First Timers at Fort Wilderness: Nine Ways to Live It Up Like an Old Pro

Whatever your past camping or road tripping experience, nothing compares in any way to Disney’s Fort Wilderness. First-timers are often unprepared for its size, unique offerings of activities, prices, and other idiocyncrasies. Here are nine ways to fit in with those who have been going since the olden days.

YEs, Reserve a golf cart

This is probably the most important piece of advice. It’s not that you are all that lazy, and can’t walk the near-mile from the Outpost Area to the marina. It’s just that having a golf cart and riding around the 28 loops in Fort Wilderness is just inexplicable fun. Particularly in the fall months when campers have decorated for Halloween and Christmas.

If you aren’t bringing your own, reserve well in advance by calling (407) 824-2742. At around $60 a day, it’s pricey – so don’t worry about reserving every single day – maybe two or three.

Avoid going to the parks every day

You’ll be surprised how much you just want to hang out in Fort Wilderness. It’s like one big luxury summer camp dream. During a week’s stay, I personally wouldn’t go more than three days to the park (and I’m happy to just do one). Trust me, the things your kids will remember most twenty years from now will be those days at the Fort.

Pre-pack Mickey gear

Unlike other camping trips, your camping accoutrements are much fun with a Disney theme. And once you get on WDW property, they are at a real premium. I like to pick up (or order on Amazon) as many as I can well before my trip. Here are just a few of my favorite things:

Disney Rain Ponchos
Mickey Bandaids
Mickey Mouse Glove-Shaped Soap
Mickey Mouse Special Edition Goldfish Crackers
Disney Underwear (it’s a great tradition)

Instacart is your friend

Fort Wilderness has two trading posts, each with enough food for you to make plenty of simple meals. However, a pack of hot-dogs is almost $6, and a single wine serving is around $9. And this is still significantly less than eating out. So, the single biggest place that you can save money in Fort Wilderness is to cook some of your own meals, or at least have beverages, sandwich fixings, and snacks on hand. Walmart tends to be one massive headache, driving to Publix is doable, but Instacart is even better. You simply download the Instacart app, and use Disney’s 32830 zip code to help you locate your preferred store (I choose Publix Super Market at Lakeside Village Center). Fees are nominal, and you can arrange to meet to pick up your groceries at the Outpost. Usually, items are delivered within a couple of hours.

Enjoy and explore Fort Amenities

Disney’s Fort Wilderness is not just a place to rest your head. It’s nature’s paradise, but with a week’s worth of worldly indulgences within a short walk. Swimming pools, horseback rides, Segway Tours, and the Nightly Campfire show are only the beginning. There is also archery, Hoop Dee Doo, Trail’s End Buffet, fishing, biking, canoeing, and an insane amount of people watching.

Plan your transportation routes before you go

Fort Wilderness bus map. Currently, only the orange and yellow lines are active.

Usually, the most popular way to get to the Magic Kingdom or the Contemporary (or monorail) is to hop on a boat from the Settlement Area marina. However, if you are pressed for time, an Uber or Minnie Van can deliver you right to the door of your destination. See: How to Get Anywhere from Fort Wilderness

Once you’ve been to Fort Wilderness a few times, you won’t feel so lost. If you’ve never been, it’s wise to study the layout of the campground itself, bus routes and transportation options ahead of time. See: Getting Around Inside of Fort Wilderness

bring a long coaxial cable

This is serious! Fort Wilderness sites are not laid out consistently at all. Sometimes the cable hookup will be many yards from hookup on your RV. Plan ahead and find the longest one you can so that you can watch the Disney Channel. Thank me later.

the comfort stations are truly comfortable – Try to get a nearby site

I’ve never seen cleaner bathrooms and showers – even in the nicest of hotels. Old-timers like us often try to get a site very near the comfort station, and rarely even use the showers in our RV. With at least one per loop, they are uncrowded, and quite spacious for getting ready in the morning. They also double as laundry facilities and probably the best place to quickly seek strong shelter during a severe storm. See: How to Get the Site You Want

think of the wilderness lodge as the wonderful sister

Wilderness Lodge is only a 3-minute boat ride away, and is truly the sister resort to the campground. While you can’t use the pool, you can take advantage of all of the other wonders, including the hourly geyser and the Carolwood Train Room. Geyser Point, in my opinion, is the most relaxing and beautiful bar on all of Disney property. And, we haven’t even gotten to the many food choices and stunning decor at WL.

During a week’s stay at Fort Wilderness, I’ll be at Wilderness Lodge almost every day. Of course, we will also visit the Contemporary and Polynesian trip as well, but Wilderness Lodge just feels like part of the family. Hopefully, once the Reflection: A Disney Lakeside Lodge opens, the biking/walking trail between the Fort and Wilderness Lodge will return in all its glory.