We go to the Fort 3-5 times a year and in principle, I don't care who comes to the campfire movie or who swims in the pool. If you want to come swim or watch a movie at Fort Wilderness, I don't care, I can share and it doesn't bother me. No you may not be paying for it but then again, you don't get to spend the night and wake up at the Fort either!
HOWEVER, having said all that. There are a few valid concerns that I have about non-guests being at the Fort pool/campfire sing along.
1) The Fort is a unique resort. In a hotel room you lock your door and there are security measures in place and no reason for you to be on the floor with rooms unless you are staying there. The Fort isn't like that, the campsites are easily accessible, it would be impossible to have the same type of security measures you may have in hotel rooms at the Fort, and when you're camping all of your "stuff" is NOT locked behind a door.
If you are in a tent, pop up, hybrid, your belongings may as well be sitting outside your hotel room door. Even those in hard sided campers have coolers, camping mats, chairs, bikes, etc outside on their campsite.
It's one thing to go to dinner, picnic, etc at Trail's End- it's in a "public" type area with the trading post, and tavern right at the marina with the lake at the edge. The campfire sing along and campground pool is in the middle of the campground surrounded by campsites. I would feel better knowing those areas were somewhat restricted.
2) Although I wouldn't begrudge anyone a swim on a hot day, I think it's only natural to feel like "I'm the one paying to be here, these are the amenities offered by my resort and I shouldn't have to be packed in like sardines or be unable to get a table or chair because daytrippers have settled in". Same thing with the campfire movie although that never seems to be as crowded as the pool.
I don't think anyone staying at the Fort has a problem with visitors swimming in the pool or taking their kids to the sing along or movie BUT because there is no way to have any type of minimal security with a totally open door policy AND there is also no realistic way to allow visitors to the pool/sing along/campfire only when it isn't crowded and only when a Fort guest isn't planning on using them.... most Fort guests have that "keep out" mentality- even me and I'm very big on sharing!
And now for a general public service announcement catering to my pet peeve:
Whether you are a guest of the Fort or not, if you go to the campfire movie- please shut up. Seriously, shut up or leave. It's not acceptable to yammer away during the movie nor is it acceptable to let your kids run all over the place screaming. It's the same as a movie theater- just outside.
Likewise, if your toddler or baby starts crying and throwing a fit and you can't get them to settle down - leave. No one else wants to hear that whether it's the campfire movie, restaurant, attractions, sing along, etc.
I don't mean all that as grumpy as it sounds.....but I do mean it!
