Heading to the Fort in November - need your help

[UAB master]

We are planning at trip to WDW in Nov. 2010. We will be staying at the fort for the 1st time in our newly renovated '63 Shasta travel trailer. I need your opinion of my plans for the trip. I am a teacher and DS6 will be in 1st grade by then, so I'm trying to have us missing only 5 days of school.
I was hoping to leave on Friday, Nov. 5 and arrive at FW on Saturday evening, Nov. 6. : spend Sunday - Wed in the parks, take a "rest" day on Thursday (since it's Veteran's day and I thought it would be busy) to enjoy FW then spend Friday back in the parks. Leave on Saturday AM and arrive home on Sunday evening. How does that sound? Will the parks be overly crowed on Veteran's day and even the day after?

Also, I need some help with knowing where in FW to request when I call to make reservations. Our travel trailer is 12 feet long and will be pulled by a Pontiac Aztec. We would like to be somewhere quiet but also somewhere that's not too far away from transportation areas. Thanks for all your help.

 

[I'mDownWithDisney]

We are planning at trip to WDW in Nov. 2010. We will be staying at the fort for the 1st time in our newly renovated '63 Shasta travel trailer. I need your opinion of my plans for the trip. I am a teacher and DS6 will be in 1st grade by then, so I'm trying to have us missing only 5 days of school.
I was hoping to leave on Friday, Nov. 5 and arrive at FW on Saturday evening, Nov. 6. : spend Sunday - Wed in the parks, take a "rest" day on Thursday (since it's Veteran's day and I thought it would be busy) to enjoy FW then spend Friday back in the parks. Leave on Saturday AM and arrive home on Sunday evening. How does that sound? Will the parks be overly crowed on Veteran's day and even the day after?

Also, I need some help with knowing where in FW to request when I call to make reservations. Our travel trailer is 12 feet long and will be pulled by a Pontiac Aztec. We would like to be somewhere quiet but also somewhere that's not too far away from transportation areas. Thanks for all your help.

I really like the 400 and 700 loops. They are close to the marina and not too far from the pool.....easy walk and even easier bike ride away.

Not sure about the crowds. We usually buy enough ticket days to cover all days (assuming a 7 day stay). The cost to add one day is negligible, and it gives some flexibility...ie if one day is ruined by rain shortly after entering the park you can go again. Rest days in the fort are great, but I like to end my rest day with an ice cream and a front row seat for Wishes.

I too live in N AL. If you want to do an overnighter on the way down and back but don't want to pay for a campsite I suggest the welcome center in Perry, Ga. They welcome overnighters, and there is a Cracker Barrel across the street. It is about a 5 hr drive from Perry to O-town. Also take the new 429 toll road to the rear entrance of Disney.

 

[Born 2 Fish]

Your plan sounds good to me, I like it.
From Vet.day thru the entire weekend will be busy at Disney, and I suspect the Fort as well,,so expect it. I do believe however your time up to Vet.day will be a pleasurable time as far as crowds go.

If ya'll have any pics lay'n around of your 63 Shasta, we'd sure like to see them,

 

[mikeymouse1]

We go every year around Veterans Day. It Is usually pretty crowded depending on what day the holiday falls on. We have been there at that time of year when it's a ghost town also, just depending on the weather. Maby we will see ya there! Only ten months to go!

 

[UAB master]

Your plan sounds good to me, I like it.
From Vet.day thru the entire weekend will be busy at Disney, and I suspect the Fort as well,,so expect it. I do believe however your time up to Vet.day will be a pleasurable time as far as crowds go.

If ya'll have any pics lay'n around of your 63 Shasta, we'd sure like to see them,

The Shasta is in the process of renovation right now. We are hoping to be finished with it for a spring trip to Orange Beach and WDW in November. I'll post pictures as I can.

 

[UAB master]

Thanks for the info. Should I go ahead now and book my camping spot or would it be ok to wait for a month or 2?

 

[DaveInTN]

You might want to book the site now just so you don't end up disappointed. You pay a deposit of I think one night when booking, but it's fully refundable as long as you cancel within 5 days of your arrival date.

 

[Born 2 Fish]

You might want to book the site now just so you don't end up disappointed. You pay a deposit of I think one night when booking, but it's fully refundable as long as you cancel within 5 days of your arrival date.

I agree with Dave, I'd go ahead with ressies now.

 

[clkelley]

Also, I need some help with knowing where in FW to request when I call to make reservations. Our travel trailer is 12 feet long and will be pulled by a Pontiac Aztec. We would like to be somewhere quiet but also somewhere that's not too far away from transportation areas. Thanks for all your help.

A lot where you request depends on what level of site you book.

With a small camper, you are free to book every level of site.

Partial Hookup - Electric, Water, Cable - Loop 1500 and 2000. No Sewer, so if you plan on using the shower in your Shasta, may not work, but if you don't use the shower then just a container to collect grey water from the sink is fine. Loop 1500 is central in the campground and close to the pool campfire, etc. Loop 2000 is very isolated, but can be quiet except for weekends.

Full Hookup - Electric, Water, Cable, Sewer. Large sites on loop 1600, 1700, 1800, 1900. Loop 1600 is fairly close to the center part of the campground. The other loops can be a bit isolated. 1900 is in many folks opinion a terrible loop.

Preferred Hookup - Electric, Water, Cable, Sewer. Loop 100, 200, and 300. Close to the marina, restaurants. Sites are kindof tight, but with your small rig, that's not an issue.

Premium Hookup - Electric, Water, Cable, Sewer. Loop 400,500, 600, 700, 800, 900, 1000, 1100, 1200, 1300, 1400. 400 and 500 are close to the marina and restaurants. These sites are all concrete and most are very large. Just a note, loop 600 and 700 do not have a bath house, so with your small trailer, that may not work. Most of the rest of the loops in this category are pretty close to the pool, campfire, etc with 900, 1000, 1300 and 1400 being the closest.

The partials, full hookup, and preferred hookup sites have a coquina sand pand in behind the driveway which is a good place to set up and extra tent if you would like.

 

[Goofyseven]

Hello CLKELLEY,

I noticed your comment on the full hook up sites, and that most folks feel the 1900 in not so good. Can you evaluate the other loops? 1600 1700 and 1800.

We have plans for this Dec and have full hookup site reservations and would like to get some info on these loops.

We have been at the 300 loop before, but are looking for a quiet, large site

Thanks

 

[clkelley]

Both 1600 and 1700 are quite nice. Haven't really paid much attention to 1800.

 

[Goofyseven]

Both 1600 and 1700 are quite nice. Haven't really paid much attention to 1800.

Thanks so much for the quick reply, any particular sites in these loops?

 

[2goofycampers]

We always ask for 1600 by the canal, nice and quiet back there.

 

[Shan-man]

First let me assure you that with your size rig, you will have plenty of room on any site at Fort Wilderness, so your choice of tier can be based solely on location and preferences. I would make up my mind and reserve as soon as you possibly can, you'd be amazed how early the Fort tends to book up. You can make reservations over the phone up to 499 days in advance of your departure date... that is, the window is already open.

I think 1800 is a nice loop so long as you like a tranquil remoteness. I have stayed there a couple of times. There is access to the canal from 1800 like there is from 1600, which is convenient if you have a dog to walk. There are lots of trees and the sites will be plenty spacious with your small rig. If you request (and get) a site on the outside of the loop you will have slightly more privacy than an inside site (which is almost universally true). The biggest complaint is the distance to the bus stops, and nothing is in easy walking distance (except the canal and comfort station).

As for your itinerary, personally, I think 4 straight days in the parks is too much, I'd be exhausted. I'd put a rest day in the middle if at all possible. But then again I'm old and fat.

I've never been at Veteran's Day, but I suspect Thursday will be busier than usual as the locals pop in, and then Friday-Sunday will be quite busy as the "neighbors" arrive.

Have fun planning, it can be a lot of fun!