Disney World’s Fort Wilderness Resort and Campground in Orlando, Florida might be one of the most unique places to camp in the U.S.
Not only is this resort massive (it takes up more than 700 acres), but it’s close to all the action while feeling like it’s in the middle of a pine forest, complete with non-animated deer and raccoons.
Fort Wilderness is Disney World’s official RV park. Photo by Andrew Poole on Flickr
The campground has private sites and features all the amenities of most resorts, as well as a few Disney specialties.
This includes two heated pools that are open 24 hours a day, rental cabins, several restaurants and stores, a marina, playgrounds, tennis courts, horse and pony rides, a petting zoo, fishing, bike rentals, private carriage rides, and even Segway tours.
It’s a family fun destination year-round. There’s a reason why the campground has hundreds of excellent ratings on RV Park Reviews. The next time you’re planning a Disney World vacation, keep these things in mind to get the most out of your trip.
1. Be prepared for the weather.
Florida’s weather can range from hot and humid to stormy—all in one day. Be prepared for any type of weather by bringing along a shelter with bug netting (if you plan to eat outside), awnings and tarps for sudden downpours, and plenty of sunscreen.
Equip your camper or trailer with a storm radio if you are visiting in hurricane season. Some years, the Sunshine State experiences drought conditions and wildfires are common. During these times, Fort Wilderness does not allow campfires.
2. Campers have quick access to every part of the park.
In reality, Fort Wilderness is like a real fort. The gated campground can’t be accessed unless you have a MagicBand. This colorful wristband is given to all of Walt Disney World’s paying guests and can be used to access park entrances, food vendors, and the FastPass+ attractions.
With the band, campers can also hop on various buses or boats to different parts of the park including Epcot and Animal Kingdom.
3. Your pet can tag along too.
Fort Wilderness has nearly 800 campsites for all sizes of RVs. Unfortunately, even with all those choices, there are no pull-thru spots. So if you have a larger camper or trailer, you will need to back in. In addition, the largest sites are nearly double the price of a smaller site.
The campground’s premium campsites are currently around $90 per night, versus a tent or pop-up camper site for around $50 per night. While it can be a little pricey to stay at Fort Wilderness for a lengthy period of time, you don’t have to leave your pet at home.
Fort Wilderness is the only pet-friendly resort in Disney World and also has a leash-free dog park. If you need to board your pet, the Best Friends Pet Care facility will take care of them while you play.
4. Bring your bike or rent a golf cart.
With over 20 loops, this campground is seriously huge. If you want to access all the amenities, get to the marina, or just do some exploring, bring your bike.
The campground also features a bike and footpath to Wilderness Lodge in addition to an unpaved nature trail. If you don’t bike, the Outpost at Fort Wilderness rents out electric golf carts that seat up to four adults.
5. Plan your trip around a holiday.
Photo via Clare and Dave on Flickr
In general, Walt Disney World goes all out for holidays. Fort Wilderness campers go even a step further by decorating their campsites for Halloween, Christmas, 4th of July, and Easter.
During these holidays the campground has organized parades, egg hunts, sleigh rides, and decoration contests. There’s even a pet parade and costume contest during Halloween.
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