Hey Main Streeters!
Probably the most important decision you will make for your Disney vacation is where you will stay. There are tons of resort options in every price range. Disney divides them into 3 categories: deluxe, moderate, and value.
One moderate option that many guests overlook is the Fort Wilderness Resort and Campground. Yes, that’s right, Disney has a campground and it is magical! My family has been staying there in our motorhome for years and we love it!
Fort Wilderness first opened to guests on November 19th, 1971. That means that it is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year too!
It is conveniently located on Bay Lake in the Magic Kingdom resort area. Today it has 800 campsites and 409 cabins. It can accommodate any type of RV or travel trailer in one of its campsite categories: Premium Campsite, Preferred Campsite, Full Hook-Up campsite, Tent or Pop-Up Campsite, and Premium Meadow Campsite. Each category varies in price and amenities, so check out the Disney World website to see which one best fits you. If camping isn’t exactly your thing, consider one of the cabins to still enjoy the rustic, wooded fun.
It’s 750 acres are home to much more than campsites, though.
There are 2 pool areas for you to enjoy: The Meadow Swimmin’ pool and The Wilderness Swimmin’ pool.
You can visit or ride some Disney horses at Tri-Circle-D ranch.
You can go canoeing on the lake.
You can go on fishing excursion on the lake.
If you’re hungry, there are several options for you to enjoy. P&J’s Southern Takeout, Meadow Snack Bar, Crockett’s Tavern, The Chuck Wagon, and Trails End Restaurant.
During “normal” times, they also have a fantastic dinner show called the Hoop-Dee-Doo Musical Revue. Stay tuned to the Main Street Muse for news of this coming back.
The best part of camping (In my opinion.) is the campfire, and Fort Wilderness hosts one every night. Grab (or purchase in the store) some marshmallows and head on down for some family fun. You may even be joined by Disney friends Chip and Dale.
If you head down to the lakeshore, you can watch the fireworks from Magic Kingdom and The Electrical Water Pageant.
Holidays at the Fort are especially magical as RVers go all out with decorations and festive fun!
Since it is so large, Fort Wilderness offers an internal bus system that will take you all around the resort. If you want to catch an external bus to the theme parks or Disney Springs, head to the front. If you want to catch a boat to the Magic Kingdom area, head to the lake. They also offer bike and golf cart rentals to help you get around.
There have been some changes to the resort over these 50 years, including taking away The Fort Wilderness Railroad that used to run through the campsites and the River Country water park. These are missed by many but the resort still has a following that keeps it booked up well in advance.
Happy 50th birthday Fort Wilderness, and here’s to many more years of camping fun on the shores of Bay Lake!
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