Campground Security

[dreamer03]

Can somebody offer some tip and ideas on securing your belongings while staying at the Fort? My family and I are new to camping and trying to decide if we should tent camp or get a room. This will be our first trip as a family and would surely hate to ruin the magic by having items come up missing. I am sure that this doesn't happen at Disney but any info can help us at the Fort as well as other camping trips. Thanks so much.

 

[campingdawgs]

We have never had a problem with anyone taking anything (except for the raccoons!). We lock valuables in the truck, but leave our coolers, chairs, bikes, etc. out. We did lock our bikes when we left them all day at the beach or the Outpost bus stop. We have always felt very safe at FW.

 

[Tiggntaz]

Campers usally are not the type to steel but it dies happen. Try to lock up your stuff that is worth taking in the car.

Also I like to meet the pepole staying around me, that case if someone strange is around I notice it and hopfully they would notice someone strange in my site while I am not there.

If you want to lock you tent, you can get zipper locks, like for a suitcase.

Disney also has people everywhere. Maids, yard crew, cops, bus drivers are aways looking out for stuff too. I was also told that disney has cameras up in the fort. I have not seen one yet but that is what I was told.

 

[BrightScouter]

The last time we camped there, probably 5 years ago, (Darn DVC!) my son had his bike stolen. We had a lock and cable, but had not been using it in the site. But, we started to after that. In all of our stays at the fort, probably over a dozen, that is the only thing ever stolen. I would lock my valuables in the car, maybe lock your bikes up, but other than that, not worry. It really is a great place to be. It is so relaxing to stay there as opposed to any other resort. We like DVC and have stayed in some great hotels because of it. But my heart will always belong to Ft. Wilderness. Once my mom is no longer going with us, we plan to go back to splitting time between the fort and BCV.

 

[LarryJ]

Campers usally are not the type to steel but it dies happen. Try to lock up your stuff that is worth taking in the car.

Also I like to meet the pepole staying around me, that case if someone strange is around I notice it and hopfully they would notice someone strange in my site while I am not there.

If you want to lock you tent, you can get zipper locks, like for a suitcase.

I agree with all those points

Disney also has people everywhere. Maids, yard crew, cops, bus drivers are aways looking out for stuff too. I was also told that disney has cameras up in the fort. I have not seen one yet but that is what I was told.

I wouldn't rely on the maintenance personnel to do anything for you so on this point I have to disagree.

Larry

 

[Goofyseven]

Been camping at the Fort since the 70's and never had a problem. We do lock valuables in the car out of sight, and close/lock the camper door, but leave out coolers, chairs, lanterns, etc.

But there are all kinds in this world, and common sense should prevail

 

[des1954]

In days gone by you could rely on the loop attendants to keep a watchful eye out & confront people when things didn't look right. Now, they are ordered to be non-confrontational and would not say a word even when it's obvious something is not right. Look at how many underage kids drive golf carts without being questioned. Need I say more?

If you are concerned with the safety of your gear, lock it up. Friends of ours winter on the 100 loop and have actually had people open the door to their motor home because they were curious as to what it looked like on the inside.

Another time we had our GC parked by Crockett's while we were at the MK. This same 100 loop friend was sitting on the porch & saw someone sit in our cart, play with the gear shift (F-N-R knob) and start to push our GC!! He got in their face so fast the people didn't know what hit them! Our GC was customized & looked nothing like a Disney cart - so the people knew - or thought - they knew what they were doing. After that DH rigged it with a battery kill switch that was well hidden.

Bottom line - if it's valuable to you, lock it up. All kinds of people come to FtW.

 

[dreamer03]

Thak you everyone for the input. I am glad to hear that disney does maintain a level of safety at the Fort. I am sorry for the bad things that happened or attempted to happen to everyone things. I will be looking for tent locks and I never thought about locking stuff in our car.

 

[devores]

Just had to comment real quick. Because FW is Disney, I would take more precautions when camping there than at a regular CG. The reason being is, people will stay at the Fort as a cheap way of staying on property. Allot of them are not "campers" and therefore, the environment isnt like a regular CG. Dont get me wrong, I love the fort, but the atmospher is different than staying at a state park or high end RV park.

Campers tend to be friendly and trustworthy. Mix in those just looking for a cheap stay at Disney, those who have never camped before, and you get those problems mentioned in the other posts.

So, do not get sucked into the "Its Disney, it must be safe" mentality and lock up your valuables. A few extra minutes before heading to the park will save you some heartache later in the day.

 

[BrightScouter]

The zipper locks idea is interesting. Not sure if I would use them or not. If someone wants in, and you have zipper locks, they may just slice the wall of your tent. Or rip out the zipper. It might keep honest people (curious people or kids) out.

I have a Jeep with a soft top. For that reason, I try not to leave anything valuable in it, and I don't lock the doors. If someone wanted in, they can slice the side of the top and get in. I would rather let people in and save the top, than try to slow them down and face their wrath.

Not saying zipper locks are a bad idea, just giving you food for thought.

Del

 

[Live4FW]

I just wanted to chime in and say that I have never had an issue. In fact, one evening, my son left the back door of the truck wide open. I didn't find it until the next morning. DVD player and dvds were still there. I know this was a really lucky event but just want to reitterate, take normal precautions and you will be fine.

We are the type that leaves coolers, flashlights, nick nacks, etc, out at our site and have never had an issue.

I do totally agree about meeting your neighbor campers.

 

[clkelley]

I agree on the zipper locks. I wouldn't worry about them. If someone wants your stuff, they'll just slice the tent.

What I would do is get a locking footlocker and lock semi valuable stuff in there inside the tent. Super valuable stuff keep on your person or lock in your vehicle.

However, as others have said, chairs, clothes, linens, etc. I wouldn't worry about it too much.

Absolutely lock the bikes up at the campsite and at parking spots throughout the Fort.

 

[webbmom]

Thanks for this post. I was wondering about this. We are regular campers, we have a pop up but the lock is broken. My DH was concerned about it not locking.

 

[chartle]

If you are concerned with the safety of your gear, lock it up. Friends of ours winter on the 100 loop and have actually had people open the door to their motor home because they were curious as to what it looked like on the inside.

May be they thought your friend's MH was just another attraction.

I saw a special on Celebration and it pointed out that residents have to put signs on their front fences informing visitors that their home is a private home not a Disney attraction and no you just can't come in and look around.

In other words a polite NO TRESSPASSING sign.

 

[beagles7278]

If you can lock it do it. I would tell a story about FW and someone having a MH broken into but I would probably be banned from the site.

With that said, keep in mind many of the RV's you see at FW cost a lot of money, and thieves are not stupid, they go where the money is. If you are going to be the least bit upset if it walks away, don't worry about locking it, otherwise lock it.

 

[LarryJ]

Just had to comment real quick. Because FW is Disney, I would take more precautions when camping there than at a regular CG. The reason being is, people will stay at the Fort as a cheap way of staying on property. Allot of them are not "campers" and therefore, the environment isnt like a regular CG. Dont get me wrong, I love the fort, but the atmospher is different than staying at a state park or high end RV park.

Interesting comment and prespective, but one that I have seen in all the years I've been going to FW and WDW 20+.

Campers tend to be friendly and trustworthy. Mix in those just looking for a cheap stay at Disney, those who have never camped before, and you get those problems mentioned in the other posts.

There are a lot cheaper alternatives than FW for price even on property for just the room. So I don't agree with the "low life" spending close to $100/nite to stay at FW.

So, do not get sucked into the "Its Disney, it must be safe" mentality and lock up your valuables. A few extra minutes before heading to the park will save you some heartache later in the day.

On this point I agree and it's not just Disney, but anytime camping anywhere ... do not leave stuff that someone might want or is "valuable".

Larry