This Disney resort’s 750 acres of forested charm offers campsites and plenty of awesome activities for RV families.
By Scott & Van Russell, F505257
May 2024
Fort Wilderness welcomes visitors to its quaint and quiet resort.
Just around the corner from Disney’s Magic Kingdom in Orlando, Florida, lies a hidden camping gem tucked away in a pine and cypress forest. Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground is part of the Disney World family, but it is so epic that it’s a stand-alone bucket-list destination for RVers — even those who never plan to step foot in a Disney theme park.
UNIQUE CAMPING EXPERIENCE
When people learn Walt Disney World has a campground, they may envision the hustle and bustle of the theme parks. Fort Wilderness is quite the opposite. Not only are the campsites completely secluded, with a state-park feel, but the campground has such a quiet, laid-back vibe that you would never associate this place with theme parks at all. In fact, looking around at the heavily wooded campsites and the campground layout, you may not even feel like you are camping in Florida.
The resort’s campsites can accommodate 45-foot RVs and longer.
While Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground is just a quick bus or boat ride away from the theme parks at Walt Disney World, it’s an RV destination in its own right. It is considered by some to be one of the toughest campgrounds to snag a spot at in the United States. This is especially true during the holiday seasons surrounding Halloween and Christmas, when people make reservations 499 days in advance. There is so much to see and do at this campground that you won’t need to look for entertainment elsewhere during your stay.
LIKE SUMMER CAMP
Staying at Fort Wilderness takes me back to my childhood when I attended summer camp each year. The activities bring to mind a fun family summer camp experience that kids and adults alike will enjoy. Make sure to grab the daily activity schedule during your stay so you can plan what you want to do. It helps to reserve all activities in advance, since they do fill up.
Cross the lake to Magic Kingdom on a free boat ride.
OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES
You may not think a campground in the middle of Disney World would have much of a wilderness feel to it, but it’s very secluded and filled with nature. Signs tell guests to be on the lookout for bears and take care with food and trash (yes, central Florida has black bears), but the only animals we spotted during our visit were wild turkeys each morning.
The campground sits next to a large lake that connects to the Magic Kingdom via a free boat ride. A waterway winds through the campground, and you can rent kayaks and canoes to explore it. You also can sign up for a guided fishing excursion, or use your own gear to enjoy some fishing fun. Another great option is to rent bikes and check out the many trails throughout the campground.
HOME ON THE RANCH
Over 90 horses call Tri-Circle-D Ranch their home.
Fort Wilderness has two stables full of horses on the property. Adults and older children can enjoy a guided back-trail riding experience. We really liked the horseback riding and highly recommend it. The price was very reasonable, and most people don’t leave a Disney vacation saying they got the chance to ride horses. It’s worth it!
For smaller kids, daily pony rides take place at the Tri-Circle-D Ranch. Even if you have no desire to hop on a horse at Fort Wilderness, make sure to stop by the barn and view the horses. You can learn more about them and may get lucky and be able to pet one if an employee is available. The new stable is stunning, and it was a blast to walk around there. Looking to take the whole family for a ride? Check out the horse-drawn carriage or wagon rides offered in the Settlement Trading Post area.
GUIDED EXPERIENCES
If you want a fun adult experience at the campground, consider taking the guided Segway tour, a one-of-a-kind way to see the property. Kids or adults also can sign up for the Fort Wilderness Archery Experience. A guide teaches participants how to safely shoot arrows at a target, followed by a lengthy session of target practice to show off their new skills. Our daughter really enjoyed learning more about archery and was not too bad at hitting the target by the end of the class.
Learn how to use a compound bow at the Fort Wilderness Archery Experience.
FUN AT THE POOL, CRAFTS
The campground has two pool areas, but the main pool in the Meadow area is the resort hot spot. With a 67-foot-long corkscrew waterslide and a sprayground, this is the pool that’s always hopping. Fun daily activities that kids enjoy take place at the pool. For a quieter experience, head over to the Wilderness Swimmin’ Pool tucked away in the cabin rental area of the campground.
Daily crafts are offered in the morning and the afternoon at the Bike Barn. A fee is charged, but the activities are inexpensive. We tie-dyed Mickey Mouse T-shirts during our visit, which was a lot of fun. Gold mining is also available next to the craft area.
OUTDOOR MOVIES, CAMPFIRE SING-ALONGS
One of the most popular campground activities is Chip ‘n’ Dale’s Campfire Sing-A-Long. On select evenings throughout the week, a mini cowboy show hits the stage, with popular campfire songs, jokes, and Disney’s famous chipmunk characters, Chip and Dale, who come out to join the fun. A large campfire is available for roasting marshmallows. After the show, Disney movies are shown on a big screen each night. S’mores kits are available for purchase if you need them, but otherwise, it’s all free.
The Hoop-Dee-Doo Musical Revue, a dinner show, will make anyone laugh.
TOE-TAPPING DINNER SHOW
One of America’s longest-running dinner shows is located right at Fort Wilderness in the Pioneer Hall. The Hoop-Dee-Doo Musical Revue has been delighting guests with song, comedy, and food you won’t find anywhere else at Disney since 1974. This show has something for all ages to enjoy, and even our teen loved it, which really says something. From foot stomping and napkin waving to washboard beating, the performers really get the crowd involved.
Pioneer Hall has the feel of an old saloon, with long tables and checkered picnic-style linens. Additional tables are available on the upper balcony. Since the theater is small, there are no bad seats. The show ticket includes entertainment, an all-you-can-eat dinner, and unlimited drinks (even alcohol), which makes it a bargain compared to other Disney sit-down dining options.
In between skits at Pioneer Hall, be sure to enjoy the all-you-can-eat buffet.
Make sure to secure a reservation for the show well in advance. It’s only offered on certain days of the week, with three performances per evening, and it sells out fast. The show tickets can be purchased and reserved online. There are different pricing tiers, but even the least expensive category still provides great seats.
GETTING AROUND
Fort Wilderness Campground is enormous. With 799 campsites, multiple activity areas, cabin rentals, and two horse stable locations, this resort is big. The most popular and fastest way to get around the facility is by golf cart. If you don’t have your own, consider renting one there for the duration of your stay. We did, and it was worth it by far. A series of internal campground buses transport guests from the camping loops to the various activity areas around the resorts, but it is a very slow system. A golf cart will save you a lot of time, plus there isn’t anything quite like the freedom of hopping on one and taking off whenever you want. You can also bring or rent bikes.
To visit other locations within Walt Disney World from the campground, including the theme parks, you can board buses that connect to Disney Springs, EPCOT, Magic Kingdom, Hollywood Studios, and Animal Kingdom. The campground also sits on the same lake as the Magic Kingdom, so you can board the boat that picks up passengers at the dock near the Settlement Area. If you use internal buses throughout Fort Wilderness or the park buses/boat transportation, always allow plenty of extra time to get where you are headed. It takes a while and is especially slow during theme park opening and closing times.
THE BEST TIME TO VISIT
As noted, it can be a bit of a challenge to secure campground reservations at Fort Wilderness, especially around the holidays. The cost also varies depending on the time of the year. Slow seasons include August through September and mid-January through February. The most exciting time to visit is during October and December, when campers put up over-the-top campsite decorations that you really have to see to believe. In fact, just driving the loops in a golf cart to take it all in is a top activity.
Characters parade through the streets during Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party
Holiday reservations are especially tough to get, not only because of the epic campground décor, but also because of the increase in park activities surrounding the holiday season. Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party is a huge bonus event in the fall. At Christmas, Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party is a must-see event that draws large crowds to the resort. If you would like to visit the campground during the holiday season, consider reserving as far in advance as possible. Last-minute reservations within a month or less of the visit date may be another way to snag a spot because of cancellations.
Fort Wilderness is worth a visit, no matter the season. During the summer, cool off at one of Disney’s water parks: Typhoon Lagoon or Blizzard Beach. Animal Kingdom is part zoo and part rides, but it’s all fun and a hit with animal lovers. Hollywood Studios brings movies to life with its shows and rides. It’s the top place to visit for Star Wars fans. EPCOT is a showcase of food, shopping, entertainment, and rides from all around the world. There is a good chance your visit will coincide with one of the annual festivals, which feature extra entertainment, concerts, and food options. The International Food And Wine Festival is our favorite event.
If you’re wintering in Florida, join Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party for some holiday cheer.
Then, of course, every kid’s favorite park is usually Magic Kingdom. This is the classic Disney Parks experience, where you can enjoy character meetings as well as beloved rides such as Space Mountain and Pirates of the Caribbean. Don’t miss the evening projection show on Cinderella’s Castle, complete with fireworks. Just as campground rates vary depending on crowd levels, theme park ticket prices also differ. Our favorite times to visit are in late September and late January.
Add Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground to your RV camping bucket list. The campground feels private and secluded in the woods, regardless of its proximity to theme parks in the middle of Orlando. The one-of-a-kind outdoor activities are reminiscent of a true summer camp experience. From horseback riding, campfire sing-alongs, kayaking, archery, and wagon rides to the famous long-running Hoop-Dee-Doo Musical Revue dinner show, you will never find yourself without something fun to experience. One visit and you will see why no other campground quite compares to Fort Wilderness!
MORE INFO
Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground
4510 N. Fort Wilderness Trail
Lake Buena Vista, FL 32830-8415
(407) 824-2900
(407) 939-5277 (reservations)