tea maker, pot, pans, dishes and cutlery. You don't even need to wash up as housekeeping does the dishes!

Dining

There is one casual dining restaurant at Disney's Fort Wilderness Resort as well as two dinner shows.

The Trail's End Restaurant situated in the Pioneer Hall offers American home-style breakfast, lunch and dinner buffets.

The nearby lounge is called Crockett's Tavern and it serves pizza and nachos and has a full-service bar.

Two trading posts, the Settlement Trading Post and the Meadow Trading Post offer basic groceries, some camping supplies. The Meadow Trading Post also has a deli.

Fort Wilderness is home to the Hoop-Dee-Doo Musical Revue and dinner show at Pioneer Hall. This is an old-fashioned foot stompin' comedy musical hall show with an all-American family-style dinner. The menu includes fried chicken, smoked BBQ pork ribs with baked beans, tossed green salad and fresh baked corn bread. There is also unlimited draft beer, wine, sangria and soft drinks.

Alternatively, there is Mickey's Backyard BBQ which is a country and western singing and dancing show with line dancing, rope tricks and child friendly entertainment. The all-you-care-to-eat barbecue includes BBQ pork ribs, smoked BBQ Chicken and hot dogs.

Recreation

The Fort Wilderness Resort is renowned for its choice of outdoor activities. Everything from horseback riding, wagon rides, archery and hiking to water sports. There is also a 2.3 mile exercise trail.

There are two heated pools, the Wilderness Swimmin' Pool and the Meadow Swimmin' Pool which also features a water slide and hot tub. There are also four children's play areas at Pioneer Hall, the Meadow Recreation area, Creekside Meadow and the Marina/Beach area.

At the Davy Crockett's Wilderness Arcade at Pioneer Hall or Daniel Boone's Wilderness Arcade in the Meadow Recreation Area you can play both classic arcade and the latest video games.

If you are staying at one of the pet-designated campsites, then you can let your dog off the leash at the Waggin' Trails Dog Park.

At the Tri-Circle-D Ranch & Farm you can go on a horseback guided tour, take a carriage or wagon ride or watch a blacksmith at work. At the farm, the kids can enjoy petting a range of farm animals or take pony rides.

If you like free entertainment then why not head along to the Chip 'n' Dale's Campfire Sing-a-Long & Movie where you can gather around the campfire for to sing songs and roast marshmallows hosted by Chip and Dale, Disney's famous chipmunk pals, then watch a classic Disney children's movie under the stars. You can bring your own marshmallows or you can buy kits.

There are also tennis courts, a shuffleboard court, volleyball court, tetherball or horseshoes game.

At the marina you can rent a range of watercraft including pontoon boats, canopy boats or Sea Raycers or go fishing (strictly catch and release) either in the lake or along the canals. If you fancy learning water skiing or wake boarding then you can buy instruction at Sammy Duvall's Watersports Centre.

Amenities

The resort offers a host of amenities (most only apply to the cabins) including:

• room service
• rooms and facilities for guests with disabilities
• kennel and care facilities for cats, dogs and small animals (fees apply)
• free parking by your campsite or cabin
• electric cart rental
• iron and ironing board
• hairdryer and in-room safe
• coffee maker and microwave
• TV and DVD player
• refrigerator
• babysitting and childcare services, Pak-n-Play Crib available
• laundry facilities
• voice mail, dial-up internet access (surcharge for high-speed access)
• plus the Settlement Trading Post and Meadow Trading Post selling basic groceries, some camping supplies, video rentals and Disney gifts and souvenirs