Fort Wilderness lessons learned for the first timer

[Betty Rohrer]

have been to some KOAs that do not escort to site. never had one help to direct into space. if you checkin after hours, never had escort, just a map and have had trouble finding site. never had problem at FW getting key cards for park.

 

[RabbitFood]

I know for a fact that you can use unused, nonexpiry Walt Disney World passes at Disneyland. We did this last summer. The key, of course, is that there are days left on the passes and that the passes are nonexpiry. You have to do this at the turnstile--the CM takes the pass to a computer where he checks that there are days left and then removes a day. It's a bit time-consuming (and you lose a bit of money in the exchange, as DL costs less than WDW). But it worked for our family.
However, given the kind of luck Ed had on this trip, I have a sinking suspicion that he does NOT have nonexpiry tickets.

 

[Disneylitch]

I think it was a combination of several things. First off I did exactly as sshane did and purchased my tickets at the gate after my arrival and had paid for the campground in advance directly from Disney. I did it that way to receive the discount price for having just returned from a combat zone. Secondly, there is not always room for one more to view the fire works show durring spring break. As for the rest who say its all my fault for bad planning, maybe you should try accessing the internet from Iraq to plan your trip, not everybody has fast reliable regular access to the internet...

First off, thank you for your service to our country. My son in law is an active duty Marine. I hope you got the military discounted 4 day pass for the parks. You can buy up to 6 passes. If not, before your next visit, go to Shades of Green.org for more information. It is the Disney resort for military/dod. The rates you pay are determined on your rank. It is directly across the street from the Polynesian. Thought I would give you this information in case you didn't know about it.
When you return to WDW, I would return at a less crowded if possible. We have visited at Christmas and it is crowded beyond belief. However, I was aware of this and did not expect to get on every ride, etc. The bottom line is that I have been to WDW many times and have taken the knowledge from previous visits to make each visit more enjoyable. If there is a problem, I kinda know how to get it resolved. This only happens with experience.
Hopefully you will give WDW a chance again and post any questions you have here. I'm sure you will get many answers. Take that information and make the trip memorable. I would get Birnbaum's book before you book your next visit. It goes into detail, crowds, weather, etc.
Stay safe!!!

 

[tiggerdad]

TomTom actually has an app to download to your GPS that is specific to WDW. Have used it twice, PORS and Pop Century. It put us right in the parking lot. Never had to get to a spot 3 hours before the fireworks, in fact have watched them from several different locations in the MK without difficulty. The "herding" was not forced. Those of us with extra magic hours just went for the rides. The CM are only directing the ones who want to leave, not force you to leave. That is, unless it is truly closing time.
I currently have my sites set on fort wilderness. I sold my smaller TT before I could get to camp there. Using the money to help pay for my master's degree. When I finish it up, I have every intention of buying a bigger truck and TT and make the trip back as a reward to myself and my family for putting up with my short temper for writing all these term papers! This website is giving me lots of inspiration to keep working!

 

[OK GRUMPY]

Ed,
Sometimes it take reading something like your experience to realize that bad things happen to good people! I mean I have checked in at 3 am received my room keys, I have never thought about not getting them when I check in. I have been there during bad weather. You just gotta except it and get wet or go home. AS far as meals it really is a good ideal to study that and figure out if theres somewhere you want to eat and make a reservation. WDW is a busy place. That cab was ridiculous! WOW! I learned from you experince I think I would rent a car! AS goes the golf cart I usually like to have one so I would rent one regardless! I think you must have been there when there was spring break and that is very busy! I love that time of year but it's to busy for me.
Thanks for sharing your experience with us... I hope one day you turn this experience around and can laugh at it!

 

[jdb in AZ]

With Florida's volatile spring weather I'd rather stay in a nice hotel. My son-in-law is in the army reserves (currently in Afghanistan with his day job, being deployed to Iraq this fall.) He and my DD have stayed at Shades of Green on two vacations and love it, especially the super discounts. The CM's treat our heroes with respect.

 

[chipscamping buddy]

I am lucky enough to live a couple hour drive from WDW so have never had to deal with the cabs. That is a huge warning that I have never seen here before. I have now also learned that passes can be used at DL. This has been one of the most useful threads I have seen.

I can sympathize with the difficulties of finding your site. FW is a nightmare of tangled roadways and curvy loops for a first time visitor and can still be daunting after all these years. I pulled in around 8pm in January this year all "I know what I am doing". We had an extra car as I could only stay for the weekend so my DW and DD went off to bring back dinner while the "MAN" parked the camper. So I check in, get the cards (got them all thankfully), and drive back to the loop. 312, 314, 315, 317 (dang it the even and odd swapped sides), dodge the truck sticking out on the right because they only pulled their camper halfway in, dodge the truck on the left, oh good here are trucks sticking out on both sides on a bend (do we really need this big camper, couldn't we have brought the pop-up). Here is the site. No light nearby. A truck parked sidewise right against the road across from the site. I got out, looked around, and got back in and drove to the desk. New site please. Oh, i don't know if we have anything else. The entire back of the loop is empty, you have been putting everyone right next to each other instead of spread around the loop, try this site. Oh good that one is available. I laugh now, but I was glad DD was not with me that night!

 

[Disneylitch]

It definitely can be difficult getting into some of the tight sites. People need to realize that when they leave their vehicle sticking out too far, it can make it impossible for someone to get into their site. This is definitely a problem when the campgrounds are filled. We usually stay in the full hook ups and there doesn't seem to be as much of a problem. I think the sites are a little further apart. I do love it when you call to have your site changes and they act as if there isn't anything available when you are looking at alot of empty sites. I guess they are only saying what they are trained to say. We try to arrive in the daylight if possible. We've pulled in when it was dark and it's not always a pleasant experience even with best of drivers.

 

[cattledogmom]

We have stayed at Fort Wilderness countless times. As one of the other posters stated, the address is on the confirmation form. We have always received our "room keys" - they are always in a little pocket on the big information packet given to you when you check in. The Fort Wilderness info is very helpful and lets you know everything that is going on. The Fort has tons of activities going on every day. It provides all kinds of info. We have found out little tidbits of info every time we go by just talking to our neighbors or chatting while on the buses or boats. It's not necessary to rent a golf cart - the buses run frequently and go everywhere. We always drag our bicycles along and nothing is too far away. And if you really have any questions that haven't been answered, you can call the front desk and they'll be happy to tell you anything. As for the fireworks, they can be seen from various places all over the park. Our best view once, was while we were on Dumbo! in Fantasyland. We absolutely love Fort Wilderness - the people, the service, everything. On our first trip, I devoured the material provided by the checkin folks - it certainly helped!

 

[Judique]

I know for a fact that you can use unused, nonexpiry Walt Disney World passes at Disneyland. We did this last summer. The key, of course, is that there are days left on the passes and that the passes are nonexpiry. You have to do this at the turnstile--the CM takes the pass to a computer where he checks that there are days left and then removes a day. It's a bit time-consuming (and you lose a bit of money in the exchange, as DL costs less than WDW). But it worked for our family.
However, given the kind of luck Ed had on this trip, I have a sinking suspicion that he does NOT have nonexpiry tickets.

I would hope that he had the cheaper military salute tickets - especially since he mentioned 2 days used and 2 left. That would have cost him $138. They are only good at WDW from what the website says and they do expire later this year.

The Disneyland deal is 3 days for $99.

 

[allielew]

Sorry you didn't try the parks in the rainy weather. Some of my fav days with my little one were terrible weather days. AK is hopping b/c the animals are enjoying the weather and there are no lines. One of those days I think the high got to be about 40 and yes my daughter and I had a cold the next week but it was fun and not crowded and when people tell me I'm crazy I smile and say "A bad day at Disney is still better than a good day at work!!!"