The Cabins at Disney's Fort Wilderness Resort offers a luxurious twist on camping. Each 500-square-foot space has one bedroom and sleeps six people.
Carly Caramanna
On Monday, Disney World opened the first phase of The Cabins at Disney's Fort Wilderness Resort, a luxurious twist on traditional camping.
Fort Wilderness is one of the Orlando theme park's original lodging options, but the older log cabins have now been replaced with new, colorful ones. (Earlier this year, people could buy the old builds for just under $50,000 a pop.)
Although the property is surrounded by nature and has rustic decor, it also has modern touches and upscale amenities. Plus, it's just a short boat ride away from Magic Kingdom.
Each cabin is about 500 square feet, with one bedroom and one full bathroom. The space sleeps up to six and prices vary but are typically over $500 a night.
As a member of the media, I toured The Cabins before they opened to the public. Here's a look inside.
Jenna Clark
The colorful new cabins are located at Fort Wilderness, a 750-acre property that's been open since the 1970s.
The outdoorsy resort is home to a more basic campsite, a lodge, five eateries, two pools, and a range of outdoor activities.
Carly Caramanna
Visitors can explore the Fort Wilderness property on foot, by shuttle, or by personal golf cart. The preferred way to get around the large property seems to be by golf carts, which can be rented for $70 a day.
They can be parked right outside of a cabin and at desired locations, like pools and restaurants. Each cabin is also equipped with an on-site electrical-vehicle charging station.
Carly Caramanna
The cabins are located along a set of streets near the front of the resort. Each has a personal grill and parking space on its property.
Carly Caramanna
Each cabin's private patio has views of the surrounding woodlands and is furnished with a dining table and chairs complete with Mickey Mouse detailing.
Carly Caramanna
The cabin's main room includes a full kitchen, dining table, living room, and sitting area.
The living room has a TV, sitting area, and a couch that's also a queen-size Murphy bed.
Carly Caramanna
Although the cabins have a rustic style, they have modern appliances, including a dishwasher, large refrigerator, full-size oven, microwave, and coffee maker.
The kitchens also come with dishware and other essentials needed for preparing food.
Carly Caramanna
The main living room overlooks the trees and patio through large floor-to-ceiling windows.
Carly Caramanna
The main bedroom sleeps up to four with a queen bed and a bunk bed. It has a large TV and storage, including an armoire and drawers below the bunk bed.
Carly Caramanna
The bathroom has a large walk-in shower, closet space, sink, toilet, and lit-up mirror.
Carly Caramanna
For convenience, most cabins have a second sink and vanity located outside the bathroom, making it possible for multiple people to get ready at the same time.
Disney also uses this split design on its cruise ships.
Carly Caramanna
Artwork throughout the space honors camping traditions, like canoeing and archery. Guests will also find characters like Chip 'n' Dale and nods to Disney World's opening year, 1971.
Carly Caramanna
The cabin contains fascinating Disney Easter eggs, like a nod to the former River Country, a water park near Fort Wilderness that closed in 2001.
Carly Caramanna
Guests at The Cabins have access to Fort Wilderness's complimentary on-site activities, such as the pools, fireside sing-a-longs, and nature trails. Fishing excursions, archery, and horseback riding are available for an added cost.
Plus, the property is home to the popular Hoop-Dee Musical Revue dinner show.
Although the resort feels removed, it has private boat transportation to Magic Kingdom and complimentary shuttle service to other parks and Disney Springs.
Carly Caramanna
Overall, with so much to do on-site and space to dine around the property (and within each cabin), this wilderness-inspired retreat is especially perfect for an untraditional Disney vacation.
The new cabins are available to book, but the property is still a work in progress. Once the full project is complete, the property is set to have 350 freestanding cabins.
The Cabins is also a Disney Vacation Club property, so members of that timeshare program can cash in points at this resort and receive priority bookings.
