Campground Review Summary

• Name: Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort and Campground
• Dates of stay: October 23-30, 2019
• Location: Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort and Campground Entrance, Fort Wilderness Trail, Orlando, FL 32836
• Type of campground: Private / Independent
• Cost: $125/night
• Additional fees: none
• Stay limit: 30 days (per reservation)
• Accepts mail / packages: did not ask
• Cell reception: ATT good
• Website: disneyworld.disney.go.com/resorts/campsites-at-fort-wilderness-resort
• Pros: You’re at Disney!!
• Cons: cost, availability is tight

Full Review

If you are a Disney-phile and you like camping, you HAVE to do Fort Wilderness, at least once. Camping in the happiest place on earth is just, well, magical!

As we routed back into Florida for the winter, we scheduled our Fort Wilderness stay before our previously-purchased annual passes expired. That way, our park tickets were taken care of, we just needed to pay the camping fees. And Fort Wilderness is not cheap – it averaged (for us) $125/night including taxes. It is officially the most we’ve ever paid for a campsite. But, hey, you’re in Disney!

Our campsite was amply sized with an approximate 18 by 80 foot pad. During check in, we asked the clerk about size of pad and ease of back in (all sites are back in), and selected a site based on our needs. We had to wait a couple of hours in the overflow parking lot for that site to become available, but it was worth it to us to get the larger spot. When the site was ready, I received a text, and we proceeded directly there. The site itself was immaculate and equipped with full hookups (50 amp electric, water, sewer) and cable TV. Only at Disney will you find your utility pedestal disguised as a tree stump! We also had a picnic table and charcoal grill. Our site, like most at the Fort, was wooded and thus not satellite friendly.

Staying at the Fort offers all of the perks and advantages of staying at any other Disney resort property. This includes free magic bands, 60 day advance Fast Pass selection, Extra Magic Hours, and all of the Disney resort transportation. The campground itself has two pools, restaurants, camp stores, playgrounds, and laundry facilities. The bathrooms are fully as nice as any hotel and kept immaculately clean. If being at Disney World isn’t enough, the campground offers a variety of activities including archery, crafts, horseback riding, etc (for a fee). Each night there is a free campfire sing along followed by a movie at the main pool. There is no lack of things to do!

The Fort is so large (at least a mile end to end), that it continuously runs 3 internal buses connecting you from your camping loop to the various transportation options and amenities. The boat dock to the Magic Kingdom is at the far north end of the resort, while the bus depot to all of the other Parks is at the south end. Many guests rent golf carts for their stay — we just rode our bicycles.

We took in the Hoop Dee Doo Review dinner show during our stay — we thought the food was just okay, but the show was hokey family entertainment at its finest and very enjoyable.

One tip is to stock up on groceries BEFORE you go! The on property camp stores have just a few basics and Disney restaurants are pricey. Being able to save a little by (mostly) cooking your own meals is one of the benefits of camping.

Bottom Line: It’s Disney – worth it!