We all love the Disney Theme Parks, but did you know that you can go camping at Disney World too? Set on 750 acres, Disney’s Fort Wilderness provides a Frontier themed nature experience accompanied by Disney amenities. Observe deer, rabbits, armadillos, and ducks in their natural habitat surrounded by pine and cypress trees.
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Where to Stay While Camping at Disney World
Camp Sites
If you like roughing it, Fort Wilderness offers several camping options. Various size RV sites are available. Sizes range from 45′ plus RV sites to smaller tent sites. If you are traveling with a large crew, you will want to choose an 8 person tent to accommodate everyone.All include privacy landscaping, water, cable and electrical hook up, picnic table, and a charcoal grill. Most also include sewage hook up. Some of the sites even allow pets.
Here are some links I chose to help you find camping equipment if you don’t already own any:
Cabins
If you want a bit more comfort, you can feel like a pioneer by staying in a private cabin in the woods. Each cabin sleeps up to 6 adults and comes with fully furnished living room, bedroom, bathroom, private patio and charcoal grill. The kitchen has a full size refrigerator, dish washer, convection/microwave oven, a 2 stove burners. The cabins are part of WDW Resort so housekeeping does come in to clean and even washes dishes! This is a great option if you are visiting the parks but don’t want to spend all of your money at the restaurants. Don’t want to waste time grocery shopping? Let Disney do it for you. You can preorder your groceries and they will have them waiting for you.
What Amenities are Included While Camping at Disney World?
Camping at Disney World has some perks that you would expect while staying at a Disney Resort. If you plan on visiting the parks, your parking is included. If you don’t want to drive, complimentary bus or water transportation to the parks is available. You will also be able to view the water parade. If you want to go out for the night babysitting is available. Of course WiFi is included.
Activities
While camping at Disney World you can choose from many activities right at the camp site. You can go canoeing or try your hand at archery if you are at least 7 years of age. 2 pools are available for when you need to cool off. The Meadow Swimming Pool offers a corkscrew waterslide and a whirlpool spa. It also has a fort themed water play area for kids. If you want a more relaxing experience go to the Wilderness Swimming Pool. This is a quieter pool which also has a whirlpool spa. Don’t want to walk everywhere? Rent a golf cart to make getting around the facility easier.
What else can we do While Camping at Disney World?
Visit Cinderella’s Royal Horses
At the Tri-Circle-D-Ranch you can visit the stables where Cinderella keeps her horses. For additional fees you can part in many activities. Little ones can ride her ponies. Those over the age of 9 can go horseback riding on scenic trails. After that, watch Cinderella’s blacksmith make horse shoes and affix them to the horses’ hooves. In addition, you can join others for a 25 minute wagon ride. Want to feel like a princess? Go for a ride in a horse drawn carriage. During the holidays, the stables offer sleigh rides.
Join Chip ‘n’ Dale at their Campfire Sing a Long
In the evening relax by toasting marsh mellows and singing a long with Chip n Dale. Then stay for an outdoor Disney movie. Concessions are available.
Attend the Hoop-Dee-Doo Musical Revue while camping at Disney World
At Pioneer Hall you can join this fun filled 2 hour musical event. The Pioneer Hall players will entertain you with Wild West dancing, singing, and vaudeville comedy. During the show dine on all you can eat fried chicken, BBQ ribs, salad, baked beans, cornbread, and strawberry shortcake. Unlimited draft beer, wine and sangria available for those over 21.
Additional Places to Eat While Camping at Disney World
If you are tired of cooking and want to go out Disney gives you plenty of options. Enjoy down home cooking at the Frontier style Trail’s End Restaurant which offers breakfast, brunch, and dinner. If you don’t want a sit down meal for dinner stop by the Chuck Wagon, a food truck serving burgers and sandwiches in addition to moonshine cocktails and make your own smores kits. Available for breakfast, lunch, and dinner P&J’s Southern Takeout is a great option to grab and eat back at your campsite. Hungry from swimming? Stop by the Meadow Snack Bar located by the Meadow Pool for a snack or light meal. Want a night out for you and your lady? Check out Crockett’s Tavern near Pioneer Hall. It serves beer and wine in addition to bar food like wings and nachos.
If you plan on camping but not actually going to Disney World, here are some affiliate links for additional activities we recommend:
Planning on visiting the parks? Here are some tips
Don’t try to see everything in a few days. You are staying at Fort Wilderness. Make use of the amenities there. Only pick one or two parks. Get an early start. Then come home mid afternoon during the heat of the day. Eat some lunch at your camp site and relax by the pool. Then you can head back to the parks when it starts to cool down. Bring a back pack with water and snacks. This will prevent you wasting money on drinks plus the snacks will hold you over until you have a meal. I find when traveling skipping lunch is helpful. Eat a light breakfast before heading to the parks. Munch on healthy snacks while there such as protein bars, nuts, etc. Eat some fruit or another healthy snack when getting back from the parks and then schedule either an early or late dinner to avoid the crowds.
Hope you find this post useful in planning a magical Disney vacation without the crowds of the theme parks. Let me know how magical your vacation turns out.
Donna Emperador is a travel and food blogger and copywriter. Donna believes in learning about different cultures while sharing good food and cocktails. She has lived in South Florida for over 20 years and enjoys spending time exploring the road to find unique places to share with readers. She can be found on Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest.
I never knew you could camp at Disney World. But I am sure this would add to the magical experience for kids. And with those cabins, maybe even for big kids! A great way to extend that Disney experience.
What an awesome addition to Disney! Love how they managed to include a more natural, “roughing it” element but still had the characters and fun things to do. Love that Chip & Dale make an appearance at the campfire!
Great post! I went camping at Disney when I was younger and have been back a couple times since, but have not camped again. I am considering it for my next trip, I think I would like staying in one of the cabins. I never knew about the royal horses, my daughter would love it.
I had no idea that is possible to camp at Disney World. There are cabins for rent, and you can spend the night in a tent or even in an RV. It’s fabulous. It’s like immersing yourself in the land of magic and fairy-tale. I would love to stay there for a night.