Things to do at Disney's Fort Wilderness Resort
A unique vacation experience awaits at Disneyās Fort Wilderness Resort
For too long I overlooked this resort opting for places like Pop Century, Port Orleans, and the Polynesian but Disneyās Fort Wilderness Resort is a classic Disney World vacation experience and Iām so glad I finally gave it a try. Actually, itās one of the best Disney World vacations Iāve planned and I am not an outdoorsman or a camper.
Even if youāre a hotel buff like me, I say thatās all the more reason to try Fort Wilderness. I promise that youāll have a uniquely Disney World experience here.
In this article, Iāll share some of my favorite things to do while at āDisneyās Fort Wilderness Resort and Campground.ā
Disneyās Fort Wilderness Resort - Wilderness Cabins
If you are like me and donāt have an RV itās no problem, there are a number of places that rent them, even here in Orlando. A quick Google search will bring up quite a few. They can even deliver them to Fort Wilderness for you and set them up.
Or you can do what I did and book a Wilderness Cabin.
First of all, these cabins are very cozy inside but also spacious, and have the ability to accommodate up to 6 guests.
They have a living room, a kitchen with full-size appliances, a separate bedroom with a queen bed, and bunk beds.
But my favorite feature is the BBQ grill on the deck and the picnic table.
Thereās something about being able to relax in your own vacation home right on Disney property, itās absolutely wonderful.
Sure Disneyās hotels are wonderful, but youāre limited to 2 queen beds and maybe a balcony. But in a cabin, you have your piece of land to call home.
While the theme parks are a blast, thereās absolutely nothing wrong with taking a little time off and having a BBQ and maybe moseying over to the evening sing-a-long with Chip ānā Dale. Youāll definitely want to plan an evening or two where you can just relax in the wilderness - the way Disney intended.
Disneyās Fort Wilderness Resort isnāt about the parks. Itās about being on vacation. Theme parks can be secondary because there are so many fun things to do here.
Cost of Wilderness Cabins
Now the big question everybody asks is, āHow much do the Fort Wilderness Cabins cost per night?ā
Unfortunately, there is no easy answer. It has to do with things like the time of year or if you want a room and ticket package. Generally speaking, Wilderness Cabins range in price from about $450 - $650 per night.
OrlandoParksGuy: Travel agent for Disney World, Universal Orlando, and Orlando area cruises
One of the best-kept secrets here at Walt Disney World is the Tri-Circle-D Ranch. Itās part attraction and part working horse stable.
The name is a reference to an old Mickey Mouse Club spin-off called The Adventures of Spin and Marty where the boys camped at the Triple R Ranch.
You can stroll through the stables to visit Cinderellaās ponies and the working horses of Walt Disney World - there are about 90 in all.
Donāt miss the antique calliope, it was purchased by Walt Disney himself for the opening of Disneyland in the 1950s. Thereās also a little museum dedicated to Walt Disneyās love of horses. There are some great memorabilia pieces and photos inside.
The Tri-Circle-D Ranch also offers horseback riding and pony rides for little ones. Horseback riding requires advance reservations and is actually located in a separate barn at Fort Wilderness located at the Outpost.
Horse-drawn carriage and wagon rides
There are horse-drawn carriage and wagon rides offered at the resort. Advance reservations are recommended by calling 407-WDW-PLAY. These tours can be booked starting 60 days in advance. As your travel advisor, Iām also happy to make the reservation for you.
These horse-drawn rides take you on a tour through Ft Wilderness. This is a great way to see the Fort, especially during the fall when many of the campers set up elaborate Halloween and Christmas displays at their campsites.
Campers at Disneyās Fort Wilderness Resort started an unofficial tradition of setting up magical Halloween and Christmas displays around their campsites.
During the Christmas season, thereās even a horse-drawn sleigh ride available - but since this is Florida, the sleigh is on wheels! So, just use your Disney imagination there.
Onsite General Stores
There are two general stores at the Fort: The Settlement Trading Post and The Meadow Trading Post.
Both offer select grocery items, mostly essentials like milk, eggs, bread, and other necessities that you might need to set up your vacation cabin.
If youāre a Disney nerd, you might consider Disney merchandise to be an essential part of your shopping list, and donāt worry, thereās plenty of that too.
I like they have a number of Ft. Wilderness logo gear as well. These items canāt be purchased anywhere else at Walt Disney World.
Now, if youāre wondering about how you can have a BBQ, at your cabin, the Meadow Trading Post and Settlement Trading Post carry charcoal, firewood, and even smores kits.
Golf cart rentals at Disneās Fort Wilderness Resort
How to Rent a Golf Cart at Disneyās Fort Wilderness Resort
I saved the best for last. The one that you must do at Disneyās Fort Wilderness Resort is to rent a golf cart. Even if you have your own vehicle, I say ditch the family car and spring for a golf cart. You really canāt drive your car around the resort anyway because there isnāt any place to park other than your cabin or campsite.
Golf carts cost about $80 per night for a 24-hour rental period. I recommend reserving a golf cart in advance by calling 407-824-2742.
They do sell out. Now, if you forgot to make your reservation, you can join a waitlist at the check-in desk. Youāll receive a text if one has been made available for you.
As your travel advisor, I can arrange a golf cart rental for you as well.
You must have a driverās license and be a guest at Ft Wilderness to rent a golf cart because it is billed to your campsite or cabin.
Youāll see golf carts everywhere at the Fort. I think driving around in our golf cart was the most fun we had during our entire stay.
We, meandered around each night just to enjoy the scenery and the fresh air. We even spotted some wildlife like deer and wild turkeys.
I recommend taking a drive around to explore the resort and check out some of the RVs - some are quite impressive.
But you can also drive it to the pool, the general stores, and even to the Magic Kingdom boat launch at the Settlement and the bus depot at the Outpost.
Transportation at Disneyās Fort Wilderness Resort
Fort Wilderness has internal buses just like Port Orleans and Caribbean Beach. There are two main transportation hubs at Fort Wilderness: the Outpost and the Settlement. They are on polar opposite sides of the resort.
Boat to Magic Kingdom from Disneyās Fort Wilderness Resort and Campground
The Outpost is the main bus stop for the theme parks (except for Magic Kingdom). Youāll need to walk, drive your golf cart, or take the internal shuttle to the Outpost if you want to visit EPCOT, Disneyās Hollywood Studios, Disneyās Animal Kingdom, Disney Springs, or the water parks.
The Settlement is all the way in the back of the resort complex and itās where youāll find the restaurants, the Hoop Dee Doo dinner show, a general store, and a boat dock for Magic Kingdom transportation.
Magic Kingdom can be accessed by boat or you can take a bus from the Settlement depot.
Map of Disneyās Fort Wilderness Resort (click or tap to enlarge).
Just make sure a Magic Kingdom bus is running, sometimes it isnāt which means youāll need to take a boat or take a bus to the nearby Wilderness Lodge Resort and transfer there.
You can call the front desk for current transportation availability.
When going to Magic Kingdom, I recommend taking the boat. Itās a scenic ride that passes by Disneyās Wilderness Lodge Resort and Disneyās Contemporary Resort.
The boat ride is about 10 -20 minutes depending on whether or not goes express.
Some boats will stop at Disneyās Wilderness Lodge and/or Disneyās Contemporary Resort.
Whether or not the boat runs express varies by time or day and even by season.
If the boat is making stops at other resorts, add about 8 minutes per stop to the time it takes to reach Magic Kingdom.
Other tips for Fort Wilderness Resort
Now of course this isnāt everything there is do to at Disneyās Fort Wilderness Resort.
Youāll also want to check out
Hoop-Dee-Doo-Musical Review is the longest-running show in America. Reservations are recommended and can be booked starting 60 days in advance.
Rent canoes and kayaks
Go on an off-road segway tour (to book call 407-WDW-PLAY)
Spend an afternoon at the pool and water slide
Watch Disney movies and under the stars
Join the fun at Chip ānā Daleās Campfire Sing-A-Long - no reservation required.
Nestled on 750 acres of pine and cypress forest, Disneyās Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground evokes the timeless beauty of the American frontier and its totally unique way to enhance your Walt Disney World vacation.
Every day I help people plan magical vacations to Walt Disney World Resort. Iād be happy to help you too.
Have questions about planning your Orlando vacation? I have answers! Contact me now to get more out of your vacation.
Darren is a Disney-focused travel agent with Magical Vacations Travel and has over 13 years of experience. Readers of the Unofficial Guide to Walt Disney World rate him as a Best of the Best Disney Travel Agent. Darren is also an Orlando-based travel writer with topics ranging from theme parks to cruise lines.
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