A little wishful thinking on site assignments..

[phalynx]

Just going to vent a little bit here. Not much, I just need to release so I can have more room for magic... We made sure to note on our reservations and even confirm on our reservations that our 40' long 5th wheel would need a big spot. When we arrived, I told the CM to make sure that the site would accommodate our big rig. She said, that we would get a spot that would fit. When we arrive at our site, 721 we find the site is on inside of a curve and there is a large tree right in front of the driveway. A class-A or C would have no problem getting in this site, a 30-35' travel trailer would be able to fit in this spot but a 40' 5th wheel is completely different because the truck has to swing so much to move the trailer. I would never have been able to fit in it. We called the CM and they said all the spots were the same size and ours would fit. I said it's not a question of size but geometry. I could not possible get in this site. She went away and came back with another site, 348. Again, no possible way I could back into that spot. I really don't even believe I could get around that loop to the spot as the sites are so cramped that everyone was sticking out into the road. I am quite good at backing and driving, so skill isn't the issue. It's just geometry. So I call again. This time she tells me that there are no other spots available on pet loops and proceeds to tell me there is nothing she can do. I am staring at 2-3 spots directly in front of me at this point that I CAN fit into with no problem. I really small 21' Class C's sitting in beautifully angeld spots and small travel trailers in others. I see an RV that came in AFTER us that was about 10' shorter than ours in a wonderfully angled spot that I would easily get into. I tell the CM I want spot X directly in front of me. She tells me that this spot is taken by someone who has been trying to fit into a spot all morning. I see a pattern here. They tell me there is nothing they can do except send 2 people to help us get the camper in. Now at this point, I am getting a little livid, here is a CM who is obviously just doing her job but trying to explain to me how all the spots are the same and there is not problem getting into the spot, it's just that I need help. I told her to have the 2 people bring a chainsaw and a trailer if they are going to help me. That tree is going to have to come out. She gets rude and tells me "help is on the way". Oh great, another person who has never driven a 40' 5th wheel is going to lecture me on how they are so easy to back in.

I start my slow journey down the campsite loop and see another site, I call, I want this one. I can get in THIS site.... finally "ok, sir, we have assigned you this site". YEAHOOOOOOO. No problems getting in at all. The 2 people that were to come and help show up and laugh that I would never have made it in the first one. uh.... yeah. no kidding.

So the moral, of the story is, if Disney could JUST make some notes on each site. (this site good for a long 5th wheel 35-40' or use this spot for shorter Class C's or something similar) This would really help out the CM's. I am sure it would be more difficult to get people in there to work who have actually backed in a trailer, so I think this is a simple solution to the problem.

We did actually talk to the family that had been there all morning trying to get into a spot... Oddly enough their experience would have been equally cured with these notes on the computer. And I still don't know how I was able to get the spot we are in if no spots were available........

Ok, back to the magic!

 

[becky1960]

We had the same problem on our last trip, the third site we were assigned was ok, and yes, we saw blank sites and they were taken. We also have a long 5th wheel and Crew cab truck.

The problem is a lot of sites have trees, fences, etc. across from the sites and we consumers keep getting larger and larger vehicles and campers. I do believe that after all is said and done, its still worth it.

 

[kimluvswdw]

My husband and I were having this same conversation the other day. We used to have a large 5th wheel and now we have a motorhome. He does all the driving of it and was saying he could have never backed that 5th wheel into most of the sites at Fort Wilderness. The sites are normally long enough, just not wide enough. I know on our reservation for December it does say that we have a 35ft motorhome.

 

[drafthorsecrazy]

Oh yeah...been there, done that. I feel your pain! My conversation with the girl on the phone was exactly like yours except when she said she was "sending someone to help" my reply was....they had better be a magician.

 

[LarryJ]

Oh yeah...been there, done that. I feel your pain! My conversation with the girl on the phone was exactly like yours except when she said she was "sending someone to help" my reply was....they had better be a magician.

In our 15 or so times at FW all except two have been in the 1600 loop (our favorite and is a pet loop) we only ran into one site where we couldn't get in and it wasn't the site, but the obstructions opposite our site that interfered with our tow vehicle when backing in just like the OP said it was the geometry of the site and not the site. Our favorite sites are on the outside of this loop between the showers and the walk way to the canal (I like to fly fish the canals on our non park days). Also, there are a lot of Grapefruit and Orange trees there to get your fruit fix from as long especially in the Dec/Jan time frame as long as you bring a looooong pole and rope to grab off the trees.

Larry

 

[phalynx]

I see a pattern now. I think this would be a great thing for Disney to do. It wouldn't take long. I am sure they have park surveys of the loops. Simple geometry could "certify" a site for a size/type of camper. Heck, I'd even offer to do it for them. I'd like a nice Disney job...

 

[LarryJ]

I see a pattern now. I think this would be a great thing for Disney to do. It wouldn't take long. I am sure they have park surveys of the loops. Simple geometry could "certify" a site for a size/type of camper. Heck, I'd even offer to do it for them. I'd like a nice Disney job...

That's a good idea, but it's so dependent on the tow vehicle and what you are towing that it's almost impossible to do. Someone towing the same 5er with a standard cab pickup and someone with the same vehicle with say a dually crew cab are two completely different combos. The dually TV is like 4' longer wheel base wise and different turning radius and almost two feet wider at the rear than a regular SRW PU. Also, if you're brave and not try and get on the concrete pad from the road you can get into some sites that you couldn't by staying strickly on the pavement. I think we just have to live with the situation and as I've said add like 5' or so feet to your TV length and that will give you a little more margin since the sites are length dependent based on what I know. My suggestion is to check in early so more options for alternative sites are possible if you are concerned.

Larry

 

[ynottony99]

I have had the most trouble not taking out something on the other side of the road as I back in for sure!!! I do have a 33' TT and F350 Crew Cab with Duals. I have resorted to taking site markers out of the ground,(yes I put them back in, even facing the right way) or straightening up leaned over light posts, but so far no major damage!!!!!

 

[Colson39]

I think the main problem is that the Fort was never built with such large campers as we have now in mind. I agree, there should be some way for them to put certain campers in certain spots, if they are available. Site assignments are always a tricky thing :/