Welcome to Disney's Fort Wilderness Campground, where the magic of Disney meets old-school summer camp! For RVers with families, this destination is a dream come true, offering a bucket-list-worthy vacation without ever having to leave the campground. Families can immerse themselves in campfires, canoeing, and outdoor adventures without needing to step foot in one of the theme parks to have an epic trip. Check out this guide through a summer camp-inspired weekend itinerary that will have your family making magical RV camping memories in the heart of the Walt Disney World Resort.
A Camping Experience Like No Other
When you think of a campground at Disney World, you might envision a busy theme park. However, Disney's Fort Wilderness Campground offers a completely different experience. Nestled in a tranquil, wooded setting, the campsites provide a secluded, state park-like atmosphere worlds away from the theme park frenzy. During our family's RV camping trip, our campsite was so wooded that we didn't even feel like we were staying in Florida!
Despite being a short, free bus or boat ride from Walt Disney World's theme parks, Fort Wilderness is a top-tier RV destination in its own right. It's one of the most coveted campgrounds in the United States, with reservations available 499 days in advance, especially during peak holiday seasons like Halloween and Christmas. If you visit the theme parks, as a campground guest, you have all the same benefits as staying at the Disney World Resort hotel properties. With its abundance of family-friendly activities and amenities, Fort Wilderness offers so much to explore that you may find it hard to leave the campground.
One Unforgettable Weekend: Fort Wilderness Itinerary
Day 1: Friday– Check-In and Begin The Magic
Check-in at Fort Wilderness is at 3:00, but it is possible to arrive early and receive a text message when your campsite is ready. There is plenty of RV parking available, so feel free to park your RV and begin enjoying the resort early. Golf cart rentals are available for pick up at 1:00, and we highly recommend renting a cart during your visit. The resort is huge, and while there is an internal Fort Wilderness bus system, our family found it was much faster to get around via the golf cart. Reserve your golf cart rental when you book your campground, as they sell out quickly, especially during peak holiday seasons.
Tour The Resort and Stop By The Tri-Circle-D Ranch To See The Horses
Once you get your campsite all setup, hop on the bus or golf cart and explore the resort! Check out the Meadow Recreation Area, where the pool, Meadow Trading Post gift shop, and the Bike Barn are located. While you are there, sign up for any activities your family would like to do tomorrow at the Bike Barn. Activities that sell out quickly include tie-die Mickey shirts and the archery program.
Also, stop by the Settlement Depot, where you can walk over to the Tri-Circle-D Ranch to greet some of the property’s beautiful horses. A short walk from the Settlement Depot is Pioneer Hall, where you will want to check in 30 minutes before your Hoop-Dee-Doo Revue dinner reservation.
Hoop-Dee-Doo Revue for Dinner
The hottest reservation within the Fort Wilderness Campground is the Hoop-Dee-Doo Revue dinner show. This show offers an interactive, fun family music show combined with one of the best meals you will find anywhere at the Walt Disney World Resort. Can you say homestyle ribs and strawberry shortcake? I am getting hungry just thinking about it! Our family has been Disney World annual pass holders for years, and this is by far our favorite meal at the Mouse House. Consider reserving the 6:15 seating to allow enough time to arrive and set up your campsite before dinner. You can make a Hoop Dee Doo Revue reservation 60 days in advance, and it sells out quickly.
Fireworks And Electrical Water Pageant
After leaving Pioneer Hall, check the times for the nightly fireworks at Magic Kingdom and the Electrical Water Pageant. The best place to view both is a short walk from the dining area to the Marina/Boat Launch. Here, you will find a beach area filled with chairs to enjoy the show. The fireworks show music is also piped to the beach area’s speakers, so you get the full effect as if you were watching the fireworks in the park. If you have additional time between dinner and when the fireworks begin, consider hopping on the free boat shuttle to Magic Kingdom. It's a relaxing boat ride to the park and back just for fun.
Day 2: Saturday– A Full Day of Summer Camp Fun
Are you ready to enjoy a full day of fun? Here are some exciting options to choose from.
Breakfast At Trail's End Restaurant
Grab a quick bite at the Trail's End Restaurant. While there are some additional food truck options available, this is the main dining area for Fort Wilderness. Kids love the Mickey head-shaped waffles. There is also a bar, arcade, and ice cream as part of this dining complex.
Horseback and Pony Rides
There are many activities within Fort Wilderness that involve riding horses around the park. Older kids and adults may want to book a guided horseback ride through the woods surrounding the resort. Our family opted for this experience and highly recommend it. This experience must be booked in advance through the My Disney Experience App.
If your party has younger children, pony rides are always a fun experience. They are available throughout the day at the Circle-D-Ranch. Reservations are not required, and we recommend enjoying this the morning before it gets too hot.
Morning Craft Time
Guided crafts are offered morning and afternoon at the Bike Barn. Offerings include tie-die shirts, decorated tumblers, and other fun projects. There is a small fee for crafts, and some sessions sell out, so signing up in advance is a great idea. We each tie-died a Mickey shirt, bringing back summer camp memories from when I was a kid. The Bike Barn also offers panning for gold, which can be fun to enjoy before or after craft time.
Bike Or Canoe Rental
Riding around Fort Wilderness is fun, and there are many ways to enjoy this experience. At the Bike Barn, you will find bike and canoe rentals. Both options are fun and reasonably priced. A canal runs around and through the resort, and it's a leisurely paddle to enjoy with the family. Guided segway tours are offered for adults who would like a more exciting way to see the resort.
Archery Program
If you didn't already have summer camp vibes when I mentioned paddling the resort by canoe and tie-dying t-shirts, there is also an archery program for kids and adults to enjoy. Sign up in advance at the Bike Barn to make sure you secure your spot for this experience, which begins with instructions on archery safety and ends with plenty of guided target practice. There is a fee for this experience. While horseback riding was an adult favorite activity, our daughter loved the archery program the most out of the Fort Wilderness Activities.
Pool And Waterslide
By this point in the afternoon, your family is probably ready to cool off with some ice cream and a dip in the pool. The pool features a snack bar with ice cream and adult beverages. The kids love the waterslide, and guided fun family activities with music are offered at the poolside in the late afternoon. Small kids will love the adjacent splash playground water feature that also provides a small slide.
Secret Dining Hack
If you enjoyed the Hoop-Dee-Doo Revue’s homestyle cooking a secret hack few campers know about is that you can order the same food to go via the My Disney Experience App at the Trail's End Restaurant. This is also a cost-effective family-style takeout option. Looking for additional dining options? Consider hopping on the boat and visiting the Fort Wilderness Lodge next door, which features a barbeque restaurant as well as a bar and grill. There is also a character dining experience available over at the Lodge— make sure to book this in advance.
Carriage Ride
If you’re looking for more horse-related activities or prefer to ride together as a family, consider reserving a horse-drawn carriage ride. In the winter months, this is sometimes offered as a sleigh ride. It's a unique way to cruise around the resort.
Chip 'N Dale's Campfire Sing Along
After dinner, you don't want to miss this top resort family activity. A campfire game is offered before the nightly fire is lit. Then it's time for a group fire with s’mores. S'more kits are available for purchase, or you are welcome to bring your own supplies. Famous Disney chipmunk characters Chip 'N Dale join in the fun for a silly sing-along cowboy music show. Following the stage show, there is a movie on the big screen. Verify the times and the movie on the daily resort schedule. Unless you purchase the inexpensive s'more kit, the entire event is free.
Day 3: Sunday– Checkout
Checkout at Fort Wilderness is at 11:00 in the morning. You may be able to squeeze in a morning swim or one more bike ride around the resort.
From check-in on Friday to the last campfire song on Saturday night, Fort Wilderness is a unique blend of Disney magic and nostalgic summer camp fun. The tranquil, wooded setting is perfect for exciting activities that bring everyone closer together. If you are anything like our family, once you get a taste of this experience, you will be ready for a return camping trip. The family memories made camping here will last a lifetime!
