If your preferred method of vactioning includes hitching a pop-up to your car, there's a wonderful campground located right on Walt Disney World property near the Magic Kingdom called Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground. The resort accomodates tent campers and RV'ers alike, and also provides "wilderness cabins" for those who are camping-challenged. The resort is located on over 700 acres with most campsites shaded by pine and cypress trees. Deer, rabbits, ducks, and even armadillos and peacocks may be seen roaming the campgrounds. The large size of the resort requires its own internal transportation system.

Use of cars to travel the campsite is prohibited except for arrivals and departures. Three buses travel Fort Wilderness to transport guests to the recreation, dining, and park transportation areas. Bus waits can often be long, so using a bike or electric golf cart will save time. You can bring your own or rent them at the resort's Bike Barn.

Golf cart rental reservations can be made up to a year in advance (supply is limited). Campsites with electric, water, sewer, & cable run from $53 to $92 per night, depending on what time of year you visit (2006 prices). Less expensive rates are available for sites with fewer amenities.

If you belong to AAA, you may qualify for a AAA discount (inquire when making your reservation). The one-bedroom wilderness cabins have all of the amenities of your typical hotel and sleep up to six people. The cabins also include fully equipped kitchens and a charcoal grill if you want to skip the resort and park restaurants for any of your meals. "Comfort stations" are found throughout the resort with bathrooms, private showers, and laundry facilities.

There is also a resort concierge on site to help with dining reservations and touring the parks. In addition to the Disney World parks, there is plenty to do right at Fort Wilderness. Recreation includes two pools, an arcade, children's playground, watercraft rentals, fishing, bike rentals, horseback riding and carriage rides, video rentals, nightly Chip'n Dale's Campfire Sing-a-long, jogging trail, tennis, and electric carts rentals. There are two casual dining options at the resort.

The Hoop De Doo Revue dinner show and Mickey's Backyard Barbecue are also hosted at Fort Wilderness. To make a reservation, call Disney Reservations at 1-407-939-6244. .

By: Leslie Clevenstine