There's no experience quite like camping at Disney World. If you're looking to brave the wild from within the comfort of an entertainment-filled resort, Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground is the place you should be.
Fort Wilderness is huge and offers many locations to eat, shop, and play. We're going to be looking at the last of these items by checking out all the cool recreation and entertainment options to exist at the resort. Yes, we'll throw a dinner show in there for good measure.
With that said, it's time to venture out into the wild; Here are 10 of the best things to do at Disney's Fort Wilderness.
10 Hoop-Dee-Doo Musical Revue
This spirited stage show comes at a high price based on your seating selection, though it might be worth it if you’re looking for an unforgettable experience.
The Hoop-Dee-Doo Musical Revue features 2 hours worth of wild west dancing, singing, and comedy. Being that this experience is a dinner show, you’ll be dining on incredible food including barbecue ribs, fried chicken, salad, baked beans, and corn.
For dessert, you’ll be treated to a sweet and moist strawberry shortcake. It might also help to know that unlimited soda, coffee, tea, milk, beer, wine, and sangria are included in the price.
9 Movies Under The Stars
If you’re looking for a free activity, you’ll instead want to consider joining together with other resort guests for Movies Under The Stars. During this event, Disney plays one of its classic or modern films for visitors to enjoy.
While you can rest on the provided seating, you’re also welcome to bring your own chairs and blankets. For an additional fee, you can roast marshmallows and sing songs around a campfire with Chip n' Dale prior to the start of the movie.
8 Swimming Pools
Yes, traditional camping doesn’t have a beautiful pool on site. Fort Wilderness, however, has two of these.
The Meadow Swimmin’ Pool features rustic American Frontier theming, a 67-foot-long corkscrew waterslide, and a calming whirlpool spa nearby. It also features a snack shop to meet all your food and drink cravings.
Also on property is the Wilderness Swimmin’ Pool, which is located closer to the cabins. This one’s a little more relaxing than the prior and also contains a hot tub.
7 Fort Wilderness Archery Experience
This specially priced experience allows both kids and adults to learn the basics of archery through a 90-minute program. Being that class sizes are limited to only 10 guests, you can be assured that you will get personalized instruction.
Most of the time will be spent hitting targets or cheering on your friends as they hit targets, so if outdoor recreation and friendly competition are your things, this is for you.
6 Court Sports
Fort Wilderness contains multiple sports recreation areas throughout its campsites. There are volleyball courts, basketball courts, and tennis courts available for use.
While you could bring your own equipment, many of the locations offer complimentary balls and rackets.
This is a great way to enjoy the outdoors and work on bringing your A-game.
5 Horse-Drawn Carriage And Sleigh Rides
Back on the additional-fee side of things is the unforgettable horse-drawn carriage experience.
The first option, offered throughout most of the year, is a relaxing 25-minute carriage ride throughout the campgrounds. The second option, offered during the month of December, is a holiday carriage-ride experience. This sees the woodlands decked out in lights and garlands, and though its more expensive than the previous option, the enchantment is too good to pass up.
Fort Wilderness additionally offers horseback riding options that are fun in their own way.
4 Magic Kingdom Fireworks And Electrical Water Pageant
Being that Fort Wilderness is located near the Magic Kingdom, you can get a nice view of the nightly fireworks near the water. Though this view of the Happily Ever After show is definitely not as immersive as the experience you'd get from within in the park with music and projections, it's still fun to see the sky light up in the distance. Lots of people gather on the beach area and pull out their own chairs for a nice view.
Additionally, you'll get a front-row seat to the Electric Water Pageant, which occurs several minutes after the fireworks conclude. This has giant light-covered animal floats cruising through the water.
3 Fishing Excursions
Whether you’ve always wanted to go on a fishing trip or are already a seasoned pro, this activity might be your style. Disney offers 2-hour and 4-hour fishing trips via the marina at Fort Wilderness.
One of the adventures has guests boarding a 21-foot Sun Tracker pontoon boat alongside up to 5 other guests and an experienced guide. Another experience has two people boarding a tournament-style NITRO bass fishing boat and heading out.
The bait, rod, tackle, and reel is all included in the price, so bring yourself and get ready to have catch some big ones.
2 Boat Rentals
Fishing isn’t the only way to get out on the water at Fort Wilderness. The marina also offers motorized boat rentals, while The Bike Barn offers canoes and kayaks for your own paddling exploration.
Both of these scenic options will allow you to view the resort in an entirely different way. While taking a motorboat is going to be exciting, the paddle boat options will send you on a more leisurely adventure.
If you're really a land person, The Bike Barn also supplies — you guessed it — bikes so that you can cruise through the trails.
1 Davy Crockett’s/Daniel Boone’s Wilderness Arcades
Finally, if you’re tired of the great outdoors and instead want to compete for a high score in pinball, you’ll want to check out the two arcades located on-site.
Disney has over 1,500 arcade machines spread out over Disney World, and several of these happen to be at the Fort Wilderness locations. Sure, there is a ton of outdoor stuff you could be doing, but a little indoor time never hurt anyone.
The wild will be waiting for you.