First time at the Fort!

Decpl · Mar 1, 2015

Good morning folks, New to the board, been reading all articles with great anticipation, this will be our first time to the Fort. When we booked in October was not thinking about spring breaks We just wanted to make sure it was warm enough to use pools and water park. This is the first time for Grandkids 9-6. Total of 7 people Long time Disney vacationers starting in 1976, About 12 trips to Disney World . Also Daughter did and Internship at Disney World. So we have parks covered.
We requested by friends recommendation 500-700, I know there were no guaranties and I heard on here to fax a request in the week before arrival , but was wondering if they have and email address instead of fax?
We are traveling in a 35 1/5 Class A and have a premium site booked. Arriving mid afternoon on 3/21.
Another question is it worth it to do preregistration on line. Is it a going to be a mad house?
Is there anything special besides cam fire and movies that can't be missed with the grandkids? The 5 year old can't wait to some fishing before or after returning from parks. How crowded will the Fort be at pools and restaurant? Are Golf Carts a necessity? or are busses adequate.

Thanks in Advance
J,K,J,K,S,M,J

snowmedic · Mar 1, 2015

You couldn't have picked a friendlier group of people to help answer your questions.

Decpl said:
Another question is it worth it to do preregistration on line. Is it a going to be a mad house?

We do online registration when we go to the Fort. Just seems to be a little easier. We also pay for our reservations before leaving home, that way when we get to the Fort, we get our site assignment and welcome pack and go right in. Don't have to worry about messing around with money or CC.

We have been to the Fort in late Feb. early March for winter break up north, and I don't remember the pool being crowded at that time, or at beginning of Nov. just after Halloween. There are 2 pools at the Fort. The Meadows, that's the main pool with waterslide and kids area, and one over by the cabins that has no waterslide, or kids area, I believe. The one by the cabins is not very busy, so if the Meadows pool is busy you could go to the other one.
I would say it just depends on what time you go to the pool.

In my opinion, and a lot of others that I see on here, a GC is not a necessity. You can easily get around the Fort by taking the internal buses, or biking or just walking.

Once again, welcome to the Camping Boards.

bama_ed · Mar 1, 2015

Hi Decpl.

I put together a post recently about how to request a loop using My Disney Experience (MDE). No more faxing. Note it is part of the early registration process which I always do. http://www.disboards.com/threads/campsite-loop-requests-with-mde.3350178/

Golf carts are an expensive luxury and not necessary.

As for other activities for the kids, when you check in you will receive a movie/activity sheet like this one from December which lists afternoon activities near the pool area that are run by Cast Members.

Oh, in March the Campfire Activities run an hour later. This particular sheet shows the winter schedule...

Bama Ed

tiggerdad · Mar 1, 2015

Welcome to the Fort!

I highly recommend online checkin, it does save some time and it will be busier checking in due to spring breaks, so this will help.

Ed gave you some really good info on the loop request, faxing is no longer encouraged. You can use MDE, I still prefer to call about 5 days out and speak to a CM at the Fort. I'm one of those guys who still prefer speaking to a live person.

PPink · Mar 1, 2015

You do not need golf cart but I would recommend that you rent it for one or two days to explore the camp and loop around specialy if you plan a day just in Fort.. Kids love it.

mtnminnie · Feb 7, 2016

I know this is an old thread, but I was wondering how do you do online check in? And, how do you go about paying for your site in full? When I made a reservation, it only took a deposit.

PaHunter · Feb 7, 2016

mtnminnie said:
I know this is an old thread, but I was wondering how do you do online check in? And, how do you go about paying for your site in full? When I made a reservation, it only took a deposit.

In MDE under your reservation it has the total remaining. You click on this and can make payments at anytime. If you reserve online and have a package it must be paid off 30 days prior to your trip. Once you are 60 days out you will have the option to check in online.

bama_ed · Feb 8, 2016

Also, you can do early check-in once you get within 60 days of arrival. In MDE where it shows your resort reservation an option/link will appear at day 60- offering Early Check-in. You can specify what time you are arriving on arrival day, what time you plan to leave on departure day, any loop requests (2 choices as shown above), and decide if you want to put a credit card on file for charging privleges on your Magic Band.

The last option is a box that says if you make a request (example: loop 400 near a Comfort Station) there is an option that says "I am willing to wait for what I want if it's not available when I plan to arrive". Or else if you get there and 400/CS isn't ready they'll offer you what is 800/no CS. I always pick a loop and say that I am willing to wait.

Finally they offer to take a cell phone number so that they can send you a message when your site is ready. Very handy!

Bama Ed

peg110 · Feb 8, 2016

bama_ed said:
Finally they offer to take a cell phone number so that they can send you a message when your site is ready. Very handy!

They did this last time we were there. I like that we can do the complete check-in process (whether on-line or in person) and then go about our day. When our site is ready, a text message says so and tells you the site you are at. Just go in and set up at your leisure. (so to speak).

TheRustyScupper · Feb 12, 2016

DAILY ACTIVITES at THE FORT:
CM-Led or Monitored Games and Activities:
. . . temporary tattoos
. . . build-a-button ($)
. . . pin trading
. . . design your own ($)
. . . lawn games
. . . goofy bingo
. . . giant games
. . . dodge ball
. . . memory games
. . . name that tune
. . . hoedown dance party
. . . swimmin' hole jamboree
. . . disney trivia
. . . musical shapes
. . . bingo
. . . notable quotes
. . . what's in your beach bag
. . . chalk art
. . . mickey tie-dye ($)
. . . arcade games
. . . charades
. . . evening Chip-n-Dale campfire
Self-Paced Activities:
. . . boat rental ($)
. . . basketball
. . . tether ball
. . . bike rental ($)
. . . shuffleboard

NOTE: And, if you are lucky, you might see TheRustyScupper officiate at a Wedding or Vow Renewal!

First time at the Fort!

Decpl

Earning My Ears

snowmedic

1500 MIles From the Fort.

bama_ed

It's kind of fun to do the impossible-Walt Disney

tiggerdad

I don't always get distracted but whe...SQUIRREL!

PPink

Mouseketeer

mtnminnie

Mouseketeer

PaHunter

Reasonably Knowledgable Individual.

bama_ed

It's kind of fun to do the impossible-Walt Disney

peg110

DIS Veteran

TheRustyScupper

Everyone Is Responsible For Everyone.

Share this page

DIS NEWS & UPDATES

New DISboards Threads

Latest posts