Disney’s Fort Wilderness is a completely unique resort nestled in the outdoors. But, we’re sharing the reasons you don’t have to love the outdoors to enjoy the resort.

To say I am not an outdoorsy person would likely be an understatement. While I have a husband who enjoys fishing, camping, and campfires, I would prefer to spend my time in air conditioning with nary a mosquito in sight. It would seem unlikely that any can exist between two polar opposites, but it does in the form of Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort & Campgrounds.

The Best Parts of Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort

Located on Bay Lake, not far from Disney’s Wilderness Lodge, Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort first opened on November 19, 1971. The massive resort is located on 750 acres of forest, and is divded into two main accommodations: camping areas, where you can pitch a tent or stay in an R.V., or the Cabins (more on those in a moment). The resort is also home to various activities, dining options, and entertainment for guests to enjoy. It’s also conveniently located just a boat ride away from Magic Kingdom!

And with so much to do, there’s truly something for everyone at Fort Wilderness — even those of us who are not up for the outdoors. These are some of my favorite parts of this Magic Kingdom Area Resort.

Fort Wilderness Cabins

While Fort Wilderness has always offered cabin accommodations, they have recently undergone a major makeover. The Cabins at Disney’s Fort Wilderness are considered a new Disney Vacation Club Resort, with the first phase currently open to guests. Now, while I may not be someone willing to pitch a tent and sleep in it (yes, even at Disney World), these cabins are something I’d gladly stay in again and again. Designed to sleep up to six (with some dog-friendly ones even available), the new DVC Cabins were created to enjoy the rustic nature of the land from the comfort of a home-away-from-home.

Each DVC Cabin features a porch and seating area, as well as floor-to-ceiling windows to enjoy the views from inside air conditioning. Inside you’ll find a main bedroom with a queen bed and bunk beds, as well as a living room with a pull-down Murphy bed. The full kitchen comes fully stocked with everything you need, including a full-size fridge, oven, stove, and dishwasher. And the bathroom makes fantastic use of its space, with a walk-in shower, as well as a secondary vanity and plenty of storage space.

Photo by CJ Ayd

All in all, these beautiful new cabins are a guaranteed way to get me to visit Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort again and again. Stepping inside one feels like you’re truly in nature, but with all the comfort and accommodations that this outdoors-adverse person wants and needs.

Fort Wilderness Golf Cart Rental

Because it’s located on such a massive amount of land, you can rent a golf cart to get around to where you need to go. And, unexpectedly, I loved getting to ride around in one. You can use your golf cart to get around the resort, whether it’s to get to the boat launch for a Magic Kingdom day or swing by Pioneer Hall for a Hoop-Dee-Doo Revue show.

You can reserve an electric golf cart in advance of your stay, with pickup at 1 PM, and a return time of 11 AM on your return date. Pricing will range from $65.73–$84.51 (not including tax), and you can rent for daily, weekly, or monthly rates. Additionally, you can bring your own golf cart along with you if you are local and prefer! You’ll just need to show proof of insurance upon arrival. Reservations can be made up to a year in advance by calling (407) 824-2742.

Unique Activities

One of the major reasons to consider a stay at Disney’s Fort Wilderness is the opportunity to take part in some incredible activities. Archery, horseback riding, fishing, and even segway tours are all available to you when staying at the resort. I loved getting to stop by Tri-Circle-D Ranch, where you could meet some of the horses of Disney World. The area offers horseback rides for all ages, including pony rides for younger kids (which I know my daughter will love to visit!).

And perhaps the most surprising activity that I loved was fishing. The resort offers both 2-hour and 4-hour fishing excursions allowing guests of all ages to venture out to Bay Lake and Seven Seas Lagoon to fish for bass, sunfish, and other native species. The tour includes an experienced guide, fishing gear, bait, and beverages. As someone who has done their fair share of fishing out of marital obligation, I can honestly say I’ve never quite enjoyed the experience as much as I did here. Getting to fish with a view of Cinderella Castle in the background certainly adds a magical touch to the experience, and our guide was knowledgeable and incredibly helpful through every step. It was enough to make me consider (gasp!) booking it again the next time I go.

A World Away from the Parks

The true best part of Disney’s Fort Wilderness is how removed you feel from the theme parks. I grew up staying at the nearby Wilderness Lodge, and always remember how much I enjoyed the peace and quiet the water provided from the hustle and bustle of the theme parks. Fort Wilderness steps that up a notch. While there were plenty of people always nearby, the resort had a way of making you feel like you were far removed from the parks, all while still retaining the magic of Disney World throughout.

Photo by CJ Ayd

Whether you’re staying in a tent, RV, or DVC Cabin, you get to experience the peaceful nature and history of the area, which may just be the most relaxing way I can think of to unwind from a hurried day in the theme parks.

Thank you to Disney for hosting us during the DVC Cabins at Fort Wilderness media event including a preview of the new cabins, a tour of Tri-Circle D Ranch Stable, a Fishing Excursion on Bay Lake, and a Golf Cart rental.