Reviews of Fort Wilderness Campground
Reviewed by Hodsonfamilyof5 Review Date: 03/17/2022
Rating: (9) Recommended
We love taking the RV and Fort Wilderness is a family favorite. We love the laid back atmosphere and the friendliness of all the other campers. Unfortunately it's a really long drive from the west coast so we don't get to do it often. But we have very fond memories of Fort Wilderness. So much so that on our next trip we're staying at the cabins!
Pros:
The relaxed atmosphere, the convenience of the boats, the trading posts, and the food!Cons:
Internal bus system adds time.Reviewed by Anonymous Review Date: 10/20/2019
Rating: (9) Recommended
Fort Wilderness campground is a tranquil escape from the thrills and excitement of nearby theme parks. It truly feels like a wilderness with some of the amenities you would see in a resort hotel. The pools are serene (especially the quieter one near the cabin loops). The food is consistently good at Trail's End. The two shops carry anything we would need and a nice selection of souvenirs to browse.
Pros:
Peaceful; Wildlife and Natural Landscape; Trail's End Buffet Breakfast; Relaxing pool atmosphere; Camping in an RV allows more comforts from home; Cabins are convenientCons:
Large resort requires bikes, golf cart, or long hikes depending on where you are staying in relation to where you need to be (marina,pool, etc.); Cabins are pricey- I enjoyed staying as a couple, but would personally prefer more room and another bathroom if I were to bring kids or other guests.Reviewed by Anonymous Review Date: 10/12/2019
Rating: (9) Recommended
This was our first stay at the campgrounds with our camper which we just bought in January 2019. We have taken it on week-long travel trips from Nashville to Virginia Beach as well as short weekend trips to state and national parks around TN and KY so we have experience now camping with 3 young boys and 2 golden-doodles. We thought it would be fun to camp here with our new camper and made the online reservations for the full hook up over 6 months in advance but it was not easy to get 6 consecutive nights even that early. I would recommend calling and making the reservation 1 year in advance if you know your dates and be generous if your not sure how long you wish to stay b/c you can cancel 5 days in advance without penalty. We got lucky and called 4 days in advance were able to extend our stay one more night but we would have liked 7 days. We were assigned a campsite in the 1700s which was off the main road but still near a busy road so you can hear road traffic which is why we gave our stay a 9. I would reserve a site further from even the side road to avoid hearing buses and golf carts running through the back of our site. We loved our stay and wished we hadn’t purchased the 4-park passes so we had more days at the campgrounds. We arrived on Sunday at 9:30am and were allowed to keep our camper in the overflow lot until our site was ready. We were texted within 30-45min that our site was ready. Check in is at 3pm and check out 11am. We rented a golf cart and were very lucky to get one b/c they were booked the last 2 days b/c October is a busy time of year for them and the campgrounds was booked of all sites and carts. I recommend they use small electric shuttles instead of large diesel buses to travel within the campgrounds to avoid large, loud and smoggy buses. The large ones aren’t usually filled. The kids loved the pool and arcade. I liked the grounds for running and biking. We reserved the Hoop Dee Doo revue the first night, first show which was delicious and service super friendly and patient with my family. We went to the sing a long with Chip & Dale to roast s’mores but didn’t stay for the movie b/c it was late and we needed to put the kids to bed so they would wake up early for the first park the next day. We visited each park M-Th and took Friday off to visit the lodge via ferry to watch the geyser there explode. We tried to reserve archery Sunday for Friday afternoon but it was full. We were placed on the waiting list which you can’t do over the phone but at the bike barn but unfortunately everyone showed. The attendant says the day before they had several cancel or no-shows.
Pros:
Clean, lots to do, friendly staff and community of campers.Cons:
Not so quietReviewed by survivoramy Review Date: 10/01/2018
Rating: (9) Recommended
When tent camping in FL what do we want? Electric to plug in a fan and clean bathrooms nearby. Fort Wilderness had both and so much more! My brother has a trailer his family camps in and we just have a tent. We both booked and were able to be placed in sites in very close proximity. It was a short walk over to pool area. An internal bus took us around the whole resort. Kids must have shoes to get on bus though...older kids learned that the hard way and had a long walk back from shop area. Kids enjoyed pin trading at the store and watching the Water Parade from the beach at night. Most people do rent golf carts to get around or bring bikes. The night time fire and movie was fun. They did start with trivia but it wasn't too fun because adults will cheat and google answers. We did pack in our own Smore supplies because we didn't want to pay Disney prices for their Smore kit. Campsite had plenty of room to set up and bathrooms was always immaculate and climate controlled.
Pros:
Bathrooms are best ever for a campground. Sites are great with plenty of flat area to set tent and area to park.Cons:
Pool area got VERY crowded. Some rules aren't enforced and you do need to watch out for golf carts. Not everyone is a good driver.Reviewed by Anonymous Review Date: 09/29/2018
Rating: (9) Recommended
We love this park. I love the campsites on the left side of the main road heading toward the lake. They are very clean. Right side not so much. Whole different vibe that I did not like. Convenience to stores, busses just perfect. We love riding our bikes around. Have only rented a golf cart once and so happened we got a lemon as cart would not hold a charge. Love the restaurants and food. It is a campground so people need to be aware there are snakes, armadillo and alligators around. I always say, if it’s the Deep South and there is water and and swampiness then expect alligators. Staff is very accommodating. And magic happens here as well. Campfire time is lovely. Love to sit on the beach at night and watch fireworks, water parade, etc. I could live here.?. I have stayed here and never gone to the parks and loved it. Love to ride the boats over and catch the monorail around. Love to ride my bike over to The wilderness Lodge and sit in front of the fire with a cup of coffee. Love to see the deer on that trail. Saw a bobcat once and love the Osceola turkeys that roam. Last time we were there they roosted in the trees over our camper one night. Just a marvelous place.
Pros:
Still the cheapest place to stay on Disney premises if you’ve already invested in a camper.Cons:
Don’t like Disney’s new rule of charging for parking. Don’t like this trend of feeling I am being nickeled and dimed to death.Reviewed by mickeymom5 Review Date: 09/12/2015
Rating: (9) Recommended
We stayed here August 12-16, 2015. We had a wonderful stay! We had a premium site located on the loop behind the Meadow Trading Post bus stop...so all we had to do to get to the Meadow Trading Post was walk across the street. Our site was very convenient to the store, bus stop, swimming pool, and campfire. We loved the campfire and the swimming pool. We also loved walking around Tri-Circle D Ranch. The horses were beautiful to watch and we got to watch the ironsmith fit one with a new shoe! The boat ride to MK was the best! We also loved watching the MK fireworks from the beach. They pipe the music in! Our family was kind enough to let us use their golf cart. A golf cart is a must if you stay here! Everything is really spread out, as a campground should be! I can't emphasized enough how clean everything was! The comfort station was spotless! The paths were well maintained and clean! The two negatives are there is no quick service restaurant and the buses seemed slow leaving Ft. Wilderness and coming back from the parks and Downtown Disney. We stayed with our extended family in their camper. I am more of a "resort" kinda gal, but after our stay I would love to own a camper and claim a spot at Fort Wilderness!
Pros:
Cleanliness, activities, boat ride to MKCons:
no QSReviewed by aaronb Review Date: 09/27/2018
Rating: (8) Recommended
Great place with lots of options
Pros:
The ability to do almost anything Disney related and not have to drive everywhere.Cons:
Lots of walking if you do not have a bike or rent a golfcart. Bus stops are are small walk and in the summer miserable to wait at.Reviewed by vkreed56 Review Date: 05/05/2015
Rating: (8) Recommended
Just got back from 8 nights at Fort Wilderness; have stayed at many Disney resorts, but this was the first time here. All in all, it was a good experience - the campground is immaculately maintained, and we found it to be very quiet almost all of the time since folks are out at the parks instead of hanging out at their sites "camping". Lots of activities to do, and plenty of nature to see.
Only real downside was there is really no true quick-service restaurant; the snack bar at the pool doesn't offer much, and Trails End only serves full table service meals. Several times we ended up catching a boat over to the Roaring Fork at Wilderness Lodge where they offered quick service meals.
We rented a golf cart for the week which was a lot of fun, and very helpful in getting around instead of waiting for the internal buses. Like everything, it was expensive, and we were disappointed they didn't offer a slightly discounted rate for an entire week's rental vs the daily rate, but it ended up being well worth it in the long run.
So all in all a good experience, and we will be back.
Pros:
Clean, well-maintained, quiet, beautifulCons:
transportation not the best, restaurants somewhat lackingReviewed by PrincessDaisyDuck Review Date: 08/24/2014
Rating: (6) Not Recommended
Pros:
The cabins were spacious, well-decorated and very clean.
Mousekeeping was excellent, very friendly and kind besides doing a wonderful job.
The Tri-Circle D ranch was great, you can walk through and look at the ponies or go back to the barn and look at the large horses. Pony rides for small children (under 48 inches and 80 pounds) were only $5.
Food at the pool bar and Trails End To Go was very good.
Bell services was incredibly helpful.
Cons:
Rude concierge cast member at check-in.
Room was not ready until 5:30 pm.
When we went to the cabin our magic bands could not open it. A person from bell services opened it with a key then took our magic bands to the front desk to be fixed. After 1 and 1/2 hours we went to the front desk and waited for them to be given to us. They gave us completely new bands which did thankfully work. In the meantime we paid cash for dinner since we had no dining plan to access without the bands.
The bus transportation is very confusing. There is no bus to Magic Kingdom, you have to take an internal bus to the boats or an internal bus to the Settlement bus stop where you can catch a bus to Wilderness Lodge where you can then catch a bus to Magic Kingdom. You can also take a boat to the Contemporary and walk from there but those boats do shut down for lightening.
We had refillable mugs but you can only refill them at pool bar or Trails To Go. Another spot at the Outpost would be nice since the main bus stop is there.
Pros:
Cabins, Mousekeeping, Horses, Bell ServicesCons:
Check-in, Confusing TransportationReviewed by Anonymous Review Date: 02/29/2020
Rating: (5) Not Recommended
Fort Wilderness Campground is very clean and very beautiful. We are nearing the end of a 7 night stay with 4 kids. I had to give the campground a 5 star (and was tempted to give and even lower rating) because EVERY SINGLE NIGHT starting at 9:45pm and continuing on and off until about 10:45pm there was LOUD and UNECESSARY music that would wake our children up and ruin our night of rest before going to the Disneyworld parks the next day. I called every night to let someone know that there was LOUD music coming from somewhere in the campground and that it was very disturbing for that to happen so late at night in a family campground but nothing was ever done about it. And this music was not coming from the parks or the fireworks show at Magic Kingdom. The fireworks go off at 8pm and they are loud but 8pm
Is a reasonable time for fireworks and loud noises. 9:45pm and later is ridiculous for there to be such LOUD music playing that you and your children are woken up every single nights. Very disappointed that Disney allows this to continue every night in their family campground.
