Another one w/o any availablility until FEB 08!

[catalexander]

I know that this seems to be a common "theme" lately at the Fort, but I was just really surprised at what I'm coming up with! I've never had problems before getting "not too far out" ressies, maybe my luck has run out?

We just got back from a visit in August, and have to cancel our Free Dining ressie that we're supposed to leave on the 15th for (MIL is having major surgery). So, I'm trying to rebook.

I have 2 weeks from 9/30 - 10/11 on the most recent discount code for a package, however, we'd REALLY like to move it out even further... Anytime from mid-October to just before Christmas week we'd take. I've been searching on a Sunday arrival, one weekend, then the next Friday departure (figured that would eliminate full "weekends")... and there is NOTHING available (partial to preferred) until FEBRUARY 10th! wow!! (of course, Cabins are ALWAYS avail in my searches, as were some Tent sites in December). We could do a package, the "discount" package or even a "room only".. I've tried all three!

We are completely flexible with our arrival date and departure date, but I'm not having any luck! Anyone have any "super-secret-site-selection" tips they'd like to share? Don't worry... I won't tell! LOL! I have been checking online.... would I have better luck on the phone? I've always picked my dates online and then just called to make the ressie (that way we could pay in full if doing a room only prior to arrival).

(ps... I"m also running into the same problem trying to book next Christmas-anytime the Sunday after T'giving until about a week before Christmas... )

I just don't know if we can get back down there so soon after my MIL's surgery, but I don't think I can wait until February!

 

[mrzrich]

I haven't had any luck getting a site in January, been trying for two months

 

[kimluvswdw]

Keep trying you may get lucky, because people are always canceling. There is even a possibility that we will have to cancel our December reservations.

 

[mamaloya]

That is one reason why I wish we still had a popup. We could book with less notice. It seems partial sites always have availablity in the winter. I think it is snowbirds filling up the full and preferred sites. Unfortunately we outgrew a popup. If only they would make one with bunk beds.

Not trying to start a debate, but I think that one solution to snowbirds coming in and taking over the fort would be to use the guideline the stat parks have. Stay limited to 14 days then have to leave for 14 days before you come back unless you purchase a package with tix. I mean you would think disney would say that it is in their financial best interest to fill those sites with campers who will be going into the parks spending money. Most snowbirds aren't spending a fortune on the dining and souvies like a vacationing family would. Just surprised that Disney has not figured this out yet and tried to get more families in there. I do not have anything against snowbirds BTW, I hope to be one one day. At that time, I would have no prob making ressies for 2 wks on and 2 wks off then back for 2 wks again. I know how important FW is to young families. I was also hoping that getting rid of the loophole of value rate in peak season would fix it, but apparently not.

Didn't mean to rant, just tired of hearing of the heartbroken campers who can't get into the Fort.

 

[kimluvswdw]

I can't believe how much money people have to stay for such long periods of time. They must have one heck of a retirement account.

 

[Syndrome]

hmmm...... I have had NO trouble getting reservations in Jan 08. Less than 1 week ago I booked a 2 week stay on a full hook-up site. I first tried through Christmas time, and that was a no-go, so we started thinking about going in January.
The 5th through, up to MLK weekend was available, but we decided to go after the holiday,marathon,and MLK crowds. We booked Jan 20 through Feb 3, full hook-up no problem..........
MLK weekend is not available from what I have found. I just checked and 1/21/08 - 2/3/08 is available.....full hook-up.
My best tip is to try your dates, day by day, (not just the whole 1 or 2 week span at a time)with a note book handy. You will find blocks of days available for your stay. Book what you can, then you will have a very clear idea of what dates you still need. This will take some time, but well worth it if you want to go to the Fort, at your perfect time!
Good luck............Syndrome

 

[drafthorsecrazy]

I'm not sure there is anything more Disney can do to make it easier for short notice reservations. For many it is necessary to plan well in advance because of work, school, family obligations or special holiday events. For those the 499 day out window works. However, Disney doesnt always release the campsites at this window. There are many of us trying to book now for the end of Dec. 08 and beginning of Jan. 09 and I have yet to hear from anyone getting this?? When they do make sites available for busy times they seem to release it in stages so they are not all snatched up immediately.

I think everyone has the same chances of getting into the fort if/when they want. It just depends on how hard you are willing to get one. Either by early planning or calling everyday to snag a spot someone canceled at the last minute.

I would HATE to see Disney incorporating a rule that for every stay you MUST buy a ticket. Granted this works for the dinning package but what about all the people with annual passes that make multiple trips per year? Now, if you buy the dinning package you can use that ticket value towards the purchase of an annual pass. What would you do with the "extra" ticket(s) you have to buy on your next trip???

 

[poptoone]

I also had no trouble booking for Jan 08. I did it three weeks ago for a partial hookup. Then came back two weeks ago and changed to a preferred site. Had no problems getting either?

The kink may be the MLK weekend. We had to leave on Friday before as there was nothing available for Fri-Mon that weekend.

 

[mamaloya]

Oh, I did not mean that everyone staying must have tickets. I just meant that if they wanted to stay longer than say, 14 nites, then they must have some sort of package or something. Although we sometimes purchase our tix seperate. Of course, we don't normally stay more than 10 nites. I am just thinking of some way to make it hard for some people to "move in" for 3 months at a time. It is those people who are making it harder for the rest of us to book sites in the value season. Or just limit long term stays to a certain number of loops.

Like I said, I hope to be able to stay a while there one day as well, I just think some consideration needs to be given to families wanting to stay there. For some it is the only way they can afford going, especially staying on property. I just hate to hear of people not being able to go, even when they try to get in so far ahead. Some families have to wait on school year schedules and such as well.

Sorry if I made it sound like I wanted EVERYONE who went to the fort to buy tix. I know many people like to go just to enjoy the fort. I just want them to share.

 

[hatchmo]

Take it easy on the snowbirds! As you pointed out, you hope to be one someday, and no, I don't believe you would be happy at all with 14 days on, then 14 days off. We eat most of our meals at WDW and easily spend as much as any other family while we are there. Your image of seniors just sitting around the Fort and taking up space just doesn't fit reality. We have no special access to reservations and make them the same way any one else does. You have the same opportunity we have. Most of us have grandchildren and family visit us while we are there. We stay very active and pour lots of money in the Disney coffers. No, we are not all wealthy. In our case, we made a decision to die broke, so it doesn't bother us to spend our money at Disney. Some of us are doing things we could never afford to do during our working years, and now we are living a dream. So take it easy on us! Some day you will be a senior and want to spend a month or two at Disney, and by then, our sites will be available for you.

 

[rapriebe]

Take it easy on the snowbirds! As you pointed out, you hope to be one someday, and no, I don't believe you would be happy at all with 14 days on, then 14 days off. We eat most of our meals at WDW and easily spend as much as any other family while we are there. Your image of seniors just sitting around the Fort and taking up space just doesn't fit reality. We have no special access to reservations and make them the same way any one else does. You have the same opportunity we have. Most of us have grandchildren and family visit us while we are there. We stay very active and pour lots of money in the Disney coffers. No, we are not all wealthy. In our case, we made a decision to die broke, so it doesn't bother us to spend our money at Disney. Some of us are doing things we could never afford to do during our working years, and now we are living a dream. So take it easy on us! Some day you will be a senior and want to spend a month or two at Disney, and by then, our sites will be available for you.

Couldn't have said it better myself. I'm getting kinda tired hearing all the bashing about the "snowbirds" and the perception that they don't spend money at WDW and also stating that they are taking something away from other campers who cannot afford to have an extended stay. Is it really necessary to divide us into two separate categories -- snowbirds vs regular campers??

 

[drafthorsecrazy]

Take it easy on the snowbirds! As you pointed out, you hope to be one someday, and no, I don't believe you would be happy at all with 14 days on, then 14 days off. We eat most of our meals at WDW and easily spend as much as any other family while we are there. Your image of seniors just sitting around the Fort and taking up space just doesn't fit reality. We have no special access to reservations and make them the same way any one else does. You have the same opportunity we have. Most of us have grandchildren and family visit us while we are there. We stay very active and pour lots of money in the Disney coffers. No, we are not all wealthy. In our case, we made a decision to die broke, so it doesn't bother us to spend our money at Disney. Some of us are doing things we could never afford to do during our working years, and now we are living a dream. So take it easy on us! Some day you will be a senior and want to spend a month or two at Disney, and by then, our sites will be available for you.

Well said!

You'll notice 2 of the most popular threads on the forum are either I cant get a site or I had a really hard time getting into my site. Personally I wouldnt want to be forced to move in and out of any campground every 14 days. Especially the fort. Its just too darn hard getting into them !!