Disney Wilderness Lodge resort offers families a unique experience, but is it right for you?

Tired of the same old theme park vacations? Want to experience something new and exciting for your next family trip? Look no further than Disney’s Wilderness Lodge! This deluxe resort is designed to resemble a national park lodge and is themed after the Pacific Northwest, complete with natural elements like wood, stone, and water throughout the property.

Disney Fort Wilderness Camp

Disney Wilderness Lodge

The resort is located in a secluded area, which can be seen as both an advantage and a disadvantage. On one hand, it provides a peaceful and natural atmosphere that can be a welcome change from the hustle and bustle of the theme parks. On the other hand, it can be a bit of a trek to get to the other Disney World parks and the Disney Springs shopping and dining area.

Like all Disney resorts, this one offers a range of amenities, such as a swimming pool, hot tub, fitness center, and arcade. There are also several dining options on property including Whispering Canyon Cafe, an all-you-care-to-eat restaurant that serves American fare and is known for its family-friendly atmosphere; and Artist Point, a fine-dining restaurant that serves Pacific Northwest cuisine.

Disney Fort Wilderness Hotel

Camping at Fort Wilderness

The resort is located in a secluded wooded area and offers hotel rooms along with camping options, including campsites for tents, pop-up campers, and RVs, as well as cabin rentals.

Rooms and suites are available. One King bed rooms sleep up to 2 guests while 2 Queen beds sleep up to 4 guests. Deluxe rooms accommodate up to 6 guests with 2 queen beds and 1 queen sleeper sofa. Deluxe studio rooms can accommodate 4-5 guests. One, two and three bedroom villas are also available with room for up to 12 adults for the 3 bedroom options.

Campsites are spacious and include amenities such as electrical and water hookups, cable TV, and a picnic table. Some of the campsites also feature full hookups with sewer, and they offer additional amenities like fire pits and charcoal grills. Guests can also enjoy the many recreational activities available at the resort, including horseback riding, archery, and a swimming pool.

Cabins are equipped with a kitchen, bathroom, and bedrooms and they sleep up to six guests. They also include amenities like air conditioning and heating, linens and bedding, and a patio or porch.

Fort Wilderness Cabins
golf carts

Wilderness Cabin

Step back in time and immerse yourself in the quaint charm of pioneer life, with all the comfort and conveniences of home.

Escape to your very own private cabin nestled in the woods, spacious enough to accommodate up to 6 adults. These cozy hideaways are filled with rustic charm, featuring a living room, bedroom, full bathroom, private patio, charcoal grill and a fully-equipped kitchen including a refrigerator, dishwasher, convection/microwave oven and 2 countertop burners.

Disney’s Wilderness Lodge cabins are designed to evoke the feeling of a Pacific Northwest national park lodge. The decor is rustic and cozy, with natural elements like wood and stone throughout the room. The color scheme is mostly earthy tones and forest greens with woodsy imagery and art.

Take a short boat ride, a 10-minute ride to the lakeside dock, to Magic Kingdom park or rent a golf cart or bike and explore the entire resort.

Pool

When we arrived at Disney Wilderness Lodge, the first thing we noticed was how beautiful the property is. It’s designed to look like a national park lodge, and it really does feel like you’re in the middle of the woods. The whole place is just gorgeous, and we spent a lot of time just wandering around and taking it all in.

The kids were really excited to check out the Meadow Swimmin’ pool, and it did not disappoint. It’s a decent size and has a corkscrew waterslide that they loved. There’s also a hot tub nearby that my husband and I enjoyed. The pool area is surrounded by lounge chairs and cabanas, so there’s plenty of room for everyone to find a spot. They also have a poolside bar which is perfect for a refreshing drink and a snack.

There are also other resort amenities like a fitness center and an arcade that we didn’t get a chance to use, but they looked great. But I’ll recommend the resort’s nature trail, it’s a great spot to have a picnic, it’s peaceful and a perfect spot to disconnect and forget the world.

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Fort Wilderness

Disney Wilderness Lodge Food and Dining Options

One of the things we loved about Wilderness Lodge Disney was the variety of dining options available on property. Whether you’re looking for a quick bite or a sit-down meal, there’s something for everyone.

For quick service options, we stopped by the P &J;s Southern Takeout for breakfast and lunch or grabbed a bite at the Meadow Snack Bar. The food is standard theme park fare, but it was tasty and convenient. They have a variety of options from sandwiches to salads, and we appreciated that they had some healthier options too.

Crockett’s Tavern offers bar service along with American fare like smoke house nachos, chicken wings and jalapeno poppers. Their fried green tomatoes are delicious! You can water it all down with a sip of strawberry moonshine or try a moonshine margarita.

Crocketts Run at Fort Wilderness

We enjoyed dinner at the Trails End Restaurant, an all-you-care-to-eat that serves American fare family-style. It’s known for its family-friendly atmosphere and fun interactive elements. The food is pretty tasty and it’s great for large groups or families. They offer breakfast from $22.99 per adult/ $12.99 per child (plus tax and gratuity) and dinner for $31.99 per adult/ $18.99 per child (plus tax and gratuity.) Breakfast menu features foods like breakfast skillet, pecan brisket, cheesy potato casserole, bacon and sausage, eggs, granola and Mickey waffles!

The Chuck Wagon offers fast-casual food truck style meals. Hot dogs, corn dogs, chicken nuggets, cheeseburgers, onion rings and mozzarella sticks.

fort wilderness dining

Dining at Whispering Canyon is an experience in itself. It’s a rowdy, rambunctious restaurant where the waitstaff get a little wild interacting with guests. Think napkins and straws flying, quirky jokes and “the ketchup game.”

We had the opportunity to dine at the Artist Point, the resort’s signature restaurant that serves Pacific Northwest cuisine. The atmosphere is cozy and intimate and the food was delicious. It was a bit more formal and pricey, but it was a nice splurge for us. I would recommend reservations for this restaurant, as it tends to fill up quickly.

Wilderness is also home to the Hoop-Dee-Doo Musical Revue, a lively dinner show experience that features dancing and singing comedy alongside an all-you-care-to-eat buffet of fried chicken and smoked BBQ pork ribs, cowboy beans, fresh-baked cornbread, mac n’ cheese and coleslaw. 

One thing to keep in mind, Disney’s Wilderness Lodge also has a general store where you can grab essentials: snacks, souvenirs, and some toiletries. There’s also a small bakery section where you can purchase pastries and sandwiches.

When compared to other Disney World resorts, Disney’s Wilderness Lodge is generally on the higher end of the pricing spectrum. However, it does offer a unique and immersive experience that can make it worth the extra cost for some families. It’s a recommended resort for those looking for a more secluded and nature centered vacation. Keep in mind that prices will vary depending on the time of year and current promotions, so it’s always good to check current rates and compare them to other options before making a decision.

Disney World resorts

Resort Activities and Entertainment

Disney’s Wilderness Resort & Campground offers a wide range of activities and entertainment for guests to enjoy during their stay. Some of the activities available include:

  • Horseback Riding: Enjoy a leisurely ride through the resort’s beautiful wooded trails, or take a lesson and learn the basics of horseback riding.
  • Archery: Learn the art of archery with a trained instructor and take aim at targets on the resort’s archery range.
  • Fishing: Fish for bass, catfish, and more at the resort’s private fishing holes, which are stocked regularly.
  • Canoeing, kayaking and paddle boating: Rent a canoe, kayak or paddleboat and explore the resort’s canals and waterways, it’s a great way to explore the natural surroundings of Fort wilderness.
  • Chip ‘n’ Dale’s Campfire Sing-A-Long: Join Chip and Dale for a fun and interactive sing-along around a campfire. Guests can also make s’mores, and enjoy a marshmallow roast.
  • Pony Rides: Little ones can enjoy a pony ride at the resort’s Tri-Circle-D Ranch.
  • Tri-Circle-D Ranch: Take a behind-the-scenes tour of the ranch and learn more about the care and training of the resort’s horses.
  • Bicycle Rentals: Rent a bicycle and explore the resort’s wooded trails, it’s a great way to have fun and see the resort at the same time.
  • Disney’s Fort Wilderness also has an excellent playground, a pool and a playground, and a variety of other recreational activities, making it a great choice for families and people who like to be active.

All of these activities and entertainment options make Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground a great choice for families and outdoor enthusiasts looking for a unique vacation experience. It’s a great way to stay active and enjoy nature while still having the conveniences and amenities of a Disney resort.

Wilderness Lodge Disney World

Is This the Best Disney Resort for Your Family Vacation?

Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground offers a unique and nature-centered vacation experience for families and outdoor enthusiasts. Here are a few pros and cons to consider when thinking about staying at this resort:

Pros:

  • Natural setting: The resort is surrounded by wooded areas and offers a peaceful and secluded atmosphere that can be a welcome change from the hustle and bustle of the theme parks.
  • Variety of activities: There are a wide range of activities available at the resort, including horseback riding, fishing, canoeing, archery and more, which can appeal to families and people who like to be active.
  • Camping option: The resort offers camping options that cater to different preferences, tents, pop-up campers and RV spaces or cabin rentals which is a unique experience for those looking for something different.
  • Unique atmosphere: The resort has a unique atmosphere that differentiates it from the other Disney World hotels and resorts, it’s a great option for those looking for a different type of Disney vacation.

Cons:

  • Location: The resort is located in a secluded area and it might take longer to get to the other Disney World parks and the Disney Springs shopping and dining area.
  • Limited dining options: There are a limited number of dining options at the resort, which might not be suitable for some guests.
  • Additional transportation costs: The resort offers internal transportation services but they are not included in the resort fee, which could add extra cost to your stay.
  • Not all activities are available all year round: Some of the activities have specific schedules and may not be available all year round, which could be disappointing for some guests.

Don’t settle for a typical theme park vacation. Experience the great outdoors in a whole new way at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge and make memories that will last a lifetime. Book your family’s next adventure today!

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