Since November 1971, Disney’s Fort Wilderness Campground and Resort has been a mystical place that sits in sharp contrast to the glitz and crowds of the rest of Walt Disney World. It holds a place of peculiar fascination and obsession for the thousands who spent so many of their best childhood vacations there. Along with Bay Lake, the Fort’s younger sister Wilderness Lodge, and nearby Discovery Island, it is steeped with legend, folklore and rumors. Let’s explore the myth and reality of a few well-known and less-known tales.

There are people who have lived at Fort Wilderness for many years.

Mostly Reality. While long-term residency at Disney’s Fort Wilderness is technically no longer permitted, there are some that do indeed find loopholes. The maximum reservable stay is 30 days, and there are no weekly rates or discounts. However, there are many full-time RVers who are there for much longer, sometimes for years at a time. Many of these are on the 400 or 1700 loops. In order to remain longer than 30 days, one must make a series of reservations, checking out after 30 days and checking right back in. It appears that many do not actually pack up and leave their spots. There are also seasonal cast members who use their CM discounts to stay for more extended periods than a typical guest does.

tents were not allowed at fort wilderness when it opened

Myth. Although tents did end up being allowed in the early days, they were strongly discouraged when Fort Wilderness opened. During the early 70s, RVs became increasingly popular, and were seen as the trend that would replace tents altogether. (Orlando Sentinel, 1971) Clearly, this did not happen, as tent camping enjoyed a resurgence associated with a more rustic and genuine camping experience. Still, the vast majority of camping in Fort Wilderness is in RVs, travel trailers, popups, and fifth-wheels.

Discovery Island was home to the last surviving bird of a now-extinct species.

Reality. Orange Band, the last known Dusky Seaside Sparrow, resided on Discovery Island until his death in 1987. Attempts to create a new lineage through his offspring failed.  In 1990, the non-migratory bird, found only in a small part of Florida, was declared extinct. (New York Times, June 17, 1987).

The barn near the Settlement Trading Post is soon going to be moved to the Outpost area.

Myth. In spite what you may have heard from the unenlightened, it appears that a brand new barn will be located in or near the Settlement Area (marina end). This means that it will not be going to the Outpost area, and will not be far from where it is now. The current, much-loved barn, will be dismantled to make room for parts of the new resort Reflections: A Disney Lakeside Lodge.

President Richard Nixon gave his famous “I’m not a crook speech” just across Bay Lake at the Contemporary Resort.

Reality. In the midst of the Watergate scandal, President Nixon made a stop at the Associated Press Managers Conference in November 1973. The conference was held at Disney’s Contemporary Resort. During a televised question and answer session with the press (in the Ballroom of the Americas), he uttered a statement that would become a quote forever associated with him: “I am not a crook.” He resigned a few months later. (Orlando Sentinel, 2016).

Early wDW Visions included Fort Wilderness to expanding into its own theme park.

Reality. With the current construction of Reflections: A Disney Lakeside Resort near the campground, some have recently resurrected the older, abandoned plans for the area. In early incarnations, the resort was to be called Fort Wilderness Junction. It would include a wild-west themed town, complete with shooting galleries, wild west shows and a revival of the train that once ran through Fort Wilderness. (Jim Hill Media, 2004). What is less known is the much broader vision. In 1972, Dick Nunis, then executive vice-president of Walt Disney World, revealed “Fort Wilderness is going to be a place to keep an eye on. It’s a big area, and will become another theme park.” (Orlando Sentinel, November 19, 1972)

Fort Wilderness is haunted.

Alternate reality. Stories abound on the internet about a white, full-bodied floating figure who regularly wanders around Fort Wilderness near and inside cabins and RVs. A mile away at Wilderness Lodge, a a ghost with a hat, named Stetson, allegedly floats around as well, and occasionally “comes out to socialize.” Do you believe it’s true?

discovery island was to be repurposed as a “Lost”-Themed attraction

Myth. In 2009, a new blogger (Disney Folly) wrote a fictional piece about Discovery Island, and Disney’s plans to turn it into a captive experience with survivors, surprises, rides, and a Dharma Volkswagen van. Although the article had hints and anagrams, the story received enough attention that many believed it. (disneysfolly.com)

Related: How Much Do You Really Know About Fort Wilderness? Quiz – Part I