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snocrossmechanic

DDC #23, When is the next Trip???

Joined

Dec 4, 2006

• Mar 4, 2015

• #1

Good day everyone,

I have not been on the boards in some time. I guess I'm looking for support with my frustration on the value of camping at The Fort and Disney in general.

We have camped at The Fort for several years but have scaled back in recent years due to kids schooling and inability to get down to Disney. It is becoming increasingly easy to find other things to do and thats a real bummer for us. As it has been said many times the cost for a campsite is exceeding $100.00 a day and now park admission averages $100 a day as well. For a family of 5 we seem to be priced out of the market. It's not that we can't afford the vacation. We budget an "amount" but when comparing values against The Fort its becoming increasingly difficult to head down and camp.

We have stayed at the resorts and simply do not have the same relaxing vacation that The Fort offers. Im not asking for ways to cut costs. Im really looking to be reminded of the "value" that can't be found within the price of the vacation. I seem to be forgetting the small, simple, things. The things that make you smile when you close your eyes and remember the trips from the past.

Thanks,

Mark

 

tiggerdad

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

Joined

Jul 8, 2009

• Mar 4, 2015

• #2

How's this...















This is just visual stuff, but it's why I go. Less crowded, less noise, more wildlife, your neighbors wave and say "hello". The values are always packed and crowded, longer bus waits due to more people being there, poorer food offerings. Sure, they got better looking pools, but when you boil it down...it's still just a hole in the ground with water in it.

I like the peace and quiet, and when I do my own cooking, even at $100 a night plus fuel I'm still cheaper to stay at the Fort and have a more relaxing trip.

 

bama_ed

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

Joined

Sep 23, 2004

• Mar 4, 2015

• #3

Mark, I think the auditory experience at the Fort is under-rated.

I like being at my site during the day and hearing the boats toot as they come in and as they back out of the Marina. At times I can hear the the MK steam train whistle. The "thrum" of the bus, the hiss of its breaks, and the beeping sound when it "kneels down" is one I associate with the Fort and not a downtown.

At night I hear the MK fireworks, the thump of Epcot fireworks (I try to stay in Preferred sites so I am down by Trails End usually). Of course the Electric Water Parade Music is full force every evening. Some turkeys came through my site last trip, three first and a minute later three trailing. The last group called out trying to find the first group as they crossed my coquina pad (and they sound EXACTLY like the little wooden box turkey calls but very quiet).

The songs of the Chip & Dale campfire come to mind. Where else do you hear the Mickey Mouse Club song sung live and in person any more? The intro's for Chip & Dale are funny - I should record them next trip. I hang out around Trails End some nights when the Hoop Dee Doo Review crowd is being greeted and brought in to take their seats which is nice.

I'll be branching out soon and camping in other places besides the Fort but the sounds of the Fort are still pleasurable.

Bama Ed

 

Teamubr

From somewhere outside StL

Joined

Nov 7, 2010

• Mar 4, 2015

• #4

Let's see if some of these help. It's a mix match of several trips at the Fort.

And this one from a long time ago (He's 17 now)

j

 

Last edited: Mar 4, 2015

Southern Bell

DIS Veteran

Joined

Mar 22, 2011

• Mar 4, 2015

• #5

sorry

 

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Last edited: Mar 17, 2015

Teamubr

From somewhere outside StL

Joined

Nov 7, 2010

• Mar 4, 2015

• #6

Cute camper, Southern Bell.

My first camper was a Starcraft hybrid. Fun, but just a little too cold in the early spring and late fall.

j

 

Southern Bell

DIS Veteran

Joined

Mar 22, 2011

• Mar 4, 2015

• #7

This was our camper in 2007. We only had this camper for about 4 yrs. We enjoyed it when we had it, but the front fold in bed always had water in it (we stored the mattress in the back)among other problems the camper was having, and we traded it for a full upright. I really liked the 3 fold out beds, but my husband said he was ready to go to a full upright camper, after having this and two previous popups. So we did. It is nice to sleep without the frost! LOL! But I have! LOL!

 

tina.tina

DIS Veteran

Joined

Oct 18, 2010

• Mar 5, 2015

• #8

tiggerdad said:

How's this...

Click to expand...

I love the light in this picture. It looks so peaceful. The deer picture- I can do without. They have invaded my yard. It drives me crazy when they eat my flowers and leave their droppings on my driveway. Last year, I waited and waited for my tulips to bloom only to find that they were eaten right when they were ready. Your picture could actually have been taken in my backyard (if my grass were green).

Teamubr said:

Click to expand...

I wish this were me basking in the sun. It's sleeting here with 4 inches of snow projected for this evening.

Southern Bell said:

HOME AWAY FROM HOME!

Click to expand...

The castle is the iconic sum of the WDW experience for me. It's the first thing I want to see when I go and the last thing I want to see when we leave.

It can be hard to justify a WDW vacation if you just look at costs. We could take multiple vacations to other places for the price of a WDW trip. You almost can't base your desire to return on how much fun you've had in the past because each trip is different. Everyone here has posted things they love. What do you love about WDW? You say you are bummed that you feel you can't justify it so there must still be some magic for you. If you can't find it right now, go somewhere else to enjoy yourself and think about WDW later.

 

tinkerdorabelle

DIS Veteran

Joined

Mar 7, 2001

• Mar 5, 2015

• #9

This April is going to be our first trip to FW and was amazed myself at the cost. I honestly don't know how people with lots of kids can justify the cost at times. But we don't do as many parks and we have done many different types of trips in Orlando including renting a house which was incredible, becoming Starwood members and going to Sheraton Lake Buena Vista where you can suite rooms with fridge, microwave, bunk beds, etc. I see you don't want cost cutting ideas tho.

 

Last edited: Mar 5, 2015

SouthAlabama5er

DIS Veteran

Joined

Sep 9, 2014

• Mar 6, 2015

• #10

Rather deal with a slower relax pace here at the Fort, than the groups of hundreds of teenage girls from other countries at Pop Century or All Stars.

 

tigger92662

They're more like guidelines than actual rules

Joined

Mar 5, 2015

• Mar 6, 2015

• #11

snocrossmechanic said:

Good day everyone,

I have not been on the boards in some time. I guess I'm looking for support with my frustration on the value of camping at The Fort and Disney in general.

We have camped at The Fort for several years but have scaled back in recent years due to kids schooling and inability to get down to Disney. It is becoming increasingly easy to find other things to do and thats a real bummer for us. As it has been said many times the cost for a campsite is exceeding $100.00 a day and now park admission averages $100 a day as well. For a family of 5 we seem to be priced out of the market. It's not that we can't afford the vacation. We budget an "amount" but when comparing values against The Fort its becoming increasingly difficult to head down and camp.

We have stayed at the resorts and simply do not have the same relaxing vacation that The Fort offers. Im not asking for ways to cut costs. Im really looking to be reminded of the "value" that can't be found within the price of the vacation. I seem to be forgetting the small, simple, things. The things that make you smile when you close your eyes and remember the trips from the past.

Thanks,

Mark

Click to expand...

For me it's that last couple mile drive up to the campground and knowing I'm home. Also, no matter the age of the person, seeing them all become little kids again when thay have the chance to greet Chip N Dale at the campfire.

 

S

snocrossmechanic

DDC #23, When is the next Trip???

Joined

Dec 4, 2006

• Mar 7, 2015

• #12

Thank you everyone for the input. Your all correct about how the Fort is a special place. bama_ed you hit it right on the mark about the auditory experience. I wish I could just take the sounds home with me. There is a video somewhere on here from the trails end that has great sounds. I know we will be heading down in the next year or so. I just can't stay away that long.

I do think our time spent will switch it up a bit. We won't be running to the parks each day but rather relax and enjoy the Fort for what it is.

Thank you again,

Mark

 

Chickp

Mouseketeer

Joined

Jan 27, 2015

• Mar 7, 2015

• #13

I also wanted to add that my family looked into camping at the beach for this trip, and it is almost as expensive to camp at Tybee Island with beach access. And the campground is not nearly as nice as the fort. We also looked at going to an island in SW florida to camp, and it's also not super cheap. We may still try those places sometime, but it was good to see that it's not just Disney where camping prices have gone up.

 

nabi

Home at Disney!

Joined

Feb 24, 2013

• Mar 7, 2015

• #14

...and the scents of the Fort- the scents of camping make the joy heighten within me!
The pines, campfires (we don't have one, can't transport, when we fly in, a legal pit), the water, both in the creek and lake, and the horses..I'm getting in the zone just thinking about it!

 

TheRustyScupper

Everyone Is Responsible For Everyone.

Joined

Aug 8, 2000

• Mar 11, 2015

• #15

tiggerdad said:

. . . This is just visual stuff, but it's why I go. Less crowded, less noise, more wildlife, your neighbors wave and say "hello". The values are always packed and crowded, longer bus waits due to more people being there, poorer food offerings. Sure, they got better looking pools, but when you boil it down...it's still just a hole in the ground with water in it.

I like the peace and quiet, and when I do my own cooking, even at $100 a night plus fuel I'm still cheaper to stay at the Fort and have a more relaxing trip.

Click to expand...

1) YouBetchya.
2) That is why I like working at The Fort so much, let alone staying here.
3) I love the CM's and the guests.
. . . quite and serene
. . . people actually talk to oneanother.
. . . kids get to meet other kids and play together (try that in a resort hotel)
. . . plus, when I singalong with my banjo, neighbors don't throw things (anymore)
. . . I just scare tiny animals and small children
. . . My singing voice has been compared to nails-on-a-blackboard
4) Both guests and CM's recognize what a special thing we have. *
5) We also do a lot of cooking when at The Cabins.
6) MrsRustyScupper does most of the food-fixin', ever since I inadertantly poisoned a dinner guest a couple of years back. I forgot that tuna salad sandwiches with mayo should not sit outside long (in July) before being consumed. I really didn't mean to upset the guy's stomach as I did. After a good dose of ipecac and milk-of-magnesia, he was fine.

* And, the CM's talk about this frequently during downtime and slow periods during the day.

 

Last edited: Mar 11, 2015

Napria

It really *is* the Happiest Place!

Joined

Aug 13, 2003

• Mar 12, 2015

• #16

We travel other places to camp. And I've cancelled more trips to Disney than I'd like to admit. But after 2 to 2 1/2 years I just can't stay away, no matter how expensive it's gotten. I guess for me it's an addiction. I'm just compelled to return. The Fort is a special place like no other.