Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground...

We've stayed at a lot of campgrounds in our 4+ years of camping, some of them primitive (well, as primitive as you can get with a full service camper!), some of them historic, some beach front, others lake front, one was simply the old VT golf course - but we can honestly say that the BEST campground we've stayed at so far is Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground...wow! Not that it should be all that surprising - it is a Disney property after all. 

From the moment we arrived we knew this was going to be a unique and memorable experience. Everyone was super friendly, it was all so clean and pristine and upon seeing our campsite we knew we were in for a treat - never before had we been in a site that was so secluded - even though we had neighbors on either side of us. Add to that our lake front site and we were in camper heaven! 

The resort is huge so we had heard all along that renting a golf cart was key - so that's what we did. Harper enjoyed his first golf cart experience and the many rides that followed. There were playgrounds nearly every half mile, great walking paths and a dog park for the pups, a spectacular pool with a slide that Adam went down probably 50+ times (I also went once or twice) and a great game room that provided some air conditioned fun one afternoon. Harper got to enjoy the pool as well but he preferred his private pool at our campsite - he clocked some quality splish splash time in that thing - did we mention it was hot? 

Another highlight was the nightly Campfire Sing-a-Long with Chip 'n Dale. It was our first opportunity to meet and of course hug a Disney character and also brought some great memories for me as I got to sing along to songs like "Zip-a-dee-do-da" and the "Hokie Pokie" (how appropriate!) By the third night Adam was also singing along. Of course every night he got into the dance party portion - doing the "Hand Jive" and "The Twist" with Chip 'n Dale dancing right beside. It was pure Disney magic just a 2 minute walk from our campsite. The sing-a-longs were followed each night by a "Movie Under the Stars" where we got to see "Up," "Rescuers Down Under," and "Monsters Inc." 

Another night-time tradition there was the electric boat parade and the "Wishes" fireworks show that is put on at Magic Kingdom every evening - but seeing as we were just across the Seven Seas Lagoon from there we had front row/waterfront views each night. They had speakers set up on the beach area so we could hear the music that went along with the fireworks and let me tell you I was eating up all the Disney magic - Adam was too - though I think I felt a few eye rolls as I squeezed him tight as Jiminy Cricket expounded nightly "and may all your wishes come true!" It truly is a magical place. 

In the light of day the waterfront proved to be pretty magical for Andy as he spotted a line of Boston Whalers all shiny and pretty - there's no doubt that must be what Heaven looks like to him. 

Another highlight of our resort was that we were just 25 minutes away from my cousin Sean who surprisingly was not traveling during our visit and was able to join us for dinner one night. It was awesome getting to introduce him to Harper - who appeared quite smitten. We also enjoyed a nice catch-up session during a long walk with the dogs down to the waterfront. Cousins rock - it's true. 

The resort also had some of the best "camp stores" we've ever been in. It's true - a must-do on each camping trip is to check out the camp store - sometimes it's a whole lot of nothing - other times you find some new camping "tchotchke" and other times you're at Disney and it's one big toy store that you just can't stop visiting! We didn't go overboard, only buying a few Christmas ornaments - have to keep with tradition - and random supplies here and there - but the visits were always fun none the less and Adam was sure to have me snap a few pics of him with some Goofy stuff for Aunt Kathleen. 

After an epic journey to Florida we couldn't have asked for a better "home away from home" during our Disney vacation - and no doubt we'll be back!