Looking at Fort Wilderness for Thanksgiving

[Strokenfiver]

The title sounds great but we've always gone down in September and finding a spot was never an issue. Well we discovered that there's not a single spot available and that most people make this reservation a year in advance. So my question is, does anyone have an inside info about how to get on a waiting list? At Disney they say only way is to call everyday to see if there is a cancellation. Any help or advice is greatly appreciated. Thank you all in advance.

[Bob_Shaw]

Strokenfiver wrote:
Ok so here's an update after everyone's advice we have been checking constantly for the past 5 days and I managed to book 3 separate reservations so far. On Sunday I lucked into openings on the 20-21st, on Monday I was able to catch the 19th and on Tuesday morning I lucked upon the 22nd. Who Hoo!!!!! So over the next 2 months I just need to secure the 23rd 24th and 25th. Thanks again and keep sending any advise you can share.

Don't stop. Even if you don't get all your days before you check-in, ask at the gate when you check-in, and call while you are there. They always reserve a few sites for emergencies, and you may be able to snag one.

[Bears_Den]

I have learned over the years not to even try to get a sight when the kids are out of school. I'm here now and the place is empty, the kids are back in school, lines are short and prices are down. Supply and demand is the key to making reservations at the Fort. Go when the demand is down. I have to admit DW and I are empty nesters so that makes a big difference.

[spro2395]

No campground is worth that aggravation...

[CampingN_C_]

The Fort filled up fast this year. We've never book a year out. We've always called in the spring for a week in October. This year the whole month was booked solid and I couldn't believe it. Even the lady I spoke to said they had all noticed it as well and could only contribute it to lower fuel prices.
We wanted the second week in Oct. and got pushed back to the week before Thanksgiving.
Lesson learned.

[RV-1_2n-FUN]

Strokenfiver wrote:
Ok so here's an update after everyone's advice we have been checking constantly for the past 5 days and I managed to book 3 separate reservations so far. On Sunday I lucked into openings on the 20-21st, on Monday I was able to catch the 19th and on Tuesday morning I lucked upon the 22nd. Who Hoo!!!!! So over the next 2 months I just need to secure the 23rd 24th and 25th. Thanks again and keep sending any advise you can share.

FANTASTIC NEWS :B keep on calling, keep on calling

[Strokenfiver]

Ok so here's an update after everyone's advice we have been checking constantly for the past 5 days and I managed to book 3 separate reservations so far. On Sunday I lucked into openings on the 20-21st, on Monday I was able to catch the 19th and on Tuesday morning I lucked upon the 22nd. Who Hoo!!!!! So over the next 2 months I just need to secure the 23rd 24th and 25th. Thanks again and keep sending any advise you can share.

[flgator4]

Keep calling like others said. I haven't tried this, but I've read that you can have travel agents do that for you, and it doesn't cost extra. good luck!

[Crodad]

I think Thanksgiving is the busiest time of the year at Disney World. We went there at that time a couple of years ago. Expect long lines and a lot of people. One hint, Start at the furthest ride from the entrance. Most people start at the beginning and work their way to the back.

[RV-1_2n-FUN]

rr2254545 wrote:

Bob Shaw wrote:
Call everyday, multiple times even. Then take less days, if you can get them, and then try to extend. That has worked for me in the past.

Yep up until the last minute you can cancel for only a $200 up to 2 days prior to arrival so last minute cancellations are doable

??????? Don't understand the...."for only $200.00 up to 2 days prior to arrival".....is this something NEW????

We are at FW now. Have been coming since 1980. Standard reservation requires one night deposit refundable if cancelled 5 days out from arrival.

Many cancellations are last minute so the best plan of attack is to call at 7:00AM EDT. At that time you will be first inline or almost first and have the previous day's cancellations available to book.

If Dory was here she would say as others have.....KEEP ON CALLING, KEEP ON CALLING..... :B

Best of luck to you and now it's off to MK for us.

[mgirardo]

As has been said, just keep calling. Even if you only get 1 day at a time, just keep calling and piece the reservation together that way. You've got a few months still, so it should work out just fine.

We did that for our son's birthday years ago. It just happened to fall 2 days after Easter, which is always crowded too. We got one day and kept calling and calling until we got all the days we wanted. They told us we might have to change sites and that we'd have to check in multiple times since they treated each day as a separate reservation. We never had to move, but we did have to check in each time.

-Michael

[Dick_B]

Try the KOA in Davenport. Free shuttle to Epcot when we stayed there.

[rr2254545]

Bob Shaw wrote:
Call everyday, multiple times even. Then take less days, if you can get them, and then try to extend. That has worked for me in the past.

Yep up until the last minute you can cancel for only a $200 up to 2 days prior to arrival so last minute cancellations are doable

[Strokenfiver]

Ok all good advise Between the wife and me we will call multiple times a day. Any other ideas keep them coming! Thanks

[Bob_Shaw]

Call everyday, multiple times even. Then take less days, if you can get them, and then try to extend. That has worked for me in the past.