Hi Kimberly, and welcome to planDisney!
Wilderness Lodge and
Fort Wilderness campground are two of my favorite places at Disney World, so I’d be happy to chat about transportation there.
It’s really easy to get between Wilderness Lodge and Fort Wilderness, where you can find Tri-Circle-D Ranch. There’s a bus you can board from the Wilderness Lodge bus stop (where you’ll find the buses going to the theme parks) that goes directly to Fort Wilderness. It drops you off at the Settlement bus stop, which is right near Tri-Circle-D Ranch’s stable. There’s also a
boat that goes from Wilderness Lodge to the campground (sometimes stopping at the
Contemporary Resort in between), but note that the Wilderness Lodge boat dock is currently scheduled to be closed for maintenance from January 12-30, 2026 (dates subject to change). Be sure to talk to a Cast Member when you get to Wilderness Lodge to confirm what’s running and the schedule. For instance, the boat typically only runs in the late afternoon and evening.
The bus operates pretty frequently. And, while I don’t remember the exact travel time between Wilderness Lodge and Fort Wilderness, it’s probably around 5-10 minutes (not including the wait for the next bus).
One important thing to keep in mind is that Tri-Circle-D Ranch is technically split between two locations at Fort Wilderness. The stable is near the Settlement (close to where the bus and boat from Wilderness Lodge drop you off). This is where you can meet the horses you see on Main Street, U.S.A., marching in parades and pulling the
Main Street Vehicles. That location also has
pony rides for the little ones. On the other hand, The Trail Blaze Corral is near the Outpost and is where the
horseback trail rides start. If this is where you’re headed, you’ll need to take the internal Fort Wilderness bus to the Outpost bus stop. If you took the bus over from Wilderness Lodge, it’ll often continue to the Outpost, so ask the bus driver to double-check.
And, finally, while you’re at Fort Wilderness, don’t miss
Chip ’n’ Dale’s Campfire Sing-A-Long! It’s one of my family’s must-do activities at the campground. We love roasting marshmallows and singing and dancing with our favorite mischievous chipmunks!
I hope you have the most magical visit to Wilderness Lodge and Fort Wilderness in January. And if you have any other questions, you’re always welcome back at planDisney!
JoAnna