If you’re considering staying at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort, especially in one of the cabins, I have some strong opinions after staying here twice. And honestly, I think Fort Wilderness can be one of the best Disney resorts for families with young kids—but there is one thing I would absolutely recommend budgeting for.
A golf cart.
I’ll get to that in a minute because I truly think it can make or break your experience at Fort Wilderness.
We recently stayed at the cabins for the second time, and this resort has become one of our family’s favorites. From the spacious cabins and peaceful atmosphere to the nightly Chip ‘n Dale campfire and all of the outdoor activities, there is something really special about Fort Wilderness.
But it is also a very large resort, and that comes with some challenges.
So, if you’re wondering whether Disney’s Fort Wilderness Cabins are worth it, especially if you’re traveling with young children, here’s my honest review.
Disney’s Fort Wilderness Cabins: Pros & Cons
After staying at the Fort Wilderness Cabins twice, here are the biggest things I think you should know before booking.
Pros
- Spacious cabins: The cabins give families much more room than a traditional hotel room, with a separate bedroom, living area, kitchen, and dining space.
- Full kitchen: Having a full refrigerator, cookware, dishes, and other kitchen essentials is incredibly convenient when traveling with young kids.
- Bunk beds: The bunk beds were a huge hit with our kids and made the cabin feel extra fun for them.
- Family-friendly amenities: Between the splash pad, pools, playgrounds, campfire, and Chip ‘n Dale sing-along, there is plenty to do without going to a theme park.
- Peaceful atmosphere: Fort Wilderness feels calm and secluded while still giving you that Disney magic.
- Great outdoor space: The patios, wooded surroundings, and campground atmosphere make this resort feel completely different from a typical Disney hotel.
- Fun dining experiences: Trail’s End and Hoop-Dee-Doo Musical Revue are both great options, and you also have easy access to Wilderness Lodge.
- Boat to Magic Kingdom: Taking the boat to Magic Kingdom is convenient and adds a fun element to getting to the park.
- Perfect for young kids: There are plenty of opportunities for little ones to play, explore, and burn off energy.
Cons
- The resort is HUGE: Fort Wilderness is spread across a massive area, so getting around can take time.
- A golf cart can feel essential: While there is an internal bus system, we found the resort significantly easier and more enjoyable with a golf cart.
- Golf carts are an extra expense: At roughly $75–$100 per day, the cost can add up quickly over a longer vacation.
- Transportation takes more planning: Unlike some Disney resorts, you won’t simply walk out of your room and hop on transportation to everything.
- Some amenities require a ride: The pools, dining locations, playgrounds, and other activities are spread throughout the resort.
- Not ideal if you want convenience above all else: If your priority is being able to quickly get from your room to the parks, restaurants, and transportation, another Disney resort may be a better fit.
Our Bottom Line
For our family, the pros far outweigh the cons. The biggest deciding factor is the golf cart. After staying here without one, we found that having one completely changed our experience.
If you’re willing to budget for a golf cart, love having plenty of space, and want a peaceful Disney resort with lots of activities for young kids, Fort Wilderness is absolutely worth considering.
Our Experience at Disney’s Fort Wilderness
This was our second stay at the Fort Wilderness Cabins, so we already knew what to expect going into this trip. After staying here without a golf cart the first time, we knew we wanted one this time around.
Fort Wilderness is enormous. There are areas dedicated to the cabins as well as areas for campers and RVs, and everything is spread across a huge amount of land.
The first thing you’ll notice is how different Fort Wilderness feels from many other Disney resorts.
It’s peaceful.
As soon as you enter the resort, you feel like you’ve stepped away from the hustle and bustle of Disney World. There are trees everywhere, quiet roads, campsites, cabins, and plenty of outdoor space.
But you’re still at Disney.
That combination is what makes Fort Wilderness so special to us.
The Fort Wilderness Cabins
Let’s start with my favorite part of the resort: the cabins.
We absolutely love them.
The cabins are spacious, comfortable, and feel much more like a little vacation home than a traditional hotel room. For a family with young kids, having that extra space makes a huge difference.
The Patio
Each cabin has a nice outdoor patio area, which quickly became one of my favorite features.
It’s the perfect place to sit with a cup of coffee in the morning or enjoy an afternoon drink while the kids play.
It’s also just nice to have an outdoor space where you can relax without having to leave your cabin.
The Kitchen
As soon as you walk into the cabin, you have a full kitchen with a full-size refrigerator.
This is a huge perk for families.
Being able to keep milk, snacks, drinks, breakfast foods, and other groceries in the cabin makes traveling with young kids so much easier. We used the kitchen frequently during our stay rather than eating every meal at the resort or in the parks.
There is also a four-person dining table, and we used this area all the time for breakfast and snacks.
The cabins come stocked with kitchen essentials including plates, cups, pots, pans, and other cooking items.
There is also a Keurig that can make both a single cup of coffee and a full pot, which I absolutely appreciated.
The Living Room
The living room is spacious and comfortable, with a sofa that converts into a Murphy bed.
The large windows throughout the living and kitchen area are another feature I really loved.
They let in so much natural light, and it was especially nice to sit inside and watch a Florida rainstorm from the comfort of the cabin.
The Bedroom
The bedroom has a queen-size bed along with two bunk beds.
The bunk beds were a huge hit with our kids.
Having their own little sleeping area made the cabin feel especially fun for them, and I think this is one of the features that makes the cabins particularly appealing to families.
The Bathroom
The bathroom is surprisingly large and includes a tub/shower combination.
For families with young children, having a bathtub instead of just a shower is a major plus.
There’s also a step stool at the sink, which I found really helpful with young kids.
Overall, the cabin is simply comfortable, spacious, and very family-friendly.
The Golf Cart: My Biggest Fort Wilderness Recommendation
This is where I have a strong opinion.
If you’re staying at Fort Wilderness, I highly recommend renting a golf cart.
You can rent a golf cart from the resort, or you can bring your own if you have one that meets Disney’s requirements.
The rental can cost around $75–$100 per day, depending on the rental and dates, so it can definitely add up quickly.
But for us?
It was completely worth it.
In fact, I would go as far as saying that I wouldn’t want to stay at Fort Wilderness again without one.
Why the Golf Cart Makes Such a Difference
Fort Wilderness is huge.
There is an internal bus system that can take you around the resort, but without a golf cart, getting around can be much less convenient—especially with young kids.
For example, you can’t simply park your car at the pool or quick-service dining area. The internal transportation system is designed to get you around the resort.
With a golf cart, you can simply hop on and drive wherever you need to go.
Pool?
Golf cart.
Dinner?
Golf cart.
Chip ‘n Dale campfire?
Golf cart.
Want to ride around and look at everyone’s decorations?
Golf cart.
It makes everything feel so much easier.
We stayed here last November without a golf cart, and honestly, it was pretty rough.
After that experience, having one this time completely changed our opinion of the resort.
You can generally pick up your rental golf cart at 1 p.m. on the first day of your rental, and sometimes they’re available earlier.
Is a Golf Cart Worth the Extra Cost?
For us, absolutely.
If you’re traveling with young children, I would factor the cost of a golf cart into the overall price of your Fort Wilderness stay.
My personal opinion: If you’re not willing to rent a golf cart, I don’t think Fort Wilderness is worth the premium for our family.
But with a golf cart?
We absolutely love it.
Pools and Splash Pad
Fort Wilderness has several recreational areas, including pools and a splash pad.
For our family, the splash pad was a big hit.
Our kids had so much fun playing there, and having a place where they could run around and burn off some energy was a huge plus.
There is also a snack bar near the pool area, which makes grabbing a quick snack or drink convenient.
Again, though, you’ll want your golf cart.
The pool and splash pad aren’t areas where you can simply drive your car and park right next to them, so having the golf cart made getting there with young kids much easier.
Chip ‘n Dale’s Campfire Sing-A-Long
This was one of our favorite activities at Fort Wilderness.
Every night at 8 p.m., Fort Wilderness hosts a Chip ‘n Dale sing-along around the campfire.
The experience lasts roughly 30–40 minutes and includes live music, campfire entertainment, and appearances from Chip and Dale.
The characters come out a couple of times during the event and even dance with everyone toward the end.
Our kids absolutely loved it.
It’s one of those Disney experiences that feels completely different from spending the day in the theme parks.
You can also purchase items to make s’mores around the campfire, which makes the whole experience even more fun for families.
Playgrounds
Fort Wilderness has multiple playgrounds, including a smaller playground and a larger playground that we really enjoyed.
For families with young kids, I think having playgrounds throughout the resort is a huge advantage.
After spending a long day at the parks—or even just during a slower resort day—sometimes kids simply need somewhere to run, climb, and play.
The larger playground is especially nice for letting little ones burn off some energy.
Shopping at Fort Wilderness
There are two Trading Posts at Fort Wilderness where you can find a variety of things, including:
- Groceries
- Snacks
- Drinks
- Resort merchandise
- Disney souvenirs
- Basic necessities
Having access to groceries and snacks without having to leave the resort is especially convenient when you’re traveling with young children.
Dining at Fort Wilderness
There are several dining options at and around Fort Wilderness, and we really enjoyed our experience with the food.
Trail’s End Restaurant
Trail’s End was one of our favorite quick-service options.
The food was delicious, and the atmosphere felt warm, cozy, and welcoming.
And honestly, the smell alone when you’re walking in is amazing.
The menu has a lot of the same Southern-style comfort food flavors you’ll find at Hoop-Dee-Doo Musical Revue.
While I wouldn’t say the food is quite as elaborate as Hoop-Dee-Doo, we really enjoyed our meal at Trail’s End.
The Cast Members were also incredibly friendly, which added to the experience.
Hoop-Dee-Doo Musical Revue
If you’re staying at Fort Wilderness, I think Hoop-Dee-Doo Musical Revue is absolutely worth considering.
We had so much fun!
The show lasts approximately 1 hour and 45 minutes and includes an all-you-can-eat barbecue-style meal with all the fixings.
There is also all-you-can-drink beer and wine for guests who are of legal drinking age, with a selection that is somewhat limited.
And let me tell you—they definitely don’t let your glass sit empty for long!
The food was delicious, but the show itself is what really makes the experience.
It’s silly.
It’s cheesy.
It’s completely over the top.
And we loved every minute of it.
Our whole family was entertained, and we’re already looking forward to doing it again.
Transportation from Fort Wilderness
Transportation is another important thing to understand before booking Fort Wilderness.
You have boat transportation to Magic Kingdom, which is such a fun way to get to the park.
For the other theme parks, you’ll use Disney bus transportation.
You can also take a bus to Disney’s Wilderness Lodge, which gives you access to even more dining options.
One of our favorite spots over there is Geyser Point Bar & Grill.
It’s a great option when you want to get away from the busier areas and enjoy a meal or drink in a beautiful setting.
Decorating Your Cabin or Campsite
One of the things I think makes Fort Wilderness so much fun is that guests can decorate their campsites and cabins.
You’ll see everything from string lights to elaborate holiday decorations, inflatables, and Disney-themed displays.
And honestly, riding around the resort in your golf cart just looking at everyone’s decorations is an activity in itself.
It’s especially magical during Halloween and Christmas.
The decorations really add to the campground atmosphere and make Fort Wilderness feel like its own little Disney community.
Why Fort Wilderness Is Great for Families With Young Kids
After staying here twice, I think Fort Wilderness is particularly appealing for families with young children.
Our kids loved:
- The bunk beds
- The splash pad
- The playgrounds
- Chip ‘n Dale
- The campfire
- Riding around in the golf cart
- Having plenty of space to move around
And from a parent’s perspective, having a full kitchen, refrigerator, dining table, and plenty of living space is incredibly convenient.
With young kids, having somewhere to eat breakfast, store snacks, and relax during downtime can make a Disney vacation feel much less chaotic.
Is Disney’s Fort Wilderness Worth It?
For our family, yes—but only if you plan for a golf cart.
I really can’t emphasize that enough.
The cabins themselves are beautiful, spacious, and incredibly comfortable for a family. We love having the full kitchen, refrigerator, dining area, separate bedroom, bunk beds, large bathroom, and outdoor patio.
The resort also has so much to do that you don’t necessarily have to spend every minute inside the Disney theme parks.
But Fort Wilderness is enormous.
Without a golf cart, getting around can be frustrating, particularly with young children. You can use the internal buses, but it adds another layer of transportation to your day.
With a golf cart, the entire resort feels completely different.
You have the freedom to jump in and drive to the pool, playground, restaurants, campfire, or anywhere else you want to go.
That convenience is what makes Fort Wilderness work so well for us.
Would We Stay at Fort Wilderness Again?
Absolutely.
In fact, Fort Wilderness has become a family favorite for us.
I love that it doesn’t feel like you’re constantly surrounded by the hustle and bustle of Disney World. The resort is peaceful, quiet, and surrounded by nature.
But at the same time, you’re still completely immersed in the Disney experience.
Our kids have so much fun here, and we genuinely enjoy slowing down and spending time at the resort instead of feeling like we have to be at a theme park from open to close.
For us, the cabins provide the perfect combination of space, comfort, convenience, and Disney magic.
My Final Verdict
If you’re traveling to Disney World with young children and want a resort where you can slow down and actually enjoy your time outside of the parks, I think Fort Wilderness is worth considering.
Just budget for the golf cart.
Without one, I don’t think we would enjoy the resort nearly as much.
With one?
We love it—and we’ll definitely be back.