Disney (FL) campgrounds???

After dealing with the Disney computer asking me several times a day my name, address, phone number, size of my unit, dates, etc.... and speaking to a Disney character explaining the same thing several times, I have made reservations off site at Kissimmee RV Park. I don't mind paying the parking. The park said they are 6 miles from disney.

Thanks all for your help.

GGeorge

I would try as hard as possible to get into Ft Wilderness for several reasons.

1. You will be entitled to use Disney transportation, which is a very BIG DEAL. We stayed there several years ago and we were able to ride the buses to the other resorts to use their pools, etc. At that time Ft Wilderness also had a big 24 hour pool which was great. The buses run till late at night and the bus stop was right near our site. Made it easy to get around.

2. Do not need to fight Orlando traffic every day and then pay for parking at Disney.

3. One good strategy is to visit the parks early and stay till part way through the afternoon, then go back to your camper, get recharged and take a nap, and THEN go back and spend the evening. Being able to use Disney transportation makes this a simple task - not so if you have to jump in your car and drive to an off-site CG.

We have used the KOA at Kissimmee a couple of times. Nothing wrong with staying there if need be.

G George, did you call Disney or use their site? I have often found that even though their site shows nothing available, I could book a site by calling. And, if you can't get a site right away, keep calling, every day or even more if needed. I've even taken reservations for just part of my stay and kept calling to extend and got everything I needed. Also, make sure to check 21 days and 11 days in advance, the actual days nay have changed, because they hold back sites for the on-line services and release them at certain times. I've had trouble getting a site, and then when I got there, the campground was only 1/2 full. If possible play with the dates. It could be that just one day is messing-up your entire reservation. Do you really need 11 days at Disney? Maybe you could cut that down and do something like going to Cape Canaveral or Lego Land. That is not usually a very busy time so, you should be able to get reservations with some persistence. By the way, never NEVER go to The Magic Kingdom on Monday or the day with the Extra Magic Hours, unless you like crowds and standing in line. If you want to go to The Magic Kingdom for The Extra Magic Hours, IMHO, go for the evening hours, not all day, and hit a lot of the rides that have long lines during the day. Hit things like The seven Dwarf's Mine Train during the parade, if you can't get a Fast Pass. I did that and the time posting said 120 minute wait and I got in and out in less than 25 minutes.

Thanks for all the suggestions

G George

BTW, you might want to call Ft Wilderness every day, perhaps several times each day. There are often cancellations and you might get lucky! That's how we were able to get our ressies last time - on very short notice as well.

Would not recommend Tropical Palms. We were there last year, in January, having made the reservations a year earlier. They guaranteed a site in the section we chose, just not a specific site (no problem with that at all). Checked in, gave us our site, only to find out that it was already occupied when we got there! Took them almost an hour to find us another 'suitable site' - one that was too small for our 32' MH! When we told them we couldn't fit, they insisted we could. Sent someone out to 'help us'. Even he finally agreed it was hopeless (now into the third hour!). A third site was assigned, full hook up as we paid for, but different part of the CG. After the 3rd day when it rained our site was total mud, as was the whole section. When we told the office, the person there said 'yes, that happens there sometimes'. Oh well, it did dry off during the next 2 days and, thankfully, there was no more rain. Appeared that snow birds were more important than transient visitors. Found numerous amenities either not open while we were there or hours were significantly shortened. Wasn't at all impressed with the attitude of most of the employees. Several in the front office were curt, if not rude, and others often seemed totally indifferent. We are friendly people and rarely have any negative interactions with others, but this place, just didn't have a good 'vibe'. May have been the time of year, they may have been short handed, or maybe, just maybe, not a great place to work. Dont' know why, but our experience convinced us that we'll find another CG next time. Obviously, not worth the price difference to us to Fort Wilderness. We wanted to save a few bucks - bad decision!

For previous posts on this subject try searching this Forum for `Disney World' in the RV Parks section.

GGeorge wrote:
Any ideas on where to stay near Disney in Fla. I tried Fort Wilderness and they are booked 10-20 Nov when I want to go. Does anyone have a close campground?

Thanks,

G George

Don't know what kind of loop you are looking for, but the new 2100 loop (full hook up) just opened. It is a loop that used to have cabins. Perhaps there may be some openings in that class of loop.

Keep trying Fort Wilderness as you look for other campgrounds. A a lot of people reserve extra days at FW "just in case" and then cancel as their plans change.