The Campsites at Disney's Fort Wilderness Resort vs Walt Disney World Dolphin

The Campsites at Disney's Fort Wilderness Resort

Photo: The Campsites at Disney's Fort Wilderness Resort
Value Magic Kingdom Resort Area
Walt Disney World Dolphin

Photo: Walt Disney World Dolphin Resort
Deluxe Epcot Resort Area
Alex Young
Alex Young
· Updated · 5 min read

At a Glance

Tier

The Campsites at Disney's Fort Wilderness

Value

Walt Disney World Dolphin

Deluxe

Area

The Campsites at Disney's Fort Wilderness

Magic Kingdom Resort Area

Walt Disney World Dolphin

Epcot Resort Area

Transportation

The Campsites at Disney's Fort Wilderness

Boat, Bus

Walt Disney World Dolphin

Walk, Boat, Bus

Table-Service Dining

The Campsites at Disney's Fort Wilderness

1 restaurant

Walt Disney World Dolphin

7 restaurants

Quick-Service Dining

The Campsites at Disney's Fort Wilderness

3 locations

Walt Disney World Dolphin

3 locations

Pool Amenities

The Campsites at Disney's Fort Wilderness

Pool, Quiet Pool, fort-themed water play area, complete with their own toddler-friendly slides

Walt Disney World Dolphin

Pool

Extended Evening Hours

The Campsites at Disney's Fort Wilderness

No

Walt Disney World Dolphin

Yes

Top Highlight

The Campsites at Disney's Fort Wilderness

Most unique Disney resort experience with camping and cabin options

Walt Disney World Dolphin

Walking distance to EPCOT and Disney's Hollywood Studios

Overview

The Campsites at Disney's Fort Wilderness Resort

Camp amid the magic of the great outdoors. Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground evokes the timeless beauty of the American frontier, with deer, rabbits, ducks and armadillos roaming the Resort’s 750 acres of pine and cypress forest. Discover charming woodland trails, spectacular pool areas and rip-roarin’ entertainment at this picturesque backcountry retreat.

Walt Disney World Dolphin

A large Marriott-operated convention resort on Crescent Lake with Disney benefits and direct access to the Epcot-area walkway network.

Amenities

The Campsites at Disney's Fort Wilderness Resort

Recreation

  • Pool
  • Quiet Pool
  • fort-themed water play area, complete with their own toddler-friendly slides
  • archery
  • horseback riding
  • charming woodland trails
  • Campfire Program
  • Arcade
  • Playground
  • Marina
  • Volleyball
  • Bike Barn and recreational paths for biking and walking
  • Equipment available for fishing, canoes, and kayaks from Bike Barn

Other

  • Laundry Facilities
  • Child Care
  • Trading Post shop at settlement area

Walt Disney World Dolphin

Recreation

  • Pool
  • Tennis Courts
  • Jogging Trail
  • Arcade
  • Playground
  • Camp Dolphin for children ages 4-12 from 5pm to midnight with themed activities, video games, arts and crafts
  • Swan paddleboat rentals on the white sand beach

Wellness

  • Fitness Center
  • Spa

Rooms

  • Club Level

Other

  • Laundry Facilities
  • Child Care
  • Business Center
  • Boat launch courtyard between Swan and Dolphin; Friendship launches to Epcot and Hollywood Studios
  • Gift Shop

Transportation

The Campsites at Disney's Fort Wilderness Resort

  • Boat

    Magic Kingdom Park

  • Bus

    Magic Kingdom Park, EPCOT, Disney's Hollywood Studios, Disney's Animal Kingdom Theme Park, Disney Springs

Walt Disney World Dolphin

  • Walk

    EPCOT, Disney's Hollywood Studios

  • Boat

    EPCOT, Disney's Hollywood Studios

  • Bus

    Magic Kingdom Park, Disney's Animal Kingdom Theme Park, Disney Springs

Pros

The Campsites at Disney's Fort Wilderness Resort

  • Most unique Disney resort experience with camping and cabin options
  • Heavily wooded, peaceful and nature-focused atmosphere
  • Boat service to Magic Kingdom and Disney's Contemporary Resort
  • Chip n Dale's Campfire Singalong free nightly program for guests
  • Pet-friendly accommodations available at campsites

Walt Disney World Dolphin

  • Walking distance to EPCOT and Disney's Hollywood Studios
  • Can be booked with Marriott/SPG hotel points for potentially free nights
  • Crescent Lake location with boat service and BoardWalk access
  • Shula's Steakhouse and Il Mulino are top-tier dining options on property
  • Often cheaper than equivalent Disney-owned Deluxe resorts

Cons

The Campsites at Disney's Fort Wilderness Resort

  • Getting to most other parks requires bus and often a transfer
  • Campsites require camping gear and setup which not all guests want
  • Very spread out resort, internal transportation buses are slow
  • Cabins are expensive relative to other Moderate resort options
  • Limited dining on-site, Hoop-Dee-Doo Revue is the main option

Walt Disney World Dolphin

  • Not a Disney-owned resort, so no Early Entry or advance booking perks
  • Resort and parking fees are high in addition to the nightly rate
  • Dated exterior design with the iconic dolphin statues divides opinion
  • Rooms were historically smaller and less updated than Disney Deluxes
  • Bus service to non-walkable parks is less reliable than Disney buses

On-Site Dining

The Campsites at Disney's Fort Wilderness Resort

  • Crockett's Tavern

    Quick Service

    American

    snack

    View menu

  • Hoop-Dee-Doo Musical Revue

    Table Service

    American

    dinner

    View menu

  • Meadow Snack Bar

    Quick Service

    American

    snack

    View menu

  • Trail's End Restaurant

    Quick Service

    American

    breakfast

    View menu

Walt Disney World Dolphin

  • Bourbon Steak - A Michael Mina Restaurant

    Table Service

    American, Steakhouse

    dinner

    View menu

  • Bourbon Steak Lounge

    Quick Service

    American, Steakhouse

    snack

    View menu

  • Cabana Bar and Beach Club

    Table Service

    American

    snack

    View menu

  • Fuel

    Table Service

    American, Quick Service - Coffee

    snack

    View menu

  • Phins

    Table Service

    American

    dinner

    View menu

  • Rosa Mexicano

    Table Service

    Mexican

    breakfast · lunch · dinner

    View menu

  • Rosa Mexicano Lounge

    Quick Service

    Mexican

    snack

    View menu

  • The Fountain

    Table Service

    American

    lunch · dinner

    View menu

  • Todd English's bluezoo

    Table Service

    Seafood

    dinner

    View menu

  • Todd English's bluezoo Lounge

    Quick Service

    Seafood

    snack

    View menu

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The Campsites at Disney's Fort Wilderness Resort

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