Chip n Dale Campfire for Off Peroperty Guests?

[quantumottle]

If I'd known my question, that had absolutely nothing whatsoever to do with camping, would get moved to the "Camping at Disney World" forum, and if I'd known that an incredibly rude and bitter group of campers would attack me on that forum, because of some battle they are in to retain control of and somehow prevent too many people from using their campground, and continue to attack long after I settled my differences and left the thread, I would have never posted this question in the first place.

I have learned my lesson, and will never again, NEVER post anything that could somehow end up on the Camping at DW forum. People from my side of the DIS would be absolutely SHOCKED to learn there is a place so mean spirited as the Camping at DW forum. I have certainly learned my lesson.

[dthogue]

yes you can - we went in May and at no time during our travels to and from the campfire or while at the campfire did anyone ask us where we were staying. Unfortunately for us a thunderstorm came through and cut our evening short, but we did get to roast marshmellows - yummy.

I believe if you check the camping thread you can find additional info on how to get there using disney transportation. We left from the MK by boat and returned to the MK by bus.

Tammy

[scrapbookingpro]

You can absolutely go! We have been dozens of times while staying at other resorts. It is very fun!

[mamamac]

What is this? I can't seem to find it anywhere.

[sjms71]

Found this

Chip & Dale's Campfire Sing-A-Long is held nightly at the Meadow Trading Post and begins with a 7:30 fire lighting (weather permitting). It features a sing-along, Disney movies and cartoons. Marshmallows can be toasted over the campfires. You can bring your own or buy them there. The Chuckwagon is located there and sells pizza, hot dogs, popcorn, nachos, candy and beverages for those who want something a little more substantial.

[mamamac]

That sounds like fun! Is it usually crowded? If it's something that is not very expensive, I would be afraid that it would be packed.

[ShellyLynn3630]

Wow, a chance to see and interact with some characters and not having to pay! Thats great, kinda suprised Disney dosen't try to nickel and dime people for this. We may have to check this out next month.

[vallamen]

may seem like a silly question, but I have a smores loving kiddo ;)..... Do they provide marshmallow roasting sticks????

Thanks!
Val.

[livndisney]

The character interaction is limited. Chip and Dale make their way through the crowd in record time. They come to you and it is quick. That being said DD enjoyed it and the sing a long before the movie.

[amzking]

may seem like a silly question, but I have a smores loving kiddo ;)..... Do they provide marshmallow roasting sticks????

Thanks!
Val.

They sell all Smore ingredients as well as sticks, but you can bring our own if you want, they don't come cheap!

[quantumottle]

Thanks soooo much for the GREAT news!
:thumbsup2

[Planogirl]

We've never made it early enough to see Chip and Dale but we have watched a movie a few times. We like to eat at Trail's End and then head over to the campfire.

[Brian_WDW74]

I've moved this thread to the Camping at Disney World board. It's the best place to discuss all of the offerings available at Fort Wilderness. :)

[2goofycampers]

Chip & Dale's Campfire Sing-A-Long is held nightly at the Meadow Trading Post and begins with a 7:30 fire lighting (weather permitting). It features a sing-along, Disney movies and cartoons. Marshmallows can be toasted over the campfires. You can bring your own or buy them there. The Chuckwagon is located there and sells pizza, hot dogs, popcorn, nachos, candy and beverages for those who want something a little more substantial.

This entertainment is free to all Walt Disney World resort guests.

From http://www.wdwinfo.com/wdwinfo/Resorts/ftwildrecreation.htm

[daddyphat808]

Well worth it and a bunch of fun. Chip and Dale are pretty fast through the crowds but everything else is quite nice. For sure bring your own sticks and Smores items. They are very proud of theirs!

[Pirate-Jeff]

You should be a WDW guest staying at a WDW resort to enjoy any of the campfires or outdoor movies.

This entertainment is free to all Walt Disney World resort guests.

[Born 2 Fish]

Not to be disrespectful BUT,, the key words here are, "For Disney Resort Guests",,
If you are staying at a premium hotel/resort in Orlando that has some wonderful ammenities/entertainment for their guests and you obviously paid a premium price for the privilege of using these ammenities/entertainment,,how would you like it if people not staying there just came anytime and used them for free ?

Thats partly why Disney has resorts on their property.

[starbuc71]

I agree with Frank. Even though it would be nice for the campers to have sole use of the forts amenities since things get very crowded, I would be happy with disney resort guest only. The pool and the campfire get way to overcrowded these days from people who come in and are not paying at a disney resort. I have stated in other post that disney should require guest to use a pass card to get access at all disney pools. I would even be happy if they enforced the foolish "no pool hopping" policy between resorts. It just gets too crowded and when you throw the low life's that sneak into disney resorts it canget awful for us

[Pirate-Jeff]

Frank is Right

If you are staying off site. "Stay off site" Don't freeload the amenities We are paying for. How would you like it if 50 or 100 non-guests showed up at your resort and took over your pool, kids playground or spa.

Since the Halloween debacle The Fort and other Disney Resorts will be having random Resort ID checks. Disney security and Os/co sheriff's dept will also be doing golf cart driver age and DUI check points/stops and speed limit enforcement inside Fort Wilderness.

[stacktester]

Frank is Right

If you are staying off site. "Stay off site" Don't freeload the amenities We are paying for. How would you like it if 50 or 100 non-guests showed up at your resort and took over your pool, kids playground or spa.

Since the Halloween debacle The Fort and other Disney Resorts will be having random Resort ID checks. Disney security and Os/co sheriff's dept will also be doing golf cart driver age and DUI check points/stops and speed limit enforcement inside Fort Wilderness.

Does this mean no more red cup drinking? I thought I found a loophole in that by letting my 12 y/o drive the cart when I'm drinking lol. They find a way to spoil everything. Next thing you know they'll charge me to fish from the banks.

[quantumottle]

You should be a WDW guest staying at a WDW resort to enjoy any of the campfires or outdoor movies.

This entertainment is free to all Walt Disney World resort guests.I guess I owe a thanks to Brian for moving this thread. The folks on the Strategies forum seem to think that the Campfire is for all Disney guests, while the experts here on the Camping forum say otherwise.

While nobody in my family drinks and I am certain nobody will be checking for ID at the campfire (and I'm tempted to go just so I can come back and tell rude people like Pirate-Jeff that I did it anyway and thank him for paying for it for us) I would still like to thank everyone for saving me the embarrassment of showing up with my smores and sticks only to be turned away.
:goodvibes

[Pirate-Jeff]

RUDE you want to talk about RUDE

Staying off site to save a little money is one thing, but doing that and to use another resorts amenities that someone else is paying for is just plain Rude. It's like staying at a Super 8 to save some money and going to the Wyndham Royal Palms to use the pool, hot tub or spa or going to a restaurant and bringing your own food to save some money it's just WRONG.

I had a long conversation recently with Disney Security about non-Disney Resort guests abusing the Fort's facilities. I was assured that it will be fixed when the parking lot is secured.

They won't be asking for a drivers license, rather for your Disney resort ID that is issued to paying guests that stay at a Disney resort and yes I have been asked to show my resort ID at Fort Wilderness.

If you want to use the Fort facilities, stay at the Fort or at least at a Disney Resort. If you want to stay off site to save some money, use their facilities.

Just in case you don't know: A Disney resort guest is someone that is staying at a Disney resort hotel not a day visitor staying off site.

Have a nice day.

[bigdisneydaddy]

I guess I owe a thanks to Brian for moving this thread. The folks on the Strategies forum seem to think that the Campfire is for all Disney guests, while the experts here on the Camping forum say otherwise.

While nobody in my family drinks and I am certain nobody will be checking for ID at the campfire (and I'm tempted to go just so I can come back and tell rude people like Pirate-Jeff that I did it anyway and thank him for paying for it for us) I would still like to thank everyone for saving me the embarrassment of showing up with my smores and sticks only to be turned away.
:goodvibes

When paying guests are getting turned away, its hard to support off site people attending. You got an honest answer to the question.

[quantumottle]

I see your point Jeff, however, when I started doing research for my families upcoming visit I recalled booking a carriage ride at the PO resort last year with no problems at all. Nobody asked me for ID, or told me that since I was staying off-property I would not be allowed to book the ride. Nothing.

So, putting together plans for this years trip, I read somewhere about the Smores Campfire. I'm fully prepared to pay whatever the cost is, I simply thought it would be something fun for my family to do.

Again, nowhere have I read that you mus be staying at a resort in order to do this. In fact, as you can see from the first set of replies to this thread (before it was moved to this forum) I am not alone. Each person who replied said it was perfectly fine to attend the campfire, leaving me to believe that this is common knowledge among most DIS'ers.

My apologies for apparently shoving a stick into what seems to be an open wound for the fine people here on the camping forum. I meant no harm, but was admittedly a bit surprised to see someone reply to my friendly question with this:If you are staying off site. "Stay off site"

Call me rude all you want Jeff, but in any other forum anywhere else on The DIS, outside of the Camping forum I suppose, you are the one that would be considered as having crossed the line of rudeness, I assure you.

Good day to you as well.

[Pirate-Jeff]

Bigdisneydaddy has it right:

When paying guests are getting turned away, its hard to support off site people attending. You got an honest answer to the question.

[quantumottle]

Thanks for reading my post before replying Pirate-Jeff. Actually, it's obvious you're not exactly the reedin' n ritin' type, so I'll leave you happy folks here on the Camping forum to continue complaining amongst yourselves. Thanks for the "honest answers". Here's hoping my family is fortunate enough to avoid crossing paths with you friendly people while at an amusement park for kids.

[NickP33]

I've stayed on WDW property literally about 35 times and off site around 5. However, this Thanksgiving, I am staying off-site AND attending the campfire with my party of 9. We are eating at Trails End before though. Hope to see you all there!

[quantumottle]

I've stayed on WDW property literally about 35 times and off site around 5. However, this Thanksgiving, I am staying off-site AND attending the campfire with my party of 9. We are eating at Trails End before though. Hope to see you all there!

:thanks:
Thank you NickP33, that's kinda' what I thought all along. I think I inadvertently wondered into a den of grumpy old-timers who are upset that the parks are more crowded than they'd like. I feel their pain though, I'm just not quite as grumpy about it I guess.

I hope the Poly folks are a little more friendly while I'm watching Wishes, and don't get mad that I'm taking up space on the beach they paid for...
;)

[NickP33]

Yeah, I completely understand about the pool thing. When I do stay on property, I never use another resort's pool. However, I view the campfire thing a little different I guess. It's no different than paying $5 to ride the ponies, pay $20 to eat at trails end or $50 to see HDR. I will go, pay my $10 for a couple of smore kits and enjoy the show.

[bigdisneydaddy]

Thanks for reading my post before replying Pirate-Jeff. Actually, it's obvious you're not exactly the reedin' n ritin' type, so I'll leave you happy folks here on the Camping forum to continue complaining amongst yourselves. Thanks for the "honest answers". Here's hoping my family is fortunate enough to avoid crossing paths with you friendly people while at an amusement park for kids.

So... you come on this forum, ask a question, Get an honest reply you dont like, complain about us being rude and then insult us as a group ?

Somehow you think that shows a shortcoming on our part ?

please forgive us if we go back to minding our own business as we were before you got here.

[bigdisneydaddy]

I've stayed on WDW property literally about 35 times and off site around 5. However, this Thanksgiving, I am staying off-site AND attending the campfire with my party of 9. We are eating at Trails End before though. Hope to see you all there!

The ice cream shop in town has a putt putt course next to it but I cant play for free just because I buy ice cream.

[quantumottle]

So... you come on this forum, ask a question, Get an honest reply you dont like, complain about us being rude and then insult us as a group ?

Somehow you think that shows a shortcoming on our part ?

please forgive us if we go back to minding our own business as we were before you got here.
Yes, unfortunately, I do, and you're forgiven.

Actually, I wouldn't have come here except a moderator moved my post here, still unsure why as I have no intentions of doing any camping.

Now how about we forget this ugly little incident and get back to talking Disney. Let's remember why we're all here, we are all fans of the Mouse and enjoy giving him our money.

I'll go back to my usual place and steer clear the Campers from now on. Thanks for your help, and best wishes.

[bigdisneydaddy]

Yes, unfortunately, I do, and you're forgiven.

Actually, I wouldn't have come here except a moderator moved my post here, still unsure why as I have no intentions of doing any camping.

Now how about we forget this ugly little incident and get back to talking Disney. Let's remember why we're all here, we are all fans of the Mouse and enjoy giving him our money.

I'll go back to my usual place and steer clear the Campers from now on. Thanks for your help, and best wishes.

Agreed, you are welcome.

[Born 2 Fish]

I can only see one line that got crossed here,,AND it wasn't by Jeff !

What you posted from the start was,,
---
"I probably already know the answer to this question, but I'll ask anyway and keep my fingers crossed. Is it possible to attend the Chip and Dale Campfire if you are not staying in a Disney Resort hotel? Thanks in advance for your help."
---
You obviously knew what the proper answer was to your question or you wouldn't have asked the question, OR asked it in the manner you did,
OR were you just looking for approval ?

So my question to you is,,do you honestly feel in your heart it's okay to stay at a Motel 6 (or any other motel) and infringe upon others who paid premium prices for the privilege of enjoying these amenities ??

And talk about RUDE ! Oh yeah,, thats real ADULT like say'n something STUPID as"(and I'm tempted to go just so I can come back and tell rude people like Pirate-Jeff that I did it anyway and thank him for paying for it for us) "

And of course there are people who will agree with you , BUT that doesnt make it right ! You really think that theres no one else out there abusing the system, OF course they'll agree with you! Come on, you know whats right and whats not, use your common sense!
After all, would you teach your children that it's okay to use the swim pool at the Hilton down the street from your house any time they want ???

[starbuc71]

You tell them Frank. I agree this was a stupid question from the start. I guess some people will do anything these days to save a buck and enjoy something on someone else dime. I won't even pool hop to other resorts when staying at the fort. I don't think it's fair to the paying guest at that resort to over crowd thier area. Some people are just ignorant.

[Cindy F]

......

So, putting together plans for this years trip, I read somewhere about the Smores Campfire. I'm fully prepared to pay whatever the cost is, I simply thought it would be something fun for my family to do......

Quantumottle, you're right- the campfire sing-along and movie (as well as everything else at the campground) is A LOT of fun for families and I'm pretty sure ya'll would love it!:thumbsup2

What about seeing if there is a tent site available one of the nights you're there? You could still sleep at your hotel if you aren't comfortable spending the night your first time there.

In off season you can generally get one for $40 something a night and ya'll could spend the day/evening enjoying everything the campground has to offer. We paid $45 for the haunted carriage ride and although it was great, it wasn't as great as a full day/night at the campground!

They have all kinds of activities during the day as well. It would be a good way to see if you might want to stay at the campground full time for your next trip. Even if tent camping isn't your thing, there are people that rent nice RVs that you could consider for your next trip.

Anyway, just a thought. I hope you and your family have a great trip! I know you will, after all...it's DISNEY! :wizard: Feel free to PM me if I can help :)

[Born 2 Fish]

Well theres another whole can of worms,,take away a possible site from someone else who would actually use a site AND STAY ON IT , but what th heckl,, I'm so sick of peoples arrogance I'm not gonna address this.

[Cindy F]

Well theres another whole can of worms,,take away a possible site from someone else who would actually use a site AND STAY ON IT , but what th heckl,, I'm so sick of peoples arrogance I'm not gonna address this.

The first time we took out the popup for camping, we had a back up hotel room "just in case" we didn't like it/got scared/bad weather. We weren't being arrogant, we were being cautious out of fear of the unknown. Of course now we look back and laugh but back then it was a real concern.

Everyone has their own opinion of course but The Fort is for any paying guest to enjoy...however they choose to enjoy it.

I personally think the OP and her family would have a blast booking a day/night at The Fort and actually spending the night in a tent as a "camp out" in the middle of their trip (still keeping the hotel room just in case) but some people just may not be comfortable spending the night their first time out-especially in a tent.

That's okay, it's just a one day/night trial--it will either let them know camping really isn't for them or it may show them that although they aren't comfortable in a tent-they would love a RV.

[4mickey2]

jeff, scott and frank and the many others are doing a fine job explaining things. if we (the paying resort guests) have it our way, people will have to show their resort id to be able to come on disney resort property in the near future.

keep the emails and mailings going out.. :)....

[Pirate-Jeff]

I was wrong this is from Disney's web-site. It says resort guests not all WDW resort guests. The all "WDW Resort Guests" came from an independent Disney related Web-site.

Chip 'n' Dale's Campfire Sing-a-Long & Movie
Every evening, Resort Guests can gather around the campfire for songs and fun (including roasting marshmallows) hosted by Disney's famous chipmunk pals, then watch a classic Disney movie under the stars

That means that the campfire is open to Fort Wilderness Guests only.

[freshlybarked]

Not that my 2 cents are needed at this point, but I'll add them anyway. I hope we have to start showing our ID. There are times when I really don't think the pool is as crowded as it is with just campers and we pass on going. We pay a lot of money to stay at FW or whatever resort you choose. Sometimes it's a financial stretch but it is one of our few vacation spots we can go and take our dogs. I like to think there is some amount of security and not just everyone can come in for the day, although I have run into people who do just that. I travel to other resorts for lunch or dinner, etc. but I don't use their pools, etc. Let's just start with trying to keep the general public out and it might make the fort a safer place. Too much stuff seems to be hapening lately. Having said that we'll be back for a long weekend in December and we can't wait.

[2goofycampers]

Actually, it's obvious you're not exactly the reedin' n ritin' type, so I'll leave you happy folks here on the Camping forum to continue complaining amongst yourselves.
I am offended by that statement. :mad:

And BTW I can spell property.

I'll have you know that some of us have letters before and after their name. Such as Dr. and PHD. :thumbsup2

A few of us may have #'s after our names, but I swear we were all innocent.:lmao:

[DaveInTN]

A few of us may have #'s after our names, but I swear we were all innocent.:lmao:
Hey, I resemble that remark! :rotfl:

[ftwildernessguy]

I have found that many people do not actually want answers to their questions, they want validation for their behavior.

[mamaloya]

Every campground I have ever been too only allowed CG guests to use their amenities. Some even go so far as to issue wristbands so that it is easier to pick out "intruders".

BTW, there is a campfire singalong of some sort at Port Orleans. You may try checking that out.

[clkelley]

I'm just wondering would we have answered this the same way before the Halloween GG and all of the "crap" that went on with the parking lot being filled up with offsite trick or treaters and the golf cart accidents??

True, the official word is the Campfire is for Disney Resort Guests only.

Disney has unofficially relaxed this rule by making the bus/boat transportation available to all without checking IDs and has made the Overflow lot open to all.

There are a few trips here and there where we come down on a moments notice and stay off property, but honestly, except for sleeping at our off property hotel, we pretty much still act like Disney Resort guests and use all of the amenities such as restaurants, transportation, strolls along the sidewalks, viewing the fireworks from various places, etc.

The rules say don't use the pools, and we never do, and when we do visit a resort that we are not staying at, we try to spend a bit of money there.

While I do hope that the Fort Managment cracks down on the abuses on popular nights such as Halloween, Fourth of July, etc. (when they have watched the overflow lot fill to capacity). I honestly hope that they don't completely close the Disney transportation and resort offerings down to purely guests of that resort. I also hope that they don't completely close down the overflow lot. They have it set now where they can temporarily close it down with human enforcement at times when it is necessary, but can keep it open the rest of the time when it is not necessary. Can you imagine having to go through the guard shack every time you want to leave property and just park back at overflow.

[DisneyBishops]

Frank is Right

If you are staying off site. "Stay off site" Don't freeload the amenities We are paying for. How would you like it if 50 or 100 non-guests showed up at your resort and took over your pool, kids playground or spa.

Since the Halloween debacle The Fort and other Disney Resorts will be having random Resort ID checks. Disney security and Os/co sheriff's dept will also be doing golf cart driver age and DUI check points/stops and speed limit enforcement inside Fort Wilderness.


Whats this DUI check point thing. That is one reason i camp at the fort. I can drink a beer while driving golf cart if i want to. That said i don't get falling down stupid drunk either. If other people have ruined it for the rest of us, i don't think i will be going to the fort very often in the future. I can't imagine Disney would let the OCS have DUI check points within the fort. That would run off way too much money and we all know how the mouse feels about our money.

I don't like rules anymore than the next guy, but why can't people just obey some simple rules and there would never be any checkpoints at the fort.

Just had to add my 2 cents. Not that anyone cares of course.

[Pirate-Jeff]

Whats this DUI check point thing. That is one reason i camp at the fort. I can drink a beer while driving golf cart if i want to. That said i don't get falling down stupid drunk either. If other people have ruined it for the rest of us, i don't think i will be going to the fort very often in the future. I can't imagine Disney would let the OCS have DUI check points within the fort. That would run off way too much money and we all know how the mouse feels about our money.

I don't like rules anymore than the next guy, but why can't people just obey some simple rules and there would never be any checkpoints at the fort.

Just had to add my 2 cents. Not that anyone cares of course.

Got this info from the OS/co sheriff dept officer that was taking pictures in the 700 loop the next day after the golf cart wreck where the little girl was injured.
He said they already are running radar speed enforcements in the campground at times. I couldn't get out of him "what times"

[Born 2 Fish]

I'm just wondering would we have answered this the same way before the Halloween GG and all of the "crap" that went on with the parking lot being filled up with offsite trick or treaters and the golf cart accidents??


I absolutely would have answered and felt the same way about this. We were not there to have to experience much of this crap that happened on the 31 st.,, but we have experienced much of the same things at different times during our stays at the Fort And it's still amazing to me how people will snubb noses and look down on us at the Fort and even HERE on the camping boards BUT they sure don't mind abusing and using us or the Fort when it suits THEM !!

[mamaloya]

I absolutely would have answered and felt the same way about this. We were not there to have to experience much of this crap that happened on the 31 st.,, but we have experienced much of the same things at different times during our stays at the Fort And it's still amazing to me how people will snubb noses and look down on us at the Fort and even HERE on the camping boards BUT they sure don't mind abusing and using us or the Fort when it suits THEM !!

I agree Frank. There have been times that the campfire is so crowded and I know they aren't from FW because the campground is almost empty. That really aggravated me.

They can put gates on the parking lot and you can only access it with a key card. Leave a few spots for dropping off/picking up pets at the kennel and a few for the Hoop Dee Doo. Other than that, security needs to be high priority.

[daddyphat808]

There is no doubt that there is a ton of locals and off site people that go to the Fort and use the amenities with no checks in place they get away with it. They feel that because they are onsite guests or have a Disney park pass they can use or take over the whole campground.

Disney needs to step up and provide better security for the campground. When we go to other resorts the only way in is through a guard gate. I have no problem as that being the only way for Fort guests to get into the resort. With the overflow being wide open it is way to easy to gain access to the resort.


I am planning on going to the Fort next year for Halloween or the 4th of July. I want to make sure that the people I am enjoying my time with are supposed to be there.

And one question as Fort guests we are not allowed to pool hop right? I think I remember that in my last set of check in paperwork.

[daddyphat808]

On a side note Wow! This thread has brought up a ton of emotions! :rolleyes1:scared:

[ftwildernessguy]

I have asked Bobby to restrict admission to FW to myself and invited guests. He is considering it. I know one person who won't be on the list. I don't want to hang out with somebody who spells "property" "peroperty". Before they pick on campers and imply we are an uneducated lot, they need to learn to use spell check.

[DaveInTN]

I have asked Bobby to restrict admission to FW to myself and invited guests. He is considering it. I know one person who won't be on the list. I don't want to hang out with somebody who spells "property" "peroperty". Before they pick on campers and imply we are an uneducated lot, they need to learn to use spell check.
To be fair, at least he didn't ask to share a site. :rotfl: I would definitely put my foot down on that one...I like to keep my peroperty all to myself.

Sorry! Someone had to go there before this thread gets closed!

[We4mickey]

Well said everyone. I for one would like it if they asked for my resort ID and I stated it in my letter. It was ridiculous for Halloween. They need to do something and I hope it is done soon.

[ftwildernessguy]

To be fair, at least he didn't ask to share a site. :rotfl: I would definitely put my foot down on that one...I like to keep my peroperty all to myself.

Sorry! Someone had to go there before this thread gets closed!

You are on the list, Dave. Admission granted.

[ftwildernessguy]

Well said everyone. I for one would like it if they asked for my resort ID and I stated it in my letter. It was ridiculous for Halloween. They need to do something and I hope it is done soon.

Not to worry, Lynn, you are on the list, too.

[mamaloya]

Not to worry, Lynn, you are on the list, too.

HEY!!! What about your favorite EX army wife? LOL :laughing:

[Disney Campers]

:wizard: