Best FW loops.........

[Figment Chick]

My hubby and I are planning to pull our fifth wheel sometime next year to FW. Of all the numerous times that we've traveled to Disney World we've never stayed at FW. I understand that FW is huge, so that's why I'm doing research now. We'll have our two children ages 9 and 4. We won't have our pets with us though. We may try to bring our golf cart from home instead of renting one due to the cost. Regardless, we'll have our bicycles with us.

Now for the questions. Out of the different loops, which ones are the best in terms of convenience, privacy, and space? Are there any sites that have more trees or vegetation in between each site? I like the idea of being close to the marina and petting zoo, but a friend suggested staying near the pool area. Are the premium sites worth the extra cost?

We are very excited about camping at Disney!! Please feel free to comment, or leave your suggestions. Thanks in advance!!!

 

[mouseketeer_mom]

I'm sure there some experts here that will have some great tips and advice on choosing a loop. I can only give you my opinion of our last stay in the 900loop. It was awesome. We felt close to the pool, close to the trading post but away from the traffic (what little there is at FW).

We are paying a premium rate on our next trip and requesting 900 again.

 

[datgrt@fw]

Now for the questions. Out of the different loops, which ones are the best in terms of convenience, privacy, and space? Are there any sites that have more trees or vegetation in between each site? I like the idea of being close to the marina and petting zoo, but a friend suggested staying near the pool area. Are the premium sites worth the extra cost?

We are very excited about camping at Disney!! Please feel free to comment, or leave your suggestions. Thanks in advance!!!

Hello Figment Chick ........... I posted the attached when someone else ask about which Loop/Sites were the 'Best'. Believe me, this is just my opinion and I am sure that others will offer their favorite sites for your consideration!

When we need Full Hook-Up (Premium) 1400 Loop is our favorite! We have camped there many times over the years and we find it to be a great location that is very close to the Meadow Pool, the Bike Barn, the Nightly Campfire/Movie and the Meadow Trading Post! We also like that it is a short bus ride or not a bad walk to Pioneer Hall, Trails End, the Settlement Trading Post and also the Marina.

For us we like the sites that are on the outside part of the 1400 Loop / Big Bear that either back-up to the canal or are 3 or four sites before you get to the Comfort Station. Site #1432 or #1431 are both 'Great' sites!

I uderstand that everyone has different taste and 1400 might not be good for everyone but for our family it has always worked out great!

Safe travels and I hope you and your family have a 'Great' time at Fort Wilderness!

Doug / datgrt@fw

 

[Shan-man]

One correction to Doug's post, 1400 is no longer Full. It is now Premium, and I would say it is one of the least desirable Premiums as many sites are quite cramped. I have never stayed in 1400, but this is based on the feedback of others post-renovation and my touring of the loop pre-renovation.

Figment Chick, have you decided which level of campsite (Partial, Full, Preferred, or Premium) you are going to get? That would make recommendations easier.

 

[Figment Chick]

Thanks everyone for the replies so far! You folks certainly know your FW don't you?!

Shan, at this point we're still torn as to whether or not we should pay extra for the premium site. We definitely need a site that has full hook-ups though. As it appears, the more you pay, the better area you'll be in. What's your opinion? We're looking for as much space as we can get at our site. My hubby has informed me that a quieter area would be nice as well. Are there any loops that are centralized that tend to be quieter. Don't get me wrong though, a little noise is fine, everyone's there to have fun!

Bottom line here is, I don't mind paying a little more if it means getting a better spot. If premium is that much better, then that's what I'll go with. I want our first trip to FW to be a fun, relaxing, and pleasant experience. Hopefully this will be the first of many great FW trips. I can't wait!!!

What do you suggest?

 

[Shan-man]

If you want space, shade, privacy and yet to be within walking distance of the pool and easy biking distance to the marina I would recommend a Full site, which means loops 1600-1900. We camp with our pups, so we prefer 1800 since it connects to the canal dog walk. 1600 is closest to the pool, and the sidewalks to the marina and has 2 comfort stations (the downside is many of the sites back up to the road). 1700 is a little further from the pool. 1900 is, IMO, the least desirable unless you really want quiet and few dogs.

BTW, paying more doesn't really equate to location... the Premiums are spread all over the Fort. And the Preferred sites, though in a great location (close to the marina) are on the whole rather small sites.

That said, my favorite loop is 500, which I find to be a perfect blend of convenience, quiet, space, and shade. But it is a premium, and the pool is a long walk. Being able to walk to the marina area (Trading Post, Hoop-Dee-Doo, Trail's End, beach, dock) is more important to me. I love being able to hear the sounds from the Hoop and water pageant.

Since you mentioned trees in your initial post, I thought I should mention that 600 (Premium) is probably the LEAST shady loop. 900 and 800 feature fairly large sites and lots of shade, both are Premium.

 

[ftwildernessguy]

As it appears, the more you pay, the better area you'll be in.

Not true. Traditionally, Disney's designation for loops had more to do with cable TV hookup and proximity to the marina. With the addition of premium loops, the classification came to mean larger paved pad and upgraded picnic tables, believe it or not. Your request seems to cover the entire gambit of sites. With a 5er, you have no choice really than to have a site with a minimum of full hookup, since the 1500 and 2000 loops are, I believe, the only partial hookup loops left and are for tents and popups. The most isolated loops would be the 1600-1900 loops, which are the farthest away from the marina. The closest loops to the marina are also some of the oldest loops and have the smallest sites, despite their Premium designation. You need to decide what is the most important factor and narrow your loop selection down, and accept the fact it is impossible to have it all. Keep in mind, too, that a loop request is just that - a request - and is not always honored, although Disney does try their best to accommodate you. Having stayed in many of the loops, I will say that each has it's positive and negative qualities, but no site is really bad.

 

[Shan-man]

Oh, a couple of more things. With children, unless you won't be using the comfort stations, I would avoid 600 and 700 (both Premium) since you have to cross a major road to get to the nearest CS. And 400 seems a little sunnier and to have smaller sites than 500, to my recollection.

 

[tygerlilly27]

hey figment chick!!

 

[datgrt@fw]

One correction to Doug's post, 1400 is no longer Full. It is now Premium, and I would say it is one of the least desirable Premiums as many sites are quite cramped. I have never stayed in 1400, but this is based on the feedback of others post-renovation and my touring of the loop pre-renovation.

Figment Chick, have you decided which level of campsite (Partial, Full, Preferred, or Premium) you are going to get? That would make recommendations easier.

Hello Shan-man ......... I hope things are going well with you!

I appreciate your post correcting my 'Full Hook-Up' quote! I knew 1400 was Premium but any time we need water, electric and sewer I always consider that 'Full'. I apologize I should have listed it as Premium and have since edited my orginal post to reflect Premium. We stayed in 1400 this past June and the two sites I listed (#1432 and #1431) are both very deep and also very wide with plenty of room off of the pad. I remember from one of Debbie's earlier posts that she also said that site #1432 was a nice site.

"That being said, if I could be guaranteed 1432 I would agree to the 1400 loop. However, 1700 is my loop of choice. Especially 1701 & 1724!!"
Debbie -

As I stated earlier this is 'just my opinion' and I know and understand that everyone has different taste and 1400 might not be good for everyone.

Thanks for all you do on the Disboards to help folks out with their questions about FW!

Doug / datgrt@fw

 

[Shan-man]

Thanks for your contributions, Doug, I hope I didn't sound denigrating. I certainly agree, Doug, that there are some ample sites in 1400... and it looks that 1431 and 1432 are some of the good ones. But 1427, 1428, and 1429 (right next door) are frightfully shallow sites perched on the edge of the canal. There are quite a few like that in the first dozen sites on the outside too. And don't even mention Little Bear. As a Full loop, 1400 was fine and in a great location, as a Premium I'd say most of the sites are far too small to be considered "big-rig friendly". That's the main reason I resist recommending it, unless someone thinks proximity to the Campfire Sing-a-Long is a priority. BTW, how was the sound from the campfire? Your awning-side faced the campfire right? Was it very loud?

 

[datgrt@fw]

Hello Again Shan-man .......... The noise from the Campfire / Movie might be a problem for some folks but for us it really never has been! Most nights we are either on the GC Looping or we are enjoying other activities at the Fort or within WDW. The nights that we are staying around the campsite the noise has not been an issue but again it might be for some people!

Thanks!

Doug / datgrt@fw

 

[Figment Chick]

Hmm....decisions! Peace and quiet sounds great, but I still like the idea of being close to the marina. I'm thinkin' ease of access to the water parade! The only time that noise would really be an issue would be at night. For that reason, we always bring portable fans to drown out noise while sleeping.

As for making a specific request, I've been there done that with other Disney resorts. Last year at PO Riverside I requested a ground floor room in a certain building. They met our request for a ground floor room, but different building. No big deal. As it turned out we loved our room location!

I'm studying the FW map while I type, and I'm thinking the 500 loop sounds nice. I've still got some pondering to do at this point. I never realized how complex this place was until I started researching, wow! I'm just ready for my trip to get here already!!!

Thanks again for the suggestions. Keep 'em coming!

 

[BradyBz12]

The only time that noise would really be an issue would be at night.

If you're near the marina you will hear the boat launches fairly loudly. Keep in mind they start pretty early in the a.m. and run until after park close, which depending on the time of year you're going, can be quite late.

Depending on how close to the marina you may be, you'll also hear the boat parade like it was sailing past your camper.

Other than that, I don't think there really is any part of FW that's overly loud past, say 10pm or so.

 

[Disney crazy mama]

Hey there campers. We have only camped at FW once. We also stayed in the cabins once. We camped in loop 500. It was great. We have a 30 ft. 5th wheel. The shade was very nice. It was 3 years ago, so that would have been before upgrades.

There was a playground across the street in the 300 loop. This time I was thinking of requesting loop 300. I hear its a dog loop. We love dogs, but we aren't bringing one.

If the 300 loop is smaller than the 500's then that's not a good request. What do you think Shan-man?

 

[Shan-man]

Well, as mentioned above, the three Preferred loops offer some of the smallest sites in the campground despite their excellent location. That is not to say that all of the sites are small, just on average. Also, there are some sites on 300 that are exceptionally difficult to back into... one in particular has required folks to block traffic on the loop as they approach from the wrong direction in order to get in. I don't believe that any of them will be impossible for a 30' 5er to get into, and once in you should have room to keep your vehicle at your site (perhaps parallel to the road, but you should fit), Finally, you don't HAVE to have a pet with you to stay on a pet loop, so you are more than welcome on 300.

All of those concerns aside, we have reservations for 300 this Christmastime. The location of the loop is nearly as good as 500's... easy walk to the marina, campfire and playground/dog park. Easy bike to pool and Meadow TP. You will hear all the Hoop and water pageant sounds. The carriage rides often go through 300 like 500, I love hearing the horses go by. And chances are, you will awake to the sounds of the Cruiser horn arriving at the dock, which I also LOVE. Finally, loops 700, 100, 300 and 1600 are where the heavy-hitters of the Christmas decorating world traditionally set up, so if you are coming at Christmas you may get a good show (here's hoping that someone can take up the Howard's mantle for 300).

 

[BradyBz12]

We love 300. We've stayed there a few times and it's now the loop we always request. We love it for all the reasons Shan mentioned - in particular the proximity to the dog park and a really lovely dog walk along the canal.

We have a 21' hybrid, so no problems getting into the sites there, but we've seen more than a few big rigs struggle with the tough entry angles of some of the sites.

The horn from launches is one of the sounds I miss when I get home....

 

[Figment Chick]

Okay, I know I sound crazy, but I cannot decide what direction I wanna go! I actually went on Youtube and watched videos that someone had posted of every loop from one end to the other, very helpful! So far I like the 500 and 900 loops. Obviously the 500 loop would get me closer to the marina which is sort of my goal here. The reason I like the 900 loop is because it looks a little smaller. One thing that I noticed while watching the videos is that some of the sites have only one tiny strip of grass between them. Are those buddy sites? Too close for us!

Off the subject of loops. How crowded is FW during January and February? Is that a good time to stay there? We've stayed at PO Riverside three times during those two months before, so we know what to expect as far as crowd levels at the parks go. Just wondering about the campground during that time frame.

Can ya tell that I'm just a wee bit excited?!

 

[drafthorsecrazy]

Off the subject of loops. How crowded is FW during January and February? Is that a good time to stay there? We've stayed at PO Riverside three times during those two months before, so we know what to expect as far as crowd levels at the parks go. Just wondering about the campground during that time frame.

Jan and the first half of Feb. is value season but FW does book up for that time. Its a favorite place for many snowbirds and the locals come in for weekends. Call ASAP for reservations. We make ours over a yr in advance!

 

[southcarolinagirl]

I don't mean to hijack the thread, but I was wondering which loops you would recommend for shade & pets?
TIA

Kim