Fort Wilderness is Growing

In 1971 Fort Wilderness opened in Walt Disney World later than its two resort siblings, the Contemporary Resort and Polynesian Village. The campground, however, never ceased to stop growing in its first decade. It had originally opened with 250 campsites, with the Fort Wilderness Railroad riding the rails in 1973, and Pioneer Hall, with its Hoop Dee Doo Musical Revue, springing up in 1974. By 1975, however, it was clear that further growth was needed.

Fort Wilderness had maintained an occupancy rate of 83% by 1975. Keep in mind that this is for a campground where it does get wet and cold for a few months out of the year in Florida, and yet guests continued to pop up their tents and pull in their trailers. An expansion was planned to open in 1976 and would include 118 new campsites, the Meadows Swimmin’ Pool, snack bar, and arcade, and Walt Disney World’s first water park, River Country.

With all of the construction taking place in Fort Wilderness, it was bound to disturb the natural beauty and tranquility of the campground that guests had come to know and love. To head off potential complaints, as much as one could head off complaints, Fort Wilderness whipped up a charming little flyer that not only explained the construction but could be used for promotion of all the things coming in the next year. Surely, more than one family booked another trip to the campground based upon this flyer filled with classic Disney charm.