First trip to camp ground advise needed

[PoohNPiglet]

Ok, we have been to WDW MANY times but this is our first time we plan to camp there. We are excited as this has been a dream of ours! We plan to go down May 2012.

I have been researching and I have found so much conflicting information. I need help.

I have three kids who at the time of the trip will be 8, 6, and 3. We have a 31' TT (well it is a Trailmanor so it is not 31' while towing. ) We need full hook up. But I want a loop that provides the "widest" sites for my kids. I was looking at the 300 loop but someone said it is not kid friendly.

I have read things that say the more specific you are when you request your site/loop the less likely you are to get what you want... is this true?? We are used to them not assigning hotel rooms, but we have never been camping where you don't reserve a specific site at the time of reservation. I am finding it a little frustrating as I have gotten used to requesting a specific site at time of reservation.

We need guidance as to what to "request" for a family with kids at time of reservation and what follow-ups we should make.

Also, we are driving from Ohio so if anyone knows a good place to camp at the half-way point we would love that information as well.

 

[BradyBz12]

I have read things that say the more specific you are when you request your site/loop the less likely you are to get what you want... is this true??

When you request a site at the Fort it's just that, a request. It basically works the same as the other resorts - if possible they will try and meet your request, but it's never a guarantee. When you check in (busy times) if someone is already in that site and not checking out before you check in... all affect the Fort's ability to even try and fill your request.

That's why some think it can be a better strategy to tell them what you want out of a site (fits all your equipment, proximity to bus, c.s., pool, etc.) vs a specific site number.

That said, we usually give them our top 5 site requests, go at fairly slow times of year and usually get one of our top 3. (This year we got #2. Our #1 site already had an RV in it when we checked in, and they didn't leave for a few days.)

Keep in mind that you need to be sure that if you give them criteria for the kind of site you want, or pick a specific loop, you need to make sure that jives with the class of site you've reserved.

In other words, you can't book a partial and tell them you want to be close to the marina.

Good luck!

 

[starbuc71]

We have had no luck until our last trip with loop or site requesting. The last time we faxed our favorite loop and Like bradybz12 our top 5 specific sites. This time we faxed 10 days out and also 5 days out. It worked!
As for best sites for kids with the most room, everybody has a different opinon. We love the 800 loop especially the sites on the outside from 819 -854 since most of them back up to a large pet walk area and a small creek. To us it seems bigger and more quiet. The 1900 loop is the loop most off the main road, but I hear if it's raining it can get pretty swamppy. I reccomend after your first visit to do some looping and see what would work for your next trip. With the size of the fort you may to be close to the pool (1400, 1200 loops) or be close to the marina (100, 200, 400, 700) Have fun on whatever loop you get. You will come back again.

 

[MomofSixinSC]

Five days before we left for our first visit, I faxed them a request letting tthem know what we were looking for (short walks for disabled dh) and they came through great!

 

[AuburnJen92]

I have found recently that it works better if you tell them where you DON'T want to be. (like I despise the 1800 and 1900 loop and normally book full, so I get either 1600 or 1700) I try to make things simple for them...

 

[Tnbob]

What are you trying to say Jen?

 

[AuburnJen92]

Nothing really, I have no point

 

[Tri-circle-D]

PoohNPiglet-

Welcome!

I am not sure where you are finding conflicting information, as my experience is that you will get very consistent information on this board.

You make a statement that you have heard the 300 loop is not kid friendly. That's news to me. I have kids, and I've camped on the 300 loop many times. It has a basketball hoop, and is right next to a nice playground. There are always a lot of kids on the 300 loop.

If you want to be sure you have space, and not be too far from a playground and/or the pool, I would suggest that you reserve a premium site. The 1200 and 1300 loops share a nice playground, and they are close to the pool. The sites on those loops are big, and most have plenty of space around them.

TCD

 

[gillenkl]

not sure where your 1/2way point is but we have stayed at:

Savannah South KOA (GA) (least favorite)
Point South KOA (SC)
Fayetteville KOA (NC)
Enfield/Rocky Mount KOA (NC)

 

[motherwild]

I never knew 300 loop wasn't kid friendly. I like it because it is close to the dog park. Sites can be a little tight. I think any site at the fort would be good. Better than staying home.

 

[BradyBz12]

I never knew 300 loop wasn't kid friendly.

Hmm... I'm starting to think DH is spreading this rumor.


I must have missed something, because I've never heard this before. I wonder where it's coming from?

We typically stay on 300 and there are always plenty of kids about.

 

[brerroadrunner]

Once you get to the Fort this trip, take some walks with a notepad. You will surely be coming back for many return trips and you can "shop" loops and sites for those future trips.
Everyone has their own preferences and rank them differently. There are internet sites that have maps of the loops that can be helpful. We love to walk the loops and comment on good and bad sites. I think premium sites offer more room. You might consider 700 loop. It is a short walk to Pioneer hall and Trails End and the boat dock. It is also not to far from the Meadows(pool).

Some folks don't really care because they spend all their time in the parks. But the more frequent you come, you start spending more time in the campground.

The 300 loop has a few sites that that back to water (canal) but has many more that do not. There is also a very nice play ground.

Hopefully, where ever you end up you will have a wonderful time!

 

[gillenkl]

We have stayed in the 300 loop before with our kids and didn't thrown out so I'm sure you'll be fine!