When you think of Walt Disney World in Orlando, it’s hard not to think of the four main theme parks and two sparkling water parks which make up the bulk of the vast resort’s appeal.
After all, they have provided some of the most iconic Floridian backdrops for more than 50 years, and it’s hard to imagine NOT visiting at least one of them on any visit to this part of the Sunshine State.
Yes, there is plenty of competition from the likes of Universal Orlando and SeaWorld, but it is Disney’s Fab Four that most people think of when you mention Orlando.
But what if you made a conscious decision to go against the gravitational pull of the Magic Kingdom, EPCOT and Co. and concentrated instead just on the other parts of this extensive holiday playground?
It would be a hard task to pull off if you have children, yet for couples and empty nesters, there are rich pickings to be had from just enjoying the hotels and other recreational parts of Walt’s World, and we’re here this week to tell you how we did it – and how much there is to enjoy without once catching sight of Cinderella Castle.
Our most recent trip was actually two visits almost back-to-back, hence we actually completed a full week in the House of Mouse staying in two different resorts for a variety of reasons. The second was a Disney Vacation Club resort (Old Key West), which is primarily for DVC members but is available to the general public periodically.
We started with five days at Disney’s Fort Wilderness campground with the aid of our trusty RV, Fati (which is short for Indefatigable). We had just completed our epic year-long RV adventure around the country (35,000 miles in all!), and wanted to celebrate the end of the trip in style – with a Disney experience.
Now, Fort Wilderness is not your average Disney resort. It is nicely secluded on the edge of Bay Lake, which is the large body of water immediately to the right of the Contemporary Resort if you’re taking the monorail to the Magic Kingdom.
It is heavily wooded and has hundreds of campsites of different kinds, from basic tent camping to fully-fitted sites for the biggest RVs that include electricity, water, picnic tables, charcoal grills and even cable TV! Fort Wilderness also allows dogs, so that meant we could take our Ruthie along as well.
It is a beautifully landscaped rural retreat just a ten-minute boat ride from the Magic Kingdom, with bus service to all the other parks, as well as Disney Springs, hence it is a one-stop shop once you’re parked. There is also an array of newly-modernised cabins for those who don’t have an RV (or tent) but still want to try the Wilderness vibe. Or you can actually rent an RV for your stay, have it delivered to your campsite and just enjoy the amenities without having to drive it anywhere!
With our RV (a 36ft-long 2014 Winnebago Sightseer), we were well versed by now with driving it and backing it into the relevant campsite, so that part was easy. Once we were fully settled – which takes a while to get everything straight and plugged in – we were perfectly situated for five days of classic Disney excitement.
Because, while Fort Wilderness is as rustic as you like to be, it has ALL the Disney resort conveniences, from dining to entertainment, and more besides. It boasts a huge family swimming pool, bike rentals, games arcade, fishing, horse-riding, canoeing and even archery. There is a full-service restaurant (Trails End) and a bar-lounge that also serves a variety of appetisers and cocktails, plus two snack bars and mini groceries. You won’t ever go hungry here.
The big attraction, though, is the evening entertainment, which is centred on the Campfire Sing-Along with Chip ‘n’ Dale. Here, along with a food truck, visitors can try their hand at toasting marshmallows on several camp fires (full toasting kits to make delicious s’mores are also available), enjoy the live entertainment and stay for a classic Disney movie on the big outdoor screen.
With the signature Hoop-Dee-Doo dinner show, golf cart rentals and lots of walking trails, there was enough here to keep us busy and entertained every day without going near a theme park, and the nightly shows are open to the general public if you want a truly different Disney experience. Our Ruthie got to meet an armadillo (!), while we were also able to take our car for the short trip to the nearest supermarket to stock up with essentials.
After all the fun of Fort Wilderness, Old Key West was a completely different experience for the other two days. The wonderfully low-key vibe of this resort is a real bonus for those looking for a great chill-out time.
The accommodations come in what Disney calls Studio and one, two or three-bedroom Villa options, which are more like spacious apartments. Scattered in low-rise complexes throughout the resort, most of them overlook either the many waterways or the Lake Buena Vista Golf Course, which adds real scenic value.
And the Villas are huge. As in I-can’t-believe-how-much-space-there-is huge, with full kitchens, open-plan lounges, en suite bathrooms, balconies with table and chairs, and full laundry facilities. It is an absolute home-away-from-home style with plenty of wonderful little touches, like the in-room Hey Disney gadget, the “magical voice assistant” (akin to Amazon’s Alexa) that can answer Disney queries, play music, trivia and storybooks, and generally adds an element of true Pixie Dust to the resort.
There are four pool areas, including the huge Sandcastle Pool and Hot Tub, plus four children’s playgrounds, and a daily entertainment programme that offers yoga, aqua fitness, pickleball, bike rentals, pool parties, arts and crafts classes (for a small fee) and another Campfire opportunity. With the lovely Olivia’s full service restaurant and Gurgling Suitcase bar, it offers all the creature comforts you could possible want.
The big bonus, of course, is the free boat service to nearby Disney Springs that puts all the dining, shopping and entertainment opportunities virtually on your doorstep while being nicely secluded from all the hustle-bustle.
It was the first time we had ever stayed at Old Key West (as opposed to visiting for Olivia’s or just to try out the boat ride), and we can firmly say that this ticked ALL the boxes for us for a totally relaxed couple of days that really hit the mark. And there wasn’t a theme park in sight!
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