Could the campground be totally packed all of February?

[Whosemom]

I just tried to book three nights over my birthday, and then three nights another time, and came up with no availability both times (neither time was presidents weekend)

Do you think I'd have better luck with a real person?

thanks for your input

 

[John VN]

Good luck but probably not.

John

 

[risy]

I had posted something about this back in December...When the AP rate came out there was a mention about many dates (in addition to Presidents Day) having limited availablity.

We could not figure out why that would be. We now go in January but used to always go in February. It was always a nice low season time to go.

Maybe Spring Breaks are earlier this year. The international visitors don't usually impact the campground.

 

[Whosemom]

I tried Feb 4, and Feb 11. If they've moved spring break that early, they gonna have to rename it!

 

[John VN]

We were just at FW this past weekend and it was FULL. That is normally to be expected on the weekend, but, as we were leaving there were many MHs coming in. I personally think that with the boom in RVing it will be harder and harder to book on a last minute basis. Since we were also at FW in Dec., I had the opportunity to see the MHs that were staying for an extended period of time. There appears to be more this year than in the past. I will be able to check things out again in a few weeks when we go back.

One thing to keep in mind is that if you really like WDW and you come to Fl. for a winter vacation, staying in your MH can be much more fun and affordable than staying in some condo or house on the beach.

John

 

[ALostBoy]

Hi,
Didn't FW offer a Winter extended stay rate, or something
like that? Maybe a snowbird rate? This may be partly to blame.
Good Luck

 

[rapriebe]

I called on Saturday night and was able to get 8 nights in a Preferred site for this coming weekend. They also had Full and Partial hookups available for the same 8 days. I had been trying for a week to get preferred site because we really like being close to the Marina and we have a pet. Don't forget to try on-line as well as over the phone. They are two different reservation "pools" so what might not be available on one system might be available on the other.

 

[tim5055]

Hi,
Didn't FW offer a Winter extended stay rate, or something
like that? Maybe a snowbird rate? This may be partly to blame.
Good Luck

They have always offered a "winter settlers rate" which required a 28 day stay if I remember correctly. The lat time I talked to someone who was using it (about 2 years ago) the price they quoted was just shy of the value season rate. Only 5 - 10% off if I remember corectly.

 

[Grumpy92]

Talked to a CM and commented to them about the lack of availability for Feb. She stated that the long term stays or Snowbirds had quickly grabbed the special last summer when it was offered.

 

[MrKTI]

I am not normally a complainer, but I think its time to take some action here.

I have mentioned in the past about someone taking up one of our favorite sites in the 900 loop, and being there all year. Lots of nice sites at FW, but this cranks me a little.

We talked to three management types and asked how long can you stay. They sort of glanced at each other and did the little foot shufflte that said they had been asked this before.

One of them said they have about 100 or so extended guests, or some other Disney term for 'snow birds'.

Something about this does not seem right, even though it is certainly their right to set up plans like this to assure occupied sites and guarenteed income.

Not sure how often these long term campers visit the parks, and spend money there. Maybe this policy is a little one sided ... I don't have any data of course.

I don't know the tradional occupation percentage of FW during the winter months either, maybe this policy makes sense if you knew the big picture.

Anyway, I plan on writing a friendly letter stating my concerns, and will let everyone know how that goes. This might be a pilot program and they get some whiners (like me) they will reconsider next year.

I would hate to see this become a 'park model' CG like so many around FL ... I guess that's a stretch.

John

 

[John VN]

I am not normally a complainer, but I think its time to take some action here.

I have mentioned in the past about someone taking up one of our favorite sites in the 900 loop, and being there all year. Lots of nice sites at FW, but this cranks me a little.

We talked to three management types and asked how long can you stay. They sort of glanced at each other and did the little foot shufflte that said they had been asked this before.

One of them said they have about 100 or so extended guests, or some other Disney term for 'snow birds'.

Something about this does not seem right, even though it is certainly their right to set up plans like this to assure occupied sites and guarenteed income.

Not sure how often these long term campers visit the parks, and spend money there. Maybe this policy is a little one sided ... I don't have any data of course.

I don't know the tradional occupation percentage of FW during the winter months either, maybe this policy makes sense if you knew the big picture.

Anyway, I plan on writing a friendly letter stating my concerns, and will let everyone know how that goes. This might be a pilot program and they get some whiners (like me) they will reconsider next year.

I would hate to see this become a 'park model' CG like so many around FL ... I guess that's a stretch.

John

DW and myself have always joked about selling our house and moving in at FW and making that our permanent residence. Think about it, you have a beautiful $500,000.00 MH and pay no property tax, nothing extra for utilities, nothing extra for garbage pick up, have world class dining a short distance away and WDW at your doorstep all for less than some monthly mortgage bill or gulf or ocean front condo rental.

As far as we are concerned, it's a win, win, win... proposition.

As I mentioned earlier there seems to be more winter residents this year than in the past.

John

 

[MrKTI]

Hmmmm ... good points.

Maybe I will rethink that letter thing ...

John

 

[John VN]

Hmmmm ... good points.

Maybe I will rethink that letter thing ...

John

What site do you want, maybe we could be neighbors. 900 loop would be OK since we have a persian.

John

 

[RocklandRVers]

Ever since we first stayed in FtW, my wife and I have dreamed of one day semi-retiring and being snowbirds in Florida over the winter in about 8-10 years (about age 55) and staying in FtW at Winter Settler rates. We would both work P/T for Disney to earn just enough to pay our way and get some of the perks of being a CM. We figure it this way. We will own our RV and a car and have our own GEM electric car golf cart) to get around the CG. So for about $900-$1000 a month we have a nice place to camp and enjoy. I am sure we can easily work a few hours a week either in the CG or elsewhere in WDW to pay the CG fe, so it will be like living there free. Heck I would do it today, but of course with a young son headed for college

 

[Whosemom]

I realize that Disney has to do what makes them the most money. But camping during the off season is the only way we can afford to come and stay on site. So I guess we plan a million years ahead or don't come anymore.

 

[mrskti]

I just tried to book three nights over my birthday, and then three nights another time, and came up with no availability both times (neither time was presidents weekend)

Do you think I'd have better luck with a real person?

thanks for your input

Whosemom, if you were looking online for ressies, i'd go straight to the phones. Every single time I tried to get ressies online they always said "FULL", but then going live on the phone, we always got a spot. So skip the online stuff. That way you can always put in your request for a loop too.

Good luck!!!

 

[MrKTI]

What site do you want, maybe we could be neighbors. 900 loop would be OK since we have a persian.

John

Not leaking my favortite site, but if you drive thru, it's pretty clear which site a large motorhome would like. Doesn't matter, those folks will be in it for another 5 years or so ....

Looking forward to having you as a neighbor, we have one big thing in common at least.

John

 

[Grumpy92]

Well just returned from a wknd at FW. It was sold out, just a miracle that we were able to get in. It was clear that most of the guest there were snowbirds there for an extended amount of time. Some looked like they had been there since xmas. In the past they have put a limit on number of nights you could stay.

I can see both sides of the coin. As a former cm at FW I can tell you this time of year tends to be slow and we rarely were sold out. So for Disney they are probably making a profit where previously they did not. Often the weekends would be busy as locals would come and stay for a quick get a way but during the week it was dead.

On the otherside of the coin, during the winter months in Fla it is very hard to find a vacancy at any of the campgrounds. So FW was a nice place to be able to get a way at a cheaper rate. Try going from Jan. with $50 to over $70 in March per night at FW. Have a feeling by March they will be slowly leaving. We usually are always able to get an AP or Fla res rate and those were just not available.

 

[Whosemom]

So, here's a related concern.

My dh says, if its that hard to get in, the parks must be sholder-to-sholder crowded, too. I believe I am hearing you all say that's not the case. Its just the folks with both time and money hanging out at the campground...correct?

 

[John VN]

So, here's a related concern.

My dh says, if its that hard to get in, the parks must be sholder-to-sholder crowded, too. I believe I am hearing you all say that's not the case. Its just the folks with both time and money hanging out at the campground...correct?

BINGO!

John