Disney invited us to take a sneak peek tour of one of the new cabins coming to Fort Wilderness on July 1, 2024! Disney Vacation Club Members can now make Fort Wilderness their “home away from home,” and non-DVC guests can now book a stay beginning September 27th. Just in time for the highly anticipated Halloween season at the Fort!
The new cabins are the same exact size as their predecessors, at 504 square feet, and will not change the footprint of the current cabin “loops.” Even better, Disney is keeping sustainability in mind with reflective solar panel roofs and an electric vehicle charging station at each cabin.
There are many highlights of the new design, including floor-to-ceiling windows, vaulted ceilings, a full-size stovetop oven, and an extra vanity in the hall to make getting ready easier for the whole family! The biggest highlight to me has to be the incredible artwork throughout, with nods to classic Disney animation and the history of Fort Wilderness. The art above the sofa / Murphy bed includes Mickey pulling the same trailer featured in the 1938 cartoon Mickey’s Trailer. When the Murphy bed is in use, the print changes to “see ya in the mornin” with Mickey, Pluto, and the unofficial mascots of Fort Wilderness, Chip ‘n Dale.
More Disney details in the living area include, Chip ‘n Dale hiding in the curtains and hidden Mickeys in the rug.
The kitchen features a dining room table that can seat up to six and a light feature reminiscent of horse reins like those at Tri-Circle-D Ranch. One big difference in the kitchen is the addition of a stovetop with an oven and a large window over the sink to let in natural light.
Moving on to the bedroom, there is a queen-sized bed and a twin bunk bed. There are a couple of great additions here – more space, more storage and drawer space, a nightstand on both sides of the bed, a larger TV, and, yet again, really fantastic Disney art.
Fans of Fort Wilderness are going to love these vintage-style postcards, including one from the long-gone but not forgotten, River Country.
Here’s where it gets really fun -check out the theming in the bunkbed area! The canoe paddles match the color schemes for Mickey, Minnie, Pluto, and Donald and the pillows feature camp badges for a campfire, archery, and fishing; all activities you can enjoy at the Fort!
Another nod to a classic Disney animated short, the art behind the bunkbeds is an infamous Chip ‘n Dale scene from the 1949 “Winter Storage.” Disney took it one step further by marking the calendar November 19 signifying the opening date of Fort Wilderness. If you look closely, you can also see Donald Duck sleeping in his tent.
Chip ‘n Dale even have their Rescue Rangers outfits hung up in the closet next to the dresser!
In the hallway to the left of the kitchen area, there is an additional vanity with a sink featuring a very cool backlit mirror that resembles a tree ring and another piece of Fort Wilderness art you’ll want to take home. Speaking of, we were told much of this art will be for sale very soon at Walt Disney World!
The bathroom features more storage and even a built-in step stool to help the little campers get ready for the day! The shower is a large walk-in shower with a detachable shower head and all the Disney Resort soaps we have come to love!
To tie in with all the fishing you can do at Fort Wilderness, the bathroom art is fishing bobbers resembling some favorite Disney characters!
The exterior of the cabins will vary between five different colors – sage green, robin egg blue, light brown, grey, and burnt orange (my descriptions, not Disney’s). Each loop will feature cabins in variations of the five colors. Even better, the porch will now feature a dining table with removable benches and two lounge chairs in addition to a charcoal grill.
I absolutely adore Fort Wilderness and was honestly very reluctant about the “new” cabins since I have so many fond memories of the previous design. After seeing it in person, I can truly say I am so excited to call these cabins home when staying there! What are your thoughts on the new design?
Hannah Anderson is a Dreams Unlimited Travel Agent, DIS Contributor, former Disney Cast Member, and Orlando local. Mostly importantly, she is a mom and loves spending time in the Disney Parks each week with her family.
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