As much as we love the larger-than-life fun at Disney’s Art of Animation Resort or the sophisticated, character-inspired details at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort, every once in a while, we love to escape the crowds and enjoy some of Central Florida’s natural beauty. (Without sacrificing comfort, of course. After all, you’re on vacation!)
And, there’s no better place to go off the beaten path and reconnect with both Mother Nature and your family – while still enjoying the essential comforts of home – than The Cabins at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort.
But, a stay at the Fort Wilderness Cabins doesn’t come cheap. Not sure if the cost and relatively remote location are worth it? Read on as we break down the perks of staying in the cabins at Fort Wilderness, the only campground at Disney.
Fort Wilderness Cabins – Are They Right for Your Next Vacation?
Whether you need a bunch of space to fit your big family or simply looking for a brief pause from the pixie dust after leaving the parks, The Cabins at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort can be an excellent option.
With room for up to six guests, enough activities to keep you busy for at least a couple of vacations and relative privacy in an outdoor setting, the Fort Wilderness Cabins offer a rugged respite in the heart of The Most Magical Place on Earth. Sounds pretty magical, huh?
Not sure if a stay at the Fort Wilderness cabins is right for you and your family? If you have questions, we’ve got answers.
Location of the Disney Fort Wilderness Cabins
Located at 4510 North Fort Wilderness Trail in Lake Buena Vista, Florida, The Cabins at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort are part of the Walt Disney World campground. Nestled below towering pines and cypress trees on the massive, 750-acre resort, the cabins feel like they’re worlds away from the pixie dust-fueled insanity of the theme parks while still only being a short boat or bus ride away from the action.
That said, the resort’s location can be a dealbreaker for some. For others, it’s actually one of the selling points. However, as long as you account for enough travel time during your visit, we think the tradeoffs are worth it.
What popular attractions are by The Cabins at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Campground?
The Fort Wilderness Cabins are technically part of the Magic Kingdom Resort Area, though you can’t actually see Cinderella Castle from the campground. Disney World’s most rustic retreat touts easy access to Magic Kingdom Park, as well as the likes of Epcot, Disney’s Hollywood Studios and Disney Springs.
There are even some worthwhile attractions at the resort itself, such as the Hoop-Dee-Doo Musical Revue dinner show, trail rides or wagon rides at Tri-Circle-D Ranch and Chip ‘n’ Dale’s Campfire Sing-A-Long.
How far is the Orlando Airport from The Cabins at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort?
The Cabins at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort are approximately 22 miles from Orlando International Airport (MCO) and 42 miles from Orlando Sanford International Airport (SFB). Without a doubt, Orlando International Airport is the most popular airport for folks visiting Walt Disney World.
If you don’t want to take an Uber or Lyft or get a car rental, the simplest way to get from the Orlando Airport to the Fort Wilderness Cabins is the Mears Connect Shuttle or the Sunshine Flyer.
What is the easiest way to travel to and from the Fort Wilderness Cabins?
It depends on where you’re going. With the exception of the Magic Kingdom, which is also connected by boat, the easiest way to travel between The Cabins at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Campground and the Walt Disney World theme parks or Disney Springs is the resort’s bus system.
Bus stops are located throughout Fort Wilderness, as well as at the front and near the rear of the resort. Those heading to Magic Kingdom can also take advantage of Disney World’s water transportation. Just make your way to the boat launch at the back of the campground near Pioneer Hall.
You’ll also need to be prepared to travel around the resort’s sprawling 750 acres. Along with bike rentals or the bus, guests can also reserve a golf cart to get around Fort Wilderness. However, golf cart rentals are extremely popular. So, be sure to book your reservation early before they sell out.
Why Stay at The Cabins at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort
Cabins offer an escape from the everyday hustle and bustle and, at Disney World, the chaos and crowds of the theme parks. Are they a bit tricky to get to? Absolutely, but that’s a huge part of their charm. Despite (thanks to?) their relatively remote location, there’s a lot to love about The Cabins at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort.
What are The Cabins at Disney’s Fort Wilderness like?
If the word “cabin” conjures up images of a cozy cottage filled with homey touches, lots of natural wood and all the essentials, then chances are you’re going to be pretty happy with the Fort Wilderness Cabins. Unlike those at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge, the cabins at Fort Wilderness invite guests to rough it in the great outdoors while still enjoying the conveniences of home, including a fully outfitted kitchen.
When staying at the Fort Wilderness Cabins, you will truly feel immersed in the beauty of Mother Nature. With stands of trees screening the cabins from other campsites nearby, you’d be hard-pressed to find a more secluded place to stay at Walt Disney World. Soak it all in while grilling out on your private patio.
Inside, the Fort Wilderness Cabins are rustic and inviting, with warm wood finishes, rugged design details and cabin-worthy touches like bunk beds befitting the bucolic setting. You’ll also find plenty of space – each cabin offers enough room for up to six people.
What comes in a Fort Wilderness Cabin?
Each air-conditioned cabin at Fort Wilderness is roughly 504 square feet, measuring 12 feet wide by 42 feet long, and can accommodate as many as six guests. Fort Wilderness Cabins come outfitted with one queen bed, one double-sized sofa sleeper and one bunk bed, as well as a bathroom with a shower and tub and a full kitchen with a dishwasher, refrigerator, convection microwave oven, coffee maker, toaster and two cooktop burners. Other in-room amenities include a hairdryer, an iron & ironing board, a telephone with voicemail and free WiFi.
What amenities are offered at The Cabins at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort?
The Cabins at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort are unique in that while the Fort Wilderness Campground is considered a value resort, the cabins actually fall into the moderate category. However, when it comes to amenities, Fort Wilderness can easily compete with the best deluxe resorts that Disney World has to offer. Here’s everything you can take advantage of:
Fort Wilderness Restaurants
Fort Wilderness might not be the first place that comes to mind when you think of memorable Disney World dining – and that, my friends, would be a mistake. In fact, restaurants at Fort Wilderness cook up some of the best comfort food at Walt Disney World alongside a hearty helping of wholesome fun.
Crockett’s Tavern
Sidle on up to the walk-up drink window at Crockett’s Tavern, next door to Pioneer Hall, for boozy moonshine cocktails and Southern-style bar bites. Then, sink into one of the rocking chairs on the wraparound porch to take in the view between sips.
Hoop-Dee-Doo Musical Revue
Have a hootenanny of a good time at the Hoop-Dee-Doo Musical Revue, Walt Disney World’s longest-running stage show, at Pioneer Hall. Enjoy homestyle fare like finger-lickin’ fried chicken, sticky ribs and strawberry shortcake as you take in the Wild West-inspired antics on-stage. Advance reservations are required.
Meadow Snack Bar
Refuel for another trip down the waterslide with something tasty from the Meadow Snack Bar. Sink your teeth in all-American favorites like loaded hot dogs, pulled pork sandwiches and pizza, then wash it all down with a drink dripping with moonshine.
P & J’s Southern Takeout
Hoping to enjoy a meal with your family back in the cabin without firing up the stove? P & J’s Southern Takeout, the quick-service counterpart to the attached Trail’s End Restaurant (which is sadly closing Spring 2023), dishes up palate-pleasing eats for breakfast, lunch and dinner, including family-style meals made for sharing.
The Chuck Wagon
We love a good food truck, and The Chuck Wagon at Fort Wilderness certainly delivers (not literally, of course). Designed to look like an old camper, complete with classic camping chairs and Disney bumper stickers, The Chuck Wagon is your destination for kid-friendly fare like burgers (including one topped with bacon and fried mac & cheese), chicken nuggets and corn dog bites.
Trail’s End Restaurant
Trail’s End Restaurant, Fort Wilderness’s table-service outlet, is a cult favorite with Disney World guests for a reason. Open for breakfast and dinner, this cozy, laidback dining hall serves up family-style skillets of frontier favorites like BBQ, cornbread and corn on the cob, as well as plenty of Southern hospitality. Unfortunately, Disney has announced that the restaurant will close this spring to make way for a “marketplace concept with expanded quick-service options” later this year. A specific closure date has yet to be announced, so be sure to stop by and soak up the cozy atmosphere while you still can.
Fort Wilderness Recreation
One of the highlights of staying at the cabins at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Campground is easily the resort’s impressive slate of recreational activities that rival those offered by deluxe resorts like Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge. Sure, you can’t go on an African-style safari complete with giraffes and zebras, but you can get pretty darn close.
Thanks to those 750 acres, guests staying in Fort Wilderness Cabins don’t just get to enjoy the luxury of privacy, but they also have access to the resort’s many incredible outdoor activities, including archery lessons, guided fishing excursions, trail rides, wagon rides, and canoe and kayak rentals. Or, take your outdoorsy explorations to a whole new level from astride a Segway during the Wilderness Back Trail Adventure.
But, you don’t need to spend more money just to have a memorable experience out in nature at the Fort Wilderness Campground. Chip ‘n’ Dale’s Campfire Sing-A-Long is one of the only ways to see Disney characters outside the theme parks.
Plus, it’s just a ton of fun to roast s’mores and goof off with those rascally chipmunks before watching that night’s Movie Under the Stars. Or, mosey over to the Tri-Circle-D Ranch to see the horses of Walt Disney World. To top it all off, they’re both completely free.
Of course, that’s only a snippet of everything that’s available for guests staying at The Cabins at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort to enjoy during their stay. Other outdoor amenities include two swimming pools, including one with a 67-foot waterslide and a water playground, jogging trails, basketball and beach volleyball courts and playgrounds.
Can I bring my dog to stay at the Fort Wilderness Cabins?
Bow wow! (That’s dog speak for “heck yes!”) Camping is a family affair. So, you’ll be happy to know that furry members of the family are also welcome to stay at the cabins at Fort Wilderness. Up to two dogs are welcome to stay per cabin. Pets are subject to a $50 per night pet fee and must be vaccinated and fully trained. Just don’t let Fido jump on the furniture.
Can you see the Magic Kingdom fireworks from the Fort Wilderness Cabins?
Surprisingly yes, though the view isn’t nearly as good as what you’d get from inside Magic Kingdom or even from other area hotels just outside the park like the Contemporary or Polynesian Village. Catch bits of fireworks as they glitter over the treetops from the beach on Bay Lake, or, for a sparkling nighttime display of a different kind, watch the Electric Water Pageant float past.
Staying at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Campground
Disney World’s Fort Wilderness Cabins aren’t for everyone, whether due to their spendy price tag, an abundance of space, rugged setting or out-of-the-way location. Here are some answers to a few other questions to help you decide.
How much do The Cabins at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort cost per night?
Contrary to what you might believe, all those rustic, old-timey vibes don’t equal a small price tag. As a moderate resort, a stay in the Fort Wilderness Cabins doesn’t come cheap. During the slow season, rates start out in the mid-to-high $400s, then climb to close to $900 during the busy holiday season.
Can I get groceries delivered to my cabin at Fort Wilderness?
Without a doubt, one of the perks of staying in the cabins at Fort Wilderness is the delicious cooking opportunities. Whether grilling out over hot coals or sautéing up something on the stovetop, guests have plenty of options.
To make your stay as simple as possible, order some provisions to be prepared ahead of time. Then, once you arrive, head to the Meadow Trading Post to pick up your order. And don’t worry about the dishes – the housekeeping team takes care of them.
What is the best time to stay at the Fort Wilderness Cabins?
It really depends on your priorities. If you want to experience The Cabins at Disney’s Fort Wilderness without paying an arm and a leg, you’re better off visiting during slow periods like in January and August. However, like many other Disney World resorts, the most fun time to stay at the Fort Wilderness Cabins is during holidays like Halloween and Christmas.
Here, the campground comes alive with twinkling lights and decorations as guests give their campers and golf carts a merry makeover. Bring your own supplies to get in on the action, or simply cruise through the campground on your bike or golf cart rental to get into the holiday spirit.
What is the best cabin loop at Fort Wilderness?
In our opinion, the best Fort Wilderness Cabins are part of loop 100, specifically numbers 118 and 120, which are the only cabins on this preferred campsite loop. Best of all, loop 100 is just a short, three-minute stroll from Pioneer Hall and the resort’s boat lunch.
Well, happy campers, that concludes our tour of the Fort Wilderness Cabins. Have you ever stayed at this rustic retreat at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Campground? Let us know in the comments! Then, discover how to stretch your travel dollar farther with our discounted Walt Disney World tickets.
