I believe that the biggest regret that some guests of the Fort have after leaving is that they didn’t spend enough time just enjoying the campground and surrounding areas. There are really so many unique experiences to enjoy with a family that I prefer to have four days in a week vacation with no parks scheduled. This is extreme for most, but please consider at least two. Of course, part of the fun is making a bucket list of all that you want to achieve (and likely over time – not just on one trip). Most of the items on this list are free or inexpensive. Next week, I’ll provide a $3000 Fort Wilderness Bucket list, but this one is just about as fun.

#1. Get a selfie with Chip and Dale.

Every night at around 7 pm (cooler months) or 8 pm (warmer months), a sing-along is held in the Meadows Campfire area. One of the highlights for kids is a visit by Chip and Dale. Be sure to bring your cell phone for a photo (as if you ever leave it behind). Cost: FREE

#2. Take a walk to the wilderness Lodge, down the trail.

A bit less than a mile, this highly wooded trail starts near Pioneer Hall and meanders through thick, untouched #oldFlorida forest. The trail is paved and quiet, except for an occasional biker, runner, or armadillo. Other than taking a bike, this may be the fastest way to get to Wilderness Lodge. Cost: FREE

#3. visit the horsebarn.

Although the barn is expected to be relocated to the other end of Fort Wilderness (due to new resort construction), it is currently located behind Pioneer Hall. This is not your everyday barn. It is immaculate, and the horses are beautiful and gigantic, and include  Appaloosas, Clydesdales, American Paint Horses, Percherons, American Quarter Horses, and many others. There are also the dainty little “princess” ponies that pull Cinderella’s Coach. An interactive exhibit provides a deeper look of Walt Disney’s history and love of horses.  When my kids were small and we stayed at the Polynesian or Contemporary for some trips, we made a special trip to the Fort just to see the horses. Cost: FREE

#4. talk to a blacksmith.

This one is hit or miss because it’s never certain when the blacksmith will be in the shop, located near the barn. But if you catch him, you can see him fitting the horses with their shoes, and he will take the time to explain the intricacies of his trade. Cost: FREE

#5. Do a scavenger hunt.

Fort Wilderness is the perfect place for a scavenger hunt, and the list could go on forever. Here is the first in a series that I’ve created that you can print. This one is family-friendly. Cost: FREE or $10+ if you buy prizes for the winner.

#6. watch a free movie.

Every single night (weather-permitting), Disney movies are shown in the Campfire areas in the Meadows. The movie starts right after the Campfire Sing-Along concludes (either 7:40 or 8:40 pm). You can sit on the provided benches or stands, or bring your own chairs. Cost: FREE

#7. Dance at at the swimming hole jamboree

Every day at 3 pm, the Meadows Pool turns into one big dance party. Never have I seen so many sober adults dancing right along with the kids. Cost: FREE

#8. be hip and play shuffleboard.

Outdoor shuffleboard courts are located in the Meadows area. Take this retro game challenge a step further and actually learn the rules. Did you know that shuffleboard is very much back and growing in popularity? Cost: FREE

#9. ride the boat to the magic kingdom during the fireworks.

This one may be tough one to time correctly, but it can be a very special experience. Get in line for the green flag boat to the Magic Kingdom, and try to time it so that you are getting on the boat within 10 minutes of the beginning of the fireworks. You won’t hear the music, and you will miss some of the fireworks, but dang, you’re on a boat on Bay Lake/Seven Seas Lagoon with serious sky candy. Cost: FREE.

#10. Float in the quiet pool.

Also known as the Wilderness Swimmin’ Hole, this pool is located near the cabins. There are no snacks, no games, and no lifeguards, but it is usually very quiet and backs up to beautiful forest and wildflowers. Try it once, and you’ll want to go back. Cost: FREE.

#11. read a cool book on disney history

If you’re a regular reader, then this will be easy. If you don’t read, then get with the enhance-your-life program and find out why Walt Disney said, “There is more treasure in books than in all the pirate’s loot on Treasure Island.” Some ideas are Project Future: The Inside Story of the Creation of Disney World and The Disney Story: Chronicling the Man, the Mouse and the Parks. Alternatively, choose Last Child In the Woods, and pat yourself on the back for taking your kids camping. Cost: $15 for new book; less for used

#12 Bike through every loop during a holiday time.

Perhaps the most fabulous adventure in Fort Wilderness is looping. Typically, this is done by golf cart, but the real pioneers go by bike. There are 21 camping loops, and for the weeks around the Fourth of July, Halloween, and Christmas, the decor is over-the-top.  A great time to go is about an hour before dusk.  Cost: $0 if you bring you own; $18/each to rent

#13 Play checkers on the front porch of the settlement trading post.

Since Fort Wilderness opened in 1971, there has been a checkers set at the Settlement Trading Post. Go old-school and join the tens of thousands of campers who have played with this same set. Use hand sanitizer afterwards. Cost: FREE.

#14 find a place to take a family picture, and return to the same spot for another picture on every visit.

I was just going through my scrapbook this week from 20 years ago, and I am so glad that we did this. Our spot is in front of the Geyser at Wilderness Lodge. Cost: FREE

#15 go to the beach at fort wilderness and watch the sunrise.

This is nearly a spiritual experience. There will be few if any other people around, and you’ll really appreciate how unspoiled Fort Wilderness is compared to – well, just about everything else at Disney World. Cost: FREE

#16 make friends with another family in your loop. 

This is so natural for kids, and I’m not sure why we tend to grow out of it. Being an introvert, this is not so easy for me, but I think it’s worth it. Campers are a very diverse lot, but when we get together for a drink or a meal with an RV neighbor, the differences in politics and other viewpoints don’t seem to matter too much.  Cost: FREE.

#17 take the bus to port orleans resort and hop on the sassagoula river cruise to disney springs.

Okay, so this one takes you out of Fort Wilderness, but then right back into another rather remote area of Disney. I simply love this boat ride. It takes about 20 minutes to get to Disney Springs, and the waterway meanders through what feels like a real Jungle Cruise and past the treehouses at Saratoga Springs Resort, and ending up at Disney Springs. For an inexpensive but delectable sugar-rush treat at Disney Springs, head to Sprinkles, where you can order your cupcake (go chocolate!) at a pink ATM-like contraption.  Cost: FREE; $20 for four cupcakes.

#18 observe the latest construction near fort wilderness and make a wild, wild guess as to what is really going on.

There’s always something going on, but right now the big one is the construction of a new DVC resort in the old location of River Country.  No matter what anyone tells you, including a cast member, there are not a lot of people who know the true plans of any given project or renovation.  And those who do aren’t going to spill the tea.  Still, it’s fun to look around, ask around, and come up with a hypothesis. Share your “findings” on your favorite Fort Wilderness campground group page.  Cost: FREE.

#19 pick up some fried chicken to go from P&J’s Southern takeout

Oh my, this fried chicken is good, and it comes with that insanely-good cornbread. I am on a keto diet right now, so it pains me to tell you that this also comes with two sides – macaroni & cheese, mashed potatoes, cowboy beans, or coleslaw. At $24.95 to feed 2-4 (two adults, two kids is accurate), this is a Disney bargain.  Cost: $25.95

#20 just be

When’s the last time you made the time to do absolutely nothing? For hours. To sit in a rocking chair at the Settlement Trading Post, or in a lounge chair at your campsite. After all we are human beings, not human doings, right? Fort Wilderness is the perfect place to rediscover this.  Cost: FREE