Photos by Harold Merton

Fort Wilderness Resort and Campground has been a part of Walt Disney World in Florida since it began although there certainly are a great many differences since we visited both the campground and the theme park the first year it began!

Like all Disney properties Fort Wilderness has been designed to give
families a place to stay right on the Disney grounds so that they can spend more of their vacation time enjoying the attractions rather than travelling the highways and streets in the miles around the Disney property waiting in lineups and traffic jams while trying to get to the theme parks. Remember too that if the attendance is so high that they have to close the parking lots because of attendance limits, you are already on the grounds and are not excluded. If you don't think this could ever happen let me tell you that I was there the first time it did happen that first year of operation.

If you have never been to Walt Disney World then you will be amazed at
just how large it is. It would take you hours to walk around the perimeter
if you could complete the task.Even on the Disney grounds there is still a great deal of distance between attractions and it is for this reason that Disney operates a fantastic transportation system that is included with your ticket price.

When we visited them the first year of operation you were transported
around Fort Wilderness and to the theme park by Ford Econoline vans. Today full size buses travel the routes because they carry so many more
passengers. Fort Wilderness is located just across the lagoon from the Magic Kingdom and you can still take a boat from the campground dock to the theme park and the Transportation Center.

The layout of Fort Wilderness Resort and Campground is unique. Campsites are in circular clusters off the main roads amid beautiful trees. Each site has all the amenities one needs as well as full RV services. Scattered throughout are modern washroom and shower buildings, all within a very short walk from your campsite.

Fort Wilderness also has a great many recreational facilities right on
their grounds and these have always been one of the reasons that people like to camp at the facility. Nature trails, Tri-Circle D Ranch with its horseback riding and petting zoo, the bike barn, Meadow swimming pool and tennis courts, arcades, trail rides, horse drawn excursions, a restaurant and tavern, Mickey's backyard BBQ, general stores and of course the fabulous Hoop-Dee-Doo Revue (a musical supper show) all make your stay at Fort Wilderness an enjoyable experience.

You could spend a whole vacation here without even heading to the theme parks. Campground loops have distinctive names like Bay Tree Lane, Palmetto Path and Cypress Knee Circle. There is an air of sophistication here.

Remember that the Disney people do things right so everything is top
notch. You won't find any broken plumbing or unkept facilities because their staff is on top of everything. It truly is a luxury resort that will
accommodate your RV.

If you don't have your RV with you, you can still camp at Fort Wilderness
by renting one of their large park model RVs already situated on a site.
The lawns and gardens are beautiful and you can't beat being this close to the action of the theme parks. Fort Wilderness Resort and Campground lives up to its name and is a favor.