Fort Wilderness Disney's Best Kept Secret.

At over 700 acres, Fort Wilderness is a sprawling area of woodland crisscrossed with canals, walking trails, and camp grounds. Few people other than the campers who stay here are aware that this wilderness area, a short boat ride away from the Magic Kingdom, exists.

Listed below you will find links to the many free and inexpensive activities available at Fort Wilderness. You can either click on the link of a topic that interests you or simply scroll through the page to find what you want.

Fort Wilderness free activities|Boat Rides|Petting Zoo| Blacksmiths Shop| Tri Circle D Ranch| The Lawnmower Tree| Nature and Walking Trails| Fort Wilderness Campfire Program|Electrical Water Pageant| Fireworks|

Inexpensive Activities| Horseback Riding|Boat Rentals|Motor Boat Rentals|Bike Rentals| Fishing|Wagon Rides|Carriage Rides|Arcades|

Fort Wilderness Entertainment| Hoop-De-Doo Musical Cabaret| Mickey's Backyard Barbecue|

Accommodations| Transportation| Shopping|

Take a boat ride to the Magic Kingdom, Contemporary, Wilderness Lodge, and Polynesian or simply stay on the boat and take a circular tour of Bay Lake, enjoying the marvelous views from the water.

My kids have enjoyed visiting this pleasant spot since they were toddlers. Full of cute barnyard animals that they can touch and interact with. Pony rides are available for children who weigh 80LBs or less for a moderate charge (around $3 - $4). If you have children or just enjoy being close to animals, the petting zoo is not to be missed.

This is the place where all the horses and pony's that work pulling trolleys at the Magic Kingdom are brought to have horseshoes made and fitted. The blacksmith is sometimes around in the mornings to talk to guests and answer questions. On many occasions, my family has been lucky enough to be passing the blacksmiths shop when horses were being shod. It was fascinating to watch the blacksmith working at an old fashioned forge and anvil to heat and shape the shoes and then fit them on the huge horse's feet.

This is where the all horses at Disneyworld call home. It provides a great opportunity to get close to these huge beasts. Many times we have been on hand to watch as the handlers groom these massive animals.

There are many nature trails, walking paths, and bike trails scattered around Fort Wilderness. A favorite is the path that leads to the Wilderness Lodge, which is a pleasant 3/4 mile walk away.

There is also a 3/4 mile long swamp trail which skirts around Bay Lake. This is better explored by daylight as a step in the wrong direction after dark and you will know exactly why it is called the swamp trail!!!

This is a tremendous value FREE! Kids and adults can roast marshmallows and participate in a camp fire sing along then watch a Disney movie or two. Chip and Dale will often be in attendance. This is open to guests staying at any Disney resort.

This Disney classic can be viewed from the Fort Wilderness beach and boat dock. It features numerous water bourne floats depicting mythical sea creatures with thousands of lights that flash in synchronization to a catchy musical soundtrack. This is a one of a kind show that few people know about.

The beach and boat dock at Fort Wilderness are great places to view the Magic Kingdom fireworks. If you can combine viewing the fireworks with the Electrical Water Pageant you have the perfect end to any Disney World day.

For resort guests who want to swim, Fort Wilderness has two pools they are not extensively themed like the other deluxe resorts but are none the less very pleasant.

If horseback riding seems intimidating but is something you have always wanted to try, Fort Wilderness is a great place to begin. Guided rides leave the Tri Circle D several times a day. These 45 minute expeditions around Fort Wilderness are a perfect introduction into the world of horses and can be enjoyed by anyone over the age of 9 at least 48" tall and weighing no more than 250 lbs. These rides were designed for people with little or no riding experience and as the horses are very gentle this is probably not going to appeal to experienced riders. The horses pretty much walk in single file. But for those of us who just want to enjoy the thrill of being on horseback and the different view of the world it provides this is the perfect opportunity.

For those that want to explore the canals that crisscross Fort Wilderness, Canoes, Kayaks, and peddle boats are available for rent at the Bike Barn behind the Meadows Trading Post. Life vests are provided free and must be worn when renting boats of any kind.

To explore Bay Lake head down to the Fort Wilderness Marina where you can rent Suntracker Pontoon boats and small speedboats The views of Cinderella's Castle are breathtaking from the water and exploring the lake at your own pace is tremendous fun!

Bikes are available for rent at the Bike Barn. Fort Wilderness has miles of trails and as there is no traffic other than the buses and an occasional golf cart, they are a great way for kids and adults to explore this vast area.

There are two ways to go fishing at Fort Wilderness. The cheapest way is to rent a pole at the bike barn and dangle a line wherever you please in the canals. Cost around $4- $5 for each pole per half hour or the best option $9- $10 per day.

The more expensive option is a guided fishing charter. For details see the expensive but worth it section of my site.

Take a ride in an old fashioned wagon. Wagons leave Pioneer Hall at 7PM and 9PM nightly for a scenic 45 minute ride around Fort Wilderness.

On nights when there is a late showing of Wishes the Magic Kingdom Fireworks, there is often a special fireworks viewing trip scheduled. The wagon stops by the Fort Wilderness beach, the soundtrack from the Magic Kingdom is piped in and you have the best seat in the house from which to view the fireworks. The perfect end to any Disney Day.

Reservations are not accepted, strictly first come first serve.

If you happen to be visiting Fort Wilderness at Halloween, there is a special wagon ride complete with a cast member retelling the spooky story of Incabod Crane and the headless horseman. This is tremendous fun! Wagons start to operate around dusk and leave approximately every 20 minutes until around 10:15 PM..

Reservations are necessary for these special trips and are accepted from 9AM to 5PM on each day the ride is offered. You may only book tickets on the day you intend to ride. No advance reservations are accepted.. If you want to take this popular trip, make your booking very early in the morning as seats sell out extremely quickly!

For romantics, or for those of us who simply wish to escape from our modern high speed world, and return for a while to a time when the pace of life was slower and less complicated,. Fort Wilderness offers nightly carriage rides. For around $35 beautiful carriages which seat from 2 - 4 adults will take you for a relaxing 25 minute ride and transport you back into a bygone age of peace and tranquility. Perfect for unwinding after a long tiring day in the parks.

Carriage rides begin at 6:00 PM and end at around 10:00 PM., last departure is at 9:30PM . Reservations are strongly suggested but not required. Walk up guests will be accommodated as long as a carriage is available. Payment is by cash or Disney Resort room charge. No credit cards will be accepted.

For parents with teenagers in tow no resort would be complete without an arcade. Fort Wilderness has two: Davy Crockett arcade at pioneer hall and Daniel Boone arcade at the Meadows Trading Post.

While not exactly cheap Fort Wilderness provides two very unique and very Disney dinner shows.

Fort Wilderness is home to one of the longest continuously running dinner shows in the U.S.A. The Hoop-De-Doo Musical Cabaret is a Walt Disney World institution and requires an advance reservation as it is sold out every night. Hoop-De-Doo is not what you would call sophisticated entertainment, rather it is a blend of country and western, corny jokes, and a backyard barbecue. That having been said it is great fun! The food is good and plentiful the energetic performers put everything they've got into the show and really seem to be enjoying themselves and the audience get really involved. In short a good time is had by all!!

This raucous barbecue is a country hoe down Disney style! Mickey, Minnie, Goofy, Chip and Dale are on hand to entertain along with a very good country band. The show is run by two energetic hosts who are very funny and try their best to maintain order!. There are also line dancing lessons and an amazing lassoing demonstration. The food is standard barbecue fare and there is unlimited free sodas for the kids as well as free beer and wine for the adults.

Mickey's Backyard Barbecue is not for everyone. If you are looking for a quiet meal this is definitely not for you. It is more like organized mayhem!! But if you want to let your hair down a bit, dance to some pretty darn good country music, and chow down on all you can eat barbecue food this is the place for you!

The Barbecue is held in a covered pavilion at Fort Wilderness on Thursdays and Saturdays from March 1st to December 29th the cost is $44.95 for ages 10 and up and $26.99 for ages 3-9 tax and gratuity included. Advance reservations are required.

Fort Wilderness Trails End Restaurant offers one of the best all you can eat bargains on Disney property. While still not cheap, this buffet offers good food and plenty of it at prices well below all the other other Disney buffets. Trails end is open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

Breakfast: $11.99 for ages 10 to Adult, $7.99 for ages 3 to 9: Breakfast buffet items include, eggs, Mickey waffles, sausage gravy, bacon, sausage, pastries, and fresh fruit.

Lunch : $12.99 ages 10 to adult, $8.99 ages 3 to 9.: Lunch buffet items include, soup, salad bar, barbecue items, hot and cold sandwiches, chili pizza, etc.

Dinner: $17.99 ages 10 to adult $9.99 ages 3 to 9. :Dinner Buffet items include, peel and eat shrimp, hand carved roast meats, soup, salad bar, pasta, pork ribs, pizza and more.

Fast food stand with a limited menu hot dogs, mini pizzas, nachos and cheese, popcorn, sodas, coffee, etc

If you are in the mood for some adult refreshment, Crocketts Tavern has you covered with all manner of drinks both with and without alcohol. There are no tables just a few bar stools so you have to enjoy your drinks outside.

There are three ways you can stay at Fort Wilderness. Bring your own tent and rent a campsite, bring your own motor home or trailer and rent a space to park it , or rent one of the 400 or so deluxe cabins Disney has on site.

I haven't tried camping and don't own a motor home but I have spent a very enjoyable vacation in one of the Fort Wilderness cabins. The cabins sleep up to six and are very comfortable (my kids loved the bunk beds). They have a full kitchen, dining area with table and chairs, a bedroom with a full size bed and two bunk beds, living room area with a sofa, TV and VCR, as well as a fold down Queen size Murphy bed (to my wife and my surprise we found this to be very comfortable) , and a very nice, if a little small, bathroom. There is also a pleasant wooden deck with a picnic table and charcoal barbecue grill. The nice thing about staying in the cabins is the feeling of peaceful seclusion they provide. You would never know you were anywhere near the most popular vacation destination on the planet.

For those that choose to bring a tent and camp, the facilities that I looked at were excellent. The comfort stations (bathrooms) were clean and well maintained. They have private showers, restrooms, laundry facilities, ice machines, and pay phones. Camping at Fort Wilderness is definitely the cheapest way to stay at Disney. You receive all the benefits of staying on property without paying the big hotel price, but you do sacrifice somewhat in comfort and privacy.

The motor homes I saw were fabulous. Once they hook up to the electric and sewer lines they have all the comforts of home. Now that's my kind of camping. Maybe one day! Oh well, I can dream anyway. The owners I spoke to said Fort Wilderness is one of the best campsites in the U.S. and the facilities are second to none.

One recommendation I have is if you plan to spend more than one night at Fort Wilderness, call ahead and reserve a golf cart. Cars and trucks are banned inside the campgrounds with the exception of driving to and from the entrance, to where ever you are staying. You can't use them for driving around the grounds.

The camp grounds are so vast they require an internal bus service to transport guests from place to place. This is okay but can be a little annoying from time to time. Renting a golf cart solves the problem and is also great fun. I think it adds immeasurably to the whole experience.

Transportation from Fort Wilderness is by boat to the Magic Kingdom, Contemporary, Wilderness Lodge, Polynesian and Grand Floridian hotels. There is bus transportation to everywhere else. My family likes to take the boat whenever possible. It is a lot more fun than the bus and once on the other side of the lake we have access to the monorail. Also, if traveling to another Disney resort by bus, it is much faster and more efficient to use the Magic Kingdom or Ticket and Transportation Center as a starting point. You can pick up a direct bus to your destination from these locations.

Groceries, souvenirs, candy, and soda, are available at two different locations, The Meadow and Settlement Trading Outposts. Prices are a little high for groceries and most guests shop outside the resort at either Goodings or Publix. Goodings in the crossroads shopping center, is closer but Publix is cheaper. The settlement trading outposts are great for souvenir shopping and snacks such as ice cream, chips, soda ,candy, etc, and for stocking up on small items you forgot to buy at the store.