Fort Wilderness Camping at Disney World

“There are far, far better things ahead than we leave behind.” – C.S. Lewis

Family pose on Main Street

This post is about Fort Wilderness. I'll leave the actual Disney Parks experience to the many travelers who look at their park days through different eyes. Some relish the enormity and scope of Walt's vision; others admire the technology and artistry of those who built and maintain the magic; and still others simply relish the family time together as they hike the miles between currency deposit posts. I enjoyed all three elements during our family's 3–4 days in Orlando but found myself longing for the a return to childlike innocence and wonder envisioned by Walt Disney himself.

Creative campers ready to hit the parks

Considering the masses that flow through Fort Wilderness campground each day and each hour, the check-in process went smoothly. Even with our advance reservations carefully crafted by our daughter and the steady flow of anxious campers, the check-in crew was still able to accommodate some last-minute requests to locate our party next to each other. The Wilderness setting packs a lot of families into a confined space, yet it doesn't appear overly crowded. They have effectively designed turns, walk-ways, bike-ways, and foliage to provide a pleasant, more personal camping experience. Our plan located us toward the back end of the campground in order to be near the water shuttle station. It proved to be so convenient to simply walk a short distance to catch the next boat to the Kingdom and other transportation venues.

Fort Wilderness campsite

The lots were level and the utility hookups were handy. The lots, while not large, afford a sense of privacy with the careful use of foliage around each site. Being located in the back part of the park did make the trip to the bus transportation a challenge. To bridge that gap, we rented golf carts for the duration of our stay, and they proved handy for a quick run to the camp store or to the transportation center for bus service to other Disney venues.

The cost of Fort Wilderness is by far the most expensive campground I have ever encountered. When you add the cost of the rented golf cart, the cost meter is pegged and you have yet to step foot in the Kingdom. Convenience, however, is the trade-off. At Wilderness you are within the Disney zone, and at least you don't have to fight the traffic and the parking that can take time and frustrate each day. It's hard to fathom those campers who make Fort Wilderness their winter home for extended weeks. A nearby camper, who was undoubtedly planning a long stay, had crammed their larger lot with holiday and Disney-themed decorations—signs, blow-up figures, and string lights. I've never understood the need to cart around all these decorations, let alone to set them up and take them down. I'd have to admit that it did serve as a helpful homing device as we returned late each evening from our daily adventures. Most campers, however, were civilized RVers simply enjoying the upscale park and the pleasant winter temperatures.

Family gathering before supper time

I can't say I'm aware of other camping opportunities in the Orlando area, but at $196+ a day and factoring in the many inconveniences avoided, it may move you closer to justifying the cost.

After our Disney days, it was time to return to Indiana. We overnighted at a Walmart resort in Chattanooga and then made the long trip home as we repaired for another journey Along the Pooka Trail.

.