first timer DW camping questions

[KyGirl]

So we just got back from a super planned, ADR packed week long extended family vacation at a moderate resort. For us, this was a splurge because we knew we wouldn't be going back anytime soon. Soooo, I'm already thinking maybe DH and I could sneak away this fall for a more budget minded trip. (We don't have kids or anything. My sister and I ARE the kids in the extended family.) Anyway, I'm thinking the Fort Wilderness campsites are a way to help with the budgeting aspect of the trip and I need some info from the experts!

1. We spend several weekends a year camping in State and National parks (especially in the Great Smokey Mountains) and are pretty comfortable in that type of site. We tent camp only (we're newlyweds and decided we needed a home more than a pop up camper!) but are otherwise fairly well equipped campers. How do the campsites at FW compare to National park or similar sites? And does is really work to spend a day in the parks and then come back to a campsite at night instead of a comfy hotel room? I love our camping vacations and our Disney ones but for some reason, I've never connected them in my mind.

2. I was thinking about getting the Quick Service dining plan. It's cheaper and will free us up from the intense ADR schedule. Also I was hoping to visit during the Food and Wine Fest and use the snack credits to munch around there one day. I kind of don't get how this works at a campsite though. Is there a counter service restaurant at the Fort? And it seems you get a refillable mug with this plan. Is there a place onsite to fill it up?

3. I love the idea of cruising around in golf carts but in the interest of saving money, we thought about bringing our own bikes. Would we be allowed to ride these around the property or are you limited to certain areas or only Disney's rental bikes?

4. For the nights we were thinking of going, it seems like there are only preferred sites available. Does that make sense? Do that many people really tent camp down there? What are the odds that a tent site will open up in early November and if it doesn't, could we set a tent up on a preferred site or is it mostly concrete?

5. My new hubby is an avid fisherman. Is there somewhere at the Fort that he can fish with his own equipment or is it more like the other resorts where you're pretty much limited to taking a guided tour?

Thanks so much in advance for any help. Sorry for all the long winded questions! I'm wordy anyway and I'm really trying to get a feel for this Disney camping thing.

 

[stacktester]

Camping can save money in some ways if you bring your own food and make a few meals at the site. IMO the worst meal to buy at Disney unless your doing a character breakfast for kids or something is breakfast. We usually bring cereal, bananas or cook a full breakfast so we don't have to buy out. That leaves money for a meal at the park when you don't feel like coming back to the site.

Golf carts are fun but can be pricey. On our 1st visit I did rent one the last day so we could check the entire cg out.

There is good fishing in the canals around the fort. There's a couple fellas that will be around shortly to tell you exactly where to fish.

Bringing bikes is never a bad idea especially if you get assigned to the 2000 loop which is a tent/pop up loop. It's far away from the pool and other ammenities but there's some nice sites in there.

If you have the time, spend a day at the fort exploring and relaxing. There's plenty to do.

A preferred site will be closer to the marina and restaurant area. You may want to get one of the travel agents on this board to help you because they have some ins on getting a tent sites which will be cheaper. If you are an APH or AAA mention it for a discount.

 

[Born 2 Fish]

If you want a real fun fishing experience, do the "Guided Fishing Excursion" on Bay Lake,,(course you may have to put that home off for another year),,BUT it's fun !!

Try fishing the canal behind loop 300. Or if you dont mind wading water, fish anywhere on the lake from the canal 300 loop and work your way up to the beach at the marina.

You can also fish the ponds that are in the Fort .

Disney fishing is "catch and release" only.

And STAY OFF ALL DOCKS !! Disney can get ugly about this.

 

[clkelley]

The campsites are WONDERFUL and are well suited for tent campers EXCEPT for the Premium sites which are all concrete.

If you can get a partial, that would be great cause it will save you some money, but a full hookup or preferred will work also. Those categories all still have the sand areas that are great for setting up tents.

The bath houses are amazing and personally, I think it is more comfortable to come back to a well set-up campsite than it is to go back to the confines of a hotel room.

With your campsite, you can sit outside in your comfy camp chairs, you can fix your own adult beverages, etc., etc.

Check out this thread to see how comfy tent camping at the Fort can be:

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1706043

 

[ftwildernessrick]

I was suprised that they told you that only preferred sites were available. There are usually plenty of partial sites around. You may try calling back and speaking to another reservation person. You would be suprised how many are ignorant about rv's & campsites. I have had them try & put me in a partial when I requested otherwise.

Here is a list that might help you.

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

and here is a map of the Fort

http://allears.net/acc/fortwmap1.jpg

Also, good idea about the snack credits usage. Another way that we have found it is easier to do the snacks at the Food & Wine Festival is to get a Disney Gift card, load it with about $50.00 & have at it. Those booth lines go quicker if you don't pay cash.

 

[KyGirl]

So these camp sites have an actual electrical outlet that you can plug things into?!? I stupidly assumed there were RV hookups and then you could plug things into your RV. Where we usually camp in the Smokeys it's totally primitive and you're typically cooking, lighting, and everything with fire or little propane tanks. I've cooked lots of mac and cheese over a tiny blue flame! I don't know why but I totally missed this fact when I was researching. That will be a luxury to us!

Also, nobody seems to want to answer this question so that might mean bad news! Is there not anywhere at the Fort to spend Quick service DDP credits or fill up the famous Disney refillable mugs?

 

[clkelley]

So these camp sites have an actual electrical outlet that you can plug things into?!? I stupidly assumed there were RV hookups and then you could plug things into your RV. Where we usually camp in the Smokeys it's totally primitive and you're typically cooking, lighting, and everything with fire or little propane tanks. I've cooked lots of mac and cheese over a tiny blue flame! I don't know why but I totally missed this fact when I was researching. That will be a luxury to us!

Yes, on the pole, there is a 50 Amp and 30 Amp plug for the RVs, then two regular duplex household outlets

Also, nobody seems to want to answer this question so that might mean bad news! Is there not anywhere at the Fort to spend Quick service DDP credits or fill up the famous Disney refillable mugs?

At the pool there is Meadows snack bar that is open from about 11 - 5 that has a small selection of quick serve items. You can fill your mug at Trails End and at Meadows snack bar, (and maybe coffee at Meadows or Settlement trading post)

There is more substantial quick service just a short boat ride away at Wilderness Lodge or the Contemporary. You can even ride your bike to Wilderness Lodge.

 

[KyGirl]

This is sounding better and better all the time. I so hope we can make this work!

 

[Tri-circle-D]

First, welcome to the Disboards!

Second, if you really want to know everything you need to know about refillable mugs at Fort Wilderness, click on this link:

Refillable Mugs At Fort Wilderness

Have fun!

TCD

 

[BigDaddyRog]

Im pretty sure that youre being told their are no partial sites open because Disney like to fill their expensive sites up first...be persistant...dont book untill you can secure a partial. You DONT NEED a preferred or premium...so dont pay for one. One of our regular posters here on the DIS is a the ONLY travel agent that works with reserving campsites, she is like a gift from heaven...she will handle all of the red tape of getting you the type of site you want(partial), and will score you any discounts that are now or will eventually become available. You can send her a Private Message, her DIS name is "Rhonda", or shoot her an email at Rhonda@DreamsUnlimitedTravel.com and her service is 100% free to you.

As mentioned above....the only "counter service" at the fort is at the swimming pool snack counter....pizzas, sandwiches, etc. Its not what it should be...take the advice posted above and take a fun little ride next door to Wilderness Lodge and enjoy their nice little counter service joint.

Yes...theres water, electric, AND CABLE hookups at all of the campsites(cable is included in the rate)so, why not bring a small TV for later in the evening to wind down with. Bring at least a fan, if you cant haul an air conditioner with you. All sites also have grills.

The comfort stations are spotless for the most part, and well air conditioned. Laundromats are also located in the comfort stations, as are ice machines(ice is like $2 for a relatively small bag!)

Definately bring your bikes....its a big asterisk campground!
Fishing is unbelievably good!

And....is it good enough to come home to a tent at the end of a hot day in the parks versus a "comfy" hotel room....YOU BETTER BET YOUR SWEET ASTERISK IT IS!!!! Its so much better than hoteling it.....youre not cramped up in a tiny room, you will be amazed at how many of your neighbors will be doing exactly what you are doing.....RELAXING and being neighborly!

I hate my real neighbors....but Ive rarely met a Fort neighbor that I didnt get along with!!

You may NEVER associate WDW with a hotel room again after your first Fort experience. Most here would never even consider staying anywhere besides the Fort, myself included.

 

[Born 2 Fish]

Not sure when you are look'n to go,,but I called yesterday about sites for Dec,,and the only thing they had was tent sites available.

 

[doombuqqy]

I agree once you stay at Ft Wilderness you won't want to stay at another resort. We rented golf carts one time, they were convenient but we love our bikes more. The Wilderness Lodge has a trail and is about a mile away, on that trail at dusk you will see all kinds of deer. This is a magical experience my DH and I enjoy. We also enjoy the campfire and movie they have at night. Enjoy planning your trip!

 

[KyGirl]

Well, I was thinking November 10th through the 14th. We'd like to see at least some of the Christmas decorations in the parks but also be there for the Food & Wine Festival, which this site says ends on the 14th. I think the Magic Kingdom will be decorated by then because the MVMCP has already started. And last year the Osbourne lights started on the 10th. It would be awesome if we could cram all that in to one trip!

 

[dtum]

Have to agree with BigDaddyRog. Shoot Rhonda an e-mail and you won't have a worry in the world. She'll get your ressies and keep checking for discounts-should they come up. She'll also do any ADRs you want. Only way to go.

 

[KyGirl]

I just wanted to thank everybody for their help. This is exactly the kind of info I was looking for. Y'all are the best! I think I'm sold on this crazy camping idea!

 

[jeeprider09]

We always bring our bikes. Although golf carts are nice, riding bikes gives us the exercise we need after eating junk the whole vacation! Bikes give you some exercise and if you already have bikes its free! Have fun!

 

[KyGirl]

So we booked! We're going to be there November 6th through the 10th. For some reason, the following Saturday that I originally wanted (the 13th) had no tent sites available. Go figure. We really wanted to catch the end of the F&W festival and maybe get a peek at the beginning of the Christmas decorations. I know we'll be good on the grub fest but we might be a hair early for the decorations. Oh well, I guess that will be an excuse to come back another time!

So another random question. If you ride your (personal) bikes to the Wilderness Lodge to eat there, where do park them? Is there a bike rack or something specific you're supposed to lock them to? I know they wouldn't just let us leave them laying around somewhere and I'd hate to be in somebody's way.

 

[ambertides]

According to this: http://www.wdwinfo.com/holidays/osbornelights.htm Osborne Lights start on the 10th, so if you're going to be at a park your last evening, you should hit DHS.

 

[Memph1s]

So we booked! We're going to be there November 6th through the 10th. For some reason, the following Saturday that I originally wanted (the 13th) had no tent sites available. Go figure. We really wanted to catch the end of the F&W festival and maybe get a peek at the beginning of the Christmas decorations. I know we'll be good on the grub fest but we might be a hair early for the decorations. Oh well, I guess that will be an excuse to come back another time!

So another random question. If you ride your (personal) bikes to the Wilderness Lodge to eat there, where do park them? Is there a bike rack or something specific you're supposed to lock them to? I know they wouldn't just let us leave them laying around somewhere and I'd hate to be in somebody's way.

There are bike racks all over FW and at WL too.