Fort Wilderness Rennovations!!!!

[knightje]

Touring Plans just announced that rennovations to the Fort are being planned that will entirely pave the current dirt pads. If true, this will make tent camping extremely difficult!

Does anyone have better info?

[GoCamels]

Other things we've seen lists only selected loops that will consolidate sites to expand them to meet the requriement of today's larger vehicles...leaving several loops "as is"...do some digging and you'll find a thread on it.

[big kahuna1]

They are converting some sites into "Premier Sites". Only these sites will lose the dirt pad. Here is the link on this:

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1770676

[Kimbere]

Losing the dirt pads sounds like an excellent idea to me. Then again, I don't tent camp...ever! :lmao: I thought the dirt was the only bad part about the entire campground and would love to see a paved pad on the sites. Maybe they could devote certain loops for tenting only?

Any more news on the swimming pool renovations? :confused3

[clkelley]

According to the list, Loop 100, 200, 300, and 1600 - 1800, and 1500 and 2000 will keep the sand paid available for tents.

All other loops will go to paved only. However, tents will still be allowed on any level of site. Folks will just have to get creative if they want to put a tent on concrete as far as staking it down. They also state upgraded vegetation for privacy will be added between the premium sites, so it won't be "all" concrete, so awnings will be able to be staked down past the edge of the concrete.

[BigDaddyRog]

I misunderstand OFTEN, and may have misunderstood this as well....but I thought it meant that the paved pad would be wider and longer(eliminating the coquina pad), but I didnt get the feeling that they were going to eliminate the "yard" of each site...I took it to mean they were simply eliminating the sandpads.
An "all concrete" site wouldnt be very inviting....and can you imagine how HOT it would be during August???? Makes Walmart camping sound like a trip back to nature!!!

[RvUsa]

I hope they don't do away with all the sand, Matt spent hours a day with his construction equipment. As far as all concrete, I hope they make them wider, because with the slide outs out, and the trailer over as far as I could with them out, I only had about 2' from end of steps to 3' drop off. We had chairs under the awning, and could barely get by them.

I can stake my awning down on concrete blacktop, sand whatever, I always carry my hammer drill with us....

[~Kristina~]

Losing the dirt pads sounds like an excellent idea to me. Then again, I don't tent camp...ever! :lmao: I thought the dirt was the only bad part about the entire campground and would love to see a paved pad on the sites. Maybe they could devote certain loops for tenting only?

Any more news on the swimming pool renovations? :confused3

I'm curious about the pool too. Hopefully it's ready to go by Oct.

[clkelley]

I misunderstand OFTEN, and may have misunderstood this as well....but I thought it meant that the paved pad would be wider and longer(eliminating the coquina pad), but I didnt get the feeling that they were going to eliminate the "yard" of each site...I took it to mean they were simply eliminating the sandpads.
An "all concrete" site wouldnt be very inviting....and can you imagine how HOT it would be during August???? Makes Walmart camping sound like a trip back to nature!!!

I thought that's what I said :confused3

I never felt that anything but the driveway and sand was part of the site, but did use some area outside the edges for staking guy lines, etc.

[~Kristina~]

I wouldn't mind doing away with the sand on some site. I'm still sweeping sand out of the camper! lol

[stacktester]

Why not make the fort into an all asphalt parking lot and forget nature altogether? I like the sand pad to set up chairs and a 10 x 10 tent to hang out.

[LONE-STAR]

I can stake my awning down on concrete blacktop, sand whatever, I always carry my hammer drill with us....

:lmao: I was thinking the same thing. (but I would not damage the fort)

[happy_redhead]

Why not make the fort into an all asphalt parking lot and forget nature altogether? I like the sand pad to set up chairs and a 10 x 10 tent to hang out.

Man after my own heart....I totally agree!

[~Kristina~]

I didn't mean replace it with concrete, what's wrong with grass?? :confused3

[ftwildernessguy]

Disney could pave over the whole place, then cover it with astroturf. They could then spend a fortune making trees ala Swiss Family Robinson tree house. Armadillos, deer, birds and gators could easily be replaced with animatronics. They could even recycle some of those from the Jungle Ride. It would be GREAT!!!!

[seabee]

I'm curious about the pool too. Hopefully it's ready to go by Oct.

Last thing I saw was that the pool wouldn't be started until 2009. Maybe it will be ready for our Wild Dis Women's Weekend!http://smileys.smileycentral.com/cat/36/36_1_69.gif

[Kimbere]

The only reason I didn't like the sand/dirt is that when it rained, our site was a MESS. We left our crocs next to the door under the awning, but there was still wet sand and dirt everywhere...especially on the carpet in the camper. I've never stayed anywhere that put sand on a site intentionally....but for tenters I guess you would need it, or else lay grass.

[BigDaddyRog]

Id LOVE to spend a week in the swiss tree house!!!

[PolynesianPixie]

Id LOVE to spend a week in the swiss tree house!!!

I've had the same thought! I asked my BIL who is a CM if anybody ever slept there....I figured some CMs could have made it happen. Never heard of a CM going wild or anything :rolleyes1 He just looked at me like "why would anyone want to do THAT?" :confused3

[BigDaddyRog]

If for some reason I survived a nuclear holocaust, and was the last guy alive.....or if people got smart and the entire state of florida evacuated because its just too damn hot to live there full time...Id take up residence at WDW....of coarse it wouldnt be as fun with no chicks around....to get my beer for me.

[PolynesianPixie]

Last thing I saw was that the pool wouldn't be started until 2009. Maybe it will be ready for our Wild Dis Women's Weekend!http://smileys.smileycentral.com/cat/36/36_1_69.gif

Lets all send our thoughts telepathically to the "powers that be" to make this happen!

[Gatordad]

I've had the same thought! I asked my BIL who is a CM if anybody ever slept there....I figured some CMs could have made it happen. Never heard of a CM going wild or anything :rolleyes1 He just looked at me like "why would anyone want to do THAT?" :confused3

need to find out if it's ever been christened.

[PanFanAL]

Actually I read where last year a couple of teenagers were caught "christening" the Tree House . And would you believe they were part of a youth group there for Night of Joy.

[Gatordad]

Gotta love organized religion........

[BigDaddyRog]

Gotta love organized religion........

:rotfl2:

[PanFanAL]

I guess they were trying to put a new meaning to Night Of Joy:lmao:

[des1954]

of coarse it wouldnt be as fun with no chicks around....to get my beer for me.

I'll stick around Rog and be your....

http://smileys.smileycentral.com/cat/8/8_4_131.gif (http://*******************************************ZSzeb00 1_ZSYYYYYYOCUS)

:rotfl2: :rotfl2: :rotfl2: :rotfl2: :rotfl2: :rotfl2: :rotfl2: :rotfl2: :rotfl2:

[BigDaddyRog]

I'll stick around Rog and be your....

http://smileys.smileycentral.com/cat/8/8_4_131.gif (http://*******************************************ZSzeb00 1_ZSYYYYYYOCUS)

:rotfl2: :rotfl2: :rotfl2: :rotfl2: :rotfl2: :rotfl2: :rotfl2: :rotfl2: :rotfl2:





:love: :lovestruc :love: A volunteer beer wench:lovestruc :love: :lovestruc

Ya dont find em like THIS anymore :cloud9:

:lmao:

[shocker]

Disney could pave over the whole place, then cover it with astroturf. They could then spend a fortune making trees ala Swiss Family Robinson tree house. Armadillos, deer, birds and gators could easily be replaced with animatronics. They could even recycle some of those from the Jungle Ride. It would be GREAT!!!!


Why don't they just put a big dome top over the whole campground, like half of spaceship earth, then it could be climate controlled year round and never have a rain out day :confused3

[~Kristina~]

Last thing I saw was that the pool wouldn't be started until 2009. Maybe it will be ready for our Wild Dis Women's Weekend!http://smileys.smileycentral.com/cat/36/36_1_69.gif

Oh good, so it will be ready for our trip next year! :rotfl:

[Gatordad]

I'll stick around Rog and be your....

http://smileys.smileycentral.com/cat/8/8_4_131.gif (http://*******************************************ZSzeb00 1_ZSYYYYYYOCUS)

:rotfl2: :rotfl2: :rotfl2: :rotfl2: :rotfl2: :rotfl2: :rotfl2: :rotfl2: :rotfl2:





can we share the beer wench? and share beers and kungaloosh with her

[des1954]

You got it Pete!!:thumbsup2

[des1954]

:love: :lovestruc :love: A volunteer beer wench:lovestruc :love: :lovestruc

Ya dont find em like THIS anymore :cloud9:

:lmao:

Yep! I was raised "old school"!! I cook, do laundry, clean house and work two jobs!! I'm a well trained beer wench, too! My dad used to toss his empty long-neck's at me & I'd "one hand" 'em without even looking & go get him a replacement (which I would not toss back)!! I miss the "good old days"!

When Al comes down to visit I automatically revert to the "beer wench". I'll be glad to be considered yours & Pete's personal wench when you're here! I'd be an honor!!

[Tent Camping Mom]

Touring Plans just announced that rennovations to the Fort are being planned that will entirely pave the current dirt pads. If true, this will make tent camping extremely difficult!

Does anyone have better info?


Say it ain't so! :scared1:

[Tent Camping Mom]

According to the list, Loop 100, 200, 300, and 1600 - 1800, and 1500 and 2000 will keep the sand paid available for tents.

All other loops will go to paved only. However, tents will still be allowed on any level of site. Folks will just have to get creative if they want to put a tent on concrete as far as staking it down. They also state upgraded vegetation for privacy will be added between the premium sites, so it won't be "all" concrete, so awnings will be able to be staked down past the edge of the concrete.

Whew! Thanks for the clarification! I was about to freak out. Since they're leaving the 1500 and 2000 alone, I'm good with it. :thumbsup2

[kmurawski]

Paved pads will mean less chances of creepy crawly creatures who slither on their belly. I like that!

[proudmomof4]

While we were there this past week in 1400 loop, the surveyors were taking measurements by our site and when DH asked what was going on they said they were deciding which sites to upgrade to premium. They also said not every site in the selected loops would be updgraded since some sites are very close together or there may be other issues peventing the upgrade.

The CM in the outpost did not have very much info at all on the upgrades and didn't know anything at all about the pool renovations, but DS (he is a CM) said he was told that about 100 sites total would be upgraded to premium.

[DznyRulz]

... but DS (he is a CM) said he was told that about 100 sites total would be upgraded to premium.

That's good to hear. It sounds like there will still be full hookup sites available for those of us who want them and not pay the additional $$$ for a premium site.

[kc5grw]

That's good to hear. It sounds like there will still be full hookup sites available for those of us who want them and not pay the additional $$$ for a premium site.
I don't think there will be any "full hookup" sites after the conversion is complete. They are adding cable to ALL the sites, so anything that was full hookup previously will now be preferred. Not exactly sure what this means for the partial hookup and tent sites and if they're going to raise the rates there, but they're all supposed to have cable.

[AuburnJen92]

I hope they upgrade the cable service, because I haven't been a fan. That is why we brought our Direct TV with us.

[DznyRulz]

I don't think there will be any "full hookup" sites after the conversion is complete. They are adding cable to ALL the sites, so anything that was full hookup previously will now be preferred. Not exactly sure what this means for the partial hookup and tent sites and if they're going to raise the rates there, but they're all supposed to have cable.

Oh. I thought only the premium sites were going to be expanded and get cable. I guess I misread that all sites were getting cable regardless. I would hope we'd get the option of not paying for cable to keep the cost down but that's probably asking too much.

[Kimbere]

We didn't even set up our TV this trip. So, I would hate to have to pay money for cable...especially if I'm not even using it. That was part of the beauty of this last vacation. No TV, no computers...just like the old days from when I was a kid. :lmao:

[Mickey Canada]

When are the cable installs going to be completed on the tent sites?

Do you have to pay for cable as an extra charge now? or is it part of the premium cost for the site already?

I'll be tent camping in October and I may bring down the TV if the cable is going to be ready. :happytv:

[clkelley]

The original email says the cable installation for 1500 and 2000 will be complete by 11/21/08.

[mdoc]

My understanding is that all of the sites are going to have cable, and there will no longer be a "full hookup" category - it's going to be premium, preferred and partial hookup (w/cable). FWIW, I have ressies for a premium site for late March 2009 and, although it's not guaranteed because the 2009 prices aren't out yet, it's something like $110 a night. Until I see the premium sites and how spacious and easy to get into they are, I won't know if it's worth it to get a premium site vs. a preferred (we've always managed to get into our preferred sites), but I wanted to at least check it out.

[MomofPirate&Mickey]

We didn't even set up our TV this trip. So, I would hate to have to pay money for cable...especially if I'm not even using it. That was part of the beauty of this last vacation. No TV, no computers...just like the old days from when I was a kid. :lmao:

Yeah, we have a ban on electronics when we're camping. Of course, we're in a tent, so it's a little easier to do... (Electronics being...tvs, video games, etc., not the crock pots, etc.)

[kc5grw]

Yeah, we have a ban on electronics when we're camping. Of course, we're in a tent, so it's a little easier to do... (Electronics being...tvs, video games, etc., not the crock pots, etc.)

Okay I understand this in the context of camping at a state park or national forest or the like. But at Disney World? :lmao: :rotfl2: :rotfl: :lmao: :happytv:

[AuburnJen92]

Yeah, we have a ban on electronics when we're camping. Of course, we're in a tent, so it's a little easier to do... (Electronics being...tvs, video games, etc., not the crock pots, etc.)

I think my DH and DS would absolutely DIE if there were no electronics. Neither of them would function.:lmao:

[bxtx]

We don't even have a TV in our trailer. The most electronic I get whislt camping at FtW is popping popcorn ready to watch the movie :)

No TV was a major reason we decided to get a camper!

Bex

[YellowXterra]

I camp about 40 nights a year, but when we go to the fort we go in Hotel mode. Just basic stuff and a TV to watch the resort channels. The boss don't cook on vacations :cool2:

[clkelley]

I don't cook at the Fort either, but now that I have the camper with fridge and stove, it is nice to be able to have my quick breakfast of yogurt, bagel, juice and hot chocolate right there at the campsite without going to the Contemporary or Wilderness Lodge first thing. This upcoming trip in October, however, since DH is coming with me and HAS to have his eggs, we've decided our big meal of the day will be sit down breakfast, then we're going to graze at F&W festival for the rest of our meals. He'll be there 4 mornings, so I figure Chef Mickey's, Tusker House, Whispering Canyon, and maybe Hollywood & Vine.

I haven't done the TV thing much while camping either. I've got one built in, but I much prefer hooking up the XM and listening to Old Time Radio or Cinemagic. I do bring the laptop to keep my work email down to a dull roar. download pictures, and to check the weather (and keep up with DisBoards :cutie: )

[seabee]

I like to have the tv so that I can watch the news while I lay in bed. I know, I know, I'm camping. My dd says it isn't camping its "campERing":lmao:

I have upgraded our Oct. res. to a premium. It add $90 to our 8 night res. It's aprx. $75 a night. Hopefully it was worth the upgrade. I'm sure it will be. For us the extra room around the site is a plus with DH's wheelchair and the back door/ramp dropping for him to get in. I will actually be able to backup into the site like you are suppose to. We had to park more foward before because I couldn't push him through the sand to get up on the ramp.

[ftwildernessguy]

I use the TV mainly for some news in the morning and the weather reports, although I have a weather radio in the camper.

As for cooking, I am the chief cook and bottle washer when we are camping. I don't like to brag, but FWGirl says I can do some real gourmet (pronounce GOOR MET not GOOR MAY) cooking at the Fort.

[Colson39]

I don't think I would like those late night wind downs without a TV, plus I need to be able to watch my sports!

On short weekend trips, the TV's don't get much use, but on the longer week trips or so, the TV definitely gets it's fair share of attention.

[VACAMPER]

Watch your sports now because soon you'll be watching Barney!:rotfl:

[Colson39]

Do they at least have Barney sports??? lol ;)

[3gr8kids]

Barney Sports? Are you kidding? LOL Boy-oh-boy, you are in for a surprise.

[Us3]

Watch your sports now because soon you'll be watching Barney!:rotfl:

:rotfl: So very true! Pretty soon you'll be singing the "hot dog" song from Mickey Mouse Clubhouse...ALL DAY long! Urgh!

[BigDaddyRog]

hot dog, hot dog, hot diggity dog......:sad:

[3gr8kids]

Ha! We can't just sing it in our house - we have to do the dance too!! Let me tell you - my DH can do a mean Goofy dance, LOL

[PanFanAL]

I have the same thing here. Plus all the Mickey Mouse toys everywhere. I am not sure how many Mickey Mouse toys they make, but it looks like I'm gonna find out.:rotfl:

[AuburnJen92]

:rotfl: So very true! Pretty soon you'll be singing the "hot dog" song from Mickey Mouse Clubhouse...ALL DAY long! Urgh!

thanks for putting that song back in my head, i had just got that out for the day....ds4 can't get enough of it

Colson, you will get to know the Disney Channel like never before!