Want to stay at Disney World for cheap? Try camping on Disney property!

in Disney, Travel, Walt Disney World

fort wilderness campsites

Credit: Disney

We’re all about saving money while on vacation, and we’re firm believers that it’s possible to travel to Walt Disney World without breaking the bank. And if you’re trying to stay on Disney World property for cheap, we have the perfect solution for you! You can go camping at Walt Disney World at The Campsites at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort.

Fort Wilderness offers cabins if you would rather stay there, but for this article, we’re going to be going over what it’s like to camp on Disney property.

About the Campground

Located right on Bay Lake in the Magic Kingdom resort area, Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground is 750 acres of forest that truly transports guests to the wilderness. If it weren’t for the Disney magic you can experience when staying on Walt Disney World Resort property, you wouldn’t be able to tell that you were on a Disney vacation! You are immersed in nature on this backcountry retreat that offers the amenities of a full-service campground, the magic of a Disney resort, and the relaxation of camping in the woods.

There are four types of campsites that can accommodate tents to trailers to large RVs, so there is truly an option for every type of camper. Each campsite can accommodate up to 10 guests and is equipped with privacy-enhancing landscaping, water, cable television and electrical hook-ups, a picnic table, and a charcoal grill. Most sites also include a sewer hookup.

fort wilderness
Credit: Disney

Amenities and Dining Options

There are plenty of amenities that come with camping at Fort Wilderness. From a pool with an awesome waterslide to golf carts available for rent to activities like archery, canoeing, and horseback riding, you can relax and enjoy or indulge in your adventurous side while staying here.

When it comes to dining, there are also plenty of options for you. Aside from being an easy bus ride from Disney’s Wilderness Lodge and a boat ride to Magic Kingdom, there are also dining options on-site at Disney’s Fort Wilderness. You can cook your own food at your campsite, purchase food or groceries to-go, or even eat at one of the awesome dining locations. Below is a list of all of the dining available, along with links to their official webpages:

  • Trail’s End Restaurant: Feast on a down-home buffet for breakfast, dinner or a weekend brunch at this tasty Frontier mainstay. 
  • The Chuck Wagon: Pack up your hunger and take a trip to flavor country, courtesy of this culinary camper serving all sorts of tasty vittles—from sandwiches, burgers and salads to camp classics like moonshine cocktails and even a build-your-own s’mores kit! 
  • P & J’s Southern Takeout: Wheel yer wagon over to this Old West eatery where you can grab some grub and take yer finger-lickin’ feast to go!
  • Meadow Snack Bar: Go grazing in the great outdoors. Open-air eats include fresh salads, tasty sandwiches and light snacks. Top it off with some frozen treats. Beer and sodas are also available. 
  • Hoop-Dee-Doo Musical Revue: A hilarious, high-spirited hootenanny the whole family will enjoy, accompanied by a finger-lickin’ countrified feast. 
  • Crockett’s Tavern: Rustle up some drinks and eats at the walk-up window beside Pioneer Hall and enjoy ’em in a rocking chair on the front porch: wings in 3 flavors and loaded nachos. Beer—draft and bottled—and wine are also available.
fort wilderness campfire
Credit: Disney

The Campground is Pet-Friendly!

That’s right — you can bring your furry friends to Fort Wilderness! There are some things to keep in mind when planning to bring your pet on your Walt Disney World vacation, so here are Disney’s official conditions, as they are written on the webpage for The Campsites at Disney’s Fort Wilderness:

  • All pets must be kept on a handheld leash that is 8 feet or shorter or confined in the interior of the owner’s climate-controlled personal recreational vehicle. Pets are not permitted in tents and pop-up campers.
  • Guests with pet privileges may take their dogs to play in the off-leash Waggin’ Trails Dog Park or walk the many on-leash trails. So that our Guests with pets can enjoy ample time at the Walt Disney World theme parks and destinations, day and overnight kennel care is available at Best Friends Pet Care.
  • Pet owners are required to pick up after and properly dispose of their pet’s droppings.
  • Pets that interfere with the quality of the Guest experience at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground in any away (such as aggression, noise, etc.) or generate a legitimate complaint to management will result in the pet owner being required to discontinue the pet’s inappropriate behavior, remove the pet to an off-site kennel, or leave the Resort.
  • Please note that Guests who wish to stay with their pets at The Campsites at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort will be charged a $5 per-night pet fee.

How Much Does it Cost?

What makes staying here so appealing — in addition to the location and amenities — is the price. Prices can be as low as well under $100 for a campsite or as much as almost $200, but this can vary depending on the type of campsite you’re planning to book and the time of year. During peak times the price will be higher and during the slower season it will be lower, but generally camping will cost much less than staying at one of Disney’s Value Resorts. 

fort wilderness campsites boat dock
Credit: Disney

Want to stay at The Campsites at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort on your next Walt Disney World vacation? Reach out to the Authorized Disney Vacation Planners at Academy Travel for help. Academy Travel can plan every part of your Disney trip, from booking your campsite, dining reservations, and FastPasses to offering tips and tricks for navigating the Disney Parks. Click here for a free, no-obligation vacation quote from Academy Travel!

Have you ever camped at Walt Disney World? Where do you like to stay while on a Disney vacation? Let us know in the comments!

in Disney, Travel, Walt Disney World

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