Let’s ask ourselves why campers flock to Disney’s Fort Wilderness Campground, paying premium prices, and sometimes choosing not to even go to the parks. Well, the obvious answer is the proximity to the parks and other resorts. Other easy answers include the activities such as horseback riding, canoeing,the nightly campfire and free movie. Some mention that they like the large size of it the campground. Along with this goes people watching, whether we are quietly admiring or haughtily critiquing their looks, behaviors, or family interactions.

But if we think about it, Fort Wilderness is nearly ordinary in some obvious areas. For example, there are no campsites backing up to Bay Lake, and only a very few with any sort of water view at all. There are two pools, and neither of these compares to what many $100 per night hotels in nearby Orlando offer. The sites are clean, but in some cases are uncomfortably close to one another.

It’s the little things that are there at Fort Wilderness all of the time that we forget to notice that may truly bring the magic. These are the things that fall into the back of our minds in the same way that the noise of our dog barking or children playing become less noticeable over time. Yet, none of these came about by happenstance. Indeed, there is evidence that these details were carefully planned by Walt Disney himself, and later, Roy Disney and Dick Nunis. There are many other wonderful campgrounds across Florida and across America. What I wonder is why more have not noticed and implemented these relatively simple details that sets them apart nearly-unconsciously in our minds.

The toilet paper

Yes, the posh feel of the comfort station paper on your tush was not an afterthought. A March 3, 1996 article in the Orlando Sentinel quoted then-director Rick Allen of Fort Wilderness Campground as saying, “We think of toilet paper as the unsung hero of the campground.” He also indicated that Fort Wilderness would lose a “huge market base” if the quality were compromised. Interestingly, the article went on to state the contribution of quality American toilet paper to the influx of immigrants to America, both legal and illegal. Oh boy, oh boy, how our dialogue has changed in the last 23 years.

The lack of people-eating bugs

There are occasional reports of insects around Fort Wilderness. But more often than not, they are far fewer than they are at other Florida campgrounds. I remember spending a night at a lovely Panhandle campground, and mentally surviving the sinister dinosaur critters only by virtue of a little wine. The next day, with no less than 75 unsightly red spots on my legs, we headed to Fort Wilderness. It was two days later before I realized I hadn’t been bitten again. This was part of the initial plan, going back to the genesis of Fort Wilderness.

Even prior to the campground opening, Disney had hired a team of eleven people to diminish the bug population.  The philosophy was that “a bitten tourist won’t enjoy his stay as much as an unbitten one.” (Orlando Sentinel, July 25, 1971).  Even during those days, they opted for a ULV spray technique over conventional pesticides. Other natural pest-control measures included stocking Bay Lake with fish and using low-intensity lighting. (Orlando Sentinel, 1971)

The music

Okay, so I really like the sound of the crickets and frogs, and nature’s authentic music. But when we walk through the Settlement Area, do we even realize that it is piped-in tunes are bringing harmony into our souls? Do we forget to hear it to the point that it just subliminally changes our moods? What if every urban campground had happy background ditties in the welcome areas, common areas, and comfort stations? This is not an expensive proposition.

The hospitality and “the look

Just as in all areas of Disney World, the customer service requirement is unsurpassed excellence. All cast members are immaculate, neat, crisp, ironed, and never look like they just woke up from a 2-day drinking binge. Furthermore, they have clear-cut strategies for interacting with both friendly and grumpy visitors. These have to do with tone, empathy, body language (don’t cross your arms), and always leaving the guest satisfied. Have you ever been to a campground where the hosts were disheveled, rude or disinterested? Kind of makes you go hmmmm, yeah? Never would you hear Walt Disney say something like, “This is MY park, and if you don’t like it, go somewhere else.”

Writing this has allowed me to understand once again how important the tiny details are. Paying attention to these not only works in campground and business, but likely in our personal relationships as well. I truly need to do so much better in this area. Perhaps I will start by heading to Publix tonight to get some fancy-pants toilet paper for Captain Bacon.