Disney's FORT WILDERNESS CABINS & CAMPGROUNDS Thread

[neeleyd]

Wondering same thing. Especially since Kenny at Tee Time golf cart rentals can't deliver onsite anymore. Apparently new Disney policy.

When did they start this new policy? I rented from Kenny the last week in January.

 

[tiggerdad]

Apparently it's a new policy that Disney is trying to isolate the business to themselves for the cart rentals. It's been talked and discussed alot over on the camping forum that we figured it was only a matter of time before Disney closed the loop. Haygar2 noted that they would have to meet the dealer offsite. Disney allows carts onsite to paying guests with a reservation, this way they can bring their own. Meeting offsite allows for the camper to bring the cart in. Kenny is apparently being allowed to complete previous transactions that were made prior to the new policy. So those who reserved prior to the new policy should still be able to get their carts as I understand it.

Since the policy is new, this is why you were probably able to get your cart in January. Looks like I will be making room to bring my own in the future, no way am I paying the ridiculous prices Disney wants. I can afford the extra fuel to bring the thing down for cheaper than renting for the week.

As I understand it, you can still rent from offsite dealers, but they cannot deliver it to you on site. You have to go to them or use their vehicle, trailer, etc. This information is based on what was gathered by several others. I have tried to make contact with Kenny to get the specifics, but have not been able to at this time. If someone is able to, let us all know.

 

[mousetrip]

Apparently it's a new policy that Disney is trying to isolate the business to themselves for the cart rentals. It's been talked and discussed alot over on the camping forum that we figured it was only a matter of time before Disney closed the loop. Haygar2 noted that they would have to meet the dealer offsite. Disney allows carts onsite to paying guests with a reservation, this way they can bring their own. Meeting offsite allows for the camper to bring the cart in. Kenny is apparently being allowed to complete previous transactions that were made prior to the new policy. So those who reserved prior to the new policy should still be able to get their carts as I understand it.

Since the policy is new, this is why you were probably able to get your cart in January. Looks like I will be making room to bring my own in the future, no way am I paying the ridiculous prices Disney wants. I can afford the extra fuel to bring the thing down for cheaper than renting for the week.

As I understand it, you can still rent from offsite dealers, but they cannot deliver it to you on site. You have to go to them or use their vehicle, trailer, etc. This information is based on what was gathered by several others. I have tried to make contact with Kenny to get the specifics, but have not been able to at this time. If someone is able to, let us all know.

Just letting you know, I reserved ours on Wednesday from Kenny and the gal was so nice and said that since we are flying and will not have a car and taking magical express, that Disney is letting them bring the cart in. It's worth a call! Such a reasonable price, I got it for the whole week!

 

[hstrickland]

Three from today we will be waking up in Georgia and making the rest of the drive to Disney We hit the Disney store last night and picked up a few things for our trip, shirts, fleeces, autograph books, and yesterday I ordered some Donald Duck string lights for the camper awning. Today we are heading to an RV show to see if there are any cool new gadgets we might need for the camper.

You have to get some picks of those Donald Duck lights! They sound fantastic! And hope you found lots of new gadgets for the camper

Unfortunately we are also getting ready for what hopefully will be our last major winter storm moving in Sunday and Monday, they're calling for another 8"-12" of snow and possibly ice.

WHAT??!! Say it ain't so!!

I hunt and off-road my Jeep in bear country and have been within 100 or so feet from bears a couple of times, they really aren't aggressive animals unless you give them a reason to be, usually they will try to avoid you if they can. The boys and Wendy really want to see some this year, Shenandoah is probably our best bet at seeing some but we are camping a couple other places that have smaller bear populations. I did get most of our camping trips through Columbus Day Weekend in October planned and booked, we should be camping about 40 nights this year.

My husband loves the outdoors,too, and loves to hunt & fish. But no bear sightings for him even when he was in Alaska fishing. It would actually be really cool to see....from a distance that is And since you have 40 nights of camping planned, I'm hoping you did find some new and innovative gadgets

That's how I feel. However, ours isn't until September. I did get my hubby to agree to an extra day. Instead of checking in on September 7th (my birthday) we are checking in on the 6th. I want to spend that evening cruising around the resort. We are hitting Trail's End for dinner. Can't wait!!

Don't blame you a bit for adding a day!!!! I've been known to do that a time or two myself

TheDisneyPrep will be in the cabins for her Bachelorette party May 2-5! Can't wait... you are right, this is one of the BEST KEPT secrets!

A bachelorette party sounds quite fabulous!!! How much fun with that be??!! Are you hitting the parks, too?

Thanks! I do have one question. We were assigned a premium campsite because of the size of camper my parents have (we are staying with them, they live in Florida and will drive in, we will fly in). Are those in a specific area or scattered throughout the campground?

I'm getting so excited! We originally planned to go in June but moved the vacation up to April. I stopped at The Disney Store tonight and grabbed a few of the $8 t-shirts for my boys.

April is a great time to visit Disney...a little cooler than June, too. Here's a little info about the sites. If you refer to the map on the first page, you can get a visual of where each loop is located within the Fort.

Here is an easy guide to what loops have what kind of sites (once the premium site construction is complete). Pet Friendly loops are also noted.

Loop 100 - Preferred
Loop 200 - Preferred
Loop 300 - Preferred (Pet friendly loop)
Loop 400 - Premium (Pet friendly loop)
Loop 500 - Premium (Pet friendly loop)
Loop 600 - Premium (Pet friendly loop)
Loop 700 - Premium (Pet friendly loop)
Loop 800 - Premium (Pet friendly loop)
Loop 900 - Premium (Pet friendly loop)
Loop 1000 - Premium
Loop 1100 - Premium
Loop 1200 - Premium
Loop 1300 - Premium
Loop 1400 - Premium
Loop 1500 - Partial
Loop 1600 - Full (Pet friendly loop)
Loop 1700 - Full (Pet friendly loop)
Loop 1800 - Full (Pet friendly loop)
Loop 1900 - Full (Pet friendly loop)
Loop 2000 - Partial

Just booked my golf cart!!

I didn't get it for the whole time, because we will be in the parks so much, but I got it for 3 days for $120 + tax.

I would have but my mom checked in well before we arrived and didn't know any better. She already had stuff unloaded and had a rough afternoon not knowing how to get around or where to eat. Wasn't worth one more thing to stress her out.

Don't blame you. Once you get settled it is a huge pain to move.

If I can fit it into the budget, we are definitely doing it. Thinking we may just rent a popup since it would save a lot of money. I would get a golf cart from Kenny too.

Sounds like tons of fun for the family! I really want to rent a camper, too, and do the Fort that way. Bet it's a totally different experience. Hope it all works out for y'all

Apparently it's a new policy that Disney is trying to isolate the business to themselves for the cart rentals....

...I have tried to make contact with Kenny to get the specifics, but have not been able to at this time. If someone is able to, let us all know.

Thanks so much for the info!!! I had no idea at all. I'll be interested to see if Disney really does this and if they do, what kind of backlash they may get from their resort guest. If their golf cart prices weren't so astronomical, people wouldn't have to resort to outside agencies. There are several people on this thread who are renting from someone besides Disney, so we'll definitely have to get their feedback after they return from their trip.

 

[hstrickland]

Just letting you know, I reserved ours on Wednesday from Kenny and the gal was so nice and said that since we are flying and will not have a car and taking magical express, that Disney is letting them bring the cart in. It's worth a call! Such a reasonable price, I got it for the whole week!

Interesting. If you did have a car, would they make you meet them somewhere?? Just curious.

 

[mousetrip]

Interesting. If you did have a car, would they make you meet them somewhere?? Just curious.

Yes, I believe he said we'd have to pick it up. Maybe they would have to rent us a trailer too..

 

[Haygar2]

Through Beachline, I was told that we are to meet offsite after I check in. He then comes back, with the cart attached to his trailer, with me, and we go into the extra parking area. We unload the golf cart and leave it there and then he takes me back to my car. I wouldn't be able to take the trailer. My car doesn't have a hitch. This would be the only way. Then when we leave, it's the same thing. We meet in the overflow parking lot. If I understand it correctly, and I could be wrong, I have to leave the park with him and go to the meeting spot again. Again, I could be wrong on that part.

I even said to him that Disney is so stupid for charging so much for their golf carts. He agreed with me but said thank goodness they do because it's good for his business. You would think that so many people renting from outside people that they would get wise and lower their golf cart rentals. They might have to charge less, but that $120 that I am spending could be in their pocket and not someone else's.

 

[tiggerdad]

Just letting you know, I reserved ours on Wednesday from Kenny and the gal was so nice and said that since we are flying and will not have a car and taking magical express, that Disney is letting them bring the cart in. It's worth a call! Such a reasonable price, I got it for the whole week!

That's good to hear and interesting that Disney is allowing it. Either way it's pixie dust for your trip. Have a great trip.

 

[Jeepin Dad]

You have to get some picks of those Donald Duck lights! They sound fantastic! And hope you found lots of new gadgets for the camper

I did see a couple of things at the show I want to get for the camper. If it was up to Wendy we would have ended up with a new camper, she fell in love with one and was ready to sign on the bottom line. I didn't think the features we would have gained outweighed the storage we would of lost and I think the build quality of ours is better. There was one other camper at the show that if they had been willing to come down on price by a few thousand I would have seriously considered trading for.

Here are the Donald lights I ordered


We also picked up a Mickey pot scrubber


And we got Wendy a new basket for her bike



We did get a little lucky and the storm is tracking a little more to the south than they thought, so we will probably only end up with about 4"-6" which is a lot better than the 12"-14" they were predicting a couple of days ago.

 

[fynook12]

Through Beachline, I was told that we are to meet offsite after I check in. He then comes back, with the cart attached to his trailer, with me, and we go into the extra parking area. We unload the golf cart and leave it there and then he takes me back to my car. I wouldn't be able to take the trailer. My car doesn't have a hitch. This would be the only way. Then when we leave, it's the same thing. We meet in the overflow parking lot. If I understand it correctly, and I could be wrong, I have to leave the park with him and go to the meeting spot again. Again, I could be wrong on that part.

I even said to him that Disney is so stupid for charging so much for their golf carts. He agreed with me but said thank goodness they do because it's good for his business. You would think that so many people renting from outside people that they would get wise and lower their golf cart rentals. They might have to charge less, but that $120 that I am spending could be in their pocket and not someone else's.

Oh wow! Thats not very Disney like!! Forcing their customers to meet offsite! Lol...but I guess
Its business like! Ive already paid for mine through beachline but I haven't gotten any details yet on how or where the cart will be delivered. Whatever needs to be done, I will do because the price difference is worth it!

 

[robinstrip]

How bad is camping at FW in July? We have been to DW in Oct, May and this past Dec, but my husband just bought a brand new camper and I would really like to go back. Our son is in school now, so it will be harder to take trips during the school year. From touringplans it looks like the week after the 4th of July has relatively good crowd levels considering it is summer. I am not a fan of heat, but pool time/nap time in the afternoon would help hopefully. We visited FW on our last trip while we were waiting for the Hoop Dee Doo Revue and really liked it, and we would bring our own golf cart. Has anyone visited in July and survived? Lol

 

[double r]

How bad is camping at FW in July? We have been to DW in Oct, May and this past Dec, but my husband just bought a brand new camper and I would really like to go back. Our son is in school now, so it will be harder to take trips during the school year. From touringplans it looks like the week after the 4th of July has relatively good crowd levels considering it is summer. I am not a fan of heat, but pool time/nap time in the afternoon would help hopefully. We visited FW on our last trip while we were waiting for the Hoop Dee Doo Revue and really liked it, and we would bring our own golf cart. Has anyone visited in July and survived? Lol

We have and are doing it again this year, yes it's hot but you learn how to deal with it. I was a UPS driver for many years and most of them were before you could wear shorts so I learned how to handle it. The heat is not for everyone so dealing with it depends on the person, as you said pool time & naps in ac is a good way then back in the evening when it cools and the sun is not so strong

 

[hstrickland]

Through Beachline, I was told that we are to meet offsite after I check in. He then comes back, with the cart attached to his trailer, with me, and we go into the extra parking area. We unload the golf cart and leave it there and then he takes me back to my car. I wouldn't be able to take the trailer. My car doesn't have a hitch. This would be the only way. Then when we leave, it's the same thing. We meet in the overflow parking lot. If I understand it correctly, and I could be wrong, I have to leave the park with him and go to the meeting spot again. Again, I could be wrong on that part.

I even said to him that Disney is so stupid for charging so much for their golf carts. He agreed with me but said thank goodness they do because it's good for his business. You would think that so many people renting from outside people that they would get wise and lower their golf cart rentals. They might have to charge less, but that $120 that I am spending could be in their pocket and not someone else's.

Sounds strange, doesn't it, making you meet off-site??? I'll definitely be asking the CMs about all the new rules. I'm anxious to hear it from the horses mouth I'm betting that some aren't even aware of it.

I did see a couple of things at the show I want to get for the camper. If it was up to Wendy we would have ended up with a new camper, she fell in love with one and was ready to sign on the bottom line. I didn't think the features we would have gained outweighed the storage we would of lost and I think the build quality of ours is better. There was one other camper at the show that if they had been willing to come down on price by a few thousand I would have seriously considered trading for.

I'm guessing a new camper might be in the works......if the price is right!

I'm liking those lights!!! Gonna look awesome at the Fort!!!! Wherever did you find that basket for the bike?? That's too cute! It's amazing the things we'll buy for a Disney trip

We did get a little lucky and the storm is tracking a little more to the south than they thought, so we will probably only end up with about 4"-6" which is a lot better than the 12"-14" they were predicting a couple of days ago.

Weather is back to nasty cold here....cold and rainy tomorrow, also. I'm so ready for some Spring weather!!! Glad y'all weren't pelted with too much snow. Maybe that will be the last of it.

How bad is camping at FW in July? We have been to DW in Oct, May and this past Dec, but my husband just bought a brand new camper and I would really like to go back. Our son is in school now, so it will be harder to take trips during the school year. From touringplans it looks like the week after the 4th of July has relatively good crowd levels considering it is summer. I am not a fan of heat, but pool time/nap time in the afternoon would help hopefully. We visited FW on our last trip while we were waiting for the Hoop Dee Doo Revue and really liked it, and we would bring our own golf cart. Has anyone visited in July and survived? Lol

Being from the deep South, we've grown accustomed to the heat. However, one really never loves it, ya know. It's been years since we visited Disney in July. I think if you know what to expect, it won't be that bad. Early mornings and late nights in the parks, then pool and nap time during the middle of the day....sounds like to me. It's definitely doable Will it be hot??? Of course, but you'll be fine if you take things in stride.

Happy Planning

 

[Jeepin Dad]

I'm guessing a new camper might be in the works......if the price is right!

While a new camper and some added living space would be nice, it would come something I definitely don't want ... A PAYMENT. So it is probably a couple years down the road.

I'm liking those lights!!! Gonna look awesome at the Fort!!!! Wherever did you find that basket for the bike?? That's too cute! It's amazing the things we'll buy for a Disney trip

I think we got the basket at Target. The last couple of weeks Wendy has been on a Disney kick. Monday was a snow day and I was home with a stomach bug so we had a Disney Movie Marathon, Planes, Jungle Book, Lilo & Stitch, Lilo & Stitch 2, and Snow Buddies.

Weather is back to nasty cold here....cold and rainy tomorrow, also. I'm so ready for some Spring weather!!! Glad y'all weren't pelted with too much snow. Maybe that will be the last of it.

I'll trade you our cold for your cold, it was 9* here this morning. It is supposed to warm up into the 40s this weekend and may hit 50 which would be about normal for this time of year..

A little over two weeks to go This weekend I need get the truck ready, oil change and new brakes. I also want to remove the snowbanks in front of the camper, it would be nice if it warmed up enough so I could de-winterize the water system before we leave.

 

[Haygar2]

Sounds strange, doesn't it, making you meet off-site??? I'll definitely be asking the CMs about all the new rules. I'm anxious to hear it from the horses mouth I'm betting that some aren't even aware of it.

I guess I get it. Why make it convenient for people to rent the carts from somewhere else? If they make it really difficult, people will just say that they don't want the hassle and go ahead and rent through Disney.

If they would make it a little more affordable, people would rent from them. If they even dropped the rental price $10-$15, they might be surprised at how many people would rent the carts.

I know Disney is not synonymous with affordable. Therefore, people are going to save money where they can.

Just my opinion.

 

[Haygar2]

I have a silly question. I know that the beds are full size beds. My husband is 6' tall. Are his feet going to hang over the end, or should he be okay? We use a queen size bed, at home, and he is fine. I know that, usually, full size mattresses are a little shorter than queen size mattresses.

Thank you.

 

[hstrickland]

I have a silly question. I know that the beds are full size beds. My husband is 6' tall. Are his feet going to hang over the end, or should he be okay? We use a queen size bed, at home, and he is fine. I know that, usually, full size mattresses are a little shorter than queen size mattresses.

Thank you.

Not a silly question My hubby is 6'2 and his feet did hang over the bed just a bit. The beds weren't uncomfortable at all....just smaller. It took a little getting use to since we have a queen, but it worked out fine. On our next trip, I told DH that I was going to let one of the kids sleep with him and I would take the bunk That would give him a little more room. Not sure if he liked that idea or not

 

[hstrickland]

I'll trade you our cold for your cold, it was 9* here this morning. It is supposed to warm up into the 40s this weekend and may hit 50 which would be about normal for this time of year.

You got me....I'll stick with my rain and 37 degrees

 

[neeleyd]

Just letting you know, I reserved ours on Wednesday from Kenny and the gal was so nice and said that since we are flying and will not have a car and taking magical express, that Disney is letting them bring the cart in. It's worth a call! Such a reasonable price, I got it for the whole week!

We rented from Kenny a few weeks ago and he said he has golf carts already on site, I believe all the time. Not sure how that works unless Disney doesn't actually know about it. There are so many golf carts around the campgrounds at different locations, I guess it is possible to sort of "keep" some there at all times.

 

[hstrickland]

Happy Saturday to all!

We finally have sunshine today, and it's supposed to reach 70 degrees! So ready for some spring weather. Of course the first thing I thought of when I looked outside this morning...."what a great day for Disney!" But here I sit...with 3 months to wait

We rented from Kenny a few weeks ago and he said he has golf carts already on site, I believe all the time. Not sure how that works unless Disney doesn't actually know about it. There are so many golf carts around the campgrounds at different locations, I guess it is possible to sort of "keep" some there at all times.

Interesting. I wonder how that works?? Or where he keeps them and services them? We still have our cart rented from the Fort, but I'm seriously considering cancelling and going with another company. We shall see....