Are you ready to embark on a journey filled with wonder, excitement, and the charm of the great outdoors? Look no further than Disney’s Fort Wilderness, where magic and nature come together in perfect harmony.
Tucked away in a serene woodland setting, this hidden gem within Walt Disney World Resort offers a plethora of activities and attractions that cater to all ages and interests. Whether you’re a nature lover, an outdoor enthusiast, or simply a Disney fanatic, this blog post is your ultimate guide to discovering the best things to do at Disney’s Fort Wilderness.
Is Disney’s Fort Wilderness Worth It?
If you’re looking for a one-of-a-kind experience that combines camping with all the fun Disney has to offer then absolutely! Not only will you get many of the same amenities as other resorts but you’ll also get access to exclusive benefits like complimentary transportation, activities specifically tailored for kids and adults alike, plus more!Â
If this is the first time (or First Time in awhile) to the Fort, you may be interested in the other Must Know Details to make sure you have a magical time at Fort Wilderness.
This post contains affiliate links at no extra cost to you, and I may earn commission on qualified sales, check out my affiliate disclosure for more information and all the legal mumbo jumbo.
Campfire Sing A-long
Over at the Meadow Recreation Area you’ll find one of the most delightful shows at any resort! The Chip n’ Dale Campfire Sing-a-long happens select nights, with esteemed guests Chip and Dale (I’m sure that was a surprise, considering the name of the show!). You get to sing a long to some old classics and new fun songs before Chip and Dale take to the floor to do the Hokey Pokey! Everyone is invited to the front, and then there’s time to meet Chip and Dale after the show.
>Roast Marshmallows or make smores at the Campfires, which happen nightly in the Chip n’ Dale Campfire Show Circle. Bring your own sticks and marshmallows, or buy them from Staff (it’s reasonably priced too!)
Watch the Fireworks and Electrical Water Pageant
Most nights, if the weather cooperates and everything is operating normally, you can see the Magic Kingdom Fireworks and The Electrical Water Pageant.
The Fireworks happen nightly at 9 pm. Most people gather around 8/8:30 to get seats.
The Electrical Water Pageant is a ‘water parade’ featuring boats with light displays and music (the music is so loud, you’ll hear it everywhere at the Fort). This happens most nights at 9:45.
Wilderness Archery Experience
Another interesting activity you’ll only find at Disney’s Fort Wilderness is the Archery Experience! If you meet the age and responsibility requirements, you’ll be treated to an almost silent encounter as you practice, aim and fire your safety arrows into the targets (it’s silent because they use drum ques in lieu of speaking for an extra safety measure!)
The experience is limited to small number, so be sure to secure your reservation before your trip,
Go on a Playground Crawl
Fort Wilderness boasts the most playgrounds out of any Disney Resort! There’s four playgrounds here, and it took us till our eighth visit to hit them all (we did the playground crawl one day!)
You can see them on the map, but here’s where they are. Learn more about Internal Transportation in this Fort Wilderness Transportation Guide.
- One by the Main Pool at The Meadows Trading Center
- One at the Dog Park
- One at The Settlement Trading Post (this is where you’d catch the boat for Magic Kingdom)
- One by a Bus Stop and Basketball Court, outside loop 1300
(Note that on the Digital Disney Map, there are several playgrounds listed that are small areas with a TetherBall setup. The ones listed above are playgrounds that contain playground equipment typically designed for Ages 2-12)
All of the Playgrounds are maintained and fenced in. My favorite is the one outside bus loop 1300 as it has a hard mulch floor and doesn’t get very crowded. The Playground at The Settlement tends to get VERY busy as people wait for reservations, food or the bus to Magic Kingdom. The Playground by the Pool is also busier. And lastly, the Playground at the Dog Park is great for the mornings, but too hot to play on in the evenings.
Gemstone Mining
Ride Horse, Ponies
Designed to house the Horses used in Magic Kingdom, Disney has the Tri-Circle-D Ranch! Here you can visit horses, or ride one of your own.
For younger children, they have ponies available for riding, on a closed track. For older children (i.e. my 7 year old) they have full sized Horses. Helmets are provided and Safety Procedures are highlighted.
They have a loading area where your kids can easily get onto the animals, and then your off! Children on Ponies will be walked by their adult (closed toed shoes recommended!) and those on the Horses will be guided by a Stable Hand. You’ll go around the closed track twice before taking a picture with your animal and exiting.
While the experience was less than 30 minutes, my kids still talk about it almost a year later!
For Adults, you can book a Trail Ride on Horses. Sometimes these are available the week of, but to ensure your pick of dates, schedule ahead of time!
>Carriage Rides are also available certain days of the week! You can book these ahead of time, and occasionally the same day.
Hoop De Doo Musical Revue
One of the most enjoyable shows is the Hoop De Doo Musical Revue! There’s singing, there’s laughing, there’s great food, and there’s plenty of laughs to go around. It’s a family friendly show with a few very hilarious (and appropriately placed) innuendos.
My favorite part of Hoop De Doo was the Actors. It wasn’t just their acting, it was that they actually enjoyed the show. They were having fun, improving some jokes and it felt… real. I felt like I was in the Show, even though I know its essence is to be entertainment. Mission accomplished as I left with a full stomach and a desire to go back on my next Fort Wilderness Trip!
Enjoy the outdoors with the safety of Disney
Maybe the best part of Fort Wilderness is the security that you can spend time outside without worry. I’m not concerned about Alligators, Stray Hunters, or Medical Emergencies where I am too far away to get care in time. It’s the great outdoors for Parents who’ve got their hands full (me) and those who manage Anxiety or other needs (also me).
There’s a lot to do at Fort Wilderness
While this post covered the BEST things to do… there’s even more fun waiting at Fort Wilderness! My family has stayed there 8 times in the last 5 years (and many more times before that!) and it’s one of our favorite places to do family vacations.