Any Discounts for Campers in FW?

[Princess Bette]

Hi all - trying to plan our first ever WDW vacay and was wondering if there are ever any discounts for campsites and is free dining in any form ever offered? We are looking at the middle of December 2012 for about 9 days. We will be bringing our MH - we have a golf cart also along with a tow vehicle. It will be me (mom), DH and DS who will be 9 at the time. Any suggestions will be greatly appreciated!

 

[CampingDad]

Hi I think the only discount ever offered is AAA. But its not available for every day. When the discounts becomes available they get booked very quickly. I have never heard of the free dining being offered with FW.

 

[Princess Bette]

Hi I think the only discount ever offered is AAA. But its not available for every day. When the discounts becomes available they get booked very quickly. I have never heard of the free dining being offered with FW.

Thank you! I didn't think free dining would be available, but good to know about the possible AAA discount. How would one find out about it, should it become available? TIA.

 

[2goofycampers]

It's hard to say when AAA rate becomes available. I always book then keep calling until I get it. Last year I got it the Friday before our Sunday arrival. So, don't give up. There is also annual pass discount if you have one. Also sometimes a military discount if you're eligible.

 

[North of Mouse]

It's probably too soon to know about discounts very far in advance, but we just made ressies for later part of April 2012 and there is a 5% discount for the public just announced. Not much, I know, but every little bit helps .The campground never offers too many discounts, but just keep watching, even after you book. Never (so called) free dining .

 

[Momof3Gr8kids]

Room only discounts work if there is availability. Not sure of the exact % though.

By the way we are neighbors. I live in Harvest.

 

[becky1960]

We booked June 2012 last month and got 10% AAA. They usually seem to be more available in less peak times..

 

[bama_ed]

Hi all - trying to plan our first ever WDW vacay and was wondering if there are ever any discounts for campsites and is free dining in any form ever offered? We are looking at the middle of December 2012 for about 9 days. We will be bringing our MH - we have a golf cart also along with a tow vehicle. It will be me (mom), DH and DS who will be 9 at the time. Any suggestions will be greatly appreciated!

Free Dining is never offered with FW campsites. The reason is you can put up to 10 people on your site and that's a lot of free food. Campsite people can BUY the Dining Plan(s) though if they wish. Free Dining is sometimes offered with the FW Cabins just like any of the resorts. Since you're doing the motorhome I think Free Dining is not an option for you.

AAA discounts are available sometimes. When rates are set for each year (in the summer of the previous year) AAA discount rates and quantities are set. They can be applied to current ressies if available. Discounts are typically available in slower times at the Fort in varying quantities and go as high as 20% off. They also tend to be more available for the lower tier of campsites (Partial, Full) than the upper tier (Preferred, Premium).

There are only "so many" discounts available. Once they are claimed or used up there are no more. Someone may have gotten an AAA discount for the same dates as you but all the discounts for that time period may be claimed. So early bird gets the worm here.

There are a few other minor discount types available but AAA is the one most widely available to folks.

Bama ED

BTW - greetings from the 'ham.

 

[bxtx]

I just called to extend our June 2012 reservation, and was helped by Ruby Rose. She said it is well worth calling periodically anytime until your vacation and asking "are there any offers available for the package I have?" She checked for our Premium campsite with DDP and we got 5% off. Not much but, it pays for the dog

 

[WeDisney4]

Shortly after taking our 1st Disney trip when our oldest was just 6mos. old, they started offering Free dining and we were hooked! Now the girls are older and we are loving camping at the fort however do miss the free dining so much that I've pondered it.

I totally get they cannot offer it to all 10 on the site, however couldn't there be a way to just include it with the 1st 4 on your reservation? Same rules, min. nights, must buy tickets, etc.

I know never going to happen for so many reasons just wanted to get it off my chest, that being said we love the fort so much even the lure of free dining cannot call us back.

 

[rapriebe]

. . . . . .I totally get they cannot offer it to all 10 on the site, however couldn't there be a way to just include it with the 1st 4 on your reservation? Same rules, min. nights, must buy tickets, etc.

I know never going to happen for so many reasons just wanted to get it off my chest, that being said we love the fort so much even the lure of free dining cannot call us back.

I agree with you on this one. I wish they would offer it but limit the number of people who could get it. Most campers do not have 10 people with them so a limit would be great. However, I do understand how they can't do the entire campsite limit because there are always those who would abuse the system. I can see two families getting together and renting a campsite only for the free dining.

 

[chartle]

I agree with you on this one. I wish they would offer it but limit the number of people who could get it. Most campers do not have 10 people with them so a limit would be great. However, I do understand how they can't do the entire campsite limit because there are always those who would abuse the system. I can see two families getting together and renting a campsite only for the free dining.

The other issue is Free Dining is a marketing promotion to get people that would stay off-site to stay on-site during low periods. There is not much need for Disney to get people to book campsites because first there are very few campsites and usually high demand for those sites and generally if you are going to camp for a WDW vacation you are most likely going to stay onsite as there is only one semi-near off site campground. Not the thousands of rooms that are right outside the gates.

Its the same reason there are not a ton of discounts for campsites, the don't need them.

One other factor is if they did offer free dining (even with a lower limit per site) it would be the cheapest on site accommodation. People would book sites and not use them just for the free dining. When values got regular not quick service FD there were reports of people booking rooms and not staying in them just for the free food. They were either locals or people who had better off site condos and the like. It would be very similar to people booking campsites just to get EMH.

 

[bama_ed]

One other factor is if they did offer free dining (even with a lower limit per site) it would be the cheapest on site accommodation. People would book sites and not use them just for the free dining. When values got regular not quick service FD there were reports of people booking rooms and not staying in them just for the free food. They were either locals or people who had better off site condos and the like. It would be very similar to people booking campsites just to get EMH.

Good point here chartle. This angle hadn't occured to me.

Bama ED