The most economical accommodation at Walt Disney World isn’t a traditional hotel.

Instead, it’s a campsite at Disney’s Fort Wilderness, which features spacious areas for tents and pop-up trailers close to the Magic Kingdom.

Fort Wilderness offers fully equipped campsites, plenty of restrooms, dining options on-site, and numerous outdoor activities, making it a convenient choice even for those camping for the first time. The friendly atmosphere is enhanced by fellow campers who adorn their sites and golf carts, sometimes surprising guests with special treats. That said, camping may not suit everyone, and my family learned that there are additional expenses to think about beyond just the nightly fees.

Here’s what you should understand about camping at Disney World.

Nightly Rates at Fort Wilderness

The cost of campsites varies based on the date and type. Tent or pop-up sites are the most affordable, while larger RVs necessitate more expensive spots. Premium site options are also available.

To find the best rates, check for days that have the lowest price on single-day park tickets listed on the Walt Disney World website. For this year, the lowest rates are available from August 25 to 28 and September 9 to 11. On these dates, the standard rate for a tent or pop-up site is $73 per night. A promotional deal called “Stay Longer and Save More,” applicable for many dates from May 1 to September 30, reduces the starting price to about $62 per night with a minimum one-night stay.

During our holiday stay, we paid $113 for our tent site, which is a peak time at this resort.

Cost of Camping at Disney World

The overall expense depends on your camping equipment. Fort Wilderness does not offer tent or camper rentals, but RVs can be obtained through third-party rentals. I purchased a new tent, two air mattresses, and a sleeping bag for a total of $114. Coupled with the $113 for the campsite, this could have conveniently covered a hotel stay with beds for my family.

Cooking while camping can help save on meal costs. Each site has a charcoal grill. I brought some snacks, including ingredients for s’mores, but we opted to dine at Trail’s End, a restaurant on-site, for our main meals. Prices for whole pizzas start at $20.99, while family meals, which come with a main dish and three sides, begin at $28.99.

Golf cart rentals are additional expenses, but they’re optional. I paid $70 for a one-day use. The resort also provides free bus services within the area.

What Amenities are Available at Fort Wilderness Campsites?

According to Disney World’s website, each campsite includes features to enhance privacy such as landscaping, along with water, cable TV, electrical hookups, a picnic table, and a charcoal grill. Most sites offer sewer hookups, and some are pet-friendly; however, pets are not allowed in tents or pop-up campers.

Within a short walk from all campsites, there are clean public restrooms with private showers, known as comfort stations. Additional amenities include free parking, internal shuttle service, and free ferry and bus transportation to the parks and Disney Springs for shopping, dining, and entertainment.

Guests can enjoy various free recreational activities such as pools, playgrounds, walking trails, Chip ‘n’ Dale’s Campfire Singalong, outdoor movie nights, and visiting Disney’s Tri-Circle-D Ranch for horse-related activities. You can also engage in trading pins and playing checkers at the Fort’s two Trading Post shops. Activities such as horseback riding, wagons or carriage rides, fishing, bike rentals, archery, and the popular Hoop-Dee-Doo Musical Revue are also available.

There are dinner shows available for a fee.

Visitors can enjoy complimentary early entrance to all four Disney World theme parks, and for this year, there’s also free access to a Disney water park on their arrival day.

What is Camping at Disney World Like?

Our camping experience was filled with both enchantment and some discomfort, which wasn’t Fort Wilderness’s fault.

Every Disney staff member we met was wonderful. Our family especially enjoyed Chip ‘n’ Dale’s Campfire Singalong. It was a delight to see characters outside of the parks and dining experiences. We had a great time driving our rented golf cart around, admiring the festive decorations of other guests and leaving small gifts in holiday stockings they set out for their children. We even participated in an unofficial scavenger hunt started by other guests. There’s a real sense of community at Fort.

Despite the fun, we had a rough time getting a good night’s sleep. Our campsite was right next to a bus stop and comfort station, and even though other guests were generally considerate, the noise was more than we preferred. The temperatures also dropped to the 40s at night, and no amount of blankets could substitute for a climate-controlled hotel room. To top it off, one of our air mattresses lost air early in the night, leaving my youngest and me to sleep on the hard ground.

Who Should Avoid Camping at Fort Wilderness?

Camping at Fort Wilderness may not be enjoyable for those who dislike camping, despite all its benefits and amenities.

If you’re not driving to Disney World, tent camping could be challenging, although it’s theoretically possible to fly with your camping gear.

However, you can also stay at Fort Wilderness in a cabin or through a third-party RV rental. Our family has stayed in the cabins before and would gladly choose that option again.

Can You Visit Fort Wilderness Without Staying There?

Typically, you cannot park at Disney World resort hotels unless you are a guest or have a reservation for a dining or recreational activity. However, you can use free resort transportation to access Fort and enjoy its amenities.

Are the Cabins at Fort Wilderness Being Replaced?

The answer is partially yes. The older log cabins at Fort Wilderness are being modernized and replaced with new cabins that are also designated as Disney Vacation Club properties.

These modern cabins will still be available for general public bookings.