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There’s a lot to see and do at Walt Disney World Resort. The giant property is home to four theme parks, Magic Kingdom, Hollywood Studios, Animal Kingdom, EPCOT, its own shopping and entertainment district at Disney Springs, golf courses, water parks, and so much more. As well, Walt Disney World is home to thousands of rooms at numerous beautiful and highly-themed Disney World resort hotels.
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It seems that every guest who visits Walt Disney World has their favorite Disney Resort. Some love the elegance and southern feel of Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort, while others prefer a quieter experience at Coronado Springs. Some guests enjoy resorts that have direct access to Disney transportation’s Skyliner option, such as Pop Century, while others would instead make their decision based on fabulous food like that found at Disney’s Port Orleans Resort.
Disney World Resorts: Different Options for Different People
Whichever Disney resort hotel you choose during your stay at Walt Disney World, you’ll find different amenities and pros and cons to each. However, one thing that dictates the decision-making process for many regarding where they’ll lay their heads once the gates to Magic Kingdom close is price.
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Disney World is expensive. Staying on Disney property can be extremely pricey. For this reason, many choose to remain “off property,” choosing good neighbor hotels scattered around the Lake Buena Vista area of Orlando. Many of these options have direct transportation to Disney World. However, a Walt Disney World Resort hotel is the best option for those wanting to immerse themselves in the magic deeply.
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For this reason, Disney has created a tiered resort system. Although nowadays, it’s never cheap to stay at Disney World, it can be more affordable if you decide to go the value route. These are smaller hotels, typically designed much like you’d expect a cheaper room to be. That doesn’t mean they’re bad. In fact, many choose Disney’s Art of Animation Resort or All-Star Music Resort, among others, because they feel the theming, which features classic Disney characters, fits better with the immersive environment they’re looking for.
A step up in price will lead you to moderate resort hotels. This is the sweet spot for many. Resorts such as Caribbean Beach, Port Orleans Riverside, Beach and Yacht Club, and Coronado Springs offer an upgraded experience compared to value-style alternatives. Complete with more amenities, table service options, and more, these resorts are where many call home during their Walt Disney World vacations.
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Finally, you have the deluxe resort options at Walt Disney World. These are going to cost you a pretty penny. Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort, Disney’s Contemporary Resort, and the Grand Floridian at Walt Disney World are the creme of the crop for lodging at the most magical place on Earth. Not only are they beautiful, historic, and close to park entrances, with all three residing on the monorail loop outside of Magic Kingdom, but they often come with unique perks, such as early magic hours in the parks. They also all come with highly sought-after dining experiences, such as Chef Mickey’s or The Dining Room at Victoria and Albert’s.
Fort Wilderness Resort and Campground
Fort Wilderness Resort and Campground are a unique option at Walt Disney World. Sure, like other Disney resorts, Fort Wilderness offers complimentary transportation services to Animal Kingdom, EPCOT, and Disney Springs and has food and whatnot, but what really makes it stand out for guests to Walt Disney World is the camping!
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You read that correctly: camping at Walt Disney World. Guests to Fort Wilderness Resort can go camping in a tent or an RV at the campgrounds located within the resort property. This isn’t just any ole camping site either; it’s a lifestyle, especially around the holidays when the campgrounds light up with Halloween and Christmas decorations.
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Fort Wilderness Resort and Campgrounds are fully equipped and ready to take on RVs of almost any size. As well, if you don’t own an RV, you can just rent one and have it delivered to your campground location! Convenient, right?!
In addition to camping, Fort Wilderness Resort offers a great deal of unique interaction, making it a shining gem among Walt Disney World guests. Archery, horseback riding, and canoeing are all part of the recreational fun you’ll find at this moderate-level Disney World resort.
Resort Hopping
Resort-hopping is a fun pastime for many during their “rest day” at Walt Disney World. Much like park-hopping, resort-hopping includes taking a break from parks like EPCOT and Animal Kingdom to check out as many Disney resorts as possible. Guests can use transportation options such as the Disney Skyliner, buses, boats, and monorails to check out the amazing scenery at resorts like Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge or even the Swan and Dolphin.
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Resort hopping is a fun way to explore shops and restaurants around Walt Disney World or check out one of the many well-themed pools. However, you can leave your sunscreen and flip-flops at home, as pool-hopping is highly discouraged at Walt Disney World.
Disney Resort Closings
It’s very rare that a Disney Resort will close. Even during hurricanes when the parks are not in operation, Resorts typically stay active with guest activity, acting as a safe haven for those seeking shelter from the storm. However, Fort Wilderness Lodge and Campgrounds recently announced that from October 26 to November 2, the resort would be closed to day guests, meaning resort-hopping is out of the question!
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According to Orlando Theme Park News, this “hard closure” will begin two days from the time this article was published, banning guests who do not have a resort or dining reservation. As well, guests to Fort Wilderness Lodge will not be able to add day guests to their existing reservations.
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Very little information was provided about the change or what might be happening to prevent guests from visiting, but it looks like if you’re visiting Walt Disney World over the next few days and were hoping to check out some of the amazing amenities offered at the popular resort, you’re out of luck.
Why do you think Disney would be banning day guests to Fort Wilderness Resort over the next few days?
It is because of Halloween. Trick or Treating and the Halloween golf cart parade make this holiday the biggest extravaganza at Fort Wilderness. You are not allowed in without a camping reservation.
I am in Water craft at Magic Kingdom and these resorts and this isn’t correct at all! We literally just brought back the Blue route for the boats a few weeks ago to help with resort hoping from campgrounds, the lodges, and contemporary!!