Plan the Magic - Disney Planning Resource

Are you looking for a Disney World Resort with a little more room to spread out? Do you like the convenience of a full kitchen and daily maid service? Would you like a tranquil peaceful setting, instead of the hustle and bustle of a hotel? And would you like all this at a very moderate price? If so, then The Cabins at Disney's Fort Wilderness are just what you are looking for.

Each individual cabin sleeps six people comfortably. In the bedroom are a twin bunk bed, a double bed, dresser and television. The living room contains a pull down double bed, sofa, dining table that seats six and television. The kitchen is full sized and fully stocked with all the glassware, dishes, silverware and pots & pans you might need. There are no storage containers though so if you tend to have any leftovers you might want to remember to bring ziploc bags or plastic wrap. The refrigerator is full sized complete with ice trays and there is even a dishwasher. Don't worry though, the maid service will load and run it for you. Outside you will find your own patio, picnic table and charcoal grill. At the cabins, you will find more privacy then in a typical hotel room. They are spaced apart enough so that you don't know if you neighbor is home or not.

From each cabin, you can walk to a bus stop. There are three different colored buses that run throughout the Fort Wilderness resort that will take you to the three main destinations on the resort grounds: The Meadow Recreation Area, The Reception Outpost and the Settlement. These buses run about every 20 minutes and will get you anywhere on the resort that you want to go but after a long day at one of the parks waiting for another bus was not fun with three kids. And even the short trek from the bus stop to the cabin was an ordeal. So, on the second day we did break down and rent a golf cart. The golf cart was great, we could speed around the resort wherever and whenever we wanted. Each area had spots to park the golf carts and plug them in for charging. This small luxury was well worth the price.


The Reception Outpost contains the resort's main lobby for checking in and out, airline check in, guest services, golf cart rentals and any Disney information or help you may need. In this area, you will also find The Wilderness Corral Trail Rides, a kennel and most importantly, the bus station. This bus station is where guests can catch a bus to any Disney World park, resort and Downtown Disney.

The Meadow Recreation area contains the resort's main pool complete with water slide, Daniel Boone's Wilderness Arcade, tennis courts, and a snack bar. This pool has the new water slide and hot tub. The kids did their late night swimming here and it was never crowded. Pool was well lit at night, though the slide does close down when the lifeguards go off duty. At 10:00 they warned everybody it was swim at your own risk time. There is one other small pool, the Wilderness Pool. It was near our cabin though and always pretty empty. The kids enjoyed playing here and cooling off during our breaks from the parks. The Meadow Recreation area is also where Chip N Dale's campfire sing-a-long takes place along with a marshmallow roast and the outdoor showing of Disney classic movies. You will also find the Meadow Trading Post here where you can find the typical Disney souvenirs along with a decent selection of convenience foods and kitchen staples. Prices are very high on all the grocery items. So, if you wanted to use the kitchen to save money, bypass buying your food here. In your cabin, is the number for a local grocery store that will deliver the groceries right to your cabin.

The top of the resort is called the Settlement. This is where you will find Pioneer Hall, home of the famous Hoop-Dee-Doo Musical Revue. If you've never seen this show or even if you have, don't miss this high energy, hilarious show. Kids and adults of all ages will enjoy. Also in Pioneer Hall, you will find Trail's End Restaurant and Crockett's Tavern. Next door is the Tri-Circle D Ranch where you can take a carriage ride, wagon ride or even pony rides for the kids. There is a Settlement Trading Post which is slightly smaller then the Meadow Trading Post and contains basically the same items at the same high prices. A children's playground is also here right before you reach the beach and the marina and boat launch. Here you can rent watercraft, join in on fishing excursions and yes, take the ferry boat to the Magic Kingdom. Nothing quite beats the feeling of riding the ferry to the Magic Kingdom for the first time. Boats also can take you to Wilderness Lodge, the Contemporary, and the Polynesian resorts.

The Cabins at Disney's Fort Wilderness is an expansive resort with lots of recreation opportunities. If you never left the resort in a week, you still wouldn't have done everything and seen everything the resort has to offer. Its moderate pricing gives a family room to spread out without breaking the bank. And its peaceful and tranquil setting offers a quiet place to unwind after a busy day among the crowds and bright lights of the parks. The Cabins at Disney's Fort Wilderness is one of Disney's best family resorts and has a little something for everyone.

Jennifer Webster

Please contact me to help you plan your magical Disney vacation.

phone: 847-909-4575
e-mail: jennifer@pixievacations.com
website: www.pixievacations.com