Walt Disney World has two hotels that don’t really fit the current tiers: Art of Animation Family Suites and Fort Wilderness Campground Cabins. This head-to-head smackdown between the “island of misfit resorts” weighs the pros & cons of each, picking a “winner” in theme, dining, transportation, pools, and other categories. (Updated May 30, 2025.)
This continues our Walt Disney World Hotel Comparison Series, which includes several other difficult dilemmas you might face when trying to pick a hotel. Other versus posts include the Polynesian vs. Grand Floridian, Animal Kingdom Lodge vs. Wilderness Lodge, BoardWalk vs. Beach Club, Port Orleans Riverside vs. French Quarter, and even Caribbean Beach vs. the Poly.
To be perfectly honest, this is an unlikely match-up when judging based upon general vibe and theme, not to mention location and likely guest demographics. It’s a comparison that only makes sense if you’re judging by price and room type. We first did this WDW resort versus post in response to reader questions, which led to reader responses about it being an odd comparison. And they’re not wrong! It’s only gotten more awkward since…
The recent development is that Walt Disney World has mostly replaced the old Cabins at Fort Wilderness, which are/were categorized as Moderate Resorts, with more than 350 new cabins, turning the resort side of the campground into a DVC property. This is occurring loop by loop and is pretty close to finished. The new cabins are known as the Cabins at Fort Wilderness – A Disney Vacation Club Resort.
This is being done ahead of the addition of Disney Lakeshore Lodge, which is currently under construction adjacent to Fort Wilderness on the old River Country water park. Most of the new DVC Cabins at Fort Wilderness are now open. They’ve proven controversial among Disney fans, but we love the new DVC Cabins at Fort Wilderness.
You might think that this is the end of the comparison. If the new cabins are Disney Vacation Club, they’re no longer an option for regular guests on a budget. Not so fast! For one thing, there’s always the option of Renting Disney Vacation Club Points to Save Money on Walt Disney World Resorts. That actually makes the new cabins cheaper than the old ones in some cases. For another thing, as noted above, these cabins are controversial. That’s not just in the sense of complaints–they’re fairly easy to book by DVC standards!
The plot thickens even further, as the Art of Animation Family Suites have also become in-demand in the last few years, which we attribute to skyrocketing prices and guests trading down for 2 standard rooms as a result. However, the Summer 2025 Disney+ Subscriber Discount offering the Cars Family Suites for $229/night suggests that maybe prices are starting to come down on those, too.
Just mentioning all of this up front as a lot has changed or is changing with the Cabins at Fort Wilderness and Art of Animation Family Suites, and we may continue to see this comparison ‘evolve’ in the years to come, especially once Disney Lakeshore Lodge opens. (That could also move the needle on demand, as access to that massive resort’s amenities could be a big boost for guests staying at Fort Wilderness.
While we will draw our own conclusions as to which is better, along the way we will explain our reasoning, so you can form your own conclusions. We’ll also include a reader poll at the end, so you can vote for your favorite (and see whether the consensus agrees or disagrees with us). Since Fort Wilderness and Art of Animation are so different from one another, a big part of the decision here is going to come down to personal preference.
That’s where we’ll start this face-off, with our showdown in terms of theme, decor, and atmosphere…
Theme/Atmosphere: Push – You have no idea how badly I want to give the victory to Fort Wilderness here, responding with a Calvin’s dad “it builds character” comic strip to anyone who disagrees. I could also shake my fist about how “kids these days” need something like Fort Wilderness. I’ll spare you that.
While I do believe Fort Wilderness is something special, a vestige of the Vacation Kingdom that largely no longer exists. But I also understand and respect that a lot of people are going to prefer Art of Animation. The fact is, they are pretty much polar opposites of one another. Art of Animation features a plethora of iconic characters from Disney films, whereas Fort Wilderness is rustic by design and much more subtle.
We’ve expanded this category to include atmosphere because it’s an important consideration for those who might be debating between the two resorts. In terms of atmosphere, Art of Animation is every bit as vibrant and high-energy as its colorful decor and oversized icons suggest. It’s an assault on the senses, which is a good or bad thing depending upon your perspective.
When you enter Fort Wilderness property, life suddenly slows down. You’re within spitting distance of Magic Kingdom, but you’re a world away. It’s a place to decompress and unwind after a frantic day in the parks, and the atmosphere is decidedly mellow. This is old school “Walt Disney World” at its finest–a place that immerses you in another time and place and makes you forget how close you are to the hustle and bustle of Magic Kingdom.
The problem with that, for some guests, is that Fort Wilderness is totally unlike new school Disney (which Art of Animation basically epitomizes). There are few overt references to characters, and there is nothing that screams “DISNEY!” For first-timers reading this who are taking their families, Art of Animation is likely going to more closely align with your expectations of what a “Disney” resort would offer.
For most guests, theme and atmosphere–and how those match personal preferences–are going to be a big factor in this debate. These resorts are so different in tone that nothing else may be able to overcome that. Although preferences with the respective room layouts, transportation, and pricing may be equally significant factors.
Rooms: Fort Wilderness Cabins (Slightly) – Given the way we punted on the issue of theme, you might’ve expected something similar here. After all, the thematic parallels track inside with the rooms. However, we feel there is a quality difference. The new Fort Wilderness Cabins feel high-quality, with nice detail work and an upscale sensibility.
By contrast, the Art of Animation rooms strike us as plastic-y and more on par with a Value Resort. To be sure, there are fun details and the design most certainly will appeal to many kids and plenty of adults. By Value Resort standards, we think the Art of Animation Family Suites are exceptional–especially the Cars Suites, but the quality is simply not on the same level.
This is somewhat ironic, as many Disney Vacation Club members contend that the Cabins at Fort Wilderness are not up to normal DVC standards. But a lot of this comes down to the clunky layout as opposed to the fit and finishing, which are quite nice.
With that said, the Art of Animation Family Suites do score points in a few regards. First, they’re slightly larger (around 565 square feet versus 504 square feet). Second, they have two bathrooms, one in the main living area and another attached to the main bedroom.
By contrast, the Cabins at Fort Wilderness have one bathroom on the far side of the unit, meaning you have to pass through the living area (and second sleeping area at night) to access the bathroom. On a related note, the layout is a bit awkward, both with this bathroom setup and having bunkbeds in the main bedroom and the pull-down sofa sleeper right outside the door.
The Art of Animation Family Suites have an inarguably superior and more intuitive layout, so this might be enough to push the W into their column for you. If we’re being objective, this should probably be a push given the major differences between these units, but we’re huge fans of the Cabins at Fort Wilderness. We’d also add that they have a huge deck for lounging, grilling, etc–we’ll call that the tiebreaker!
Dining: Fort Wilderness – Fort Wilderness scores an easy win here because it offers more variety, even if it’s restaurant lineup is arguably a bit on the weak side. Options include the Chuck Wagon (food truck), Trail’s End Restaurant (counter service/marketplace), Crockett’s Tavern (quasi-lounge and table service), and Hoop-Dee-Doo Musical Revue (dinner show).
Although we’re biased as fans of the old Trail’s End buffet (RIP), we have to admit that the reimagined restaurant along with the connected Crockett’s Tavern are more functional. They’re spots at which we’ll dine at regularly during our Fort Wilderness stays, even if we don’t love them as much as the bygone buffet. Then there’s Hoop-Dee-Doo, which is a ‘destination’ experience that everyone should make the trek to Fort Wilderness to enjoy at least once.
Landscape of Flavors is one of the better counter service food courts at Walt Disney World, but it cannot compete with all that. Even if we expanded this to include Everything POP next door, it’s an easy win for Fort Wilderness. (Now, it is a different story if we include everything that’s easily accessible on the Skyliner, but that’s not a fair comparison.)
Transportation: Art of Animation – This might come as a surprise given that Fort Wilderness is a Bay Lake resort with boat transportation to Magic Kingdom. That’s a big selling point, especially for us since we think boat transportation is highly underrated, and almost an attraction unto itself.
However, Art of Animation prevails here because it is efficient and easier. Like Fort Wilderness, it also offers a novel form of transportation: the Skyliner gondolas. Following a quick flight to Caribbean Beach, you can now get to and from EPCOT and Disney’s Hollywood Studios in a breeze via one of the two stations at the central hub.
Due to the Skyliner, bus transportation from Art of Animation is only necessary for Magic Kingdom, Animal Kingdom, and Disney Springs. The Skyliner is a game-changer, and our favorite form of transportation at Walt Disney World. It’s especially great for Early Entry and rope drop at DHS and EPCOT, meaning you can beat the crowds to Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance, Slinky Dog Dash, Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure, Frozen Ever After, and Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind–these are 5 of the top 10 highest wait times at Walt Disney World, on average.
When it comes to the bus, Art of the Animation is also a winner because it has a single stop and no shared buses.
During our recent stay at the Fort Wilderness Cabins, we were reminded of how intimidating its transportation can be. There are 3 internal bus routes that deliver guests to the front and back of the the resort, with buses departing from the front to take guests to the parks, and boats departing from the back (Settlement) to take guests to Magic Kingdom (and other Bay Lake resorts).
This might not seem bad as a twice-per-day thing, but the resort is so spread out that a bus is also necessary if you want to eat, shop, or swim. The internal bus route is about as efficient as it can be, and although it can be a bit quirky and initially confusing, it gets the job done. Over the course of a week-long trip, though, the amount of extra time you’re spending on transit really adds up, and grows tiresome.
The internal transportation is the price guests pay for the seclusion Fort Wilderness offers, and it’s a necessary evil. Whether you’re willing to accept this is a matter of personal preference, but I don’t really think there’s any way around it while maintaining Fort Wilderness’ exceptional vibe. It’s why so many Fort Wilderness guests rent golf carts (which itself is a fun “thing” that also makes Fort Wilderness so unique).
Pools: Art of Animation – On our list of the Top 10 Pools at Walt Disney World, we commented that the Big Blue Pool at Art of Animation is overrated. People get caught up in its gimmicks (like the underwater music) and flashy decor and overlook the reality that it’s a fairly uninspired, but large and crowded, pool.
Despite this, the collective pools of Art of Animation still score a victory over those at Fort Wilderness. Built in an era when Walt Disney World was far less ambitious with its pools, Fort Wilderness originally had River Country water country to further lean on as its de facto pool.
Since the closure of River Country, the subpar pools at Fort Wilderness have become a more glaring issue. It’s not to say these pools are too small or there isn’t enough capacity; the problem is that Fort Wilderness’ pools have zero wow-factor or unique selling points.
Pricing: Push – If you’re going by rack rates, the new DVC Cabins at Fort Wilderness are going to cost more than the Family Suites at Art of Animation. However, this overlooks the wide array of discounts that are regularly available at both or saving money by renting DVC points.
The bottom line is that, for bargain hunters, both of these resorts have a lot of deal potential. Unfortunately, special offers aren’t always available and you might be stuck paying full price (or close to it) depending upon when and how you’re booking. That makes this comparison really complicated and challenging.
Maybe the Cabins at Fort Wilderness will be $100 per night cheaper; perhaps the Art of Animation Family Suites will cost $75 less; it’s also possible they’ll cost about the same. Regardless, no easy conclusions here.
Verdict: It Depends – It would be easy to let my biases show through and substitute my personal preferences for an objective conclusion here. The reality is, these resorts each have their respective strengths and weaknesses. Some of those may make one a must-stay and the other a non-starter for different guests.
Some guests are going to love the laid back feel of Fort Wilderness as a quiet reprieve from the parks, while others are going to find that same atmosphere dull and “un-Disney.” Some families are going to love the color and energy of Art of Animation, and other guests are going to want to gouge out their eyes upon seeing it.
Few other resorts will provoke such dramatically different reactions from guests. This makes comparing them especially tricky–if not downright impossible–because each resort is so divisive that it renders the end result here so reliant on subjectivity.
As an adult, I like the laid back atmosphere and slower pace offered by Fort Wilderness, which is a nice foil to the chaos of being in the parks. As a child, I recall having a blast with all of the recreational activities at Fort Wilderness, and being in the great outdoors. Additionally, as a non-parent, I have certain ill-informed, preconceived notions about parenting. The open-ended nature of Fort Wilderness allows kids to imagine, explore, and create their own adventures. This is important to, ahem, build character.
With that said, we also enjoy Art of Animation. It wouldn’t be my first choice, but if we had kids who were obsessed with these movies, it’d be hard to resist (after an adequate character-building session at Fort Wilderness, of course!). I also think that the Radiator Springs area is really well done, and we’ve enjoyed our stays in the Cars Family Suites even as a couple!
We are seemingly the odd ducks who enjoy both of these very different Walt Disney World resorts!
The above was written when we were childless Disney Adults, and oddly enough, I still feel that way now that we have a daughter. Our first stay with her at the Cabins at Fort Wilderness was pure magic. She’s only a toddler, but she already loves nature about as much as she loves Disney characters–and I don’t think Simba or Mater could hold a candle to her seeing a real horse at Tri-Circle-D Ranch at Fort Wilderness.
Our daughter is still young and it goes without saying that her preferences will change over time. If Art of Animation had Frozen Family Suites, this comparison might already play out differently. But at least for now, I can’t help but think that both Art of Animation and Fort Wilderness will be in our family’s regular rotation. Two very different different resorts, sure, but every trip is different and variety is what keeps coming back to Walt Disney World so interesting!
That’s just us, though. When comparing any two resorts, other factors will obviously come into play. Other key amenities, recreation (which we didn’t even get into–but Fort Wilderness offers a lot in this regard), and other variables are going to matter and weigh differently for different parties.
Our goal is for this post to be helpful in offering a head-to-head comparison of the most crucial elements of each Walt Disney World resort experience, but we suggest supplementing this with our full review of Disney’s Fort Wilderness Campground and our Disney’s Art of Animation Resort Review.
If you’re still having trouble choosing between the two, determining which resort or room type is right for you, or if any other aspect of Walt Disney World vacation planning is simply too overwhelming and you need one-on-one help, we recommend contacting a no fee “Authorized Disney Vacation Planner” or travel agent to get a quote and to help you plan. They get their commission from Disney, so none of the authorized (key word) planners will charge you for booking their trip and helping. Here’s one such Authorized Disney Vacation Planner that we recommend!
Planning a Walt Disney World trip? Learn about hotels on our Walt Disney World Hotels Reviews page. For where to eat, read our Walt Disney World Restaurant Reviews. To save money on tickets or determine which type to buy, read our Tips for Saving Money on Walt Disney World Tickets post. Our What to Pack for Disney Trips post takes a unique look at clever items to take. For what to do and when to do it, our Walt Disney World Ride Guides will help. For comprehensive advice, the best place to start is our Walt Disney World Trip Planning Guide for everything you need to know!
Your Thoughts
Do you agree or disagree with our verdict in this Art of Animation vs. Fort Wilderness head-to-head? What about our conclusions in each category? Is there something we missed or got wrong? Any questions we can help you answer? Hearing your feedback–even when you disagree with us–is both interesting to us and helpful to other readers, so please share your thoughts below in the comments!