I enjoy both tent camping and RVs, and I usually stick to state parks and natural areas that allow me to enjoy an authentic Florida experience.
Could Disney World deliver anything but commercialized fantasy in their campground?
A friend who took her Girl Scout troop to Fort Wilderness assured me I could find an authentic experience. She said the campground had much to offer and suggested I give it a try.
Fort Wilderness Campground
The Fort Wilderness Campground has been around since Disney World first opened in 1971, and it has undergone several expansions since, from the original 232 sites to 799 today.
Fort Wilderness is nestled in a 740-acre pine and cypress forest, across a lake about a mile east of the Magic Kingdom as the crow flies. Campsites are arranged in 19 loops around the centralized recreation area known as The Meadow, which includes a swimming complex, a campground store, bike-rental concession, tennis courts and an amphitheater for nightly Chip ‘n’ Dale campfire sing-a-longs.
Related Story: Camping near Disney World: Our 7 picks within an hour’s drive
There are basically two kinds sites with varying degrees of amenities, but the basic tent site where I stayed on this trip has a paved driveway backing up off the loop to a level, sand-based pad with a picnic table, grill, electrical box and water spigot.
Sand pads make it easy to pitch and stake a tent, and they were free of rocks, heavily shaded with ample distance between sites.
Although the other sites in my loop were primarily tents and pop-ups, there were a few RVs scattered about, but not enough to disrupt the experience of tent camping. It appeared that my loop (and a couple of others) were geared primarily towards tent campers but could easily convert to RVs if they were needed.
The designated RV sites have sewer hookups and a more enveloping paved pad.
An air-conditioned “comfort station” with rest rooms, private showers, a laundry, soda machine, pay phones and an ice machine was conveniently located at the entrance to my loop. The rest rooms are locked after midnight until 6 a.m., although your guest-card key allows access during those off-hours. The rest rooms were clean and well-maintained.
Camping and RV supplies, including charcoal, are available at two Trading Posts, one in the Meadow recreation area and the other in the Settlement near the marina.
The swimming pool in the Meadow, at the center of the campground, had a water slide and a splash park for small children, as well as a hot tub for adults off to the side.
Lifeguards were everywhere, and they were attentive, so I thought it quite safe for children.
The pool area is free to guests. There are also two lighted tennis courts in the pool area, as well as a snack bar and an arcade.
Kayak, canoe and bicycle rentals are available at the Bike Barn in the Meadow Recreation Area, where you can also rent you can also rent fishing gear and bait for fishing in the lake. Guided bass fishing excursions are also available. The paddle trail is four miles long, although you can break away whenever your ready.
Another cool option is the Wilderness Back Trail Adventure, a tour of the back trails around the campground aboard a Segway personal transporter, available for booking at the marina.
Boat rentals are also available at the marina, including jet boats, fishing boats and pontoon boats, and you can even charter a cruise and serve food (for a price). Water skiing, personal watercraft tours, tubing, wake boarding and parasailing are also available at the marina.
Horseback riding and pony rides are offered at the Triple-Circle D Ranch. Reservations are recommended and closed-toe shoes with a back strap are required. Riders must be over 48 inches tall and weigh under 250 pounds. Weight will be verified.
I walked around the back of the Tri-Circle-D to the horse barn, where the carriage horses are quartered. Press a button and listen to the 1907 Calliope, once used during parades in the Magic Kingdom.
Horse-drawn carriage rides are available in the Settlement, across from Crockett’s Tavern, and throughout the campground are free sports areas, including basketball courts, volleyball and tether ball.
Perhaps my favorite amenity was the free boat ferry that transports guests to and from the Magic Kingdom across the lake. I saw it as an opportunity for a relaxing evening cruise before dinner.
We sailed from the marina dock at the campground, past the majestic Wilderness Lodge and around the Disney’s Contemporary Resort, under the monorail and across another lake to the docks at the Magic Kingdom. And then back.
The views were outstanding and the lakeshore largely undeveloped, offering a comfortable and scenic cruise to relax after a long day.
When nightfall approaches…
Adjacent to the swimming pool complex in The Meadow Recreation Area, an amphitheater is the venue for the nightly Chip ‘n’ Dale Campfire Sing-Along, followed by a different Disney movie on an outdoor screen, and it’s all free.
You will inevitably want to purchase marshmallows, s’mores or hot dogs to roast on the fire during the show. A guitar-playing cowboy leads the crowd in campfire songs, accompanied by the entertaining antics of Disney characters Chip and Dale.
I skipped the campfire circle so I could enjoy the nightly Electric Boat Parade and the Magic Kingdom’s fireworks display, which can be seen across the lake from the Fort Wilderness beach, next to the marina.
The beach is deserted during the day (swimming is prohibited in the lake), but every lounge chair was full by nightfall. Bring a blanket to sit on the sand and enjoy the show.
Related Story: Camping near Disney World: Our 7 picks within an hour’s drive
Transportation
Driving your car in the campground is discouraged, and the only parking within the campground is at your site.
Electric golf carts and bicycles are available for rent, and shuttle buses run frequent routes to each loop throughout the day. There are covered bus stops with the benches near every campground loop, and the buses are free.
I recommend bringing your own bicycles. Bike rentals are available only during the day, so you can’t keep them overnight at your campsite.
Most campsites are within walking distance of the Meadow Recreation Area.
The shuttle buses take you to the Settlement area, where you catch the free ferry to the Magic Kingdom, or go in the other direction to the Outpost Depot at the campground entrance, where you can transfer to buses that connect to all of Disney’s theme parks, resort areas and the Downtown Disney entertainment complex. All free.
Where to eat
If you are camping with your family, chances are you’ve brought your own food to save money, and that would be my recommendation. Be sure to do your grocery shopping before you arrive.
The campground’s main restaurant is the Trail’s End for breakfast, lunch or dinner. It is convenient to the marina, so if you are going to or coming from the Magic Kingdom by boat, you have to pass it.
The restaurant had some terrific take-out options when I visited. I purchased a fried-chicken dinner (two breasts) with two sides and cornbread. It was quite good. Another tempting take-out option was the pizza.
A western-themed, slapstick vaudeville dinner show, the Hoop-Dee-Doo Musical Revue, is held at Pioneer Hall. Dinner is served family style, with three seatings on some evenings. This corny but entertaining show gets rave reviews on Yelp! Prices vary based on age and seating location, so call ahead for information and reservations. (407-WDW-DINE)
There is a snack bar at the pool in the Meadow, serving salads, hot dogs and sandwiches, and snacks, beer and wine are available at Crockett’s Tavern.
You are also welcome to travel to other Disney resorts for higher-end dining. The nearest resort is the Wilderness Lodge on the western edge of Fort Wilderness.
How much does it cost to camp?
Camping at Fort Wilderness is not cheap.
But when you consider all the amenities, costs of mid-priced motel rooms for a family near Disney, and the convenience of being inside the Disney complex, it seems reasonable.
Campsite rates are based on variable surge pricing, ranging from $100 to more than $300 per night, depending on whether its a tent or RV site, with higher costs for weekends, peak seasons, and, at times, Thursdays or Sundays. For details, go to disneyworld.disney.go.com
Cabin rentals start at $548 and up (Summer 2026). Discounts may be available for Florida residents. Each cabin is a spacious 500 square feet, sleeping six, with outside decks and grills. For more information, visit Disney’s web site.
Related Florida Rambler articles
- 7 cool campgrounds with an hour of Disney
- Camping near Disney: Moss Park
- Camping near Disney: Kelly Park/Rock Springs
- Cabin camping near Disney: Lake Louisa State Park
- Camping near Disney: Blue Springs State Park
