Fort Wilderness booked up?

[Eyeeore]

We just called to make campground reservations for January 2015 and were told that there were no sites available. We were calling to use DVC points for reservations so I have to wonder if we are caught in the "no points sites but cash sites are available" situation.

It somehow doesn't seem reasonable that all the sites are booked already so maybe I'll call later and see what I hear. One never exactly knows.f

The plot thickens.

While DVC implies that you can use points to make reservations in the Disney Collection, the availability is somewhat limited. For example, while Disney Campground Reservations shows availability of campsites from mid-January through March with the exception of Feb 9 - 16, DVC Member Services can't make any at this time due to availability. This is the same issue with airline points reservations and seat availability. While I understand this, it is a bit irritating when the sales presentation for DVC implies that one can use points for these vacations.

 

[elm6]

We checked dates in April and it's apparently sold out then too!

 

[Teamubr]

I just tried to book a campsite online and it won't take any dates past 12/31/14. I manually typed in 1/10/15-1/17/15 and it says "! No information on resorts is available for the dates specified."

I wonder if something is up with the system?

j

 

[Cousin Ed C]

We find it impossible to use DVC points at the Fort. We rent them out to friends and use the money to pay cash for the Fort. We were led to believe that we'd be able to use them there but it only worked the year we bought them.

 

[bama_ed]

I just tried to book a campsite online and it won't take any dates past 12/31/14. I manually typed in 1/10/15-1/17/15 and it says "! No information on resorts is available for the dates specified."

I wonder if something is up with the system?

j

No booking on-line for the next year until rates are officially set some time during the summer. You CAN make a next year ressie over the phone and you will be quoted this years rates and one night's deposit will be taken but the rates will be adjusted once next year's rates are set.

I think the issue folks have with using DVC points is unfortunate and very misleading on the part of DVC. Sounds like there is very little room to use them on sites at the Fort.

Bama ED

 

[4077]

It may also depend on when you are trying to use them....I can book a site with DVC points for Sun- Sat for any of the last three weeks of September, the week of Sept into October, and the first full week of October. However, for Columbus Day Week...nothing....cash ressies still available all these times. I think DVC availability just goes really quickly at ANYTHING even approaching a more popular time (ie: week with a holiday in it). Just my opinion. Going to switch my Boardwalk ressie to Fort (now that the TT is a done deal...yay!) for Sept. 21-27....55 DVC points. This is good as I will have many left over to help with trip to, hopefully, Grand Californian next year. Not sure if this applied/applies you your particular dates, but perhaps....

 

[grumpyaggie]

Using DVC points is the key. As we just made ressie for 11 days in the middle of April 2015. They welcomed our money with open arms.

 

[4077]

I did do this over the phone with Member Services (I don't trust doing anything with points that is not DVC resort online). Also, I can't remember if I mentioned this on this thread or another one or another board, but if you have to cancel a ressie in a non-DVC resort (Fort Wilderness in the "Disney Collection", in this case), the points can not be returned to your account for use at a DVC resort. They have all ready been "exchanged" at this point and would have to be used at least at another Disney Collection resort (maybe they could be used in any non-DVC reservation, I don't know for sure. However, the point is they could not be used for a DVC stay again...BLT, AKV, BCV, etc).

 

[Jhuff8181]

Booked by phone last week Jan 12 through Feb 18 premium site, cash no problems.

 

[amylevan]

I don't have any experience with DVC points, but I do know that we tried to make cash reservations for Jan/Feb 2014 in late spring last year and was told that nothing was available. Then, in June, a bunch of sites were opened up and we got reservations no problem. Several people reported the same thing.

So, while they say they don't withhold sites for booking, that doesn't really seem to be the case, so maybe try again in a few months.

 

[amylevan]

From the thread last year, it looks like sites opened up at the beginning of July:

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=3134464

 

[jbrostek]

I am sure there is some form of holdback, but not sure when or why. Though we had no issue getting our grand gathering and 3 sites reserved for Jan 2015 when we called in March 2014.

 

[PEC]

No booking on-line for the next year until rates are officially set some time during the summer. You CAN make a next year ressie over the phone and you will be quoted this years rates and one night's deposit will be taken but the rates will be adjusted once next year's rates are set.

I think the issue folks have with using DVC points is unfortunate and very misleading on the part of DVC. Sounds like there is very little room to use them on sites at the Fort.

Bama ED

I have seen it somewhere how far out you can book via phone. Bama ED do you know. I think it is 499 days but I am not sure on that.

 

[amylevan]

I have seen it somewhere how far out you can book via phone. Bama ED do you know. I think it is 499 days but I am not sure on that.

Room only reservations can be made by phone 499 days out.

Online reservations open when the packages do, usually July-ish for the entire following year.

 

[PEC]

Room only reservations can be made by phone 499 days out.

Online reservations open when the packages do, usually July-ish for the entire following year.

Thanks. That is what I am looking for. Will add tickets/dining later later but will definitely be staying at Fort Wilderness.