112: Fort Wilderness Tips, Jollywood Nights with Kids, and Why We Love Disney’s Hilton Head Island Resort

This week on The Well Hello Magic Podcast, we’re taking you on a full Disney journey that spans three very different — but equally memorable — Disney experiences:
Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground at Walt Disney World, Jollywood Nights at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, and the peaceful, slower-paced escape of Disney’s Hilton Head Island Resort.

If you’ve been searching for real reviews, honest tips, and what it’s actually like to experience Fort Wilderness campsites, Disney RV camping, Disney Vacation Club beach resorts, or Jollywood Nights with kids, this episode is packed with everything you need to know — without the highlight-reel gloss.

This episode is especially helpful for families trying to decide:

  • Where to stay on Disney property

  • Whether Fort Wilderness is worth it

  • If Jollywood Nights works for families

  • Or if a Disney beach resort might be a better fit for their season of life

Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground: An Honest RV Camping Review

We start the episode with a deep dive into Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground, a massive 750-acre outdoor resort that feels completely removed from the theme parks — in the best way.

Fort Wilderness truly feels like its own little world inside Walt Disney World.

I share our full experience RV camping at Disney as a family of six — including what surprised us, what worked, and what absolutely confirmed that full-time RV living is not my ministry… while also explaining why Fort Wilderness has such a strong, loyal following.

This campground is widely known as one of the cleanest, safest, and best-run campgrounds in the country, and you can feel that Disney quality everywhere — from the grounds to transportation to cast member interactions.

What We Cover About Fort Wilderness

  • The different Fort Wilderness campsite types

  • RV hookups and layout

  • Transportation options around the resort

  • Getting to Magic Kingdom by boat

  • What it’s like navigating Fort Wilderness with kids

  • Why this resort feels so different from other Disney resorts

We also break down the amenities that make Fort Wilderness unique, including:

  • Horseback riding and pony rides

  • Archery experiences

  • Golf cart rentals and why they matter

  • Multiple playgrounds and pools

  • Internal bus transportation

  • And the beloved Chip ’n Dale Campfire Sing-A-Long, which remains a highlight for families

If you’re looking for budget-friendly Disney accommodations, Fort Wilderness is one of the best values on Disney property — and we talk honestly about why it can be such a smart choice depending on how your family travels.

Resort Christmas Touring: An Underrated Disney Experience

We also talk about our Resort Christmas Tour, including visiting holiday decorations at Fort Wilderness and Disney’s Contemporary Resort.

Resort hopping during the holidays is one of the most underrated things to do at Walt Disney World in December, especially if you’re traveling with kids who may not need full park days every day.

We discuss:

  • Why resort touring can feel calmer than the parks

  • How it adds holiday magic without long lines

  • Why it works especially well during busy seasons

This portion of the episode is helpful for families visiting during November or December who want to add Disney magic without adding exhaustion.

Jollywood Nights at Disney’s Hollywood Studios: Honest Review With Kids

Next, we jump into a full breakdown of Jollywood Nights at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, giving an honest look at what it’s like to attend this event with kids, not just as adults.

We talk through the differences between attending Jollywood Nights as:

  • Adults only

  • Versus attending as a family

And what that shift changes about expectations, pacing, and enjoyment.

What We Cover About Jollywood Nights

  • What the entertainment felt like this year

  • Crowd levels and wait times

  • Food offerings and party snacks

  • Photo opportunities

  • Overall event flow

  • The new Party-Saurus Rex experience everyone is talking about

If you’re searching:

  • Is Jollywood Nights worth it?

  • Is Jollywood Nights good for kids?

  • What is Jollywood Nights actually like?

This part of the episode walks through those questions honestly, including what worked well for families and what might not be worth the extra ticket depending on your kids’ ages and tolerance for late nights.

Disney’s Hilton Head Island Resort: A Peaceful Disney Escape

We wrap the episode with our stay at Disney’s Hilton Head Island Resort, one of the most peaceful and unique Disney Vacation Club properties.

This resort is a completely different pace from Walt Disney World — and that’s exactly the point.

It blends subtle Disney magic with true beach relaxation, making it a great option for families who want Disney without crowds, lines, or constant stimulation.

What We Cover About Hilton Head Island Resort

  • Resort amenities and layout

  • Pools and water play areas

  • The Disney Beach House on Hilton Head Island

  • Bike rentals and scenic paths

  • Fishing docks

  • Playgrounds and family activities

  • Why the cast members make this resort feel like home

Because Hilton Head Island Resort only offers quick-service dining, we also share:

  • Tips for making dinner reservations on the island

  • How to plan meals ahead of time

  • What families should know before arriving

The weather during our stay was cool, but the kids still spent hours playing on the beach — and we talk about why this resort works well even outside peak summer months.

We also share why this stay already has us planning a return visit.

🔍 Questions We Answer in This Episode

These are the real search questions families ask — and exactly what we cover in this episode:

  • Is Disney’s Fort Wilderness worth it for families?

  • What is it really like to camp at Disney’s Fort Wilderness?

  • Can you RV camp at Walt Disney World?

  • What are the different Fort Wilderness campsite types?

  • Is Fort Wilderness a budget-friendly Disney resort?

  • How do you get from Fort Wilderness to Magic Kingdom?

  • What amenities does Fort Wilderness offer for kids?

  • Is resort hopping during Christmas worth it at Disney World?

  • What is Jollywood Nights at Hollywood Studios?

  • Is Jollywood Nights worth it with kids?

  • What is Party-Saurus Rex at Jollywood Nights?

  • How crowded is Jollywood Nights?

  • Is Disney’s Hilton Head Island Resort worth it?

  • What makes Disney’s Hilton Head Island Resort different from Disney World resorts?

  • What dining options are available at Hilton Head Island Resort?

  • Is Hilton Head Island a good Disney destination for families?

Who This Episode Is For

This episode is especially helpful if you’re:

  • Planning a Walt Disney World trip and considering Fort Wilderness

  • Curious about RV camping at Disney

  • Visiting during the holidays and deciding on Jollywood Nights

  • Looking for quieter Disney Vacation Club resorts

  • Wanting honest, real-world Disney reviews from a family perspective

🎧 Don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review, and share this episode with someone planning a Disney trip who wants real insight — not just the highlight reel.

Jessica Mickelson

Hi I am Jessica of Well Hello Magic! I am so glad you are here. I am a Disney kid turned Disney Parent, and I am currently raising my four mouseketeers with my very own Flynn Rider. In 2009, we got married and celebrated our wedding day at Disneyland! We are a proud Military family, Disney Vacation Club members, D23 Gold Members, and we always find unique ways to keep the magic alive at home. My primary goal is to help you minimize stress while at the Disney parks so that you and your family can enjoy a vacation that you will never forget. I am a cookie baker, and own a sign business as well. Thank you for being here!

https://www.wellhellomagic.com
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