We made our reservations for July 2020 way back in 2019 – you know back during that last semi-normal year of our lives. Canceling was always on our minds, perhaps up until the last minute. But we needed the break, and were going to Disney’s Fort Wilderness for the first time without pulling our own camper (we rented a beauty from Kissimmee Orlando RV Rental). But here’s the thing:
Of the 50 or so times I’ve stayed at Fort Wilderness (since the early 70s), this has been the grandest of them all.
So we contacted the front desk and Kissimmee Orlando RV Rental and were able to stay a bit longer without moving anything. And that was a nice moment.
the good
Well, obviously there are no crowds. When we first arrived on Saturday, there were a few more people at Fort Wilderness than I expected. It wasn’t a normal July by any means, but it seemed like any other relatively slow time – like January 1988. But then – at least half of these people checked out on Sunday.
Folks are really behaving. It’s rare that you see someone without a mask or failing to social distance. People just seem to get it (much more so than in my hometown), and it’s kinda comforting being around smart people.
Everything is spotless. Busy cast members are everywhere – cleaning rails, opening doors, refilling hand sanitizers, and wiping down pool chairs. And while Kissimmee Orlando RV Rental was setting up the RV, we actually witnessed their sanitizing in progress. And yep, I think it’s so clean you could eat off the floor.
the bad
Somebody Really Needs to Cut the Meadows Grass. We had a lovely picnic last night at a table behind the Meadows Trading Post. Two days ago, I noticed the grass was quite high and thought surely it would be trimmed that day. Nope. There’s also more weeds than usual, and a few other maintenance issues (ice machine is down in our loop). Okay, I really need to stop complaining.
That Woman Who Kept Coughing in the Bathroom. This was the only time I felt seriously unsafe. I decided to go right across our lane to get ready in the comfort station, freeing up precious bathroom space in the RV for the rest of the fam. Big mistake.
the magical
Everybody Is Getting Lots of Rest. Other than my late night cruise around the tent loop on 2000, I have yet to see a real party or even people hanging out on their pads past 9pm. Depending on your age and disposition, you may or may not see this as a bonus.
Instead, we’re seeing more wildlife than ever before, and everything is moving at a real sloooooowwww pace. I’m also digging the park hours. A 7pm Magic Kingdom closing means we can eat at our campsite, and an 11am Epcot opening means more princess beauty sleep.
The Normal Sounds are Missing. It’s 9:15 pm and I realize that there are no boat horns, no fireworks sounds, and no electrical light parade music. There’s a different sort of peace, and I’ve found that I’ve slept better than I ever have at Disney World.
No Waits for Lines in the Park. If you’re worried about a lack of fast passes, free your mind. We walked on just about every ride (3 minute wait on Seven Dwarfs).
It feels like some seriously royal VIP treatment.
And those little short pop-up parades were absolutely brilliant.
Nobody and I mean nobody says “Please move forward and fill in all of the available spaces.” That used to make me want to have a dying duck fit. But making room for other guests? No more.
The Wilderness Pool. Interestingly, the bigger Meadows Pool closes at 9 pm, while the Wilderness Pool (and hot tub) stays open until 11 pm. This late night “quiet pool” vibe is one I’ve never seen before, and it’s the most people I’ve seen in one place at the Fort. It’s a few too many people for me, but I love experiencing the Fort in ways that I never have.
