Fort Wilderness Campground is reopening at Walt Disney World. Here’s what to expect if you are trying to check in or contact the resort.

Fort Wilderness is reopening today, October 7, 2022 after being shut down for more than a week in the wake of Hurricane Ian.

While Disney Parks reopened last Friday, the voice recording at the Fort Wilderness office was still announcing that “…out of an abundance of caution for guests and Cast Members” the resort would remain closed until today.

The closure announced by Disney was due to flooding in camp areas. No damage to the Fort Wilderness buildings or structures has yet been reported.

Fort Wilderness Reopens

Welcome to Fort Wilderness! Photo by Danny Shuster

I called the Fort Wilderness office again this morning to confirm that it is again open, and able to receive phone calls for reservations, guest questions, and golf cart rentals as of 9:00 AM. I experienced a hold time of about 45 minutes.

Campers will once again be welcomed at the gates of Fort Wilderness to check into their campsites.

Campsites book up quickly in the Halloween and Christmas seasons, as campers enjoy the cool weather and decorate their campsites with gusto. Once Fort Wilderness reopens, we can expect to see any reservations that became available during the closure to quickly be snapped up.

Photo by Jeff Chiu

Guests should expect long hold wait times while trying to adjust their reservations over the phone today. Please offer your patience to the Fort Wilderness Cast Members, keeping in mind that many of them have been affected by the storm.

The weather following Hurricane Ian has been crisp and cool, giving hurricane cleanup efforts a break from the oppressive heat experienced in Florida throughout the summer. While cooler, afternoon temps in southwest Florida are still a danger to those who are still sheltering without power in the wake of the storm.

Hurricane Ian Cleanup Continues Across Florida

From the National Weather Service

West coast Floridians are still recovering from the devastating damage from Sarasota to Marco Island. Storm surges caused massive flooding, removing homes and destroying lives in just days.

Driving to Tampa from Miami last Saturday, I witnessed The National Guard distributing bottled water and other supplies to families in Arcadia and as far inland as Zolfolo Springs. Gas stations were inundated with residents overwhelmed with storm destruction. A fully overturned trailer home, an upside-down garage, and large powerlines submerged in Peace River were sights of note. Flood warnings remain in place for many parts of West Central Florida.

While your reservations at Walt Disney World may have been impacted by Hurricane Ian, please keep in mind those families that are currently trying to rebuild their lives after a frightening week of evacuation and loss.

If you or someone you know has been impacted by Hurricane Ian and need help, visit fema.gov/disaster/hurricane-ian to apply for assistance.