Five Things You Need to Know Before Staying at The Fort’s Cabins

If you are used to staying in traditional Disney Vacation Club (DVC) accommodations, the Cabins at Disney’s Fort Wilderness are a bit different. Find out five things you need to know before staying in these new DVC cabins.

Fort Wilderness

Feel close to the magic by camping near the magic! Guests will take in the American frontier with all different types of wildlife including deer, rabbits, ducks, and armadillos that will roam the resort. Can you believe that this resort takes up 750 acres? You can relax in the great outdoors only minutes from Magic Kingdom!

Fort Wilderness Campground is commonly known as “The Fort.” The Fort offers a unique way to experience Walt Disney World Resort. Be sure to check out the complete guide to The Fort HERE.

At Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground, you will find trails, two pools, and entertainment and activities of all kinds! This resort is unique as you won’t find any other resort like it at Disney. The resort opened on November 19, 1971. It consists of both campsites and cabins for guests to enjoy. 

It is also important to note that there is a difference between Fort Wilderness and The Wilderness Lodge, many confuse these two resorts. Check out the differences HERE.

New Disney Vacation Club Cabins

The Cabins at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort will eventually (staggered opening of cabin loops) offer a total of over 350 cabins that “bring refreshed cabin hideaways.” This DVC (Disney Vacation Club) resort is the 17th Disney Vacation Club Resort and began welcoming Guests on July 1, 2024.

Want to see what the previous cabins looked like? Check out our review HERE.

I (Heather) love these new cabins, however they are different than other DVC accomodations. Be sure to see a full tour of these cabins HERE.

Different Than Other One Bedroom Villas

The DVC cabins at Fort Wilderness are considered a one bedroom, however they are very different from the traditional DVC one bedroom villas. These unique accommodations offer an amazing and one-of-a-kind vacation experience. 

Because these cabins are so unique, there are some things you need to know before you stay in them. We have compiled five things you need to know before you stay in the DVC cabins at Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground.

Pool Towels

This is the one resort on Disney property that does not provide towels at the pools. If Guests staying in the DVC cabins have not brought a pool towel, they can request more towels and use those. Disney even recommends this to their Guests staying in the cabins. You can find this statement on the in-room TV. The statement says, 

“Towels are not available at the pools, so please take your room towels with you when going for a swim. To request additional towels or other amenities, please contact Housekeeping via your in-room phone.” 

It is important to note that Guests who are not staying in the cabins will not be provided towels. There are also no towels for Guests at any comfort station.

Ice

When staying at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort and Campground, ice is not free like other Disney resorts. At each comfort station there are ice machines that you can purchase ice. 

However, you will not need to purchase ice if staying in the new DVC cabins. The refrigerators have an ice maker. Be sure to turn the ice maker on when you first arrive in order to have plenty of ice throughout your trip!

Laundry

DVC Members currently get free laundry. Members are also use to having a washer and drying in their villa when staying in a one bedroom villa or larger. The DVC cabins do not have in-room laundry.  Guests of the cabins will also need to provide their own laundry detergent. You can bring your own or purchase some at any comfort station.

Free laundry is still included in your stay, however it is not located in each cabin. Even when the Wilderness Pool comfort station was under construction the Guests of the cabins were able to get access to free laundry at another comfort station! 

Free laundry is amazing perk when staying at a DVC resort. Even though the laundry isn’t in the room, if you have a golf cart the laundry is just a short ride away. 

No Bathtub

Another unique feature to the DVC cabins at The Fort is that they do not have bathtubs. Other one bedroom villas and larger have a jetted or soaker tub. 

The cabin has a large walk in shower, but no tub. This is important for families with littles, as they may need a bathtub. Not having a bathtub could be a deal breaker for some especially after running around the campground all day.

Golf Cart

Similar to the Disney Vacation Club Resorts like Old Key West and Saratoga Springs, the Fort is a large resort with an internal bus system. However unlike Old Key West and Saratoga, at The Fort you can rent a golf cart to travel around the resort! 

This is not a must, but a golf cart can make your stay more enjoyable. I recommend renting a golf cart for at least part of your stay. It makes getting to the park bus stops, pools, quick service restaurant, and laundry a breeze. It also gives you the freedom to tour the campground and go loopin’ to see other campers’ set ups. Guests at The Fort can go all out with decorations at their sites and seeing everyone’s set up and decorations is a lot fun.

Final Thoughts

These five need to know things will help to enhance your next stay at the DVC Cabins at The Fort. Knowing the uniqueness and differences that the new cabins offer can help you best prepare for your stay or if it is the right accommodation for you. 

The new DVC cabins at Fort Wilderness may be my new favorite DVC accommodation.

I personally love that the cabins are so different than other DVC villas as it keeps all the charm The Fort has to offer. The Fort is such a unique Disney resort, and will sure to be a magical vacation you won’t soon forget.

Have you stayed in the DVC Cabins at The Fort? Do you like this addition to The Fort or do you miss the old cabins? Let us know in the comments below and be sure to share this post with your friends!