Fort Wilderness on 4/24 - 4/26

[majorgator]

We just completed our 2nd trip to Disney's Fort Wilderness campground, and we're still just as impressed as we were the first time. Once again, bath houses were spotless, grounds were well kept, and the sites (ohhhhh the sites) are super duper!

A few things we learned on this trip:
1. In our opinion, the "preferred" sites aren't any better than the standard "full hookup" sites. The only benefit is that they're perhaps a little deeper, and could more easily accommodate a tent behind the trailer.
2. The horse flies/yellow flies were intolerable. I'm a lifelong Floridian, and bugs are nothing new to me. But we didn't expect them to be so bad there. If you're planning a trip for any of the warm/hot months, make extra preparations for them. Not just candles, but add bug spray, bug zappers and whatever else you can think of.
3. Our middle child wanted to ride the monorail, but since there's no connection between Epcot and the campground, you get stuck riding it to the transportation hub, then to the magic kingdom, where you can then take a bus or boat ride back to the campground. Needless to say, we hope that kid REALLY enjoyed the monorail.

[Bob_Shaw]

I think you'll find the yellow flies to be worse this year due to the wet winter in Florida this year. I was at the Fort in March and my site was bordering a swamp. Also, if you camp up near the stables, you will get mor Yellow Flies than other parts of the park.

[Bill_Diana]

Esacnj wrote:
This being my 10TH visit I didn't expect it to be an inexpensive vacation. All I expect is for them to deliver as they have done in the past and they didn't.

Will you be going again after this visit?

[Esacnj]

This being my 10TH visit I didn't expect it to be an inexpensive vacation. All I expect is for them to deliver as they have done in the past and they didn't.

[majorgator]

What is this "fax machine" device you speak of 😉
I haven't faxed anything in nearly 3 years. That's almost as obsolete in the business world as the rolodex.

ESACNJ - I hear ya on all your points. But quite frankly, I disagree with your premise (respectfully, of course). True, the up front cost of a Disney trip is staggering. But we don't go on vacation to save money. We go for the kids, and the older they get, the more "magical" they find it. But I don't see the price point being too far out of line. It is a business, and they're concerned about the bottom line, so what incentive do they have to lower prices when the place fills up every weekend? You can't get a spot in Ft. Wilderness on the weekends unless you book far in advance or there's a cancellation. People show up to Disney with their credit card hanging out like a wagging dog.

For me, though, I see the value a little bit differently. Contrast the "Disney" experience with other theme parks. For example, we spent this past Saturday at Epcot, then went to SeaWorld on Sunday. The difference between the 2 places is night and day. For a fraction of the price, you can go to SeaWorld and experience rude (very rude) customer service, higher priced in-park food and gifts, rides in worse condition, way less to do...and...dare I say this...but a different class of people. I told my wife on Sunday that I'd gladly spend more money to go to Disney over SeaWorld any day!

[icanon]

mgirardo wrote:

icanon wrote:
Can you tell us the fax number? Didn't think about asking for the fax no. at time of reservation and you know they didn't tell me that when I reserved and asked for a certain site. Thanks.

I was on my phone when I posted about the fax number this morning and did not have the number handy. You can fax site requests to 407-824-3508. Just remember, don't do it if there is more than 2 weeks before your reservation.

-Michael

A Big THANKS

[mgirardo]

icanon wrote:
Can you tell us the fax number? Didn't think about asking for the fax no. at time of reservation and you know they didn't tell me that when I reserved and asked for a certain site. Thanks.

I was on my phone when I posted about the fax number this morning and did not have the number handy. You can fax site requests to 407-824-3508. Just remember, don't do it if there is more than 2 weeks before your reservation.

-Michael

[Esacnj]

Went over Easter break as that is when grandkids were off from school. 10th visit and will not be back for a long time. So much for Walt's pledge to create an affordable place for a family to take a vacation. But you expect to pay a lot before taking a Disney vacation. Real problem is that they over built rooms (resort expansions and vacation club) that the theme parks and transportation system can't handle. Based upon $100- per day park admission and realistically only able to get in your 3 advanced fast passes, that's about $33- per 5 minute ride or attraction. Forget about the 4th attraction after using the 3 as the kiosk lines are unbelievable. The advanced dinner reservations show up on your app. listing guest names of people you never heard of. This happened on every reservation. When I questioned it @ town hall and every restaurant they had no answer (makes you wonder about your security on the app). When attempting to walk in to the trails end for dinner on our arrival night we were told no walk ins reservations only. When checking with concierge we were told no cancellations however while being told this one in our party pulled up a cancellation on the app (wouldn't you think the concierge could do this?). You also need to use a park admission if all you want to do is go into one of the theme parks for a meal (they should be able to do something to accommodate that). We witnessed a local senior couple camping near us bringing in 3 additional families of guests over a weekend (overcrowding of the pool? guess so).

[icanon]

mgirardo wrote:
You can suggest a specific loop and site when you make the reservation. Then within two weeks before your arrival, you can fax your site request to Disney. When you call to make your reservation ask for the fax number.

Never had a problem getting the site we wanted with this method. I got this tip from Fortfiends.net.

-Michael

Can you tell us the fax number? Didn't think about asking for the fax no. at time of reservation and you know they didn't tell me that when I reserved and asked for a certain site. Thanks.

[2012Coleman]

As a long time Floridian myself, I can tell you that the simple fix for flying bugs is an oscillating fan. We set one up between our chairs or in front of us and relax bug free.

[mgirardo]

You can suggest a specific loop and site when you make the reservation. Then within two weeks before your arrival, you can fax your site request to Disney. When you call to make your reservation ask for the fax number.

Never had a problem getting the site we wanted with this method. I got this tip from Fortfiends.net.

-Michael

[johnnyrv]

we go to ft wilderness every december to see the christmas lights and eat at our favorite restaurant. only complaint is you cant reserve a specific site.

[mgirardo]

bob34787 wrote:
living in Florida for 13 years now and spending many months at Fort Wilderness I can sadly say its not the same old Fort wilderness of even a few yeas ago. The current management have raised the rates to a point where you come for your vacation, the mouse sucks every penny they can during that 1-2 week period and they really don't want you to come back until you saved up again. Current preferred rate is in the 130.00/night range, 4 years ago it was in the low 80's

It is unbelievable how expensive the Fort has gotten in the last 10 years. The first time we camped at Fort Wilderness was November 2005 (when we lived in NJ). We had a premium site in the 1400 loop and paid $38/night with AAA discount. Now that same premium site in November is $94/night. From what I hear, Disney does not accept AAA anymore.

started to Pic o the long term campers, to my knowledge out of the 15+/- of the long term campers only 1 remains, she has been there for 6years now and I think she is just trying to wear them down.

I assume you are talking about Hilda. I hope she does wear them down. It's her money, she can spend it anyway she wants. They better stop saying "Welcome Home" if they aren't going to let long termers call it that.

-Michael

[Dog_Folks]

Bill/Diana wrote:

DownTheAvenue wrote:
I went to Disney once, and that was enough for me. And that was 35 years ago. Too many people, too much standing in line, too expensive, too artificial. I just don't get it.

I can go to London and visit world class museums with a large dose of class for less money!

Sounds like one of the 7 Dwarfs....Gumpy. Or should say "classy" Gumpy.

Count me as a "grumpy" too, I went one year after they opened, 1972. Haven't been back. It was expensive then and it is outrageous now.

Different stokes for different folks.

[majorgator]

double-post