Fort Wilderness Guests Report Updated Check-In Rules Banning Bartending for Others and Sales Without Written Approval
Planning to run a little campsite bar at The Fort this fall? Check the paperwork first. Campers and cabin guests at Disney's Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground are reportedly getting a revised rules sheet when they check in, and a section called "Guest-Initiated Activities" bans bartending for other guests and events that impede resort operations, such as blocking roads or parking, and requires written approval before selling, advertising or displaying goods or services.
KennythePirate reported the change on September 14, saying guests have described receiving an updated "Campsite and Cabin Rule" handout when they arrive. The report does not cite a public announcement from Disney, and it does not say when the updated handout started going out.
A pond and lawn at Disney's Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground. Photo: KennythePirate
What the section says
According to the text KennythePirate published, the Guest-Initiated Activities section covers four things:
- Selling things: "The sale, advertisement, solicitations or display of goods or services is prohibited unless prior written approval by Disney's Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground has been obtained."
- Alcohol: "Providing bartending services, selling or serving alcohol to members of the public or other Guests at the resort and campground is strictly prohibited."
- Blocking traffic: guest-run events or activities that could interfere with how the resort operates are off-limits, and the text gives examples such as anything that blocks or affects parking areas, sidewalks, driveways, roads or traffic around the resort and campground.
- Disney's final say: the resort says it can ban, cancel, suspend or otherwise limit guest events or activities to ensure safety, security or order, or whenever it decides circumstances call for it, "without prior notice and without refund, liability or compensation," in its "sole and absolute discretion."
Note the wording on the alcohol rule. As published, it targets bartending and selling or serving alcohol "to members of the public or other Guests." The text KennythePirate shared does not specifically address a group drinking together at its own campsite.
The Fort's rules have changed before
KennythePirate points out that this follows an earlier change that prohibited electric bikes at the resort, which it says guests are still upset about.
Fort Wilderness sits minutes from Magic Kingdom and covers about 750 acres, with both campsites and cabins. It opened on November 19, 1971, according to KennythePirate.
The Fort Wilderness sign. Photo: Heather Alosa, KennythePirate
Our take: for most campers, this probably won't change a typical trip. But if your group's plans involve selling anything, pouring drinks for the neighbors, or a gathering big enough to spill onto a resort road, check the handout first: selling needs Disney's written approval, serving drinks to other guests is strictly prohibited, events that block roads or parking or otherwise impede resort operations are prohibited, and Disney can cancel or restrict guest activities without notice or refund.
Sources
Image credits: Pond photo KennythePirate; sign photo Heather Alosa, KennythePirate.
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