Ft Wilderness questions for 1st timers

[Robundrh2o]

We are planning on a trip to Disney in early July. We have 10 people interested in going. The plan is to stay and Camp at Ft Wilderness. 6 of the 10 have never stayed on poperty, we (DH, DW, DD and DD) have stayed on poperty for every visit so we are trying to convert the rest of the group. DGpa and DGma (granpa and granma) have a 35 ft RV so we are looking at getting a preffered site for the RV and then bringing 2 tents for the remaining people. My questions to the veteran campers are: 1) Can we fit 2 Dome tents and the RV on a prefferred site. 2) We have two small dogs that we are planning on bringing, do they have to go to the Kennel or can they stay in the RV and 3) I read something about a military discount, DGpa is retired military and would like to use that if possible.

Thanks in advance for any help.

 

[FlaFortCampster]

We are planning on a trip to Disney in early July. We have 10 people interested in going. The plan is to stay and Camp at Ft Wilderness. 6 of the 10 have never stayed on poperty, we (DH, DW, DD and DD) have stayed on poperty for every visit so we are trying to convert the rest of the group. DGpa and DGma (granpa and granma) have a 35 ft RV so we are looking at getting a preffered site for the RV and then bringing 2 tents for the remaining people. My questions to the veteran campers are: 1) Can we fit 2 Dome tents and the RV on a prefferred site. 2) We have two small dogs that we are planning on bringing, do they have to go to the Kennel or can they stay in the RV and 3) I read something about a military discount, DGpa is retired military and would like to use that if possible.

Thanks in advance for any help.

1. You should be able to get a couple of small dome tents at the back of the site as long as it is a preferred. Check out the pictures on this forum and you can get a better idea of an exact loop and site that would fit your needs.

2. Many folks leave their pets in an RV because they are safe and can't escape and you can leave the AC on.

3. Here's the info for the military discount courtsey of Mousesavers.com.

Resort Hotel Discounts for Military and Veterans


Military Offer - Save up to 40% on Rooms
Special deal for eligible members of the US Military*: Save up to 40% on rooms at select Disney Moderate Resorts!* For stays most nights 1/4/09-12/23/09, except not available at all 2/13-2/15, 4/4-4/18, 5/22-5/24, 7/3-7/4, 11/25-11/26/09.

Offer is also available at other select Walt Disney World Resort Hotels. If you'd like to book these rates as part of a vacation package with the Dining Plan, there is a special code for doing so.

*Offer available to active duty military, activated reservists and retired military. Proof of Military eligibility is required.

The number of rooms allocated for this offer is limited. Minimum length of stay requirements may apply for Friday or Saturday arrivals. Savings based on non-discounted price for the same room. No group rates or other discounts apply. Advance reservations required. Additional per-adult charges apply if more than two adults per room.

To reserve a room with the Military discount, call the Disney Reservations Center at (407) W-DISNEY or contact a travel agent who specializes in Disney travel, and request offer code MYV.

Good luck and enjoy.

 

[saratogadreamin09]

I can answer number 2 for you. FW has a kennle but you can also keep pets at campsites in certain loops. When you check in you tell the person that you have a pet and they put you in a pet loop. The pets can't go out of the loop but they do have nice walking areas for you to walk the pets in.

I cant answer number 3 at all but the sites have a spot for one tent but depending on the tent sizes you could fit two.

 

[OK GRUMPY]

Hello,
Welcome! I would make sure when you make your reservation that you tell them the size of your MH and that you would like a site big enough to put 2 tents. I know from my experience that you can put one tent. If they are 2 small dome tents then maybe. The preferred pet loop is 300 (I think) which is really tight. The sight I was assigned was not very big at all and my parents was the same way. You might think of a Full hook up sight because I think the sand pad are bigger and you may have more room for 2 tents. I received that Military discount on a fullhook up I just asked when I made my reservation. Good Luck and I hope this helps.

 

[2goofycampers]

I thought the limit was 1 RV and 1 tent per site ( It could be wrong or changed).

Another thing the military discount is for premium sites only, those have a larger concrete pad so adding even 1 tent may be difficult if not impossible.


You may want to try a military discounted site for the RV and a partial site in loops 1500 or 2000 for the 2 tents.


Check out this thread for more MD info.

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2091899

 

[Shan-man]

I thought the limit was 1 RV and 1 tent per site ( It could be wrong or changed).http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2091899

No, that is the rule. If you have an RV you are supposed to only be allowed 1 freestanding tent in addition. A caveat of an attached tent or freestanding dining tent placed against the "camping unit" is also allowed. I'm not trying to say that you won't be able to do this, I'm just trying to relate the rule as I have received it.

 

[devores]

I can help out with the Military discount one and the pet one (although others have allready gave great answears).

The pets can stay in the RV while you are away. They cannot be chained up outside or in the tent.

The discount has been used for the campsites. Note I did not say can be used. Some have been able to do it while others have been turned down. Depends on the time frame you are planning on visiting and who you talk to. But the info about it being a premium site is true. In order to get the discount, you must reserve a premium site. When he calls (Gpa must be the one who reserves the site and checks in with his military ID to get the discount) tell him to try the MYV code to get the discount.

Also, tell your GPa to be sure he gets his free 5 day ticket that disney is offering military. If he is retired he is eligable for it.

Good luck,

 

[BradyBz12]

You'll want to make a note on your reservation too that you need a pet site - especially if you want Preferred, as there aren't a ton of those.

Pets can be left in an RV but not in a tent or popup. If they disturb your neighbors, you may be asked to kennel them. You're not allowed to leave them tied/kenneled outside your RV when you're not there and they must be leashed at all times except inside the dog park.

You actually are allowed to walk your dogs outside of your pet loop en route to the dog park and they are now allowed to ride on golf carts as long as they are leashed. Areas that do not allow dogs are marked with "no pets beyond this point" signs and are generally the pool and trading post areas, beach/marina and other public areas.

 

[BradyBz12]

A bit more info. from the actual document we signed when we checked in 11/30/08 (should still be pretty current)

Separate Campsites for Guests with Pets
Guests who wish to keep their pets at their site must stay in a designated Pet Loop. The sites in these areas have water, electricty, and sewer hook-ups, and are convenient to the Comfort Stations and Pet Paths.

For the safety and convenience of all guests, a few guidelines have been established for these areas. Owners not adhering to these policies will be required to board the pets in the kennel at the overnight fee of $18.00 per dog and $13.00 per cat.

- Guests must be with their pet whenever it is outside of the motor home.
- Pets must be on a leash or tether, no longer than eight feet at all times. This includes Pet Loops and Pet Paths.
- Pets are not permitted at the Comfort Station or Recreation areas.
- Guests are responsible for cleaning up after their pet.
- Pets are not allowed in pop-up trailers or tents.

No other rules or guidelines are mentioned (except those specific to the dog park).

 

[Cindy F]

A bit more info. from the actual document we signed when we checked in 11/30/08 ......

...and yet....when you call and ask (and when you check in ) they will tell you that you CAN have a dog in a popup as long as you are in a pet loop. It doesn't make a difference to me since our tow vehicle is an RV so either way-he stays with us BUT...

what if you were told specifically that it was ok to have your dog in a popup as long as you were in a pet loop then when you got there, they said no?

I would think that would make some folks who did not have an RV as their tow vehicle pretty upset. I was also told you could have a pet in a tent but if anytime you left the tent site, you would have to board the animal.

 

[BradyBz12]

...what if you were told specifically that it was ok to have your dog in a popup as long as you were in a pet loop then when you got there, they said no?

That would be my fear, since for some reason this seems to be another of those not-so-clear policies at FW where the "right" answer seems to depend on who you ask.

I know I definitely would throw a hissy if I turned up after being told it was ok and was told I had to kennel my dog.

 

[Shan-man]

You make a great case Cindy, and it just drives home what I have been complaining about for months: Disney doesn't enforce their own rules very consistently which makes giving advice all the harder. What makes it worse is when Disney has a poorly written rule, like the ones Monique quoted. I mean look at them, they are more full of holes than swiss cheese (not lousy swiss either, I mean a nice lacey swiss!). You would think with all the layers of managers that Disney employes they might be able to write up some clear rules and training manuals to inform their employees what they are. Ugh.

 

[Shan-man]

Disney, if you're listening, this is what I consider a clear and concise rule:

Guests traveling with pets must either board their pets in a kennel or adhere to these requirements for keeping a pet at their site:

• Pets must be registered at check-in, a $5 per day of your stay charge will be collected and you will be assigned to a Pet-Loop.
• Pets may only be left unattended inside of hard-walled camping units with appropriate climate control. Attended pets may be kept in hybrid camping units. Pets are not allowed in tents or pop-ups at any time.
• Barking, howling and aggressive behavior will not be permitted.
• Pets outside of camping units must be kept on an eight foot or shorter leash or tether at all times, except inside the dog park fence.
• Pets are not permitted at the Comfort Station or Recreation areas.
• Guests must clean up after their pet. Bag dispensers are provided for your convenience.

Owners not adhering to these policies will not be allowed to keep a pet at their site. WDW makes kennels available on site: the overnight fee is $18.00 per dog and $13.00 per cat.

 

[BradyBz12]

 

[Cindy F]

You make a great case Cindy, and it just drives home what I have been complaining about for months: Disney doesn't enforce their own rules very consistently which makes giving advice all the harder.....QUOTE]

Shan, I thought about exactly that when I was typing my post. I don't care what the rules are, just make them consistent, write them down, and enforce them

Disney, if you're listening, this is what I consider a clear and concise rule:

Guests traveling with pets must either board their pets in a kennel or adhere to these requirements for keeping a pet at their site:

• Pets must be registered at check-in, a $5 per day of your stay charge will be collected and you will be assigned to a Pet-Loop.
• Pets may only be left unattended inside of hard-walled camping units with appropriate climate control. Attended pets may be kept in hybrid camping units. Pets are not allowed in tents or pop-ups at any time.
• Barking, howling and aggressive behavior will not be permitted.
• Pets outside of camping units must be kept on an eight foot or shorter leash or tether at all times, except inside the dog park fence.
• Pets are not permitted at the Comfort Station or Recreation areas.
• Guests must clean up after their pet. Bag dispensers are provided for your convenience.

Owners not adhering to these policies will not be allowed to keep a pet at their site. WDW makes kennels available on site: the overnight fee is $18.00 per dog and $13.00 per cat.

The only one I disagree with is the pets in popups and tents-like I said-even though I have a popup it wouldn't affect me due to the RV BUT....I think the rule they SAY they have is pretty good: You may have pets in a tent or popup as long as they are attended and you are in a pet loop.

I can't think of any good reason to ban attended pets from any pet loop site regardless of what you camp in. I can, unfortunately, think of several reasons why unattended pets in any camper could be banned. Like that fire thread that just made me cry.

There again, it wouldn't matter what rules they have- attended or not, tents/popups or not, if they don't check up and enforce, what good is it?

That would be my fear, since for some reason this seems to be another of those not-so-clear policies at FW where the "right" answer seems to depend on who you ask.

I know I definitely would throw a hissy if I turned up after being told it was ok and was told I had to kennel my dog.

Me too, like a major throw down, traffic blocking, pig squealing fit! Right before I left and went to Turkey Lake ~grin~

Can you imagine if you left your dog at home thinking you COULDN'T have him in your popup, so now you have to spend 2 weeks without him, you get there and the folks next to you have 2 dogs in a popup?

 

[Shan-man]

For the record: I was merely attempting to interpret the existing rules in a clear fashion, not to adjudicating those rules.

 

[Cindy F]

Can you add a rule about Fort Wilderness Frequent Fliers being required to provide wine coolers and beer for the newcomers? I really think that is an important one to add.

 

[Robundrh2o]

Thanks everybody for the info. Based on the info here I have gone ahead and booked a preferred site (through Dreams Unlimited), with the intent on having the grandparents 34 foot RV and 1 medium size dome tent. We won't be able to use the military discount, but from what I have been hearing here and from Daniel at Dreams, all Tents have to be staked in, so the new premium sites won't work for that.

Thanks again, it's great to be able to ask some "Dumb" questions and get back very helpful feedback and not be chastised as on other forums. Keep up the Disney Magic.

 

[BradyBz12]

it's great to be able to ask some "Dumb" questions and get back very helpful feedback and not be chastised as on other forums.

There are no dumb questions here. Although dumb answers are par for the course.

 

[Tigger0624]

Can you imagine if you left your dog at home thinking you COULDN'T have him in your popup, so now you have to spend 2 weeks without him, you get there and the folks next to you have 2 dogs in a popup?[/QUOTE]

We recently booked our first trip to the Fort, and to Disney for that matter, and we will be camping in a pop up. We have 2 puppies- a 9mo basset hound and a 4mo newoundland. I was told when I made our reservavtions through Disneys reservation number- that we can keep our dogs in the pop up with us, and as long as they are restrained (I'm guessing they mean in a crate or travel kennel) inside the unit when we are not at the site, that is acceptable. They just cant be loose in the camper since they could potentially tear through the canvas and get out and they could not be kept outside. We decided to kennel them during the day while we are at the parks, but keep them with us for the times we are at camp. Hopefully what they told us is accurate and we will be allowed to keep them in the pop up with us.