FW looks different than I remember

[smacca1956]

Just curious to those of you who have been at FW recently as well as through the years. The first time I was there was in 1982 and the last time I was there to stay was in 1992 when our kids were still young.

I remember brush and individual campsites and no real view of the camper next to us. There were armadillos walking about and even remember one time the men coming with the snake bag to catch a huge snake!

In the photos I am seeing, it looks like there's less privacy than before. Has it changed that much?

 

[chartle]

I have the same feeling.

I was there in 77 and it seemed like they cut the sites out of the jungle and you couldn't see your neighbors.

Others are more expert than me, but I know there was a huge culling of non native plants that opened everything up and I think they kept adding sites by making some sites in some loops smaller.

Some sites look like they are half out in the street or you have walkways inches from your table.

 

[Born 2 Fish]

Has it changed that much?

yes.

 

[rapriebe]

Yep, the Fort has changed significantly in the last three years. With them cleaning out the potato vines, removing alot of trees and adding alot more concrete around the sites, it has lost alot of the Wilderness feel that it used to have.

 

[retired and happy]

A lot of trees were damaged or destroyed by hurricanes a few years back. Some damaged trees are still being removed from time to time. The potato vines were removed by federal mandate as an intrusive non-native plant. Concrete was added in the premium sites, but the site sizes haven't changed. The 600 loop was recently expanded, but I don't think sites have been shoe-horned into other existing loops. Yes, it's not as "wilderness" as it used to be but it's still a great place to visit or live. New vegetation has been added and will eventually provide some of the old privacy. I understand some snakes are occasionally seen as are occasional sitings of gators, and some claim to have seen a bear. To that extent, it is swampland and somewhat wilderness, and such things do live there. I've not seen such in the 12 or so years we have been regular visitors. Enjoy and be cautious.

 

[smacca1956]

Thanks for the explanations. Didn't give thought as hurricanes or other reasons for the removal of the brush and such. I know it will still be a great place to bring my grandkids! We are anxious and loading the motor home this week to get it ready to roll!

 

[luckycharm19335]

The Fort is still a beautiful place.
Little in life remains unchanged. It is called progress. Well someone's idea of progress.
I think that you will make comparisons and that is ok. Just enjoy the new Fort.
You and your Grandchildren are going to have a great time.

 

[mikmouse]

The Fort is still a beautiful place.
Little in life remains unchanged. It is called progress. Well someone's idea of progress.
I think that you will make comparisons and that is ok. Just enjoy the new Fort.
You and your Grandchildren are going to have a great time.

Also, the rigs have gotten bigger over the years and they needed to provide more clearance for all those slide outs!

 

[smacca1956]

Also, the rigs have gotten bigger over the years and they needed to provide more clearance for all those slide outs!

You got that right! We went from a tent to a 32 ft motorhome and 2 slide outs!!

 

[littlejoe]

It has changed quite a bit but for the most part that can be attributed to progress, but some is money making for Disney. I would'nt go anywhere else. The people are friendly both visitors and workers. There is so much to do for everybody you can skip the park and still have a good time. Just being at the Fort is half the fun, slow paced and great to look at during the Holidays.

 

[manning]

The Fort is still a beautiful place.
Little in life remains unchanged. It is called progress. Well someone's idea of progress.
I think that you will make comparisons and that is ok. Just enjoy the new Fort.
You and your Grandchildren are going to have a great time.

It is called progress. Progress is subjective. To some it is not good, to others good, and again others not so sure.

In other words in the eyes of the beholder.