fw concerns

[haggerwood]

I have a few concerns about FW but my wife wants to go. Are there alligators in and around the water there ? Can you swim in the water ? I was told you can't elsewhere at Disney because of ameobi. Are there long lines for showers etc ? That would really be annoying. Is it difficult to sleep between nosiy partyers late at night and early birds making a lot of noise ?

 

[F4disneyfan]

Ok to start yes there are alligators in and around the water at FW this is Florida afterall and where there is water there are alligators. No you can't swim in teh water you haven't been able to for quite some time there are pools for swimming in. I can't help you with teh shower ? as I have not stayed there. I am inda leaning towards answering no to the partiers as this is Disney and I don't see there being many party people camping at FW. As for the early risers etc I am sure you will have those again this is Disney and people want to be up and out to the parks as early as possible.

 

[proudmomof4]

I have seen lines for showers but never anything too long and then I have been to FW on holiday weekends and no line for the showers. I think it may depend on the time of day (night or morning), I would recommend an evening shower as I notice most of the guests showering in the morning, but an evening shower is great to wash off all of the sweat from the day and feel refreshed.

 

[Mickster]

A few thoughts for you. I'm sure others will have different comments because some of your questions will have different answers based on time of year you are thinking about going, what you are camping in, what type of loop (preferred, non preferred) you are in and how comfortable you are with camping. To that end, here are my OPINIONS and experiences.

I have never seen an alligator in FW. I have stayed there many times over many years. My parents go for a month every winter and they have never seen an alligator. And they have been going for a number of years as well.

You can't swim in the lake, but there are 2 pools. Not as fancy as the hotels, but it is still nice. I have heard many comments about why you can't swim in the lake. No lifeguards, too many boats, etc. I'd rather swim in a pool anyway.

We have stayed in loop 1400, which is a preferred loop (I think) and I never have had to wait for too long for a shower. I mean, maybe for a few minutes, but I guess it depends on the time of year.

We also really haven't had too much trouble with other campers. For the most part, people who camp respect those around them. And besides, at the end of a Disney day, I'm really tired. I can sleep through just about anything!

In the end, I would say that FW is a great way to be at Disney. I've stayed in the YC, BC and GF and had noisy neighbors, been woken up by people in the hallway or pool. I love FW because it is great to be outside and not limited to a room and balcony. Good luck with your decision.

 

[Paul in TX]

We have camped at FW about 25 times---my daughters longest wait for a shower was 20 minutes--once---my wife's longest was 10 min.

we have had far more noisy neighbors at hotels than the campground---not many early risers as the parks tend to get going at 9-----never any partiers----most folks are not even at their site a s they are at the parks or doing things around the campground

we have seen gators and snakes but not in the immediate campground area--if any wander in Disney removes them to remote parts of the property--Disney has vast undeveloped holdings and if you watch from the busses as you go between parks you will occasionally see a gator

one of the nicer campground you'll stay at

Paul

 

[Ellen aka Snow White]

As you can see from my signature we LOVE FW campground. I have two daughters and we have never had to wait for the shower. Usually we have the bathhouse all to ourselves - and it didn't matter morning or evening.

My husband is a very light sleeper but has never been disturbed at FW - there are really no partiers - mainly familys camping.

Go - you'll love it!

Ellen

 

[irishbosoxfan]

We just returned from FW where we stayed over the 4th of July

We didn't see any gators but the kids loved searching for lizards which we seen everywhere including MK (I also seen 1 frog)

I have seen pics from people who did see them but there weren't a lot of pics!

Showers lines were at the most 1 or 2 people in front of you which isn't a long wait at all--plus there were 4 showers so it didn't take long to get your turn

And as far as noisy people I felt like WE were the noisy ones (5 kids) and kept telling everyone to keep it down! I fell asleep almost as soon as I hit the bed and didn't hear a thing till I got up the next morning!

 

[djblu883]

I've camped many times ay the Fort myself and noise was almost non existent excpet for Disney Transportation!!!I've seen "critters" from a far including deer but never up close and personal in the Fort grounds themselves...HAVE a magical times...the Fort is the best place I've ever camped and prefer it over the hotels any day as far as noise!!!!!

 

[tinkerjo]

my husband caught a 3 1/2 foot gator in the pond by the meadows trading post. He was fishing for bass. Imagine the fish story he had when we got home!!!

 

[mnjg87]

With it being in Florida.There are GATORS,some of the 4 legged kind , but mostly you'll see the 2 legged kind "GO GATORS!!!!!!!!!!

 

[toytowner]

was also there over the 4th no bugs,1 small snake,looked for gators didn't see any,many bunnys a lot of small lizards (cute) no wait for showers and very clean we stayed in the 300 loop had a ball.very nice

 

[haggerwood]

thanks for the info. I guess it will be Ok I just couldn't find out much about it online.

 

[ftwildernessguy]

WARNING: WDW is full of frightening creatures. I have seen two giant rats, huge dogs walking around on their hind legs, pirates, giant ducks, extremely large bears wearing coats, a tiger, a really huge beast with horns wearing a coat and accompanied by a beautiful woman, some rather strange little men, and at FW alone I have seen two giant chipmunks who frequent a campfire program.

 

[VAN]

We have camped at FtW for many years now - usually for 9-14 nights each time.

We have seen lizards, armadillos, turkeys and rabbits. This spring was the first time we spotted an aligator and it was in the canal that ran from the golf course into the campground ... along the dog walk area. It was in the water just minding it's own business. The CM try to keep the aligators out and it is my understanding that they will remove them if spotted.

You will find FtW pretty quiet; HOWEVER, we usually camp in the 1500 loop and there you get a lot of "locals" (Florida residents) who camp often at FtW and usually over the weekend. There will be sites with many little girl scouts and 1 adult, etc. This spring we had two campsites near us with locals that stayed for 3 nights and they were pretty quiet until 10:00 pm (quiet time) and then starting shouting and playing after-dark games while the parents drank or hollered at them. This is the exception ... MOST campers will be at the parks during the day and it is fairly quiet.

We have always camped with a fan ... not just to move the air but to create a little "white noise" to lessen the noise coming from next door.

At any campground, we have found that the more "big rigs" the shorter the lines for showers. If you are in an area where most people have their own showers, the comfort station won't be as crowded.

We have a pop-up and stay at the 1500 loop - if there is a line, we walk the short distance to the comfort station at the 1600 loop and .... no line! That's because it is a full-hook up loop and a lot of them have their own showers.

Overall, I think you will be greatly spoiled by how nice it is to camp at Ft. Wilderness. The "neighbors" you get are the luck of the draw ... we have had very few problems over the years at FtW -- if you do, just go up to the comfort station, pick up the house phone and report-um!!

Oh, yeah, I've done it before ... you pay too much to stay there to have some inconsiderate **** ruin your vacation.

Anyway, have a good time.