18 Things to Do at Fort Wilderness Resort

While planning a stay at the Disney World campground we got caught up in creating a list of things to do at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort. And boy is there is a lot to do! Of course we knew about the Chip n Dale Campfire Sing-A-Long. And we knew about the Hoop de Doo Revue. But we had no idea you could watch ( and listen to) the Happily Ever After Fireworks Show from the beach. Or ride the horses, take a carriage ride, learn archery and go canoeing. And so whether you’re staying at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort and Campground, or just in Orlando, Florida for a visit, here is everything you can do at this Disney Resort. No park ticket or stay required.

Watch the Magic Kingdom Fireworks from the Beach 

Every evening when the Magic Kingdom shows the Happily Ever After Fireworks display you can find guests at Fort Wilderness lining the beach and dock near Pioneer Hall. You can even hear the entire show and songs that are piped in through the speakers. Just grab a spot on the beach, or at one of the tables at the marina, and watch the fireworks over the water! 

Attend the Chip and Dale Campfire Sing-a-long

An absolute must do, this little escape for s’mores at The Meadows, features a cowboy playing songs, and telling jokes alongside Chip and Dale. We loved this extra special evening activity at the resort, and you can enjoy it even if you’re not staying here. The Chip and Dale Campfire Sing A Long is about 40 minutes, and includes a s’mores roast before and the movie under the stars afterwards. 

Eat at the Chuck Wagon Food Truck

Found near the Chip N Dale Campfire Sing-A-Long in the Meadows Trading Post area, check out the Chuck Wagon Food Truck Menu for options. And if you visit Fort Wilderness at Christmastime, this little chuck wagon turns into the RV we all know and love from National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation! 

Grab a Meal at Trails End Restaurant

Trails End is the main restaurant on property at Fort Wilderness. Check out the Trails End Restaurant Menu for the full lineup for everything to eat at breakfast, lunch and dinner. Camping families may want the break from campfire food, and this restaurant offers a family friendly meal that includes things like ribs, pizza, chicken and salads. 

Relax on the Beach!

Fort Wilderness Resort and Campground has a beautiful expansive beach located near the boat launch. With lots of chairs, umbrellas, and plenty of room to spread, this beach was one of our favorite spots during our stay. Grab a good book and read, take out the sand toys and play with the kids, or just enjoy the sand between your toes.

Order Food from P & J’s Southern Takeout

A perk of being at Fort Wilderness is that it’s so low key, you can walk in and get amazing takeout meals to take back to your site, eat at a picnic table or bring to the beach. We loved the convenience of being able to grab a pizza to share outside without having to cook something over the fire. With the playground, beach and gift shop nearby at in The Settlement area where you’ll find P&J’s.

Grab Dinner at the Hoop Dee Doo Musical Review

This dinner with a show brings you back to the wild west! The Hoop Dee Doo Musical Review offers dinner and a show at 4:00 PM, 6:15 PM, 8:30 PM, and reservations are required! Located in the Pioneer Hall at Fort Wilderness, if you’re coming over by boat, this is one of the restaurants right near the marina dock. This memorable Disney dinner show lasts about 2 hours, and includes zany performances with a western flair. This meal is an all-you-care-to-enjoy family style meal with fried chicken, smoked BBQ pork ribs, salad, cowboy beans, fresh-baked cornbread, macaroni-and-cheese and creamy coleslaw.

Schedule Archery Lessons

Perfect for children 7 and up, you can check out the Archery Lessons offered daily at Fort Wilderness. You can join a cast member for some archery practice. No experience necessary. $45 per person, this 75 minute lesson includes everything you need to help hit the bullseye. Grab a reservation for an Archery Lesson at Disney.

Take a Carriage Ride

Did you know you could take a carriage ride at Disney World? Only a couple resorts offer this, and Fort Wilderness is one of them! Fitting up to 4 people, the Carriage Rides at Fort Wilderness typically run about $65 dollars for a 25 minute ride around the resort. A very fun time, we highly recommend this fun activity for families or Disney couples. You will need to make a reservation, so be sure to plan ahead of time. 

See the Electrical Water Pageant Parade

If you’ve never seen the electrical water pageant, we think you should! Even if you just watch it once, it’s super simple but very nostalgic and reminds us a lot of the Main Street Electrical Parade. This Water Pageant visits all the lagoon resorts around Magic Kingdom including the Monorail Resorts, the nearby Disney’s Wilderness Lodge and Fort Wilderness. Starting earlier in the evening this water parade visits each resort for a little 15-minute show, and can be viewed from the beach at Fort Wilderness every night at 10:15 pm.

Visit the Horses

Fort Wilderness offer horse riding, horse viewing and loads of fun at the Horse Barn at Tri-Circle D Ranch. Ahhh, the feeling of being in the country always lends to relaxation. You can meet the horses that pull Cinderella’s carriage, hire a trail ride and do a few rounds at the stables. You can also see the Dragon Calliope—a horse-drawn musical instrument that Walt Disney purchased for the Mickey Mouse Club Circus Parade at Disneyland Park in the 1950s. The barns include a variety of horses and ponies including Appaloosas, Arabians, Belgians, Clydesdales, Percherons and Quarter Horses, plus Shetland Ponies.

The main barn at Tri-Circle D Ranch Stable is located in The Settlement area and is open from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM daily to visiting guests. The smaller barn on the property is located at the Main Entrance of the Park, known as The Trail Blaze Corral this is the barn that is close to the bus stop, and where you check in for horseback riding. 

Rent a Canoe, Kayak or Motor Boat

Need some time in the great outdoors? It’s still Florida, so no you can’t swim in the lakes and rivers here, but you can rent a canoe, kayak, or motorized boat and enjoy some of the waterways throughout Walt Disney World. Prices start at $13 and you can find out more information here.

Rent a Bike and Explore

You can walk the trails or bike your way around the resort at any time. Whether you’re staying there or not! You can rent a bike at the bike barn anytime 9AM- 5PM. It’s perfect for a leisurely sort of day, and something the other Disney Resorts just don’t have! 

Watch an Outdoor Movie at The Meadows

Like all Disney Resorts, Fort Wilderness offers Movies Under the Stars! Fort Wilderness has a bleacher-filled little movie theater right on grounds. Unlike the other resorts where the evening lawn movies just take place on the lawn, Fort Wilderness goes all out. At this little outdoor movie you get access to the Chuck Wagon for snacks. Plus you can do  s’mores at the campfire beforehand. Just head to the Meadows Area for seats where you can get cozy.

Go for a Trail Ride with the Horses at Disney

If you’re ready for a little adventure through the wilderness, you can book Horseback Riding at Fort Wilderness. At $65 per person, you can book a 45 minute trail ride on a perfectly trained horse. We LOVE this as a special activity you can do at Disney World.

Visit all 21 Camping Loops 

Did you know that Fort Wilderness is the biggest Disney Resort? You can Walk, Bike, or Drive a Golf Cart to all 21 Camping Loops. With so much to explore, you’ll want to make plenty of time to simply walk around and see it all. The camping loops at Fort Wilderness consist of campsite loops, RV loops, and Cabin Loops. Put it on your list to visit them all. Each has a different natural setting, and feel. And campers tend to decorate their campsite with Disney fun. Everything from blow up lawn ornaments to cute Disney family plaques, there is plenty to appreciate here. 

Take the Wilderness Back Trail Adventure Tour

Rent a Segway and head into the wilderness! This guided tour offers a 2-hour circuit that includes stops at Tri-Circle D Ranch, and Bay Lake. Following a cast member across the property you can learn trivia, listen to stories and hear anecdotes along the way, via a headset. This tour is 2 hours for anyone 16 years and up. Typically starts at 8:30 AM and costs between $90- $99 per person. Book this Fort Wilderness Tour.

Visit Fort Wilderness for the Holidays

Nothing is quite like seeing Fort Wilderness at Christmas. Or any holiday for that matter. No matter the campsite, everyone takes part in decorating their sites with decorations, lights and more! We absolutely love Fort Wilderness at Christmas, and even better, you can add a special Holiday Sleigh Ride during the Christmas season too. Perfect if you’re looking for something extra festive, the Disney Sleigh Ride at Fort Wilderness runs $80, for a 25 minute ride. Reservations are required! 

Fort Wilderness Resort Activities List

If you’re looking for fun ways to add loads of mostly free fun on your next visit to Walt Disney World head to Fort Wilderness. We absolutely loved our time here and could easily spend a month hanging out at this resort. Hopefully you love it as much as we do. Check out the full list of recreational activities available at Fort Wilderness Resort and Campground.