Camping at the Fort but not going to parks?

[Elliott]

I was wondering what the opinions are about camping at FW but not doing anything else.. ie. going to the parks.

I have noticed many campers (people, not RVs) there in the morning when the family and I head for a day at MK, etc., and they are still sitting there when we come back for lunch or dinner or bedtime. Are there a significant amount of campers who use the Fort like any other campground...set up and camp, only camp?

Although I am hesistant to judge anothers use of their free time, I don't like the idea of a family that enjoys camping and that wants to see DW prevented from doing so because there are no sites available, due to the fact that others enjoy just riding a golf cart around the nicest campground they can find regardless if it is a stone's throw from DW or not.

 

[FloridaTeacher]

I don't know the answer to your question, but we've seen the same thing. We've kinda decided that they're either there for a long stay or they decided to spend a day of vacation just at the campground????

Of course, we always make up stories for people we see and find interesting anyway - yeah, we're weird that way but, hey it's fun. We give them all sorts of interesting lives. It's our own version of a soap opera.

Happy Camping

 

[bama_ed]

Well all things are relative. A few months ago a thread was locked down on this board relating to folks who book the campsite to get EMH and then don't even set up on it or use it so there were "empty" campsites when FW was fully booked.


I have no problem with folks enjoying FW and not going to the parks. In fact, the more I go the more I want to just hang out at FW. I plan to spend only 2-3 days at the parks out of 6 in March and the remaining days you'll find me at FW in the rocker at the Meadow TP, drifting lazily in the pool, catching a nap in the pop-up, or taking a walk with DW . I might go "off campus" for a few hours to catch a spring training baseball game.

Some folks' idea of a vacation is go-go-go and some is to take it easy. It depends on everybody's own situation.

Bama ED

 

[PenskeSth1]

We like to go to FW just to camp there and enjoy all it has to offer. We live close enough that we can go to the parks anytime. I personally don't prefer to go into the parks. DH, DD, and DS may do the parks one day, and I sit at the campsite.

We bring our bikes and cruise over to the Lodge and eat, we go to the water parks, and we go to DTD.

It is getting harder and harder to get Reservations at FW. We use to go a few times a year, now we are lucky if we get to go once or twice.

 

[1derfultigger]

Same here. We're going down for 8 nights in July. Although, because of the pricing structure, I'll probably get passes good for our entire stay, we're planning on spending at least of couple of quality days at the campground only. It'll be July and it will be hot. We have plenty of time to explore the parks over an 8 day span - no need to overdo it and burn ourselves out on it.

You can bet that, if Disney had any problem with people using the campground just for camping (what a concept huh?) without visiting the parks, they'd require you to buy a minimum amount of tickets in order to stay there.

 

[Tricializ]

As crazy as it seems, I think it's a great idea when people actually use the ammenities they are paying for. And, I don't begrudge them for it. I would love to have the luxury but we live 1400+ miles away and somehow we are just always at the parks. But, I swear I am going to do it one day. Or book 2 weeks at FW and only about a week of park days. Something like that. When I think about what it costs to "park" there it sometimes makes me sad that we don't utilize all that FW has to offer. I wouldn't feel guilty if I didn't go to the parks either like I was taking away from anyone's vacation. WOuldn't even have thought of that as each person can plan their vacation any way they want. If they get the reservation first? Then more power to them. Anyway, no matter what people do daily, all must be Disney lovers to be down there. It can't help but rub off on you.

 

[dblr]

Sometime you need a day or two off to recharge maybe that is what they are doing. Also we went one time and took my MIL with us and she was just getting over beiing ill and could not keep up with us so she picked her days @ the parks to what she liked. Worked out for us as she would have meals ready when we got back. Can't beat that can you.

 

[campingcorgi]

I'm just the opposite of the OP--I am surprised at people who use FW as just a cheap motel. Why bother to use up a site at what is in IMHO the world's best campground if you aren't going to use the campground?

And for all the people who can't get a site--book early and book often!

Now I'm off to check last night's lottery numbers to see if I can live at FW!



no such luck.....

 

[jima53]

Don't like the idea of people making a reservation just to get emh and not using the campsite at all, not even setting up. But I do agree that people like the campground so much they enjoy the FW experience without going into the parks is okay with me. If Disney was feeling any monetary pinch because of this you can bet they would adjust the prices so it would hurt the pocketbook to just stay at the campground. As good as the park is, it's just another campground with level clean sites. The foliage is disappearing between camp sites and its starting to look more and more like some of the better state parks as people over-use it. Our only trip there we stayed 8 nights this past fall and went into the park 7 days. Each day we came back and spent midday at the site or slept in and left midday. But those that use only the campground have found a great priced quality campground and as long as the price is to their advantage they will just use the campground.

Jim

 

[poohbearwithme]

I don't get it why all of the hostility toward those who camp and don't use the parks. And on another post in this forum they are complaining about the "snowbirds" who come and stay for long periods at a time. I know people get upset when they can't get ressies but why take it out on those who do? And you're right what people do with their free time and where and how they spend their vacations is nobodies to judge. Disney no longer offers discounts for long termers so that means that they are paying the same price a day as everyone else. I only wish I could afford to stay at FW for months at a time but I not going to begrudge those who do. Let's face it FW is no longer a secret and it's getting more and more popular each year. WDW needs to quit building half empty hotels and make FW bigger or better yet build another campground. But in the mean time staying at the fort will require those who want to stay there to make their plans earlier. Just stop blaming those lucky enough to "cop a squat" at the fort. Now everyone group hug

 

[DisCamper]

I spent 6 nights at FW over New Years and only saw MK from the beach at FW. Never went to the parks and never miss the parks. Spent the Vaca. discovering FW one more time..

 

[drewc]

We're going to the Fort Easter weekend, and we won't be going to the parks. We've gone to all the parks many times now, so this will be a chance to simply relax and enjoy our time at FW. Our big entertainment this time (besides dining around the MK resorts and watching fireworks and the light parade), will be going to La Nouba one night. Other than that, we plan to ride our bikes, rent a golf cart, ride the horses, go to the campfire, and swim in the pool. The parks will still be there the next time we visit. We're spending three days at the Fort, and then heading to Fort De Soto to enjoy the beach, and then make our way up to Hunting Island, near Hilton Head, on our way back home.

 

[Memph1s]

We live close enough to drive to the parks anytime we want. We usually go over for long weekends. When we go to the parks we get a hotel room. When we go to FW we just camp. It is just too much trouble to camp and go to the parks when you are only there for a couple of days. It can take to 1 pm to get on your site and then you have to get off by 11am so it takes up so much time to set up and take down and then you either have to drag the camper with you and park at the very end of the parking lots at the parks or leave it at FW and use Disney’s transportation. We have done a couple of 2 week trips when we went to the parks some from FW but most of the time we just camp.

 

[stillh2o]

If you stay in hotels checkin is 3pm. Almost every time we stay in FW we are on our site before 10am and it take 18mins. to setup camp so we can be on are way to the parks before noon.

 

[VAN]

We drive down from Michigan every year and spend 2 weeks at FW. We only go into the parks 2-3 days each visit; however, besides enjoying the campground we also frequent the WDW restaurants, shops, etc. Part of what you pay for as a resort guest is free transportation on the buses, boats, etc. We make use of those as well.

We go to WDW for rest and relaxation ... after a long cold winter in Michigan, it is nice to lounge by the pool and soak up the sun ... it is nice to not have to take your car out, but let others do the driving.

You don't have to go into the parks to experience the Disney magic as long as you are a resort guest.

That is why many of us spend our days at the Fort just "chillin".

We look forward to our 2 weeks at WDW every year and usually have our site booked 12-14 months in advance.

I really don't know what the to-do is about people enjoying what they pay premium prices for.

 

[clkelley]

If you stay in hotels checkin is 3pm. Almost every time we stay in FW we are on our site before 10am and it take 18mins. to setup camp so we can be on are way to the parks before noon.

The difference between hotels and the campground is going to your hotel only requires opening your suitcase.

Now, yes some folks have setup down to a science and it only takes a few minutes. For others, it takes a little longer and usually takes daylight.

 

[Elliott]

Easy folks….easy! Don’t get yourselves excited! There is no hostility here, just a simple question. It seems the consensus is all for using the campground for camping. I too would love to “live at the Fort”. Being that it is 1100 miles away however, we are unable to do that. In order for me to take my children to see Mickey Mouse I must save and plan for 2 to 4 years, hope I can get vacation at the right time and then drive for three days straight to get there. We love the campground and every minute spent there but after all of that planning and saving and work, sitting beside my TT is not really an option.

I totally agree that if you pay the listed price you should be able to use the site as you see fit. It is interesting that some replies refer to reserving the site for EMH purposes only and how unethical that is. I guess bama ed is right, “all things are relative”, and apparently they become more or less "relative" depending upon how they might affect your own plans.

All of this said, I guess I just feel sorry for those hard working Moms and Dads who take their kids to Disney (that’s who Walt made the place for after all) and can’t do everything their hearts desire because fanatics (myself included) go there on reservations made 18 months ago with dozens of ADR’s, etc.. WDW is an American institution that we all should be able to enjoy even if we don’t have the luxury to “book early and book often!”

p.s. I will write Bob Iger a note to let him know that one of his resorts offers so many amenities and is so under priced that people are using it as a destination in itself!

 

[CCIntrigue]

... one of his resorts offers so many amenities and is so under priced ...

Underpriced ??? Now, that topic could be an entire thread in itself.

 

[disneymom2one]

Easy folks….easy! Don’t get yourselves excited! There is no hostility here, just a simple question. It seems the consensus is all for using the campground for camping. I too would love to “live at the Fort”. Being that it is 1100 miles away however, we are unable to do that. In order for me to take my children to see Mickey Mouse I must save and plan for 2 to 4 years, hope I can get vacation at the right time and then drive for three days straight to get there. We love the campground and every minute spent there but after all of that planning and saving and work, sitting beside my TT is not really an option.

I totally agree that if you pay the listed price you should be able to use the site as you see fit. It is interesting that some replies refer to reserving the site for EMH purposes only and how unethical that is. I guess bama ed is right, “all things are relative”, and apparently they become more or less "relative" depending upon how they might affect your own plans.

All of this said, I guess I just feel sorry for those hard working Moms and Dads who take their kids to Disney (that’s who Walt made the place for after all) and can’t do everything their hearts desire because fanatics (myself included) go there on reservations made 18 months ago with dozens of ADR’s, etc.. WDW is an American institution that we all should be able to enjoy even if we don’t have the luxury to “book early and book often!”

p.s. I will write Bob Iger a note to let him know that one of his resorts offers so many amenities and is so under priced that people are using it as a destination in itself!

I don't feel sorry for people who don't plan. I'm sorry if that sounds harsh but I plan things out. ANd when I don't, I know things probably won't be as great. It's almost as if you're suggesting that by overplanning or staying in Fort Wilderness and not going to the parks that we're somehow taking from other people. I just don't see it that way (know I'm late on this thread).

Case in point. We have a trip planned for spring break (five weeks from now for us). For various reasons including a possible move to Orlando we kept putting off reserving the golf cart. I *knew* was taking a big chance but we just couldn't get firm plans together. Finally yesterday we called and I expected to not to be able to reserve a cart. Thankfully they had one available but had they not I wouldn't have blamed anyone but myself.

And fwiw, we're also DVC members. Our Fort Wilderness vacations are VERY different from our DVC stays. We rarely visit the parks and instead slowwwwww down and enjoy life. I love those vacations and know the parks will always be there. In fact, if we move to Orlando, we will be one of those local families hanging out in Fort Wilderness for the weekend. I personally can't wait. We love our pop-up and nothing compares to camping at the Fort - nothing.

 

[bradisgoofy]

We drive down from Michigan every year and spend 2 weeks at FW. We only go into the parks 2-3 days each visit; however, besides enjoying the campground we also frequent the WDW restaurants, shops, etc. Part of what you pay for as a resort guest is free transportation on the buses, boats, etc. We make use of those as well.

We go to WDW for rest and relaxation ... after a long cold winter in Michigan, it is nice to lounge by the pool and soak up the sun ... it is nice to not have to take your car out, but let others do the driving.

You don't have to go into the parks to experience the Disney magic as long as you are a resort guest.

That is why many of us spend our days at the Fort just "chillin".

We look forward to our 2 weeks at WDW every year and usually have our site booked 12-14 months in advance.

I really don't know what the to-do is about people enjoying what they pay premium prices for.​

^ditto what my fellow Michiganer said ​