Fort Wilderness Questions

[dpgllg]

Hello,

First before anyone flames me for not searching the forums I did and most answers were several years old or nonexsistant.

We are considering a trip to Disney next year.

What is the differance between a prefered and a premium site other than the premium is wider it seems? Worth the cost? We have a 31 foot 5th wheel.

We will be traveling with our dogs. I also have difficulty walking any real distance. Is there a better loop to stay in than another?

Has anyone rented a mobility scooter at any of the parks and if so what was the cost? Did they "rent out" early?

Are there buses in the campground itself to take you the amenities and to the marinia to catch the boat? Do you have to take the boat to the tranportation center and then take a bus to the various parks or is there bus transportation to the differant parks?

I would consider taking my own mobility scooter but if I'm correct Disney uses buses and boats which probably do not accomodate mobility scooters.

If there is anything else that you could share I would appreciate it.

Dave

[DavidandDayle]

Dave: that was just kidding.
I'm trying to remember how many mobility units fit on a bus. I'm sure it's at least 2. They really strap them down well.

There was a book a bunch of years ago by the people from All Ears called Walt Disney World for People with Special Needs. They covered everything from mobility to health and I think even size. It seems to be out of print and probably out of date.

Did we mention that the boat only goes to the Magic Kingdom and all the other parks have buses from the other end? Inter-hotel buses may be more of a problem (as in no frequent or direct bus) if you book meals.
Cheers.

[dedmiston]

mgirardo wrote:

LarryJM wrote:
WRONG ... Premium sites have NO SAND they are completely paved.

Larry

That must be a recent change. Last time we were there, our site had sand behind the camper on the 1400 loop.

-Michael

Well, he said "WRONG" in all caps, so he must know what he's talking about, right? :R

[mgirardo]

LarryJM wrote:
WRONG ... Premium sites have NO SAND they are completely paved.

Larry

That must be a recent change. Last time we were there, our site had sand behind the camper on the 1400 loop.

-Michael

[dpgllg]

bgum wrote:
Download an app called FW Sites. It shows a picture of each site, tells you the type, gives dimensions, etc. the first pet loop is 300.

"Transportation is accessible. It seems as if we sometimes spend ages as someone's wheels are taken in and strapped to the floor."


OP Here,

What a great app. Are you able to request a particular site? With my backing up skills on the not so great side I would definetly pick a site tagged as EASY

DavidandDayle
I'm sorry you had to wait on them being strapped in. I know that if I could I would definitely do without the scooter but my health condition won't let me. I'm sure that most people using those scooters would also be like you and walk normally and step on and off the busses.

Thanks!

Dave

[Dave_in_TN]

LarryJM wrote:

mgirardo wrote:
Premium has less sand and more asphalt, but there is still a sandy patch at the back of the site for a tent. All sites allow for 2 camping units as long as one of them is a tent.

-Michael

WRONG ... Premium sites have NO SAND they are completely paved.

Larry

Also, the old coquina (sandy crushed shell mix) used on Fort sites since the campground opened was recently removed and replaced with gravel. I don't know whether this conversion is complete or in process, but you should be aware that Preferred, Full hookup and partial hookup sites may have coquina, or may have gravel, depending on timing of the conversion work.

[LarryJM]

mgirardo wrote:
Premium has less sand and more asphalt, but there is still a sandy patch at the back of the site for a tent. All sites allow for 2 camping units as long as one of them is a tent.

-Michael

WRONG ... Premium sites have NO SAND they are completely paved.

Larry

[mgirardo]

There are a few differences between Preferred and Premium. Premium has less sand and more asphalt, but there is still a sandy patch at the back of the site for a tent. All sites allow for 2 camping units as long as one of them is a tent. The premium sites also have nicer grills and nicer picnic tables.

Site size varies greatly between all the loops. We have been to the Fort more than a dozen times in the last handful of years and have stayed in Full Hook-up, Preferred and Premium loops. We have stayed in small sites in the Premium loops and have stayed in large sites in the Full Hook-up loops. There are a few sites in the 1400 loop (in the 1430s) that can be tricky to back into with a large TT.

I think everyone else answered your transportation questions.

-Michael

[DavidandDayle]

as well as fortfiends, the best Disney info is
http://allears.net/

and their Fort Wilderness is at
http://allears.net/acc/faq_fw.htm
http://allears.net/acc/ResortMaps/fort-wilderness-map.pdf

The closest we've managed to the boats is 300 loop. 300 and 500 are right next to the dog park.
There are 2 stores -- one next to the boats and one halfway up at the Meadow (900, 1000 loop)
Transportation is accessible. It seems as if we sometimes spend ages as someone's wheels are taken in and strapped to the floor.

Read All Ears about ticket prices. It's complicated and they expire quickly! Last time we were there for a month and bought an annual pass as the cheapest option.

[Dave_in_TN]

dpgllg wrote:
Hello,

First before anyone flames me for not searching the forums I did and most answers were several years old or nonexsistant.

We are considering a trip to Disney next year.

What is the differance between a prefered and a premium site other than the premium is wider it seems? Worth the cost? We have a 31 foot 5th wheel. As a general rule, the premium sites have wider and longer concrete pads, but they also tend to be further spaced from other sites, and a bit more private. The premium loop roads are typically less cramped for maneuvering into your site, compared to preferred sites.

We will be traveling with our dogs. I also have difficulty walking any real distance. Is there a better loop to stay in than another? All loops are pet friendly now, but the closest loops to the dog park are 300 (preferred) and 500 (premium). Another good option in Premium loops is 400, which is fairly close to the dog park and very close to the Settlement.

Has anyone rented a mobility scooter at any of the parks and if so what was the cost? Did they "rent out" early? I've never rented one, but many people utilize off-site (non-Disney) rental companies, such as Walker Mobility. They deliver to your resort and pick up at the end of your stay. Or you can bring your own scooter.
I know many people who do that, and you can ride it around the campground too as there are walkways everywhere.

Are there buses in the campground itself to take you the amenities and to the marinia to catch the boat? Do you have to take the boat to the tranportation center and then take a bus to the various parks or is there bus transportation to the differant parks? There are buses within the Fort that take you to the Settlement where you catch the boat to the Magic Kingdom, or to the Outpost for buses to the other parks and Disney Springs. All buses are scooter friendly. The only non-scooter friendly transportation from the Fort is the small boat that takes you to the Wilderness Lodge or Contemporary. There are others means to get to those resorts, though.

I would consider taking my own mobility scooter but if I'm correct Disney uses buses and boats which probably do not accomodate mobility scooters. Answered previously.

If there is anything else that you could share I would appreciate it.
Check out fortfiends.net for a wealth of friendly information.

Dave

[Ed_C]

From the 100, 200 & 300 (preferred loops) you can take a scooter to the store, restaurant & boat. The Magic Kingdom boat will take your scooter. All Disney buses are scooter friendly. We always use a preferred loop with or 43'; you'll fit. Other loops you might want to use the bus.

[reelcamper1]

We are headed there this fall! Haven't been there in 10 years & I know there have been some changes! We could only reserve a "premium" site when we booked & we will also be bringing our dog.
I think besides the sites being wider, there is no room for a tent like other sites.....it is all blacktop, no "sandy" area. Also, there are certain loops that are pet loops for each level of campsite: premium, standard, etc..

[bgum]

Download an app called FW Sites. It shows a picture of each site, tells you the type, gives dimensions, etc. the first pet loop is 300.

[cruising_spud]

Dave,

Fort Wilderness has both external and internal busses. All of the campground loops have a bus stop. You walk to the bus stop, which is a very short walk, get on an internal bus, and then go to either end of the campgroud, where you can then either take the bus (at one end of the campground) directly to the Disney Parks, or (at the other end of the campground) take the boat directly to the Magic Kingdom.

I would suggest you google up a map of Fort Wilderness to check out the campground loops. Some are close to the pool and its store, some are close to the marina and its store, some are close to the main bus area. You would have to decide which area you want to be closest to. Fort Wilderness is big.


Disney busses do allow mobility scooters. People with scooters and their families are the first to board. Bus drivers lower a ramp to get you on the bus.

I would suggest you go to www.disboards.com and look under Camping. There are very knowledgeable people who can help with the other questions you have.

Hope this helps.