Another TCD Trip Report-August 2009 @ The Fort!

[Tri-circle-D]

Is it me, or have things been slow on the camping board?

Well, I am happy to tell you that the TCD gang just returned from a weekend at the Fort.

We camped from 8/21 until 8/24.

This trip was planned at the last minute. It was the last weekend before school started back up for my youngest DD's. Traditionally, we visit WDW that weekend. The last time we stayed at the Fort for that end of summer trip was in August, 2007. It was so hot that weekend that I vowed never to camp again at the Fort in August.

But, as I planned this trip, and reviewed the rates offered for WDW hotels, something caught my eye.

It was the rates for the campsites.

I could have a partial hook-up site for $33 a night.

$33!

This was a passholder discount rate. They had all levels of sites available. The discounted rate for premium sites was $65. As in one dollar less than twice the price of a partial hook up.

$33 a night was too good a deal for me to turn down.

Even if it meant sweating it our at the Fort.

So, we were in!

And then, right after I booked, we had three named storms heading to Florida.

We now know that none of them amounted to much.

So we camped.

It rained.

A lot.

But, surprisingly, the temperatures were a lot lower than our August, 2007 trip, and we had a great time.

The biggest surprise for us was how empty the campground was.

We have visited the Fort a lot over the past decade, and I have never seen so many empty sites! The last time we visited in August, it was pretty full. But not this year. I think the free dining offer has siphoned folks away from the Fort and into the value hotels. When we visited the parks, they were full and busy. But the Fort was almost empty. Some loops, like the 200 loop, were completely empty. And others, especially the premium loops, were almost empty. This was surprising.

We were assigned to site 1506. A beautiful site with lots of trees and shade. I would take that site over any premium site.

But, enough with the writing, let's look at some photos!

I have plenty!!!

The only thing is that I was using a memory card that already had photos on it. When it got full, I deleted some, and my photos uploaded out of order. Rather than take the time to try to figure out what photo was taken when, I will just begin the report. All of the photos were taken over the weekend.

Are you ready?

Let's go!!

We start our report at the venerable Lawnmower Tree. Or, to be more accurate, the Lawn Mower Stump. I took a lot of photos, as I am afraid this stump will not be with us for much longer. The bark is pretty much all gone, and you can see lots of holes in the wood from insects. Also, notice that there are no golf carts parked around. I told you, the Fort was practically empty:

I journeyed back to River Country to see if I could find an open gate. Alas, I could not, but I did get these photos:

I took lots of photos around the loops. A lot of these will show you how many sites were vacant.

For those of you regular TCD report readers, you know I am inexplicably drawn to take photos of site 617. I don't know why. I think it is just that this site is so magnificently bad that I can't help by take photos. I can't imagine camping where an endless parade of guests will be walking within feet of my camper day and night. So, here are the expected photos of site 617:

First from the back:

And, now from the front:

Now we will take a loop around the 400 loop.

Here we are entering the loop. Notice there is a poop bag dispenser just to the right of the directional arrow.

400 is a premium pet loop:

Here is an empty site:

You can see another poop bag dispenser here:

And, another empty site:

Next up, we head over to the 500 loop, and we will discuss an injustice regarding the 500 loop grills.


TCD

 

[Tri-circle-D]

Now we are in the 500 loop.

From this empty site, you can see into the 400 loop:

Here we are a little further into the site:

The 500 loop was the first loop to be converted to a premium loop. The work was completed in October, 2008. When the new grills were installed, they did not install the shelf that you see on the grills in the photos I just posted from the 600 and 400 loops. All of the other grills on the premium loops have the shelf. But, not on the 500 loop. Why?

More shots from 500:

If you were paying attention, and not just looking at the photos, you will recall that I just mentioned that the new grills on the 500 loop were installed in October, 2008. As in, less than one year ago.

Well, I would say we have a bit of a situation in the oxidation department here, wouldn't you?:

And, it's not just on one grill, either:

Here we are looking over the lovely canal toward the 1400 loop.

You know what is missing over there?

Campers!

The 1400 loop was almost empty!

We will head over there in just a moment.

First, here's another rusty premium grill without a shelf from the 500 loop:

And, while we are looking at rusty grills, how about we look at how the grills in the second completed premium loop look. Anybody remember what the next completed premium loop was?

Did you say 800?

If you did, go to the head of the class! (That's what my grandfather used to say when we said something he agreed with-not sure exactly what it means- or why I am using it here- but I digress).

So, here we are heading over to the 800 loop.

First, here's another rusty grill from the 500 loop:

Do you think these premium sites on the 600 loop are close enough to the road?

And, lookie here!

A rusty grill on the 800 loop:

And, even the premium shelf is rusty!

I'm not a picky person, but if I am ever forced to pay the exorbitant charges they want you to pay for a premium site, I might have a problem with a rusty grill.

TCD

 

[liv luvs disney]

I'm not a picky person, but if I am ever forced to pay the exorbitant charges they want you to pay for a premium site, I might have a problem with a rusty grill.

TCD

I strongly agree with this statement. Not that I'm above rust, but those grills look pretty rough for the price of the camp site!


I love your trip reports and your pics. They make me feel like I'm at FW. Thanks for all you do 'round here!

 

[ftwildernessguy]

It looks like the problem is that the heat from the fire caused the paint to peel. Obviously, Disney never expected anyone to acutally use the grill for the purpose it was intended. They just need to put up signs that prohibit campers from using the grill, then everything will be okay. I'll call Bobby.

 

[Tri-circle-D]

I know what you are thinking.

You think that the 800 loop had a lot of campers on it, right?

I mean, that is one of the most popular loops, right?

Let's take a look, shall we?:

Hard to believe, isn't it?

I told you the Fort was empty.

The premium loops had the fewest people in them.

What does that tell you?

Maybe the geniuses who decided to build so many premium sites overlooked the fact that folks aren't going to be real excited to pay a premium for a little concrete, a rusty grill, and a plastic picnic table.

The full hook up loops were a little better occupied.

Here is an R-Pod camper on the 1800 loop:

Here's an out of order photo of the 400 loop. The sign says no pets beyond this point. So, if you are camping in that site with your dog, you might want to bring a short rope:

All the empty sites made it easier for old TCD to take a look at some things that are typically hard to take a look at. Like the old rail-bed behind the outside sites on the 700 loop:

Earlier this year, I posted photos showing standing water all around the Fort. I thought that there would be standing water problems all summer. But, there was very little standing water around the Fort on this visit, despite a lot of rain. So, maybe the drainage issues have been fixed. This area outside of the 400 loop often has standing water, but it was pretty dry:

The 300 loop also looked pretty dry:

Be sure to notice in the photo above how you can look right across the 300 loop- and see no campers. Usually, there are RV's blocking this view. But, not this past weekend.

TCD

 

[Shan-man]

It looks like the problem is that the heat from the fire caused the paint to peel. Obviously, Disney never expected anyone to acutally use the grill for the purpose it was intended. They just need to put up signs that prohibit campers from using the grill, then everything will be okay. I'll call Bobby.

But that would take away HALF the appeal of renting my site to day-trippers!

 

[Tri-circle-D]

Having mentioned some negatives, let me share some positive thoughts.

Do you know what I did not see all weekend?

Not even once?

A mosquito!

Not a single one!

That is amazing, considering all the rain we have had in central Florida of late.

And, while I am no fan of the new premium campsites, I still love the Fort.

Because of stuff like this:

Here are a couple of shots of the Meadow area.

This one is looking toward the footbridge that leads to the 1500 loop:

And, here are the tennis courts:

I think now that the Contemporary Resort's tennis courts have been removed, Fort Wilderness may be the only WDW resort with tennis courts. Anyone know?

TCD

 

[Tri-circle-D]

Here is the Settlement Playground:

Do you know what I never realized about Crockett's Tavern?

There are a lot of dead critters in there!

To wit:

You might be wondering how the pool and splash zone look. They look great. I am glad that the sidewalk behind the pool is now re-opened. You can walk from all the way from the bridge behind the Meadow Trading Post, along the pool area, to the footbridge to the 1500 loop bus stop:

TCD

 

[Tri-circle-D]

Here are a couple of WDW Pest Control trucks parked outside of the Settlement Trading Post. Whatever they do to control mosquitoes is working!:

A lot of you remember the Ft. Wilderness Railroad.

You can see remnants of it around the Fort even now.

I have seen the remains of the tracks between the 700 and 800 loops, and behind the golf cart parking area by the Settlement bus stops, but I saw some old railroad ties on this trip that I never noticed before.

This is the bridge adjacent to the 1500 loop entrance:

This concrete square was probably the base of a crossing arm:

Has anyone else ever noticed these before?

On Monday morning, August 24, only a few campers were left on the 100 loop. They had a tractor in the loop adding sand to the sand pads:

You can't see it real well, but if you look in the back of this motorhome you will see that they set up a fence in the back of their rig. I presume this is for their dogs:

These trucks looked like they were loaded with white sand, and they were heading back to the roadway that continues past the Creekside Meadow area. There is already a lot of sand at the Ft. Wilderness beach, and I was never able to figure out what this was all about. They may have been heading to Wilderness Lodge for something:

This shot was taken from the entrance of the 1500 loop on Monday morning, August 25th. As you can see, only one site on this side of the loop was occupied. The loop did pretty much fill up for Friday and Saturday night, but on Sunday and Monday, the place pretty much emptied out:

These are shots of the 1000 loop, another premium loop that had maybe two campers on it:

Here is the Meadow Trading Post at sunrise:

I think this sign is new:

It says Meadow, not Meadows.

But, the sign for the overpriced gem rocks inside says Meadows Mining Company:

And, this sign says Meadows:

So, is it Meadow or Meadows?



TCD

 

[Tri-circle-D]

Let's take a look at the 900 loop.

Maybe someone will be camping there.

Or, maybe not:

The 900 loop has the distinction of being one of the only loops with both a tether-ball court, and a basketball hoop:

Can anyone name the other?

Some more shots around 900- it was also nearly empty!:

We already looked at my favorite site on the 600 loop, but let's take a look at some more of the 600 loop:

Surprisingly, the 600 loop was almost full. I suspect that the management put people here, not that folks requested this.

Now, we head to the 700 loop. There were reports of some work being done back by the old railroad tracks. The area by the pet walk entrance doesn't seem to have changed:

And, there were a lot of empty sites on 700, too:

I mentioned earlier that the 200 loop was completely empty. It looks like they had been working on this loop. It looks like there is new sod and pine straw around the sites, and that the utility connection boxes have been painted:

TCD

 

[CruisingCamper]

Thanks for the great photo review!!! We stayed at the Fort for the first time last year and we are going back in 2010! We were in Loop 500 then. I haven't done much research but I hope to find out which loop is closest to the marina, that would have what we need? I like the premium sites, but only b/c that's what we had last time. I guess I'll have to find out what the differences are in the loop types..we might like another just fine.. we like the boat transportation though, so we need to be able to walk to the marina.

 

[Tri-circle-D]

Thanks for the great photo review!!! We stayed at the Fort for the first time last year and we are going back in 2010! We were in Loop 500 then. I haven't done much research but I hope to find out which loop is closest to the marina, that would have what we need? I like the premium sites, but only b/c that's what we had last time. I guess I'll have to find out what the differences are in the loop types..we might like another just fine.. we like the boat transportation though, so we need to be able to walk to the marina.

Well, do you need the grill with a rusty lid and rusty shelf (not available on the 500 loop)? Or the plastic picnic table? If not, then let me suggest you save a couple bucks and try the 100 or 200 loops. Those are preferred loops, not premium. The only difference is smaller concrete pads, no rusty lid or shelf on the grill, and an unfashionable rectangular picnic table. But, the 100 loop is as close as you can get to the marina. The 100 and 200 loops are not pet loops, though.

If you have a pet, then the 700 and 400 loops are the closest pet loops to the marina. These are both premium. Since you have already stayed in the 500 loop, you know that is close to the marina. But you will have to manage without a shelf for your rusty-lidded grill. The 300 loop, which is the third and last preferred loop is just as close, and it is a pet loop.

TCD

 

[BradyBz12]

Thanks for another great TR! So spooky to see the Fort so empty...

 

[CruisingCamper]

Well, do you need the grill with a rusty lid and rusty shelf (not available on the 500 loop)? Or the plastic picnic table? If not, then let me suggest you save a couple bucks and try the 100 or 200 loops. Those are preferred loops, not premium. The only difference is smaller concrete pads, no rusty lid or shelf on the grill, and an unfashionable rectangular picnic table. But, the 100 loop is as close as you can get to the marina. The 100 and 200 loops are not pet loops, though.

If you have a pet, then the 700 and 400 loops are the closest pet loops to the marina. These are both premium. Since you have already stayed in the 500 loop, you know that is close to the marina. But you will have to manage without a shelf for your rusty-lidded grill. The 300 loop, which is the third and last preferred loop is just as close, and it is a pet loop.

TCD

I think I will take your advice and try to reserve a preferred loop, and request 100 or 200. We probably will only cook a few meals at the Fort and the old fashioned picnic table is fine with me.. and as for the grill..We'll probably use the one that we have in the camper anyway..

So, I think the preferred loops would be perfect for us.

Someone did mention, I just seen, on another thread, that the sites are smaller in the preferred loops..we have a 36ft 5th wheel with 3 slides..think we'll be ok with room?

Also, we don't have a pet.

Have you been to the Fort in late February? We are thinking of changing our dates from March to February.

 

[Tri-circle-D]

Continuing around the 200 loop:

There were lots of empty sites on 100, too:

This site backs right up to the Settlement Trading Post. Mayor Stacktester knows the lady who rents this site for most of the winter every year. It would be fun to stay in this site:

Here are some random shots of the Settlement Trading Post:

Now, we head to the horse barn:

I have never seen these doors closed before. But, they were not locked:

This sign is new:

And, so are these:

I am not sure what is wrong with Jerry but he (she?) is on a special diet, and was lying in his/her stall:

TCD

 

[mrsscooter]

I guess it was empty........kind of scary.....I hope its not like that in October.

 

[Tri-circle-D]

I think I will take your advice and try to reserve a preferred loop, and request 100 or 200. We probably will only cook a few meals at the Fort and the old fashioned picnic table is fine with me.. and as for the grill..We'll probably use the one that we have in the camper anyway..

So, I think the preferred loops would be perfect for us.

Someone did mention, I just seen, on another thread, that the sites are smaller in the preferred loops..we have a 36ft 5th wheel with 3 slides..think we'll be ok with room?

Also, we don't have a pet.

Have you been to the Fort in late February? We are thinking of changing our dates from March to February.

The preferred sites are a little smaller and there are more trees in bad places than you will find on the premium loops. But, folks use these sites for rigs as big and bigger than yours all the time.

Yes, I have been to the Fort in February (and every other month as well for that matter). I love January-March at the Fort! The weather is perfect for camping during that time of year!

TCD

 

[CruisingCamper]

The preferred sites are a little smaller and there are more trees in bad places than you will find on the premium loops. But, folks use these sites for rigs as big and bigger than yours all the time.

Yes, I have been to the Fort in February (and every other month as well for that matter). I love January-March at the Fort! The weather is perfect for camping during that time of year!

TCD

Well, I did just go out to the Disney website and book a preferred site for February 20th through March 2nd!! 10 great fun filled days!!

That site that backs up to the Settlement?? Is that the folks with TONS of decorations and lights and all those blow ups? Wow..she has a ton of stuff...How does she get the same site? I thought you couldn't reserve a particular site?

 

[clkelley]

Hey TCD, where was this rain you spoke of?? We were there 8/21 - 8/24 (at WDW, not the Fort) and yes we saw some dark clouds and a little bit of water spit at us mid afternoon each day, but no real rain to speak of, except for a short shower yesterday afternoon when I was waiting at the Swan for Mears.

I was at MK late night Friday night no rain, AK most of the day Saturday, Studios on Sunday, and Epcot on Monday.

 

[fldisneymommyto2]

Great Report as always TCD.... the other loop with basketball and tetherball I think is 300??? Or am I thinking the basketball is in the middle and the tetherball is at the playground behind it???