Any correlation between FW cost increases and less activity on this forum?

[5stljayhawks]

So over the last few years, it has appeared to me that the hearty group of FW disboard junkies seems to be dwindling. Once where a post would be really ignite and others that would get a great range, seem to just go....

I was reading this from Tiggerkmp and I thought maybe ......

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=52834656&posted=1#post52834656

Is Disney pushing away their best and most loyal to other campsites? May I burn in Disboards &$## for even thinking this, but is there another forum?

From a business perspective, anybody want to take a guess on the supply/ demand/cost curve where we are at?

Is anybody paying rack rate $200 for a campsite ? This is only 2-3 years down the road at 10% bumps per year from 150/160. With taxes that maybe next year!!

 

[tiggerdad]

I'm sure it has to a certain degree, some people just move on to doing different things besides being on Disboards, and in fact still camp just as much.

The old group you mention were still here when I first joined up, but they were also a big reason why I hardly ever posted before 2010. It seemed that most posts involved alcohol references and would generally spiral way off topic, and I mean mostly towards talking about what they were eating with their wine or wiskey.

They spent a lot of time arguing with Webmasters which resulted in some of them being banned and others just got frustrated with the rules and left the Boards.

There is no doubt that the posts have slowed way down but I rather like the regular crowd we have around here. It's quieter, less drama. To see what I mean, go over to the Parks and Strategies board and look at all the bickering over there everytime somebody posts something positive, or, God forbid, says that their FP+ experience wasn't bad at all.

I don't want that kinda thing over here on the camping boards.

 

[bama_ed]

Good question, 5stljayhawks.

I think the biggest contributor is the explosion in the different types of social media and ways of digital sharing. This type of internet forum software has been around for a while and in the meantime, Facebook has come out and taken a big chunk of the market (not mine though).

My kids (now in their late teens and early 20s) have a FB presence but hardly use it. They use Instagram, SnapChat, and goodness knows what else. I've heard references to the DIS having a presence on FB but don't know anything beyond that.

I just tell my kids, family, and friends to call me or text me or send me an email. Guess that makes me an old guy now.

Bama Ed

 

[jenny2]

As someone who has been around a while, it's a normal ebb and flow. People come and people go, and the boards are busy for a few years, and quiet for a while. History says it'll pick up again at some point!

 

[Teamubr]

I think Ed and Jenny are on it. I've been on discussion boards since before the 'inter-webs'. (Anyone ever on GEnie, Prodigy, Compuserve or for the daring, newsgroups?) People come and go. It is cyclical and there are a lot of options now. Topic specific boards (Camping at WDW) have always seen a wide variety. Some people looking for info, others trip planning. Some of us enjoy the community and offering help to others. We sometimes even learn something new.

Tiggerdad hit the reason I stick around. I don't have a trip to the Fort planned until at least 2016, but this is a nice place to check in (or out) and see what is going on with those of you lucky enough to get a trip this year. The 'regulars' are always helpful and don't flame someone because they have asked a question that was answered 2 or 3 or 10 times in the last few weeks.

Keep up the good work everyone!

j

 

[kmccain]

Good question! I have to say that i am not on here much unless i am planning a trip. I jumped over to that other board and there isn't much activity over there either. Makes me wonder too, if their prices are deterring people. Wasn't that one of the reasons we camp? We could stay in a moderate for the money we will spend on fuel pulling our camper. But we love the Fort and like to bring our furchildren.

My AAA girl was very upset when Disney broke their relationship. I emailed guest relations twice and they called me. I was socked to get a call but they assured me that there would be better discounts through them. Humm no seeing them.

We can't afford to go every year. Its a luxury for us to go but the trips are going to be even fewer and shorter if the don't do something about their rates.

Has anyone ever heard of a campsite for $163 a night?

 

[TheRustyScupper]

. . . Anyone ever on GEnie, Prodigy, Compuserve or for the daring, newsgroups . . .

1) Due to some work we were dong, we were on ARPANET.
2) Now, that was a long time ago!
3) I even remember wiring computers via Token Ring and Novell.

NOTE: Yes, I am THAT old. I even used smoke signals. It was so great when
a guy in the next valley invented fire so we could talk. What a forward move in
technology! But, you should have seen the excitement when Fred came out
with the wheel!

 

[tiggerdad]

I remember the commodore 64's Q-Link or Quantum Link.

AKA, it's name was eventually changed to America Online...many years later...

 

[SamRoc]

This is my favorite forum here. No drama and every helps each other and gives advice. We all love the fort here and have that in common. I can't go to the other forums, way too much drama over there. I don't think we post as much as we say what we need to say and don't go off on tangents like the other forums. PS that was my 4,000th post!

 

[Teamubr]

I remember the commodore 64's Q-Link

I had (and may still have) a Commodore 64. Cassette tape drive and all.

Rusty
Also worked on Token Rings and my company still uses Novell for a few things. A good friend that is a CTO at a big company gives me grief about it. "Your company is the one still using it. Welcome to the 80s."

j

 

[articfox676]

With gas prices lower and sales up on RVs there should be more new Fort Campers. Of course that makes ressies harder to acquire. Maybe there will be more discounts if there is more activity???

 

[tinkerdorabelle]

I'm still sad that they don't seem to have any discounts ever at the campgrounds and they certainly are not cheap. I'm looking at around $130-145 a night when I'm planning. We've never been and I see that they allow 10 to a site, if they changed this maybe they could allow more discounts, not even AAA. I don't think I'm going to be too happy if there are 10 people at the site next to me. I don't think I've ever been to a campground that allows 10 people to a site.

 

[teagues]

I'm still sad that they don't seem to have any discounts ever at the campgrounds and they certainly are not cheap. I'm looking at around $130-145 a night when I'm planning. We've never been and I see that they allow 10 to a site, if they changed this maybe they could allow more discounts, not even AAA. I don't think I'm going to be too happy if there are 10 people at the site next to me. I don't think I've ever been to a campground that allows 10 people to a site.

I'm sure it happens, but I've never noticed that many at a site before. That said, we camped next to a group of 6 last month -- an older couple plus their 4 school aged grandkids -- and I hardly knew they were there.

 

[Teamubr]

I'm sure it happens, but I've never noticed that many at a site before.

I agree. When I've come down (spring/summers) the most I recall seeing was 7 or 8. One site had 2 families on it. Looked like 4 adults and 3 smaller kids. That was certainly the exception though. Most sites seemed to have one "family unit" of 2-5.

I'm not sure limiting the numbers per site would help much regarding discounts or availability. It would force some groups to get 2 sites instead of 1. This would drive occupancy rates up and reduce the perceived need to offer discounts.

Someone else mentioned the Fort has not had any additional sites in 20 years. Feels like the Fort is a victim of it's own success. Increasing popularity with capped resources drives prices up and availability down. With the sites being the "cheapest" nightly rate at WDW, there isn't much motivation to spend money expanding. It would take too long to recoup.

j

 

[tiggerdad]

Rumors have gone around for a few years about a possible DVC showing up in the Fort's neighborhood, possibly in and around the old River Country site. This will probably be the only expansion that the Fort sees, of course, I hope I am wrong about that, but with the success of the DVCs at other locations...

 

[rgrimm]

1) Due to some work we were dong, we were on ARPANET.
2) Now, that was a long time ago!
3) I even remember wiring computers via Token Ring and Novell.

NOTE: Yes, I am THAT old. I even used smoke signals. It was so great when
a guy in the next valley invented fire so we could talk. What a forward move in
technology! But, you should have seen the excitement when Fred came out
with the wheel!

Novell and Token Ring .... Wow Rusty that brings back some memories. In another life, at least it feels that way, I had my Certified Novell Egineering (CNE) and my Certified Novel Administrator (CNA) certificates. I suppose that gives away that I'm well into the AARP phase of my life.

Thanks for triggering the memories. it is sometimes nice to look back at the journey we took to reach today.

- Russ

 

[Magic Fanatic]

I've been on this site since 2004 but don't post very often, usually when I have a trip planned. I still log on often just to see what's going on and I am sure there many others out there doing the same thing.

As for threads that generate lots of heated debate, here's one; My family and I once rode our bikes from the Fort over to the Wilderness Lodge and..... (Wait for it!)....swam in their pool!!! Yep, we did it! So there you go! Let's get this party started!

 

[articfox676]

On our Thanksgiving trip the site next to us had 3 families. Adults 6 and children 6 all in tents which added up to 5 structures. Oh yes and a visitor so 4 cars. I vote for lowering the amount from 10.