Camping just got a major Disney makeover.
On July 1, The Cabins at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort opened at the property’s famous campground. These new models are an updated version of the existing log cabin-style accommodations, featuring modern touches like floor-to-ceiling windows, vaulted ceilings, and whimsical artwork. Once construction is complete, more than 350 new cabins will be available for booking.
Modern Comfort Meets Nature at Fort Wilderness
Fort Wilderness, which opened in 1971, has long been home to the most “natural” setting at Walt Disney World. With 750 acres of Florida pine and cypress, it provides a haven for both weary tourists and wildlife. Tent camping and RV hook-ups are also available.
For those seeking the tranquility of nature along with the comforts of home, the new cabins offer a full kitchen, a walk-in shower, and plush queen and bunk beds. The bunk beds have sleeping-bag style blankets, giving a nod to traditional camping.
“I would say it is a bit of glamping,” says Suzanne Szak, a senior interior designer with Walt Disney Imagineering. “The new cabins have a much more open, modern feel, much lighter and brighter. We still have touches of wood on the floor, the ceiling, the furniture of course. But it’s a much more updated, modern palette. The windows bring a lot of natural light that connect guests to nature, which is something we really wanted to do.”
When asked about any Disney Easter eggs in the decor, Szak said, “No hidden Mickeys — we’re showcasing Chip and Dale here. You see them in the forefront in some of the artwork, and in other artwork they’re a little bit more hidden. You also find them when you draw the drapes in the living room — they’re almost running across the fence. So that’s a fun, discoverable moment.”
Family Fun and Outdoor Activities
Visitors can enjoy an in-person experience with Chip and Dale at the campground’s nightly campfire singalong. Guests can also watch a movie under the stars and roast s’mores, with Disney selling s’more kits complete with child-safe sticks.
Other back-to-basics activities include fishing, kayaking, horseback riding, and archery. These activities are priced separately from the accommodations, but it’s free to visit the horses at the stables, where the pristine white ponies that pull Cinderella’s carriage spend their off-duty hours.
Dining options at the Fort Wilderness Campground include several fast-casual eateries, groceries at two “trading posts,” and the famed Hoop-Dee-Doo Musical Revue, a dinner theater show that marked its 50th birthday on June 30.
A Multi-Generational Experience
With accommodations for up to six people per cabin — plus pets — the resort’s multi-generational appeal has room for everyone, says Cesar Avila, senior manager of marketing and sales strategy for Disney Vacation Club. “You can bring grandparents along,” he says. “I stayed in the cabins recently. I brought my parents, and I had my daughter and wife with me, and you can all spread out.”
The Cabins at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort are the newest property in the Disney Vacation Club, a vacation ownership program. Visitors can purchase vacation points to stay at the new cabins or book at WaltDisneyWorld.com. Prices vary based on date and type of cabin, with the original cabins averaging $469 per night.
via PEOPLE