The term “glamping” (coined several years ago by MaryJane Butters) combines two words that are often considered to be opposites–glamorous and camping. In recent years, “glamping” has become incredibly trendy as establishments touting “luxury camping” have cropped up all over the place. In the tradition of innovation that was the true spirit of Walt Disney himself, the Walt Disney World Resort has been onto the concept of “glamping” for quite some time–far longer, in fact, than it has been popular in the mainstream.
In November 1971, Disney’s Fort Wilderness Campground opened on 750-acres of land with 231 campsites and two comfort stations. In the years that followed the resort grew exponentially and in the 80s a slew of Wilderness Homes were added to the resort’s accommodation choices–enter one of the earliest “glamping” destinations. Leave it to Disney!
Disney began replacing the resort’s original Wilderness Homes with charming log cabins in 1997 and the cabins were refurbished between 2010 and 2011. There are many, many fans of the Fort Wilderness Resort and it’s rich history. Two of the best resources for the “Fort,” as it is affectionately referred, are Fort Fiends (lots of fun, especially for their colorful trip reports) and WDW Pionears. It would be very easy for me to get sucked into writing a lengthy article about the Fort through the years, but I’m going to fight the urge and stay on topic. Instead, today I’m going to spotlight the Fort Wilderness Cabins. In future posts I’ll focus on the campground and the incredible variety of recreation options the Fort Wilderness Resort offers its guests–really, you could easily stay here for a week or two without ever entering a theme park–and many folks do just that!
Heading to the Boats at the Settlement
I must begin by saying that our family loves staying in the cabins at Fort Wilderness. What’s to love, you ask? Taking the motor launch from the Settlement boat docks to the Magic Kingdom with the sun rising over a misty Bay Lake. Admiring the horses at the Tri-Circle-D stables while waiting for the theme park bus to arrive at the Outpost depot. Zipping back to the cabin in our golf cart after a busy morning spent in the parks and eating lunch on the sunny deck. Enjoying the great water slide at the Meadows Pool and browsing through the Trading Post for special Fort-themed souvenirs. Indulging in the delicious ribs, pulled pork and pecan squares at the Trail’s End Restaurant or watching a favorite Disney classic under the stars after singing cowboy songs with Chip and Dale. Watching Wishes and the Electric Water Pageant at Clementine’s Beach. Cozying up in the bunk beds after a long day of fun and dreaming about all the magic in store the next day. And these are only a few highlights of a stay at Fort Wilderness.
The cabins at Fort Wilderness fall within the Moderate resort category and are fantastic for families. At 504-square feet they are one of the larger accommodations available on Disney property and they are the only ones that offer an actual full kitchen, making it very easy to have breakfast each morning before taking off for the parks or dinner before heading to the evening campfire. In the kitchen area there is also a dining table that can comfortably seat 6. Toward the back of the cabin and sporting its own keyed entrance, there is a separate bedroom with one double bed and a set of twin bunk beds, while the living area offers a comfortable, double Murphy bed. We put the kids in the bedroom so that we could relax at night in the living room for a while before taking down the Murphy bed to sleep. On a trip with my mother, my three girls and I took the bedroom leaving the living room and Murphy bed for Nanny. There is one full bath in the hall between the living area and the bedroom, plenty of storage space and the kitchen is well-stocked with cooking and dining ware.
Living and Dining Areas & Full Kitchen
The Living Area’s Double Murphy Bed
Separate Bedroom with Double Bed and Bunks
The cabins officially accommodate up to 6-people as well as a baby under 3 in a pack ‘n’ play. I do think that at full capacity, the cabins would be a bit tight, especially as having one bathroom would likely make it challenging for everyone to get ready in the morning, but for a family with up to 4 kids wanting space to spread out without having to book two rooms elsewhere, the cabins are a fantastic choice.
There are roughly 407 cabins spread throughout 8 loops at Fort Wilderness and each loop is identified by names like Cedar Circle, Possum Path, or Bobcat Bend. All of the cabins have their own driveways and an outlet to charge a golf cart. You may park your car at your cabin and use it outside of the Fort Wilderness property, but car traffic is not permitted around the Fort. There are internal buses to take you throughout the resort (which is very large and spread out) or you can rent a golf cart for the length of your stay–our preferred mode of transportation! While renting the cart is an additional expense, I really feel like it enhances your stay at this resort. It’s so nice to come and go as you please, hopping into your cart to head to the Settlement for dinner or the boat, to the pool, to the campfire or to the Outpost for the buses to the other parks. And after a long day at the parks it’s great to arrive back home to the Fort and jump into your waiting golf cart rather than having to board an additional bus for that last leg back to your cabin loop. Not to mention that loooping around in the golf cart is a favorite Fort activity!
Golf Carts Parked at the Settlement
So there it is in a nutshell. We love the Fort Wilderness Resort–my husband and I even tent camped here back in 1996 before we were married–but the cabins are the spot for us now. And as much camping as we’ve done with our kids in recent years including last summer’s road trip to the Great Smoky Mountain National Park, it’s glamping at Disney World for me all the way!
Anyone else fond of the Fort? Anyone considering the resort for a future Disney stay? I’d love to hear from you!
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