13 million dollars worth of rumoured improvements

[jason_rving]

We just got back from the Fort. While there I personally heard a manager at the front desk tell a couple that there are 13 million dollars worth of improvements that are starting now. He mentioned the new campsites that would be bigger and possibly offer 100 amp service....yes, he said 100 amp. He mentioned expansion that he was told would go in the woods to the left of Fort Wilderness trail and the cabins.

Also, a lifeguard doing the craft activity told us that the big pool was going to close soon to make it one foot more shallow in the deep end for safety he said....then no rope would be required separating the deep end. He also said a slide was going in similar to Wilderness Lodge.

I took pictures of the dog walk under construction and I'll post them soon. I am not sure how they think owners will be able to get their dogs to the walk since you'd have to pass signs that say "no pets past this point" to get there.

They are still clearing in earnest the underbrush to get rid of the potato vine. I was also told better plants would be going in soon to screen campsites from each other. They were clearing the 1800 loop when we were there. To give you an ideal of the impact, you can see nearly from the pool all the way into the 1600 loop and if you are at the pool you can clearly see into and across the 1300 loop. In the cabin areas you can see from the main road well across three or four rows of cabins.

They were replacing several pieces of heaved or damaged sidewalks when we were there.

Now I don't know about you but even though I heard these things through seemingly confident sources directly I will believe it when I see it happen. Heck, I'd be happy if they could just keep the pools as warm as some of the other resorts.

We had a good week and explored more of the Fort than in previous trips.

 

[DisCamper]

Thank you for the update. glad you had a great trip sorry we missed you. Mybe we will see you next trip.

 

[PolynesianPixie]

That is great news! The pool improvement alone will be fantastic! WL has a gorgeous pool! Any rumors on when this might be done?

 

[Mmketeer]

Thanks for the trip report. It's all very good news, but I'll believe it when I see it.

 

[Gillian]

I'll also believe it when I see it, but making the deep end less deep would be helpful.

 

[big kahuna1]

A shallow deep end... Isn't that an oxymoron or something like that?

 

[Gatordad]

it's not nice calling the people on here morons. I finally got in for new years, but what a hassle.
Thank you again.

 

[big kahuna1]

And I did 3 times?

Sometimes that it what it takes. You just have to call every day and sometimes several times a day.

 

[Gatordad]

I was checking multiple times a day online. like 20-40 times. refresh refresh refresh

 

[Ampris]

I was also told better plants would be going in soon to screen campsites from each other.

I was going to say something about spending thirteen million dollars on so-called improvements that in fact make the campground worse until I saw this. That's terrific news! I can't tell how much of a relief that is; I was at FW in November/December and it was plain depressing how torn up the place was, but this makes me think that maybe the clearing-out was just the first step in overall improvements. I don't know for sure, but if that's really the case then I'll be beyond pleased. :

 

[clkelley]

They were replacing several pieces of heaved or damaged sidewalks when we were there.

That is normal maintenance. Every December trip I've made they've had at least one section of sidewalk torn up somewhere.

 

[DebbieT11]

We were in the 700 loop in December, and could tell that there'd been a lot of clearing, but there were also trees and small shrubs that had been recently planted, still "tagged" and had watering hoses to them..... so, there *is* some change happening!

 

[ftwildernessguy]

Gee, when Bobby Iger was over to the house last night, he said the budget for the pool rehab was over 20 million alone.

 

[dblr]

I hope that they add new sites so it might get easier to get a site, also improving old sites will be a plus.

 

[Minnie's Mate]

These all sound great. I can't wait to see them implemented.

 

[Minnie's Mate]

BTW, if you are wondering about the 100 amp service, some of the mega motor coaches like the Prevost and the similar require 100 amp service in order to run all of their electronics and both A/C units/central air conditioners. Some of the new luxury coaches are total electric with electric stoves, heat, and household type refrigerators that require the extra amps.

 

[des1954]

Gee, when Bobby Iger was over to the house last night, he said the budget for the pool rehab was over 20 million alone.

Geesh! What a name dropper!

I certainly hope you offered him a Kungaloosh!

 

[des1954]

BTW, if you are wondering about the 100 amp service, some of the mega motor coaches like the Prevost and the similar require 100 amp service in order to run all of their electronics and both A/C units/central air conditioners. Some of the new luxury coaches are total electric with electric stoves, heat, and household type refrigerators that require the extra amps.

YEEGADS!! We had a 2003 45' Travel Supreme Select that was total electric with all the bells & whistles & all the above, and we were only 50amps!! I didn't realize they now make MH's with 100amp service!

 

[Minnie's Mate]

YEEGADS!! We had a 2003 45' Travel Supreme Select that was total electric with all the bells & whistles & all the above, and we were only 50amps!! I didn't realize they now make MH's with 100amp service!

I'm not sure what all would require 100 amps, but this month's Motor Home e-magazine has an article on a web site that list campgrounds that have sites that can accommodate the newer mega-motorhomes and 5th wheels and they looked at 50 amps as the minimum and preferred 100 amps in order to be included in their registry.

I guess if you think of running an electric stove top, electric convection/microwave, hair dryer, electric hot water heater, dishwasher, electric central heat, 2-3 plasma TV's, and electric clothes dryer all at the same time, you probably would need close to 100 amps when you have pneumatically operated closet and bedroom doors.

 

[auntie]

Been hearing rumors of a pool rehab for years....would be nice to finally see that one happen. One can only hope. It's way over do. A themed pool would really be a great addition to FW. Thanks for the information.