A couple of questions please!

[BibbidyBobbidyBoo]

Okay we're thinking our next trip to WDW before our next cruise will be at Ft Wilderness (bringing our trailer).

I have a few questions though.

A) Does anyone have suggestions about where to park the RV and our vehicle while on the 7 night Disney cruise after our stay at FW? I'm trying to figure out if it's "cost affective" to stay at FW with our trailer vs. 2 rooms at one of the resorts + flight + parking our vehicle at our airport/etc. and that's the part that is stumping me. I wonder if you can park a vehicle and trailer at the port and if so, how much it will cost?

B) you cannot get a reservation for a specific loop or site, right? Well I see a map online but it doesn't say which loops are preferred, which are premium, etc. so I can figure out which we'd rather reserve. Does anyone know which loops are premium and which are preferred so I can figure out which to reserve with the map I've found?

I was thinking of booking premium for the cable and internet connections- but then I read on another thread something about preferred will have cable too. So it's really not worth paying the premium price if the only difference is having internet and a slightly bigger concrete pad- right? What do you think?

C) Reading another thread I came across a comment that I'm not sure I'm understanding correctly. Do you have to park your vehicle (toad) somewhere else on the site once it's unhooked from your RV? Can't you keep it right there on your lot/site? If you have to park it somewhere else- is it possible it may be quite a trek to/from your vehicle to your trailer?

 

[DznyRulz]

I'll take a stab at your questions.

A. Yes, you can park at Port Canveral. It will be $24 per day. We parked there for our 4-day cruise last month and the total was $104. It was easier for us to do this than take the TT to FW the morning of our cruise then head to the port. One of the hotels that offer free parking during your cruise if you stay there a night might be more cost effective.

B. This is the latest info. It may change but I doubt it.
Loop 100 - Preferred
Loop 200 - Preferred
Loop 300 - Preferred Pet
Loop 400 - Premium
Loop 500 - Premium Pet
Loop 600 - Premium
Loop 700 - Premium Pet
Loop 800 - Premium Pet
Loop 900 - Premium Pet
Loop 1000 - Premium
Loop 1100 - Premium
Loop 1200 - Premium Pet
Loop 1300 - Premium Pet
Loop 1400 - Premium
Loop 1500 - Partial
Loop 1600 - Preferred Pet
Loop 1700 - Preferred
Loop 1800 - Preferred Pet
Loop 1900 - Preferred
Loop 2000 - Partial

Tents are allowed on any level of site, partial, preferred, premium but the Preferred sites tend to have a smaller sand area and a larger driveway to accomodate RVs and campers. The Premium sites will have NO SAND AREA AT ALL.

I agree, too much $$$ to pay for the premium site. If I want internet access there are a few WiFi hotspots ($10 for 24 hrs. IIRC). Having access at your site (for the same cost) and the large pad isn't worth it to me. Shame though since our favorite loop is 900. The preferred sites already have cable but the sites will be smaller than the premium sites.

C. There should be room at your site to park your toad. Most everyone does it unless they won't need their toad while at FW.

 

[BibbidyBobbidyBoo]

Thanks for all the info!
I don't know which hotels allow you to park your RV and vehicle there during the cruise but really that wouldn't be cost effective for us. With our family of 5 we are limited on where we can stay and/or have to rent two rooms at the resort AND then we'd have to pay for transportation to the port and back to the resort after the cruise anyway.
The cost you quoted of parking our RV for $24 a day at the port is still less than what it would cost for transportation for the 5 of us back and forth if we left it at a resort (and/or if we flew and had to get transportation from resort to port, then port to airport).

I jumped the gun and went ahead and booked premium. They made it sound like cable and internet was INCLUDED on a premium site- I'm to understand you that preferred also gets internet but even at premium site you have to pay $10 a day for internet anyway? *sigh* maybe I can call and change it to preferred instead of premium. I figured the extra cost for cable and internet was worth it- but now it sounds like the only difference is a bigger concrete pad and cable.. while I think we'll be at the trailer more than we would normally be in a resort room (eating some meals there, etc.) I don't think they'll be needing cable tv enough to make that extra cost worth it!

The way you said that about the premium sites having no sand area at all... is having a sand area desired for some reason? Just checking to make sure what you mean by that.

Good to know we can park our vehicle there. I wasn't fond of the idea of having to park it somewhere else and "retrieve" it everytime we planned on using the vehicle!

Another question- where are smoking areas? From the way I read it- it appears you can't even smoke in your trailer or in your vehicle (not that I'd want to fill that up with smoke with the kids anyway!!!) and definitely can't smoke outside at your site- so where are the smoking areas in FW? I could plan on quitting before then but being realistic that I might not be able to. LOL

 

[clkelley]

Actually, the only difference is a larger concrete area and new picnic table and grill.

ALL sites at Ft. Wilderness will have cable. The upgrade is occurring as we speak.

Yes all levels of sites will have internet available through the cable line, but at a cost of $9.95 per day. You have to check out a cable modem from the front desk and hook it up to the cable connection at your site.

There are also a couple of WiFi spots that are also $9.95 a day for access.

I would try to get a preferred site.

 

[Shan-man]

(edited)... I figured the extra cost for cable and internet was worth it- but now it sounds like the only difference is a bigger concrete pad and cable ... don't think they'll be needing cable tv enough to make that extra cost worth it!

Actually, all premium and preferred sites include cable and provide internet access for an extra charge. The premiums will be in the most convenient locations and have much larger paved pads with no sand/seashell areas. The real question is whether you will be there during the changeover and might get a standard site which has neither cable or internet. Standard sites are all being upgraded to preferred sites or premium sites. Once the changeover is done, the only way to get a site without cable will be to get a partial hookup (i.e. no sewer), or a rustic group tent site.

[oops, Carol and I were typing essentially the same reply at the same time.]

 

[clkelley]

Actually, all premium and preferred sites include cable and provide internet access for an extra charge. The premiums will be in the most convenient locations and have much larger paved pads with no sand/seashell areas. The real question is whether you will be there during the changeover and might get a standard site which has neither cable or internet. Standard sites are all being upgraded to preferred sites or premium sites. Once the changeover is done, the only way to get a site without cable will be to get a partial hookup (i.e. no sewer), or a rustic group tent site.

[oops, Carol and I were typing essentially the same reply at the same time.]

The partial hookups will be getting cable also.

The Group tent site will be the only area without cable.

 

[DznyRulz]

A. Yes, you can park at Port Canaveral. It will be $24 per day. We parked there for our 4-day cruise last month and the total was $104. It was easier for us to do this than take the TT to FW the morning of our cruise then head to the port. One of the hotels that offer free parking during your cruise if you stay there a night might be more cost effective.

Sorry, I meant to say the cost is $26 per day, $104 for a 4-day cruise. There are some hotels near Port Canaveral that will allow you to park there free during your cruise if you stay one night and they will shuttle you to/from the cruise terminal. If you post this question on the cruise forum you'll get replies.

No one really likes the sand pad because the sand gets everywhere. I guess you like it if you have a tent so you can drive in stakes.

You can change your reservation from a premium to a preferred site. I don't think you'll have a problem.

As others have already chimed in, cable and internet access will be in all loops except the group tent area.

As far as I know you can smoke at your site, in your rig or in your car. Just be kind and pick up your butts. Most public areas (comfort station, pool, movie) restrict smoking but I've seen some people do it. There are trash cans and butt receptacles around.

 

[clkelley]

Another question- where are smoking areas? From the way I read it- it appears you can't even smoke in your trailer or in your vehicle (not that I'd want to fill that up with smoke with the kids anyway!!!) and definitely can't smoke outside at your site- so where are the smoking areas in FW? I could plan on quitting before then but being realistic that I might not be able to. LOL

Sorry, I missed that one, as a smoker I know for a fact that smoking is allowed outside at your site. Also, it's allowed on the porch of the cabins if you stay there.

They have just restricted the smoking in the public areas such as around the comfort stations, the Meadows area, the Outpost area, the bus stops, and the Marina/Settlement area.

 

[BibbidyBobbidyBoo]

Actually, all premium and preferred sites include cable and provide internet access for an extra charge. The premiums will be in the most convenient locations and have much larger paved pads with no sand/seashell areas. The real question is whether you will be there during the changeover and might get a standard site which has neither cable or internet. Standard sites are all being upgraded to preferred sites or premium sites. Once the changeover is done, the only way to get a site without cable will be to get a partial hookup (i.e. no sewer), or a rustic group tent site.

[oops, Carol and I were typing essentially the same reply at the same time.]

I am assuming the "changeover" will be completed by the time we stay- we're planning on mid Dec 2009! Whatcha think? I have no idea how long this is all gogn to take.

Sorry, I meant to say the cost is $26 per day, $104 for a 4-day cruise. There are some hotels near Port Canaveral that will allow you to park there free during your cruise if you stay one night and they will shuttle you to/from the cruise terminal. If you post this question on the cruise forum you'll get replies.

No one really likes the sand pad because the sand gets everywhere. I guess you like it if you have a tent so you can drive in stakes.

You can change your reservation from a premium to a preferred site. I don't think you'll have a problem.

As others have already chimed in, cable and internet access will be in all loops except the group tent area.

As far as I know you can smoke at your site, in your rig or in your car. Just be kind and pick up your butts. Most public areas (comfort station, pool, movie) restrict smoking but I've seen some people do it. There are trash cans and butt receptacles around.

Okay $26 a day to park.
And I misunderstood you on the hotel/parking thing. It might be something to consider to stay somewhere near the port on the night before the cruise, pay for that one night and leave our RV/car there and get a shuttle to the cruise provided by the hotel. We'll have to look into how much that would cost though- we have 5 in our family and often times we can't just book one room... so it might not be cost effective if we have to rent a suite or 2 rooms for the 5 of us for one night- just to be able to park our vehicle at the hotel while we're on the cruise. I'll look into it though.

that's what I was thinking about the sand- that I wouldn't really miss it. but I thought maybe it was desired for some reason. LOL

I'm going to look at the map to see (from the list provided on this thread) whether staying with premium just for LOCATION is really worth it... or not. May need to call and switch to preferred, especially if the change over would be completed by Dec 2009 anyway. Really doesn't seem like there will be much difference at all between preferred and premium after the changeover is done- besides a larger concrete pad and location? I'm not missing something else that makes the extra cost worth it, am I?

Thanks also for the info on the smoking... when I went to book it online it mentioned in red about no smoking at the resorts and a link to click on- when I clicked on it -it talked all about the "fee" if you smoke in the rooms, balconies, public areas, etc. besides specified outside smoking areas- so it made it appear that it also meant at FW meaning I might be fined if I smoked anywhere other than dedicated smoking areas... so I wondered where those dedicated smoking areas ARE -in FW
LOL

Sorry, I missed that one, as a smoker I know for a fact that smoking is allowed outside at your site. Also, it's allowed on the porch of the cabins if you stay there.

They have just restricted the smoking in the public areas such as around the comfort stations, the Meadows area, the Outpost area, the bus stops, and the Marina/Settlement area.

Thanks for the info- I appreciate it! Perhaps that red lettering with link (on the website when booking FW) is just something that shows up for any reservations made on the website. It did state things like balconies or patios also being nonsmoking- and stated the fee was for damages and/or cleaning of the room- and I thought hmm, do they need to charge me a fee for cleaning MY trailer when they won't be cleaning my trailer- just because I smoked right outside my trailer? but that seemed to fall under "any public area besides dedicated smoking areas"- so i wondered where the dedicated smoking areas were in FW. LOL

 

[clkelley]

Who knows on the dates of the changeover. According to the original schedule, it was all supposed to be complete by April 2009, with several loops complete by now.

However, only 1 Loop so far has been started on (Loop 500) (As of September 1st).

There may be more loops closing in earnest this week since "summer" is over with, but we don't have photographic evidence yet.

 

[Shan-man]

I am assuming the "changeover" will be completed by the time we stay- we're planning on mid Dec 2009! Whatcha think? I have no idea how long this is all gogn to take.

It's a good bet that they will be done by then since they have scheduled completion for April. But as Carol said, they are well behind their start schedules already and with this hurricane season starting off with a bong, who knows.

I'm going to look at the map to see (from the list provided on this thread) whether staying with premium just for LOCATION is really worth it... or not. May need to call and switch to preferred, especially if the change over would be completed by Dec 2009 anyway. Really doesn't seem like there will be much difference at all between preferred and premium after the changeover is done- besides a larger concrete pad and location? I'm not missing something else that makes the extra cost worth it, am I?

No, the locations, the larger paved pad and updated grill and picnic table are all you're getting for the upcharge... hard as that may be to believe

 

[BibbidyBobbidyBoo]

Who knows on the dates of the changeover. According to the original schedule, it was all supposed to be complete by April 2009, with several loops complete by now.

However, only 1 Loop so far has been started on (Loop 500) (As of September 1st).

There may be more loops closing in earnest this week since "summer" is over with, but we don't have photographic evidence yet.

It's a good bet that they will be done by then since they have scheduled completion for April. But as Carol said, they are well behind their start schedules already and with this hurricane season starting off with a bong, who knows.




No, the locations, the larger paved pad and updated grill and picnic table are all you're getting for the upcharge... hard as that may be to believe

Okay so from both your comments- it's unsure whether the changeover will be done by this time- so does that mean if I have a premium site reserved that I may actually get there, pay for premium site and the stuff that makes it "premium" (other than location ofcourse) isn't even done yet! Then that would REALLY be a waste of the extra cost. LOL

I'm like a total newbie on the camping at FW stuff. Are you all saying that the changeover stuff is upgrading preferred sites (which once upgraded these won't really be all that different from the premium sites) or are changes also being made to premium sites?

 

[BibbidyBobbidyBoo]

Ps. we've thought for years that we should camp at FW- but everytime either there were no availabilities or it didn't work out for other reasons (such as our trips we made didn't really allow for driving time so we had to fly and/or like our last cruise originated in Ca and ended in FL- so that wouldn't work either LOL)

So I'm looking forward to a trip at FW! We've gone there before for the chip & dale singalong thing and enjoyed it a lot! Kids are always wanting to go camping more often anyway (in the trailer) -so why not combine that with WDW! i mean is there a better idea out there? I don't think so! LOL

AND with our family of 5... counting the other options such as flight costs, 2 rooms or a suite that fits more than 4 in the room/etc.- it should help our trips be more affordable too! Win/win if you ask me. hehe

 

[clkelley]

Okay so from both your comments- it's unsure whether the changeover will be done by this time- so does that mean if I have a premium site reserved that I may actually get there, pay for premium site and the stuff that makes it "premium" (other than location ofcourse) isn't even done yet! Then that would REALLY be a waste of the extra cost. LOL

I'm like a total newbie on the camping at FW stuff. Are you all saying that the changeover stuff is upgrading preferred sites (which once upgraded these won't really be all that different from the premium sites) or are changes also being made to premium sites?

No that's not true. They will only release enough premium sites for booking that are complete. So if you get there and have a premium site booked and you get a "preferred" site, than they should refund the difference in the cost to you.

There were no premium sites before. Premium is a new category to indicate the enlarged pads, new grills, and new picnic tables.

 

[DznyRulz]

...we have 5 in our family and often times we can't just book one room... so it might not be cost effective if we have to rent a suite or 2 rooms for the 5 of us for one night- just to be able to park our vehicle at the hotel while we're on the cruise. I'll look into it though.

If it were me, Mom and the kids take the room and Dad sleeps in the RV.

 

[BibbidyBobbidyBoo]

No that's not true. They will only release enough premium sites for booking that are complete. So if you get there and have a premium site booked and you get a "preferred" site, than they should refund the difference in the cost to you.

There were no premium sites before. Premium is a new category to indicate the enlarged pads, new grills, and new picnic tables.

Okay thanks for clearing that up for me!

If it were me, Mom and the kids take the room and Dad sleeps in the RV.

Hmm I hadn't even thought of doing that! LOL