Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort and Campground

Not actually a hotel, Disney’s Cabins at Fort Wilderness are classed within the moderate price range – i.e. they’re cheaper than the villas Disney offer. They are a little more expensive than the other moderate hotels, but offer larger accommodation.

Location

The only moderate-classed accommodation to be located in the Magic Kingdom area of Walt Disney World. You’re not able to walk to it, but you can catch a boat over to it.

About

  • The Cabins at Fort Wilderness offer another solution for bigger families.
  • They are located at Fort Wilderness – where there is also a campground.
  • This is a massive resort, over a mile wide and deep.
  • 799 campsites – which I wont go into as most Brit’s wont be schlepping a tent over the pond with them. You also can’t book these on the Walt Disney World site – if you want to camp, try ringing the Walt Disney Travel Company to find out more about how to book.
  • 409 air conditioned cabins
  • The only resort which allows pets. Again the average Brit wont be taking their pooch to the States with them, but a warning if you don’t like/ are allergic to dogs as these are pretty common around the resort.

Accommodation

  • These wooden cabins are approximately 12′ by 42′ foot and sleep up to 6, plus one child under three in a pack and play crib.
  • 1 main bedroom sleeps 4 in a double bed and a set of bunk beds. It also has a sink
  • Bathroom with bath and shower
  • Living area sleeps a further 2 people on a pull down murphy bed.
  • Living area also has a 6 seater dining table and 2 seater kids table
  • Full kitchen with full-sized refrigerator, oven, microwave, coffee maker, kettle, toaster, plus all the bits you need to cook with and eat off.
  • They have a wooden deck with a picnic table and charcoal grill (I assume by that, its a barbecue!)

Food

  • As you’re paying for a full kitchen, there are two stores;  The Settlement Trading Post and the Meadow Trading Post, both better stocked, selling better groceries than in most Disney Resorts.
  • Supplies do tend to be more expensive than from a normal US supermarket (but depending on exchange rate, can be comparable to the UK). If you have a car, there is also Goodings Supermarket in the Crossroads area, and three Wal-Marts are close to the resort.
  • The counter service food court is Crockett’s Tavern
  • The table service restaurant is Trail’s End – providing an all you can eat buffet.
  • There are a number of snack places available.
  • There are also two dinner shows: The Hoop De Due Musical Revue and Mickey’s Backyard Barbecue – the latter being a character meal featuring Disney characters. Both are all you can eat buffets. Note you can book to attend these shows even if you’re not a guest at the resort.

Recreation

There is A LOT to do at Fort Wildnerness:

  • 2 pools
  • Chip and Dale’s Campfire – every night a campfire is held where you can buy marshmallows (or bring your own) to toast and have a sing-along. Chip and Dale come along to sign autographs and have photos taken. Once the sing-along is finished, a Disney movie is played. The campfire is free and and any Walt Disney World Resort guest can attend.
  • A beach
  • A number of childrens’ playgrounds
  • The Pony Pond – Shetland ponies and miniature ponies to pet plus you can see the horses who work at Walt Disney World.
  • Pony rides
  • Water skiing
  • Parasailing
  • Paddleboat, canoes, kayak and pontoon boat rental
  • Bike ans Surrey Bike rental
  • Nightly wagon rides
  • Private carriage rides
  • Tennis and Basketball, with equipment to borrow
  • Archery
  • Volleyball
  • Fishing
  • Arcade
  • Electrical water pageant – a series of lit floats that sail from Fort Wilderness – can also be seen at the Magic Kingdom, Polynesian and Grand Floridian Resorts
  • Segway Tour

Transport

  • Fort Wilderness is huge so there are three bus routes running around the resort, which will take you to and from the Outpost Depot at the entrance.
  • Buses to the parks go from the Outpost Depot
  • As it is so big, this is the one resort that having a car could be an advantage (for most of them, Disney transport is sufficient).
  • There is also a boat in the marina that shuttles to and from the Magic Kingdom.