A Weekend at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort: Firsthand Look at a Stay in Disney World’s New Cabins

Disney Vacation Club officially debuted its newest property at Walt Disney World, The Cabins at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort, on July 1, 2024. Disney Vacation Club’s 17th property, the Cabins will introduce more than 350 new cabins to Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground, with the phased project eventually replacing all of the resort’s existing cabins with the new units.

Steeped in more than 50 years of history — Fort Wilderness opened Nov. 19, 1971, less than two months after Magic Kingdom — the iconic resort is classic Disney but feels a million miles from the bustle of the theme parks. Guests not familiar with Fort Wildness and its sprawling grounds will be wowed by the rustic escape and all of the activities and nature-focused experiences offered. We were invited by Disney to experience a preview stay in a new cabin and couldn’t believe how many new and unique experiences we had in just two days. Here’s a closer look at the new cabins and all there is to do around Fort Wilderness. 

Each freestanding cabin sleeps up to six guests and includes an outdoor elevated patio with table and chairs, and a charcoal grill at ground level. Every cabin has room to park a vehicle and golf cart and has an on-site electric vehicle charging station. Dog-friendly cabins will also be available.

Inside the cabin, the spacious main room includes a modern, full kitchen and dining table plus living area. 

“We wanted to bring the cabins up to today's modern living and then into the future for generations to come,” said Suzanne Szak, Walt Disney Imagineering Senior Interior Designer.

 

The living room includes a 65-inch TV visible from the kitchen and dining table, plus a convertible sofa, ottoman, and chair. 

Floor-to-ceiling windows along one side of the cabin let in lots of light and exposure to the outdoors — “nature when you want it,” Szak said — while a combination of shades and colorful curtains also provides privacy and the “coziness” guests have always loved about the previous cabins. 

“Having clerestory windows along this entire facade brings in the light, brings in nature,” Szak said. “But then when you want to take a nap or go to sleep at night, you can draw the blackout shades and block out most of the light.”

 

A separate bedroom offers sleeping space for four in a queen-sized bed and two twin-sized bunk beds. The bedroom features some of the cabin’s most charming details, which, Szak explained, pay homage to the traditions and outdoor activities iconic to Fort Wilderness, like camping, horseback riding, archery, fishing and kayaking.

Paddles paying colorful tribute to Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, Goofy and Pluto line the left side of the cozy twin bunk beds. On the wall behind the bunks, a mural of a nighttime camping scene includes a nod to Fort Wilderness’ original opening date Nov. 19, 1971. The date is tacked on a note inside a tree over the head of sleeping chipmunk Dale.

The cozy bunks are lit with mounted fixtures resembling camping lanterns and topped with rolled up “sleeping bags,” which, to my kids’ and my delight, reminded us of similar bedding on the bunks of the now-closed Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser. 

“That was the inspiration for this bed — the Starcruiser beds,” Szak said when I noted the resemblance. “So taking the bed all the way up to the ceiling, having that dramatic moment of the large mural on the background.” 

Pointing out the built-in storage drawers beneath the bunks, Szak noted that the creative team focused on capturing “every square inch.” 

 

Over the bed, additional artwork celebrates Chip ‘n’ Dale, the resort’s star characters. Next to the bed, collage artwork again references Fort Wilderness’ many activities. It even includes a nod to River Country, Walt Disney World’s first water park that was located near the grounds of Fort Wilderness. 

A chest of drawers and closet provide more storage in the bedroom. A wall-mounted 55-inch TV is visible from both the bed and the bunks. Blackout shades provide darkness and privacy.

Disney Vacation Club has been replacing traditional sofa beds with pull-down Murphy-style beds in all of its new and recently refurbished units and the update is a game-changer. 

In its sofa configuration, artwork features Mickey and Pluto pulling into Fort Wilderness, trailer in tow. The trailer, Szak shared, is the same one featured in a 1938 Disney short, “Mickey’s Trailer.”

 

The bed pulls down with ease, revealing a comfortable, more traditional queen-sized mattress — no more lumpy, folded mattress with bars poking into your back. 

Pulling down the bed also unveils another piece of artwork — Mickey, Pluto, Chip ‘n’ Dale snooze around the campfire.

 

The full kitchen includes a refrigerator, dishwasher, microwave, toaster, coffee maker, full-size oven/range, and sink disposal.

The kitchen is stocked with glassware, flatware, and servingware, plus a wide variety of pots, pans and utensils to make most any type of meal. Two onsite shops sell basic groceries and my son loved cooking breakfast in our cabin. 

The bathroom has a single sink with backlit mirror, toilet, and shower with both a fixed shower head and handheld wand. Disney’s standard shampoo, conditioner and body wash are wall-mounted in dispensers inside the shower.

Beneath the bathroom vanity, a Hidden Mickey stepstool pulls out to help kiddos reach the countertop.

Most units also include a second sink and vanity outside the bathroom.

A closet located either inside the bathroom or in place of the second sink holds a full-size vacuum cleaner, ironing board, steam iron, hair dryer, and a laundry basket.

You don’t have to have your own vehicle to visit Fort Wilderness. Resort buses can get you more or less from place to place with a little extra walking, but the preferred method of transportation is golf carts, which get you closer to many spots around the resort than car or bus. Plus, they’re just a blast.

Golf cart rentals are $70 per day for a four-person cart and $90 per day for a six-person cart. Drivers must be at least 16 and have a valid Driver’s License; 18 to rent.

Pickup is guaranteed by 1pm each day but we were told rentals are usually ready for pickup as early as 9am. Return is by 11am on return day.

 

Guests have their pick of two different pools at Fort Wilderness. Meadow Swimmin’ Pool is the feature pool and has a 67-foot waterslide, kids’ splash area, and nearby snack shop. Daily poolside activities like trivia and games are also held here. 

For a quieter dip, the Wilderness Swimmin’ Pool is the leisure, aka “quiet” pool, and also has a whirlpool spa. 

Life jackets are available at both pools.

 

Adjacent to the Meadow Swimmin’ Pool, a zero depth splash pad offers two small slides and a safe space for kids under 48 inches to play. Life jackets are available at both pools.

One of Walt Disney World’s oldest and most iconic shows, Hoop-Dee-Doo Musical Revue is a must-see during a stay at Fort Wilderness. The old-fashioned dinner show, held at Pioneer Hall, just celebrated its 50th anniversary on June 30, 2024. The Pioneer Hall Players keep the crowd entertained and engaged with music, dance, comedy, and plenty of opportunities for audience participation — during three nightly shows — at 4pm, 6:15pm, and 8:30pm. Reservations are a must!

The meal and drinks are served family-style and everything, including draft beer, wine, sangria, and soft drinks, is served all you care to enjoy. Pricing is based on seating category and ranges from $66 to $74 for adults and $39 to $44 for kids 3-9. Gratuity is included.

The all-you-care-to-enjoy meal includes fried chicken, smoked BBQ pork ribs, salad, cowboy beans, cornbread, coleslaw, mashed potatoes, mac and cheese, and strawberry shortcake for dessert. Plant-based substitutions, including plant-based sausage and barbecued jackfruit are also available for vegans and vegetarians.

There are several dining options at Fort Wilderness if you don’t want to cook in your cabin. Trail’s End Restaurant is the resort’s main quick-service location serving a broad range of breakfast, lunch and dinner options. There are plenty of on-theme dishes, from biscuits and gravy in the morning to fried chicken and ribs in the evening, but you can also get your basic Mickey waffles and breakfast sandwiches in the morning, and pizza, burgers, salads, and chicken nuggets for lunch and dinner.

Our family loves a lounge menu for laid-back table service without feeling like we should be ordering an expensive three-course meal. Enter Crockett’s Tavern, which used to primarily be a bar serving only light snacks. Following a recent refurbishment, Crockett’s has reopened as a table- and bar-service lounge serving signature cocktails, beer, wine, and more substantial food.

There are only six dishes plus a dessert on the menu at Crockett’s, but they more than get the job done. Shareables include a Charcuterie Board (with standout housemade pickles) and Crispy Cauliflower.

Our family’s favorite pick for meat eaters at Crockett’s Tavern is the Trio of Sliders — pulled pork, brisket, and Buffalo chicken. 

The only plant-based sandwich ended up being the favorite even among meat eaters in our group — the Fried Green Tomato Sandwich. 

If you need more variety than the six options at Crockett’s, the lounge is connected to Trail’s End Restaurant, and you’re welcome to grab anything you want from there to eat with food and drinks at Crockett’s.

 

As for dessert, everything in this trio of S’more with Chocolate Pudding, Strawberry Shortcake, and Banana Pudding was tasty, but we had to break up a fight between our kids over who got to finish the chocolate pudding, so that’s definitely the big winner.

Tri-Circle-D Ranch is the home of Walt Disney World’s horses, from Cinderella’s white ponies to the horses that pull the vehicles along Main Street, U.S.A., to the horse that carries the Headless Horseman at Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween party. The ranch is open for visits daily from 10am to 5pm and you can peruse museum exhibits to learn more about Disney’s horse history, and see beautiful horses and ponies up close. 


Tri-Circle-D Ranch also offers trail, pony, wagon, and carriage rides across two locations at Fort Wilderness.

Guests 9 and up can saddle up for a 45-minute, $65 per person trail ride. To ride, you must be able to maintain control of your horse and follow the instructions of the guides — no prior experience required. My 10-year-old son had never been on a horse and was very nervous when he first mounted his horse — and almost wanted to quit — but the guides were amazing and helped him get comfortable enough to do it. 

Trail rides leave from the Trail Blaze Corral, located near the main entrance to the resort.

 

For kids ages 3 to 9 who are under 48 inches and under 80 pounds, pony rides are offered. A parent or guardian leads their child on the pony around the corral, and the cost is $10 for one lap for $15 for two.

For kids under 9 who are too big for a pony, corral rides are offered. Kids ride a horse rather than a pony and are led around the corral by a guide rather than a parent. My tall 8-year-old fell into this category and the corral ride was a wonderful option — I don’t think he would have been ready to control a horse on a full trail ride. 

Corral Rides are $20 for one lap and $30 for two. 

Both corral and pony rides are available on a walk-up basis only from the main Tri-Circle-D Ranch building in the Settlement area of the resort near Pioneer Hall.

 

My kids and I had never fished before and went for our first time ever from the marina at Fort Wilderness. It quickly climbed the rankings to be one of our favorite things we have EVER done at Walt Disney World.

Our guided fishing excursion was catch-and-release and led by an incredible guide.

 

A two-hour excursion leaving from Fort Wilderness starts at $235 for up to 5 passengers, though rates can vary seasonally. Guests can also book a four-hour excursion in advance, and guests who have booked two hours can inquire at the Marina about adding another hour, subject to availability. 

Excursions include rods and reels, tackle, and live bait. Non-alcoholic sodas, Powerade and bottles of water are also provided in a cooler. Guests can bring their own food, and adults over 21 can bring alcoholic drinks but you need to bring them in your own cooler.

 

Our guide swiftly taught us how to cast and reel in our catches, and we were shocked at how many we caught — and so quickly! Our family caught eight sizable fish in less than 90 minutes. Our guide was so kind and reassuring throughout the process, telling us about each fish we caught, and teaching us how to hold each fish for a photo before gently dropping it back into the water.

Our Sun Tracker Fishin Barge pontoon boat had a large shaded cover and we were never uncomfortably hot. Kids 12 and under are required to wear life jackets and we felt safe at all times. 

Advance reservations are highly recommended and can be made by calling (407) 939-3474.

 

Our family spends a ton of time at Walt Disney World, and yet we couldn’t believe how many animals we spotted that we’d never seen before in the area. We stopped our golf cart for wild turkeys to cross the road, spotted lizards with curly tails that were bigger than any we’d ever seen in Central Florida, and spent 30 minutes watching a massive owl perched in a tree outside our cabin. 


We really couldn’t believe our eyes when, just as we passed the campfire area’s nightly showing of a Movie Under the Stars, which just so happened to be The Princess and the Frog, we spotted a huge frog hopping across our golf cart’s path.

Every night at 8pm before the Movie Under the Stars, guests gather in the campfire area for Chip ‘n’ Dale’s Campfire Sing-a-Long. Two fire pits are available for roasting marshmallows (S’mores kits with plenty of marshmallows, graham crackers, and Hershey bars are available to purchase for $9.99), and a guitar-playing musician leads a sing-a-long to old-timey country favorites. Of course, Chip ‘n’ Dale also make an appearance.

From archery and kayaking to carriage, wagon and bike rides, there’s a lot more on our list to check out at Fort Wilderness. As DVC members, we’ll have a lot more opportunities now that we can book a stay in the new cabins with our points. 

Learn more about purchasing Disney Vacation Club points at The Cabins at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort at DisneyVacationClub.com. To book a cash stay, visit WaltDisneyWorld.com.