Do you ever feel looked down upon when staying at FW?

[razamataz]

If I had my choice, I would camp in a tent in F.W. in the middle of the summer. I think that would be a blast. I absolutely love camping, no matter where.... (Battery-powered fans are the best!!!!) When we go to Disney later this year, we will be going to F.W. on more than one occasion, just for fun.

However, since I am going with family who would rather not camp, then I will "suffer" at the Pop Century and just "pretend" that I am camping when I come over to F.W. So, if you see some strange person looking longingly at your campfire, just wave hello to me.

Enjoy your camping and, if you can, forget the rude people.

Razamataz

 

[MickeyFlirt]

I just smile when people look down on me for camping and I ask why would I pay for a room I have a portable hotel on wheels, that stays packed and ready to go at all times. I have my on bedroom my DD has her own bunk area that has floor space for her to play and a door. No one other than us have ever slept in it, so that means just our germs. Nice bathroom tub/shower. balcony who needs one I have a whole lot. and the kid can ride her scooter, bike, pwerwheels, etc. What hotel can you do that in? Plus my TT has more room in it when I let the slide out than most hotel rooms do that I have stayed in. I don't get flamed on the resorts board either for bringing my crockpot and toaster.
So when you see me cooking breakfast I while just smile and wave.
Campers are also more friendly, my DD always finds a friend to play with and we get to know our neighbors, on several occasions we have ended up all eating together.
I couldn't even tell you what the people in other rooms at a hotel look like, much less know their names, where their from, and more good camping places when we leave.
Sorry for such a long post, I will quit rambling now.

 

[JCJRSmith]

My response to the folks who complain about having to share a boat with the FW folks would probably be something along the lines of, "Well, just imgaine how we feel. We have to share a boat with...YOU."

 

[Gillian]

We were not staying at FW but this story applies. We had dinner at Whispering Canyon this past Easter evening. A late 20's couple without children were in line behind us for the boat back to MK. They struck up a conversation with the people behind them. They were loudly complaining that they had to share the boats/buses with the campground. That is was ridiculous that they spent as much money as they did and had to share these things with "them". It was one of the rudest things I ever heard.

That's funny, because I was complaining (quietly) about having to share a boat with all the people staying at the Wilderness Lodge! Just so many people staying there, and I hated having to squish into the boat.

I haven't finished reading the thread, so I apologize if this has been said by others.

 

[sapdaddy]

Last year we towed our 24' travel trailer down from NH to FW. My DBIL & DSIL flew down a the day after we got to FW.

10 Days later on the plane home my DSIL had on a FW T-shirt. There was a couple across from them who were also returning to Boston from a Disney vacation. The woman asked my DSIL if she stayed at the campground. She told them of us driving down and how they stayed with us on our camp site. The woman said to her "It must be dreadful to have to stay in a camper" The woman told my DSIL that they stayed in real comfort at the AKL.

My DBIL got mad at this woman for being snobbish, he told this woman my camper cost more than some people's houses and went on to discribe it as the delux coach that was parked next to us and he had gotten a tour of from the neighbor.

She didn't say much after he put her in her place. I told my DBIL that I am proud of what I have and he didn't have to make me into something I am not. He just wanted to knock her down a peg or two.

 

[rapriebe]

We had a guy on the boat this afternoon who was complaining very loudly about have to go to FW first after we left MK. He was very vocal in saying that the boat should go to WL only. I just kept my mouth shut because DH would have gotten mad at me. I just shook my head

 

[kmccain]

My DBIL got mad at this woman for being snobbish, he told this woman my camper cost more than some people's houses and went on to discribe it as the delux coach that was parked next to us and he had gotten a tour of from the neighbor.

You should be very proud of your DBIL!!! He did a wonderful job for a man in that position! That was too funny!!!

 

[Donna]

I guess these snobby people you're talking about would consider me a real nut case. We've owned DVC for 10 years and although we love it and have had the best vacations ever, we are seriously considering selling off most of it to buy an RV. We stayed in the Cabins once on points and have missed it ever since. For the amount i pay in dues, i could stay two months at FW! I am already used to the "home away from home" lifestyle and my RV will probably be bigger than even a DVC studio! Every time we would "visit" fw, i would say, "why can't we stay heeeeeeeeere", lol. Luckily, i have enough contracts that i can sell most and keep some, enough to keep the DVC bennies (hard to give up $100 off an ap). We just can't WAIT to pull into FW and check in with the rest of the "trailer trash" disney lovers!!!!

 

[Camping Cat]

Donna, at the time of year we go, we can stay almost 3 weeks (20 days with a few points left over) in a campsite at FW on our 160 DVC points! Not bad, huh? I know we'll eventually stay at the resorts, but for now, FW works out best for us and we LOVE it there!

 

[princessariel]

Yes, I know what you mean. But I find myself feeling sad for these people looking down at FW guests. They just don't get it.

In our 34+ year marriage, my DH and I have stayed in
WDW close to 30 trips. More than half of the trips have been camping at FW. We started out renting a motorhome and driving down with our 3 kids. Then we bought our own motorhome and sometimes we take our grown kids and grandkids along. With gas prices the way they have been, we stayed in a cabin (awesome! I told my DH I want to live in one just like it) the last 2 times. Now, for the first time ever....next friday the 12th, we check in (just the 2 of us) to FW in a tent! Looking forward to this!

We have also stayed at ASM, POFQ, WL, CR, AKL. We prefer FW. My feeling about AKL was,it's a nice place to stay but there were so many kids running amuck around the pool area while the parents sat at the bar ignoring them. Don't care to go back there. The stay at CR was part of our 1999/2000 DC package for the millenium change. We definately won't go back to CR. It seemed cold and not comfortable.

I don't care what anyone has to say about FW. We love it! And I'm glad it's not for everybody or we couldn't get reservations!

 

[bigdisneydaddy]

I guess these snobby people you're talking about would consider me a real nut case. We've owned DVC for 10 years and although we love it and have had the best vacations ever, we are seriously considering selling off most of it to buy an RV. We stayed in the Cabins once on points and have missed it ever since. For the amount i pay in dues, i could stay two months at FW! I am already used to the "home away from home" lifestyle and my RV will probably be bigger than even a DVC studio! Every time we would "visit" fw, i would say, "why can't we stay heeeeeeeeere", lol. Luckily, i have enough contracts that i can sell most and keep some, enough to keep the DVC bennies (hard to give up $100 off an ap). We just can't WAIT to pull into FW and check in with the rest of the "trailer trash" disney lovers!!!!

We ended up selling our BWV 150 pts and out VWL 100 pt add on after buying out Travel trailer in 2003. We enjoyed camping at FW so much that every time we went to WDW and didnt stay at FW we felt bad. So with a limited "fun" budget we sold off the DVC. We got a great value from the DVC and loved it but the winds of change started blowing.

Scott

 

[Donna]

We ended up selling our BWV 150 pts and out VWL 100 pt add on after buying out Travel trailer in 2003. We enjoyed camping at FW so much that every time we went to WDW and didnt stay at FW we felt bad. So with a limited "fun" budget we sold off the DVC. We got a great value from the DVC and loved it but the winds of change started blowing.

Scott

Funny you mention "winds of change". DH is retiring at a young 52 and we feel we will get more "disney" and just more travel in general by not being "tied down" to always staying DVC and will have more flexibility with an RV. I said, i can give up DVC but canNOT give up disney, no way. Still, i can't bring myself to give up all the hilton head points so i will keep some of those, like i said,to keep the benefits. I have two large contracts and two small ones, so i will keep a small one. Now it's just a matter of putting it on the market at the end of summer and finding a nice RV! Someday, i won't be driving by FW with envy but will be actually pulling in myself!

 

[Gillian]

We had a guy on the boat this afternoon who was complaining very loudly about have to go to FW first after we left MK. He was very vocal in saying that the boat should go to WL only. I just kept my mouth shut because DH would have gotten mad at me. I just shook my head

Many of the boats go to WL first, so they just got unlucky. I've been thinking that most of it is just the stress of having to rely on Disney transportation, and not so much that they look down on the campers. I really found myself disliking WL people, and there was no rational reason for it. At the time I said I'd NEVER stay there!! Now that I'm home, it doesn't seem so bad. I even suggested to my mom that she & dad stay there next time we camp. They are thinking about a cabin though.

I would have been tempted to say something to that guy though.

 

[loriandmatt]

I find camping relaxing. It would be like 2 vacations in one. The parks & camping.

this quote summed it up for me.

When staying at Pop or All Stars or some of the off site places we have stayed - i just did not get the same feel. FW is more Disney than any other place at WDW that we have stayed. We enjoy camping period.

I am actually quite sad that this next trip (aug) might be our last stay at FW, as my inlaws are moving to Fla and will be less than 30 min from WDW. We would be fools to pay to stay onsite when we can stay with them for free and have use of all of their amenities. Besides, we won't get to see them that much once they move and we will want to stay with them when we get the chance to go down to Fla.

-lori

 

[susancl]

this quote summed it up for me.

When staying at Pop or All Stars or some of the off site places we have stayed - i just did not get the same feel. FW is more Disney than any other place at WDW that we have stayed. We enjoy camping period.

I am actually quite sad that this next trip (aug) might be our last stay at FW, as my inlaws are moving to Fla and will be less than 30 min from WDW. We would be fools to pay to stay onsite when we can stay with them for free and have use of all of their amenities. Besides, we won't get to see them that much once they move and we will want to stay with them when we get the chance to go down to Fla.

-lori

Maybe you could get them to stay with you at FW?

 

[auntie]

Gee..I think having relatives in Fla. would give me more of reason to have to make a stop at FW for a least few days while visiting family. Besides..you know what they say about fish and guests...stinking after a few days
I have a friend whose parents moved to Florida a few years back, and they always try to squeeze a few days at one of the resorts before or after the visit to her mom's. They have even had her brother and sister-inlaw visit them while they stayed at the WL. You just might have more reason to visit FW!

 

[redpurse]

hi. i am new here. we have camped many times at fw. we love it. but people who do not love to camp cannot understand...it's their loss. most of my friends cannot believe that we actually choose this lifestyle! just like i can't imagine spending two weeks year after year at hilton head! but, yes, sometimes i have felt that people think we camp just to save money. i wish fw would have hot tubs!

 

[dgaston]

Our first trip to WDW in 88 was in the Fleetwood trailers. DH teaches and we camp a lot so FW was a terrific way for us to afford to stay on property when our family was young. We have tent camped and finally when I turned 40 and just couldn't sleep as well with a foam pad bought a new-to-us tent trailer from a senior couple who could no longer enjoy camping. As our income has improved we've stayed at moderates, even some deluxes, Pop Century (we like it), and in cabins and even a tent again. We now own DVC, and a 2004 Coleman pop-up with two king beds, and our family still loves the Fort. It's my daughter's favorite place to stay at WDW. She always says she's home once we're there. I wish others could understand it's all about choices. How else would I have learned that whipperwills in FL sound different that the whipperwills in NH? I'll have to dig out my old FW tshirt and wear it proudly next time we're at WDW.

 

[SplashMom]

You guys are so lucky you can stay at FW! We love camping but we don't live close enough to drive to Florida with our camper and gear. We have stayed at Pop, CBR, and are staying at AKL this time, but I wish I was in my own camper! It is definitely a lifestyle choice and if people choose not to try it out, it is their loss! I wonder if that new movie, RV with Robin Williams, will have people trying our way of life!!

 

[cstraub]

Didn't read all the way through the thread but jus to let everyone know cabins over spring break this year were $324 a night. If you add a golf cart onto that per day it comes to around $375 a night. Most people at AKL are paying way less than that a night.

I never have felt looked down upon while staying in Ft. Wilderness. Everyone has been very friendly there and as far as we are concerned it's one of the best places to stay in WDW hands down! We fell like it's our secret. Two very different vacations for the price of one!!!

Heck, I'd admit to staying in a cardboard box if it meant I could go to WDW.