Trips to Fort Wilderness can be a great opportunity to spend quality time with your significant other and create lasting memories. Here are eight easy romantic activities you can try on your trip on Valentine’s Day – or anytime:
Sunset Picnic
Pack a romantic picnic dinner or grab P&J’s Southern Takeout. The obvious spot is sitting on the beach at Bay Lake and watching the sunset. But there are plenty of other overlooked spots in Fort Wilderness, particularly along the canal in the Meadows Area. I also find the smaller Wilderness Pool to be particularly enchanted – but it’s busier right now while the Meadows Pool is being refurbished.
Take a Hike
Explore parts lesser known in Fort Wilderness. With gentle breezes and an occasional soaring eagle, I like to start by heading down the beach toward the dam. There’s a trail that loops around and comes out behind the Settlement Trading Post. It’s likely you won’t see another soul. Also, go exploring around Loops 700 and 800 to look for remnants of the old Fort Wilderness Railway.
Take beautiful pictures of one another (and selfies) soaking up nature.
Campfire Cooking
Have a romantic Disney-themed dinner that you cook yourself at your campsite. In the photo above is a Robin Hood meal I made at Lake Martin with the full works, candles, and plenty of flowers. Other ideas are Lady and the Tramp (spaghetti), Beauty and the Beast (don’t forget some version the Grey Stuff), or The Jungle Book (Chicken Tikki Masala).
Kayak Ride
I can’t tell you how much I love kayaking the canals of Fort Wilderness with my favorite man. There’s the sun in your hair, the bright lillypads and that tiny hint of danger that makes it one of the most sultry things to do in Fort Wilderness with your love.
Do the Monorail Bar Crawl
Instead of focusing just on the monorail resorts, you’ll start and end at Fort Wilderness. After a drink or dessert at Crockett’s Tavern, take the boat to the Magic Kingdom and then the monorail to the three resorts (Contemporary, Polynesian, Grand Floridian). Stop off at each one for another elixir and watch your heart grow light and worries fade. Here was our experience the summer before the pandemic.
Get an In-Cabin Massage (or In RV)
Fort Wilderness has no spa facilities, but there are a number of former Disney cast members who opened up their own mobile services during the pandemic. One popular choice is Sol, A Wellness Company. The owner, Denise Porter, previously worked at spas at Disney World, Hyatt Regency, and the Ritz-Carlton.
Hire a Private Chef to Cook While You Stargaze
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Wanna chill under the cypress trees while someone cooks for you? There are several Central Florida chefs, many of them former Disney cooks, who will deliver food to your campsite. One that has become wildly popular is Chef Cali Wiley, who cooked at the Polynesian, the Coral Reef (Epcot) and Japan in Epcot prior to the pandemic. He will prepare an O’hana style meal in your cabin or RV. Another option is breakfast in bed – Chef Cali delivers a homemade breakfast box with Mickey waffles, muffins, fruit, meats, and a variety of other choices.
Clearly, a private chef won’t work too well with a tent. If you need to rent an RV (which we love to do instead of hauling our own), check out one of our experiences with Kissimee-Orlando RV.
Hop Over to Wilderness Lodge Geyser Point and Train Room
I don’t think it’s cheating to include Wilderness Lodge on our list. Shucks, half the people on DisTwitter think it’s called Fort Wilderness Lodge. Start with a drink and a light meal at Geyser Point – arguably the most romantic place in Walt Disney World. Tip – The Cheesy BBQ Brisket is an outstanding sharable appetizer. Afterwards, head over for some incredible chill time as you explore the little-known Carolwood Train Room (it’s a must-do)!
