First trip

[We4mickey]

clkelley

Okay, inquiring minds want to know how do you qualify for a "group" rate?


BigDaddyRog

Nice job setting Goofy109 straight. I couldn't have said it better myself.

 

[ntsammy5]

But when you factor in eating at the camper and not having to eat out every meal, it gets more reasonable.

and then factor in the amortization on a $250,000+ RV and.........

 

[stacktester]

Camping is NOT the cheapest way to go to Disney. My family has been traveling to FW since 1980 and
I'll never forget, I just finished having dinner the WL and was waiting for a boat back to FW( I opted out of walking back; which is a very nice walk in the daylight hours). Anyways, this very snooty lady made a comment on how people who can't afford to stay in the hotels, camp. I just laughed to myself. Considering we were going back to have hot cocoa and watch a DVD on our two couches and LCD Widescreen tv in our Motor home. Camping is about family, convience and comfort. Plus all the amazing lifelong friends we have met at FW, especially in the 1400 loop!

Well doggies, fry me an egg cuz I'm hearin the sssssssssssssssssssssss on that remark lol. I guess this is the reason I've not stayed in a hotel since 2004 when we got out 1st camper. Anytime we go out of town my first ? is what's the closest campground. FW is expensive but having the bus and boat transportation does make up for a lot. I couldn't imagine staying in a resort again unless I was not going to the parks. We stayed in the CR back in 01 and all 3 nights we came back super late and never got to see it in the light. Now we go there for lunch and enjoy the "snooty" people's hotel for free. Too bad that lady wasn't at the fort last March when we got to tour the Prevosts. The average price of them was 1.75 million.

 

[clkelley]

clkelley

Okay, inquiring minds want to know how do you qualify for a "group" rate?


BigDaddyRog

Nice job setting Goofy109 straight. I couldn't have said it better myself.

Not sure. Someone in our tabtrailers group set it up. (She is also a CM). She gave us the group reservations phone # and the name of our event and everybody called and made their own reservations and put down their own deposits. We're up to 12 sites.

 

[dtum]

We got AAA discount (10?%), but booked through Dreams Unlimited. If something better comes along, they will apply it to my ressie. Takes all the hassle out of making those reservations.

Camping, if you want to call it that, may not be the cheapest way to go, but the one time (2004) when we didn't have our fiver and stayed in hotels we brought bedbugs back from one of the places we stoped at...and you don't have to stay at cheap places to get those little bugger (and they are NOT fun to get rid of). Camping means sleeping in my own bed and the peace of mind that I'm not taking hitchhikers back with me.

 

[DznyRulz]

Have you used these discounts? I wasn't aware that FW offered discounts to military or gov't..or even teacher discounts. I did know the Swan and Dolphin offered those. The only discount I've used at FW was a AAA. Have you received these discounts in the past..just curious, because we actually have people in our family that would qualify for a couple of those discounts if they are applicable. Thanks.

I also have only used the AAA discount, like I did last night, as that's the only one I qualify for. I have heard, from a reliable source, that Disney offers other discounts from time to time for other occupations or associations. A couple of years ago they offered a great discount for law enforcement officers that my neighbor took advantage of. This offer was one that was not made public, he was told about it through his department. Remember, it is not FW giving the discounts it is Disney. Now whether they only allow AAA and AP discounts to be used at FW I don't know. Like I said, you just have to ask to see what's available.

Like those of us who camp regularly know it is not the cheapest option all things considered. But getting the AAA discount of 20% for our trip in August, 5 days at FW after our 4 day Disney cruise, sure does help.

 

[campingcorgi]

Goofy109--camping at Fort Wilderness may not be the cheapest way to stay at Disney, but it is definitely the best! Yeah, we visited the Poly once. As the kid said, "That's where the poor people who can't afford rv's stay."

 

[des1954]

Yeah, we visited the Poly once. As the kid said, "That's where the poor people who can't afford rv's stay."

AMEN!!!

 

[auntie]

I also have only used the AAA discount, like I did last night, as that's the only one I qualify for. I have heard, from a reliable source, that Disney offers other discounts from time to time for other occupations or associations. A couple of years ago they offered a great discount for law enforcement officers that my neighbor took advantage of. This offer was one that was not made public, he was told about it through his department. Remember, it is not FW giving the discounts it is Disney. Now whether they only allow AAA and AP discounts to be used at FW I don't know. Like I said, you just have to ask to see what's available.

Like those of us who camp regularly know it is not the cheapest option all things considered. But getting the AAA discount of 20% for our trip in August, 5 days at FW after our 4 day Disney cruise, sure does help.

The only time I remember Disney giving another discount other than a code they release or AAA was a shareholder discount..and that was YEARS ago...it was great. Sometimes as much as 40% and it was for all the resorts, depending on the time of year. Those days..long gone. Then there was a small discount that was pretty much equal to that of AAA through Magic Kingdom Club..which became something else..and now that's been done away with all together. I do recall the law enforcement and firefighter discount Disney offered right after 9-11. However, they didn't offer it last time we checked..other than the Swan and Dolphin(which are not through Disney) which offer the governement discounts..whether it be Federal, State or Local...and the teacher/nurse discounts. I was just curious as to whether anyone has actual received any other type of discount through Disney..other than the standard codes/AP or AAA. It would be nice, and I certainly will ask..only I've asked previously, and been told no. I'm careful to ask when I make a reservation if that's the lowest rate available..whether it's for the campground or hotel. I know they will not tell you out right for a discounted rate, unless you ask.

 

[choirfarm]

I figured camping WAS the cheapest way to go... I thought just paying for gas would still be cheaper than flying 5 people there and then the rates for value season are 57 for camping as opposed to 79 a night for a value resort and then I can cook. So what am I missing???? We have an travel trailer.
Christine

 

[merryweather20]

I figured camping WAS the cheapest way to go... I thought just paying for gas would still be cheaper than flying 5 people there and then the rates for value season are 57 for camping as opposed to 79 a night for a value resort and then I can cook. So what am I missing???? We have an travel trailer.
Christine

Just what others have been saying. If you take a quick tour of the loops when you get there, you will see RV's worth in excess of $1million.

For regular folks once you factor in the cost of gas for your pop-up, or trailer the value resorts start to get close in price. Of course those people are packed in one on top of another with narry a tree in site, and they have to haul their luggage all over tarnation to get to their hotel room (some people like that sort of thing), and they have no where to cook in their hotel room.

In your case (depending on your trailer) sleeping arrangements might be significantly comfier than trying to squeeze five people in to two hotel beds and a cot at a value resort.

 

[choirfarm]

Airfare alone would cost me 1500!!!!

 

[drafthorsecrazy]

I figured camping WAS the cheapest way to go... I thought just paying for gas would still be cheaper than flying 5 people there and then the rates for value season are 57 for camping as opposed to 79 a night for a value resort and then I can cook. So what am I missing???? We have an travel trailer.
Christine

For hotel rooms, Disney often releases discounts on rooms when it gets close and they have lots of rooms left. Typically these types of discounts are tied to a code. It is up to the consumer to know and find these discount/codes. There is a forum here on the dis solely for codes. Its a great place to stay informed if one is interested in a hotel room. Sometimes a value resort room can go for as little as $59 with the code.

 

[tellnotails]

Airfare alone would cost me 1500!!!!

Yes but if you drove say a mini-van/25+mpg......stayed at value resort...the savings could pay for your DDP...

Staying at the fort is incredibly expensive.....expecially for the out of state folks.....

 

[Donna]

Camping is a lifestyle choice....not something that's done to save money. It's people who don't camp or have any idea about RV'ing that are under the impression that folks camp to save a buck. It's really just ignorance on their part. Often I would read comments about how guests at the WL were annoyed that the water launch would also go to the campground...delaying their arrival at the MK for "campers" who don't pay as much as they do for a room at the WL. Having stayed in both resorts...and having a tt of our own, these remarks always annoy me. I know for a fact that the cabins in FW can be just as expensive as a room at the WL. The price that most of us pay for our RV's we probably could have purchased DVC memberships...but we CHOOSE to RV. You do find those people who just don't have a clue that sort of look down their nose at camping. They usually are unaware that some of the folks in their camping rigs could buy and sell them 10 times over.

Ha! So true...in fact, i SOLD most of my DVC to BUY an RV!!! Now my home goes where we go, DVC is ALOT cheaper, trust me! Just not as much fun!!!

 

[tellnotails]

Will be making first trip soon. Have made reservations but am overwhelmed with the cost for camping. I did not think about requesting AAA discount. Should I cancel and reschedule? Or there discounts out there that I might be able to use to lower my cost? I would appreciate any advice any of you may have.

Thanks

Camping at the Fort is becoming a once in a lifetime experience for most working class families unfortunately......

I'm not sure what more a out of state camping family can do to cut down cost and not go broke staying at the fort......AAA discount is a drop in the bucket when you are looking at over $600 in fuel expense alone....

Staying in the ever increasing cost of value season is the only option for alot of us.......

I look forward to my annual Feb. trip ....but I can't help but notice fewer families each time we stay at the fort.........It never use to be that way.....

 

[4daubers]

We camp at the Fort because that's what we do, we're campers or RVers or whatever label one wants to use. It doesn't bother me. Our tent camping and now RV trips have taken us to many places beyond the Poly type resorts, made for many a memorable trip and fostered family time. I'll take that any time. FW is expensive but boy is it fun. I justify it that we save money on our other trips, FW is an experience in itself and I'm not sharing everyone's germs.

Coming on a CAMPING board and posting about staying dry at the Poly is silly but I think reflects some envy...why else would you come here? It's not like you can take camping tips and apply them to the other resorts.

Poor me...FORCED to camp at Fort Wilderness when I could be staying at the Poly... I wouldn't have it any other way.

 

[auntie]

Airfare alone would cost me 1500!!!!

I think it also depends on how many in your party, I know if we were traveling with the entire family airfare would cost us around that much...if we visit just my husband and myself, then of course it would be less. You compare that to the cost of the gas while towing...and well, you get the idea. Sometimes the cost may be about the same, but it's a preference as to which you rather do, and what you enjoy.

 

[LONE-STAR]

We camp at the Fort because that's what we do, we're campers or RVers or whatever label one wants to use. It doesn't bother me. Our tent camping and now RV trips have taken us to many places beyond the Poly type resorts, made for many a memorable trip and fostered family time. I'll take that any time. FW is expensive but boy is it fun. I justify it that we save money on our other trips, FW is an experience in itself and I'm not sharing everyone's germs.

Coming on a CAMPING board and posting about staying dry at the Poly is silly but I think reflects some envy...why else would you come here? It's not like you can take camping tips and apply them to the other resorts.

Poor me...FORCED to camp at Fort Wilderness when I could be staying at the Poly... I wouldn't have it any other way.