Our Family’s Review of the Disney Vacation Club Cabins at Fort Wilderness Resort: Nature, Magic, and Adventure
Charming guests for over 50 years, Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground is a favorite among many families. Now, new beautiful and modern cabins have arrived at Disney’s Fort Wilderness as a result of Disney Vacation Club. Members and guests alike can stay in a one bedroom cabin that marries modern amenities with Disney magic and nature’s beauty.
My family of three just experienced a two night stay courtesy of Disney Vacation Club as part of a small media group. I have stayed inside the original cabins at Fort Wilderness a few times over the past 30 years, and these new cabins bring much of the same charm as the original cabins, but with elevated decor and other enhancements. They’re gorgeous!
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Come take a look with us and see what it’s like. I personally love vacation homes like these, and thankfully Orlando has lots of options. Saddle up and take a look for yourself!
Important note: You do not have to be a Disney Vacation Club Member in order to stay at the DVC Cabins. However, availability and pricing will vary.
First Impressions: Arrival and Check-In
Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground is just down the road from Magic Kingdom theme park. Like all other Disney resorts, you’ll be greeted by a security Cast Member before heading to the check-in building.
If you’re arriving via car look for the 30 minute check-in parking spots. The front desk area is cozy and rustic with a small front desk, concierge desk, and a few chairs including a table with checkers, and some restrooms.
It’s generally worth the money pay for a golf cart rental. If you desire to rent a golf cart you should make arrangements well in advance of your trip. When you check in you will pick up the keys to your golf cart. A signature on the rental agreement is required for anyone of qualifying age that you wish to be able to drive the cart.
You can also use the My Disney Experience app to check in to the resort and be able to go straight to your cabin without needing to stop at the front desk – unless you are renting a golf cart.
A Massive Retreat
Disney’s Fort Wilderness is a 750 acres resort nestled among pine and cypress forest. Portions of this massive campground are settled on Florida wetlands. The resort consists of multiple roads that connect into one larger route. This laidback retreat is ideal for folks who prefer a relaxing Disney World trip.
Each loop is one way traffic with a group of campsites, RV spots, or cabins. The Disney Vacation Club cabins currently consist of the Cedar Circle, with a few other loops under construction.
When I arrived with my family to the Cedar Circle Loop the new nature-inspired colored exterior of each cabin caught my eye.
Disney Vacation Club Fort Wilderness Cabin Layout and Features
The Disney Vacation Club cabins at Fort Wilderness are about 500 square feet, about the same size as the original cabins. The footprint of the cabins cannot change due to the protected wetlands, so these cabins are quite different than the standard one bedroom deluxe villa accommodations at other Disney Vacation Club Resorts.
Let’s take a look inside.
- Sleeps up to 6 people
- One bedroom with queen bed and twin-sized bunk beds
- One queen sized bed in pull-down wall unit
- Fully functional kitchen
- One bathroom with walk in shower, additional sink
- Porch with table and chairs
Living Space: Cozy and Functional
When entering the cabin you’ll be nearest to the kitchen. The small living space, plus the bedroom are on the left, and the bathroom with an extra sink outside of the bathroom are on the right.
As soon as I stepped inside the Disney Vacation Club cabin I felt the difference between these new modern accommodations and the original cabins.
The living space is smaller in the DVC cabins, but the kitchen is larger and the bathroom is larger than the original cabins too. It felt weird that the couch does not face the TV. There is an armchair that can be shifted to face the television. Naturally our son did not mind, and simply reclined on the couch as he zoned in on watching “Disney Jr.”
The television programming at Disney owned hotels is one of my favorite features that makes things easier on parents.
Murphy Bed / Couch in Living Space
The couch easily transforms into a queen bed in one easy pull down motion. This queen bed is a murphy style bed. Disney began using this murphy style bed a few years ago and it still impresses me. It’s so easy to pull down and it’s quite comfortable.
I prefer a firm mattress thanks to my lower back troubles. So others may not enjoy how firm it is, but it is a quality mattress and there are sheets already on it – with an extra blanket and pillows available in the main bedroom’s closet.
When the couch is visible there is artwork featuring Mickey Mouse and Pluto arriving to Fort Wilderness, pulling a camper in the style of “Mickey’s Trailer” a cartoon short from 1938. Once the bed is out there is artwork above it with the camper parked and Mickey, Pluto, Chip and Dale sleeping peacefully.
Related post: Places for Cabin Camping Near Orlando
Kitchen and Dining Space
One of the main things I love about vacation homes, DVC or otherwise, is the having a full kitchen. Not that I am a gourmet chef or desire to cook while on vacation, but it’s so helpful. Breakfast is so much better with a full sized oven, and it’s awesome for heating leftovers.
A full sized dishwasher and a full sized refrigerator, like the ones in the Disney Vacation Club cabins, are a huge relief for my family.
The dining room table seats four, whereas the cabin official sleeps up to six persons. There is an armchair the could easily be moved to the head of the table, leaving the sixth person to sit on the couch perhaps.
An additional table and benches are just outside the door on the large patio.
We made use of the dining table inside our cabin quite a few times during our two night stay. There’s something special about using dishes and glassware rather than just paper plate or cups while inside a vacation home or cabin.
Kitchen appliances in the cabin
- Full-sized refrigerator
- Full-sized dishwasher
- Keurig brand coffee maker with single serve and carafe options
- Oven and stove, with air fryer function
- Microwave
- Toaster
Important note: a washer and dryer are not included in the DVC cabins, which is a first for one bedroom deluxe villas at DVC Resorts. This is because the cabin’s footprint could not change. There are complimentary laundry facilities near the DVC cabins.
A Restful Bedroom
Next to the living area is the bedroom with a queen sized bed, and bunk beds. I immediately felt envious of our son – the bunk beds are precious! There is an adorable nighttime scene along the wall of both beds, plus a marvelous camp lantern light for each bunk bed.
The mattress is very comfortable with a quilted fitted sheet and sleeping bag style comforter on top. I was restless our first night and ended up sleeping on the bottom bunk – adventure!
The queen bed is wonderful, restful, and comfortable. Outlets with USB ports flank both sides of the bed, with a nightstand for each side. Reading lights are inside the headboard and log style artwork of Chip and Dale smiling are hung above the bed.
A massive TV makes it possible for the happy occupants of the bedroom to view what they wish separately from the TV in the living area.
My two favorite features of the bedroom are the two windows, one of which is high towards the ceiling. On the afternoon of our first night I rested on the bed gazing at the treetops as a gentle rain fell upon the leaves. A lovely moment.
Seamless Indoor-Outdoor Living
Every accommodation anywhere, from hotel rooms to villas, has its pros and cons. The pro at the top of my personal list for the Disney Vacation Club cabins is the amount of natural light that can be allowed inside the cabin, if you wish.
It reminds me a little of the Treehouse Villas at Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort (another DVC option).
The front of the cabin has large windows overlooking the patio and natural wooded areas. Then along the top, towards the ceiling there are rectangular windows that allow gorgeous natural light in and provide views of the treetops.
Visiting Orlando in summer can mean afternoon thunderstorms, and gentle rain is common during other seasons. I enjoyed hearing the raindrops on the cabin’s roof.
All windows, including the upper ones, have a pull down shade in case you wish to cover them up. The large windows in the living area have a curtain. I did notice a gap in the edge of the curtains nearest the entry door.
In the morning I loved having the curtain open and enjoyed coffee on the patio. I felt connected to my husband and son who opted to stay in the living area. I could see them through the large windows, as I enjoyed a quiet moment on the patio.
The original log cabins at Fort Wilderness have a basic picnic table, which I enjoyed when we last stayed in 2020. The patio of the DVC cabins has an upgraded patio table with benches plus two very comfortable chairs with Mickey Mouse detail. A marvelous place to relax.
It is truly remarkable to be able to hear birdsong all around and the faint whistle of the Walt Disney World Railroad just a moment away. During our time at the campground we came across a few wild turkeys, some precious brown bunnies, and even a group of Florida deer. This is truly a special place within the Most Magical Place on Earth.
Bathroom Features
Due to the having to stick with the cabin’s original footprint, all while adding in a larger kitchen, the bathroom is on the opposite side of the cabin from the bedroom. There is an extra sink outside of the bathroom door, making it possible for multiple people to get ready for the day at the same time.
And we found a pleasant surprise under the bathroom sink: a step stool! Any parent knows the struggles our little ones face when it’s time to wash hands or brush teeth, they can’t reach the sink! This is the first time I’ve noticed any Disney Vacation Club units having such a feature.
(Side note, the LEGOLAND Florida hotels have step stools in each unit’s bathroom. These hotels are super kid friendly, in case you are considering a LEGOLAND Florida trip.)
One feature that is standard for one bedroom Disney deluxe villas is a large soaking tub, usually with jets. In the case of the DVC Cabins there is a walk-in shower only. I prefer a nice soak at the end of the day, so this is a personal disappointment. However, it all goes back to have to stick to the original footprint of the cabin.
And I am willing the let go of the bath in order to be bathed in the beauty of the wilderness that encompasses each cabin.
Conclusion: A Perfect Family Escape
Ready to book your trip? I can tell you I am already scheming up ways to come back to Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground even though we live just 45 minutes away.
I have had the pleasure of staying at nearly every Disney Vacation Club resort. I love the style of accommodations. Like any longtime Disney fan, I felt trepidation and concern about this change. Disney’s Fort Wilderness is legendary and beloved by many.
And while the original cabins in their log-cabin theme possess charm and nostalgia, these new DVC cabins usher in a new era of modern style, while staying true to the spirit of the campground.
