Getting ready to make reservations...last minute questions!!

[Katie Dawn]

Hi All!
Thanks so much for helping me with my questions a couple of days ago...you put a fire under me to make reservations for this fall -- thank you!

I called today and found out that partial hookups are still available in early November. Wohoo! This is perfect as we are tent campers. So here are my questions:

1) 1500 vs. 2000 loop. Which do you prefer? (I don't know for sure if I will have a choice...didn't ask...but if I do...) We hope to bring bikes so it looks like 1500 would be our best choice as far moving back and forth from Settlement to our site But if we don't bring bikes and need to use the buses which do you prefer?

2) October vs. November. I was originally thinking DH and I would go in October but when I really looked at the average temps (and spent some time on the boards) I realized that it is still HOT in October ... I would rather bundle up a little more at night than be miserable during the day. (I am from Tennessee and am familiar with humidity but I certainly do not love humidity -- and Tennessee is not Florida!) Looks like average highs/lows the first two weeks of November are 82-59 (with record highs/lows being 88 and 33). So tell me campers ... am I on the right track here with going at the beginning of November in the hopes of enjoying fairly comfortable weather?

3) AAA. We are past members and we are considering purchasing the membership again to get the 20% discount on value season campsites. I've calculated we would save ~$15 when all is said and done (plus would have AAA for a year). To me this seems like a no-brainer.... any other factors I should consider here? (hidden fees, etc, etc)

4) If we go for the AAA discount would I make my reservations through the AAA office or call FW directly (I have seen some indication that the latter is what I would need to do)?

4) If we don't go the AAA route, is there another discount option?

5) Also, I have read some things about CRO vs. WDT. It's the same number right? Looks like WDT can be sneaky and sign you up for insurance and other things without asking? How do I get past WDT and get someone in CRO?

In advance, thank you SO MUCH for any insight you can provide with any of these questions! I think that under different circumstances I would scour the boards for days and days until I found the answers to these questions but now I know that time is of the essence!!!

Thanks again!

 

[CottontailCurl]

Hi All!
Thanks so much for helping me with my questions a couple of days ago...you put a fire under me to make reservations for this fall -- thank you!

I called today and found out that partial hookups are still available in early November. Wohoo! This is perfect as we are tent campers. So here are my questions:

1) 1500 vs. 2000 loop. Which do you prefer? (I don't know for sure if I will have a choice...didn't ask...but if I do...) We hope to bring bikes so it looks like 1500 would be our best choice as far moving back and forth from Settlement to our site But if we don't bring bikes and need to use the buses which do you prefer?

The 1500 loop (for convenience) is our favorite, and yes you can ask them for your loop request when you tell them your need for a partial hook-up. It's not guaranteed though.

2) I was originally thinking DH and I would go in October but when I really looked at the average temps (and spent some time on the boards) I realized that it is still HOT in October ... I would rather bundle up a little more at night than be miserable during the day. (I am from Tennessee and am familiar with humidity but I certainly do not love humidity -- and Tennessee is not Florida!) Looks like average highs/lows the first two weeks of November are 82-59 (with record highs/lows being 88 and 33). So tell me campers ... am I on the right track here with going at the beginning of November in the hopes of enjoying fairly comfortable weather?

I say yes to November, October has become very crowded lately and you're still in hurricane season. November weather, to me, is perfect.

3) AAA. We are past members and we are considering purchasing the membership again to get the 20% discount on value season campsites. I've calculated we would save ~$15 when all is said and done (plus would have AAA for a year). To me this seems like a no-brainer.... any other factors I should consider here? (hidden fees, etc, etc)

No, you're right, AAA is a win-win and if you plan another trip before your year is up you can add those savings.

4) If we go for the AAA discount would I make my reservations through the AAA office or call FW directly (I have seen some indication that the latter is what I would need to do)?

I don't think you really need us, you've got it all covered! AAA through FW directly.

4) If we don't go the AAA route, is there another discount option?

Annual passes

5) Also, I have read some things about CRO vs. WDT. It's the same number right? Looks like WDT can be sneaky and sign you up for insurance and other things without asking? How do I get past WDT and get someone in CRO?

If I'm not mistaken, when you answer the questions at the beginning of your call (automated), this is what will get you to CRO. I never get to the other office anymore and I believe that's because I choose the option to not get a package deal. If you did accidentally get the other office, you'd know when you're told how much your deposit is and what your cancellation details are. I guess you could just ask if it's CRO as soon as you get a live person.

In advance, thank you SO MUCH for any insight you can provide with any of these questions! I think that under different circumstances I would scour the boards for days and days until I found the answers to these questions but now I know that time is of the essence!!!

Thanks again!

Good Luck!!

 

[We4mickey]

Personal opinion, but 1500 loop if you want to be close to the pool, meadows, bike barn and campfire program. October is fun, Halloween stuff going on. November, you should have Christmas decorations. Both are good weather though. AAA is definately worth it. Have a great time!

 

[Katie Dawn]

I think I'm going by AAA today to buy the membership....and will probably make reservations tonight! Anything else I need to know?

Thanks for the idea about the Christmas decorations being up. I wonder if going down right at Halloween would be fun as we could catch Halloween decorations and some Christmas decorations (this will probably be a 10 day trip).

Have a great day!

 

[VAN]

I'd request the 1500 loop. I also think early November will be great ... you'll avoid the Holloween party crowd.

You may only save $10 a night with AAA ... but that is still so worth it. We always get our monies worth with hotel/restaurant discounts, towing/road side service and maps.

Call CRO direct and ask for a AAA discount. Please note that they only have so many ... if the Fort is busy all of the AAA discounts may be gone.

Have a magical time.

p.s. Last time we were there, you could get a AAA discount (?? 15%) on the hourly rental of the sea racers at the Marina. Never hurts to ask.

 

[Katie Dawn]

I just had what sounds like an unusual experience with AAA. I went today to become a member again and then thought I would sit down with an agent for a minute to get a little info ... I didn't expect much .... I have read so much about AAA Agents not being terribly knowledgable. Well, I sat down and found out this guy was a CM at Disney for 20 years!!!!!! He was super helpful.

Thanks so much Cottontail, We4Mickey and Van for your encouragement and suggestions ... if anyone has any other thoughts I would love to hear them!

Oh, and Van, you are right. I am saving right at $10/night with AAA. I was figuring a total of ~$15 in savings based on the amount I would pay for a AAA membership minus my total discount from all of the nights camping.

I can't believe that I will actually have reservations for Disney World in just a short while ... this trip is really going to happen!!!

 

[clkelley]

It sounds like you don't have kids yet, but when I initially joined AAA, I joined it mainly for the Disney discounts. Well as it turns out, I've used the AAA very little for discounts (we also have annual passes), but have used the roadside portion quite often!! (We have two college-aged boys with older cars).

AAA is soooo worth it!!