Confused

[plutotek]

Okay, we just bought a 27 ft trailer and were thinking of taking it down for our trip in Dec to WDW. However, when I priced the campground, I found it to be only marginally less expensive than a value resort. What would be the advantage under those circumstances??

 

[clkelley]

The Fort is not a cheap vacation, but for many of us, the relaxation at the Fort and having our personal stuff and personal space outweighs the cost.

There is so much to do at the Fort, and the atmosphere is TONS better than a Value resort. (I've stayed at all the Value resorts, and will continue to visit there for short stays, but if I can pull my camper down, then I will!!)

 

[indimom3]

You're talking about 2 completely different vacations. If you've stayed at a disney value resort, you know it's really just another hotel with a bit of Disney theming - and it can be a crowded, noisy hotel with a crowded, noisy food court that you reach using a crowded, noisy bus at the end of the day.
FW is a destination all by itself. You are close enough to the MK to see the fireworks if you want, a nice little boatride away from the gates. You should also plan for time outside the parks if you are staying at FW, since there is so much to do at the resort itself.
If you are planning on cooking some of your meals, you will also save yourself quite a bit of money over a value resort.

But comparing the two isn't really fair, IMO. apples and oranges.

 

[CampingChristy]

It is hard to explain the love of camping to someone who doesn't "love" camping. Know what I mean? I stay at the Fort because it is FUN and my family and I adore camping. We enjoy all aspects of the "camping world". Especially fellow campers! The Fort just happens to be the "Happiest Place On Earth", IMHO! Camping at Fort Wilderness is an "experience", not just a stay while on vacation. When staying in a value resort, this is just a place to sleep while you are on vacation. While camping at the Fort, this is the highlight to your vacation! This is just my humble opinion!

 

[mnsprk]

you're talking about 2 completely different vacations.
But comparing the two isn't really fair, imo. Apples and oranges.

agree 100%

 

[kazlac4]

My DH and I have been to the world numerous times and have stayed at different resorts, both value and moderate and always had a great time. Last year was our first time staying at the Fort. We actually had come down to Florida to see the shuttle launch and then decided to try the Fort as a second stop. Well, we were hooked. It IS a whole different atmosphere than any of the resorts. Whenever we were at other resorts it seemed that other guests would smile and nod hello but mostly everyone was in their own little world. Yet, at the Fort fellow campers seemed to talk and get to know one another. The neighbors in our loop would stop for a quick chat or ask about where we were from. We got to meet people from other areas of the country while sitting at the beach watching fireworks, and then got to talk to some others while sitting on the porch at the Trails End Restaurant on some old fashioned rockers while playing a game of checkers, yet the Magic Kingdom is just a short boat-ride away. It seemed like such a more personable visit than at the "regular" resorts. We have scheduled another visit in the fall and plan on trying to get down for a visit at least 1-2 times a year.

 

[Disneylitch]

First thing is that staying at The Fort is fun. You don't have the hussle and bussle associated with a hotel. There is a lot to do at The Fort. Everynight there is a Disney movie in an outside theater that is always a lot of fun. Before that, there is the Chip and Dale sing a long. It's is very relaxing and you do things on your own time schedule. We bring our own food, so if we want to stay up late and sleep in we can. We don't have to worry about dining times. We ride our bikes, walk, and just basically relax. Campers are in general very friendly people. As was said before, you can also see MK fireworks from the beach and there is also the water parade. The pool as been renovated and I could go on and on. We make the trip from Maryland once a year for 2 weeks and some years we have made the trip twice. If it was up to me I would move to Florida so I could enjoy it more. Hope this helps. Also, you don't have to unpack when you get there and when you get home you can take your time unpacking. No rush.

 

[Shan-man]

The Fort is an awful waste of money.

• It's just as expensive as Values
• You have to pay all that money in gas getting your RV there
• They don't provide towels (even at the pool)
• You have to bring your own soap and shampoo
• You may have to wait in line for a shower
• They charge you for ice
• You don't get any housekeeping
• You might get a yippy dog for a neighbor
• If you leave a crockpot out to slow cook dinner you might be lucky to have any left by time you get home thanks to the Fort's version of free dining
• If you leave your beer cooler unguarded, otters WILL rob you blind.

If you're a park commando and budget conscious, the Pop Century is calling. Speaking for myself, however, if I was offered an all-expense paid vacation at the WDW resort of my choice... I'd be staying at the Fort. Call me crazy... err, no, call me a Fort Fiend!

 

[kazlac4]

 

[Born 2 Fish]

plutotek,,did you EVER wonder while you were lay'n inna bed, inna hotel,,if you were sleep'n in someone else's filth ???

Welcome to rv camping,

 

[plutotek]

For those providing helpful answers, I thank you.

 

[Disneylitch]

The Fort is an awful waste of money.

• It's just as expensive as Values
• You have to pay all that money in gas getting your RV there
• They don't provide towels (even at the pool)
• You have to bring your own soap and shampoo
• You may have to wait in line for a shower
• They charge you for ice
• You don't get any housekeeping
• You might get a yippy dog for a neighbor
• If you leave a crockpot out to slow cook dinner you might be lucky to have any left by time you get home thanks to the Fort's version of free dining
• If you leave your beer cooler unguarded, otters WILL rob you blind.

If you're a park commando and budget conscious, the Pop Century is calling. Speaking for myself, however, if I was offered an all-expense paid vacation at the WDW resort of my choice... I'd be staying at the Fort. Call me crazy... err, no, call me a Fort Fiend!

I agree with you. There isn't any other place I want to stay. Now an all expense paid trip to The Fort would be a good thing. One can always dream.

 

[CampingChristy]

Okay, we just bought a 27 ft trailer and were thinking of taking it down for our trip in Dec to WDW. However, when I priced the campground, I found it to be only marginally less expensive than a value resort. What would be the advantage under those circumstances??

Just the pure love of camping!

You have to "excuse" my fellow Fort Fiends, they all think they are comedians! haha No really, it seems like all threads turn comical in some way most of the time. No harm intended!

Welcome to the Camping Dis Board! Hope you hang around and learn to love "The Fort" like all us Fort Fiends do!!

 

[bama_ed]

Agreed the Fort can be anywhere from 1/3 to 1/2 less than a Value. It depends on the type of Fort campsite you price out.

Also keep in mind that the Values only hold 4 people. You can have up to 10 in a campsite (even 6 in a cabin).

Plus our food cost is much lower since we can cook our own foods (even choose healthy if we want) and not pay the Dining Plan dollars for terrible food (for the most part).

I can sit at my campsite and admire the trees, birds, breeze blowing, and sounds of the busses, boats, even fire works at night. What's the view like from inside a Value room? What can you hear from inside a Value room? I don't know the answer to those questions because I've never been interested in staying in a Value.

All I know is when I travel to WDW with family and we stay at the Fort and they stay at POP, all they do is sleep there; they spend their non-park days over with me at the Fort relaxing, cooking, eating, biking, etc...guess it's 'cause they don't own a camper.

Bama ED

 

[AuburnJen92]

The Fort is an awful waste of money.

• It's just as expensive as Values
• You have to pay all that money in gas getting your RV there
• They don't provide towels (even at the pool)
• You have to bring your own soap and shampoo
• You may have to wait in line for a shower
• They charge you for ice
• You don't get any housekeeping
• You might get a yippy dog for a neighbor
• If you leave a crockpot out to slow cook dinner you might be lucky to have any left by time you get home thanks to the Fort's version of free dining
• If you leave your beer cooler unguarded, otters WILL rob you blind.

If you're a park commando and budget conscious, the Pop Century is calling. Speaking for myself, however, if I was offered an all-expense paid vacation at the WDW resort of my choice... I'd be staying at the Fort. Call me crazy... err, no, call me a Fort Fiend!

pssst, Shan, you forgot to mention the peacocks....

 

[BigDaddyRog]

Im heading to the Fort in July and will not even be stepping foot into any of the parks. Im towing a pop-up camper 640 miles JUST to camp at the Fort!!! Yes...its JUST THAT GOOD. We cant afford the parks every time we want a touch of Disney in our lives, and the Fort has just enough Disney to satisfy that DISCRAVING, without the over-hyper full blown Disney bang. I am not alone in being one that travels to the Fort without going to the parks....there are ALOT of people who do this. How many times have you heard of anyone going to ANY OTHER resort at Disney with no intention of hitting the parks? "Heyy....Im taking the kids to the AllStars resort for a few days of "hotel rooming", were gonna have a blast walking through the food court and hanging out in the lobby, I cant wait!!" Nope...dont hear that one too often.

 

[CampingChristy]

When we stayed a week last Oct we didn't go to the theme parks either! Just love camping! Ya think...............hahahahaha.

 

[BigDaddyRog]

Ya know...theres really just SO MUCH to do at the fort thats completely entertaining and FREE!!! Its my Laughing Place. Sure, the sites cost more than sites at just about any other campground in the country....but you definately get your moneys worth if you use it for more than just a place to sleep. One of our favorite things, besides golf cart looping, fishing, TriCircleD Ranch, The Night-time Movie Campfire, bike riding, awesome pool areas, planned kids activities, hanging on the beach watching the nightly Electric Water Pagent and fireworks is hopping on the boat simply to catch a monorail and check out all of the other resorts. I LOVE the other resorts....I just dont wanna sleep at them!!!


Everything listed above is FREE!!!! And there are other free activities that Im sure Im leaving out....like tennis courts, basketball, tetherball, playgrounds, etc

 

[OK GRUMPY]

I went twice last year and didn't do the parks! Fort Wilderness is great! It's Clean, you can watch the fireworks from the beach and really miss the mast exit from the Magic Kingdom. It's really very fun! Your right I don't think I've heard of t anyone that will go to another resort and not do the parks!

 

[BradyBz12]

I miss the peacocks...