The Starting Point
This is a well hidden “free” Disney adventure, but one with a lot of things to do for the entire family. To get there you can drive up to the Fort Wilderness Campground area and park in the main parking lot. Then you can take a shuttle down to the Resort area of the campground. It does take a while for the trip to be made, because you will be dropping off and picking up campers along the way. But there is usually no hassle at the main entry point. If so just say you want to check out the Hoo Pee Doo Musical Festival and get tickets, or check out the trails for horseback riding.
You can also get there my favorite way and that is by watercraft. There are two ferry’s leaving from from the resort area. One going to the Contemporary Resort and the other to the main entrance of the Magic Kingdom. I have been to large meeting at the Contemporary Resort when it came to lunch took the ferry over to the Lodge or Campground for lunch and had a great relaxing time, while others fought through lines at the various Contemporary restaurants.
You can also take the bus transportation inside of Walt Disney World from Disney Springs or other area. However, this is a bus ride.
Once you get there you can visit both areas since they literally border each other. Let’s begin with the Wilderness Lodge. This is the first boat stop from the Contemporary Resort (at least when I took this trip).
Disney’s Wilderness Lodge
Wilderness Lodge is a Deluxe resort-hotel at Walt Disney World that is themed to…the wilderness. More specifically, to the Pacific Northwest and the National Park lodges of the early 20th century. It is new and very romantic in that rustic sense, but WOW do they ever do a great job at Christmas in decorating the resort.
The lobby is grand and massive, much like the Grand Floridian. If you have been to a major lodge at a National Park (Yellowstone, Yosemite, etc.) you will get the idea of what this is like. Only a lot more modern and the Disney “clean” feel. Wilderness Lodge gets high marks for interior design of the common areas and dining, but the most important aspect of this resort that is sometimes overlooked or taken for granted is its beautiful outdoor areas. The pool is nice (but nothing special), but it’s the trails, trees, and little touches out there that really make the resort. Albeit to a lesser degree than Fort Wilderness, Wilderness Lodge feels like its lightyears away from the chaos of the Magic Kingdom…despite being only a short boat ride away.
With that said, let’s continue on with our original review here. Having seen a few National Park lodges in similar style, I think Disney hit the nail on the head as far as theme and design go. Wilderness Lodge is a bit larger than the lodges I’ve seen, which actually helps better convey the cavernous and domineering feel of the lodge. The highlight of this, for me, is that Wilderness Lodge actually has a (man-made) geyser modeled after Yellowstone National Park’s Old Faithful. Great Fun!
Next Stop Fort Wilderness
Since these two resorts are side by side you can walk, via the trails that meander around the Lodge, all the way to Fort Wilderness if you want to do some serious exploring. These two resorts feel like some of the last vestiges of undeveloped land (at least that is easily accessible for guests) in what is otherwise a growing and developed vacation complex.
The other option is to get back on the boat at the marina and take it to the next stop Fort Wilderness Resort and Campground. The dock is well marked so you will find it easily.
Fort Wilderness Resort and Campground
Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground is an actual campground with both campsites and cabins at Walt Disney World. Fort Wilderness really is an experience, one that feels unlike any other resort at Walt Disney World. If you didn’t know any better, you wouldn’t realize you were just outside of a theme park. Not only is the “resort” isolated from the rest of Walt Disney World, but it’s also largely untouched and under-developed. It also offers a wealth of outdoor recreational activities and perks you won’t find anywhere else at Walt Disney World.
The entertainment and recreational offerings at Fort Wilderness are robust. I’d say the daily slate of entertainment at Fort Wilderness is better than any other resort at Walt Disney World. There are numerous paid offerings, from fishing to archery classes to boating, and more.
There’s also a lot you can do for free. From nature trails to the Electrical Water Pageant to campfires (I’m probably forgetting a lot), there’s a ton to do. Most notable among these is Chip ‘n’ Dale’s Campfire Sing-Along, which is a nightly campfire show that occurs at 7 or 8 p.m., depending upon the season.
There’s also the petting zoo at the Tri-Circle-D ranch, and the Settlement Trading Post, which sells is your typical gift shop/grocery location.
If you’re looking to rent a recreational option, the Meadows Recreation Area has a bike barn and the Fort Wilderness waterways and bicycle trails. You can also swim, and play tennis or volleyball at the complex.
Fort Wilderness also contains one of the hidden gems of Walt Disney World: Trail’s End Restaurant. This is an all-you-cant eat (although it has tested an a la carte menu at times) cafeteria found in Pioneer Hall.
Speaking of awesome, Hoop-Dee-Doo Musical Revue is a staple of Walt Disney World dining entertainment, and we think it’s a must-do. This long-running show has been entertaining guests for four-plus decades, and many families return again and again. The following video is a bit long (40 Minutes) but gives an excellent overview of the Fort Wilderness ground. This was done by Resort TV1 on You Tube.
Overall, Fort Wilderness Campground is a breath of fresh air if you’re looking for somewhere at Walt Disney World that is totally different and lacking the same amount of hustle and bustle as the theme parks. If you want somewhere to visit that will balance out the chaos of the theme parks, or if you just want to get in touch with nature, Fort Wilderness is an exceptional option. The amenities and entertainment are wonderful, cabins are really well done, and camping at Walt Disney World is a unique experience. It’s unlike anywhere else at Walt Disney World, and is a great way to shout SERENITY NOW! and get away from it all.
SOURCE: Disneytouristblog.com