I know I am going to draw some fire for this, but... the Fort is not a crash-pad for commandos, it is a vacation destination. Just look at how often people post that they are spending most, if not all, of their vacation at the Fort! I'm not saying you can't use it as a crash pad, heck you can use the Grand Floridian like that if you want but who would pay a grand a night for a bed? And BTW, I would take my motorhome bed over the Grand Floridian any day.
In the past Fort Wilderness was cheap enough, and unknown enough to fit both bills. That is not the case anymore, as evidenced by it's year-round high-occupancy. The word is out, and the price is up. And that's a good thing. If the Fort were a low-earning dog, how long do you think today's Disney corp would let it flounder before plowing it under and putting in another high-rise and golf course?!
The Fort is not a good alternative to the Super 8 anymore, good! It's better than that! The Fort is too popular to be a good alternative to a state park for weekend getaways anymore. Sorry for your loss locals, but the secret is out. Be glad for the years you had this gem essentially to yourself, and for a steal.
I've said it before, most folks save for a year or two to be able to come to the Fort for the Fort, and that is the guest the Fort is best suited to. If you want to use it in some other way (long-term stays, crash-pad, weekend getaway 8-10 times a year), and are willing to pay, then so be it... but don't complain that it isn't a perfect fit.
Just my 2¢
Edited: I found it ironic that as I was writing my diatribe you posted this in another thread: "And camping? There's a peace about camping that one will never experience in a motel/hotel room." So, why in the world would you compare FW rates to a "decent motel room" when you obviously don't think they compare? I don't get it: an advocate in one thread becomes a prosecutor in another.
I think it depends on the individual. Some people use the Fort for a vacation destination, others (like myself) use it for a crash-pad and yes, it most certainly serves that function as well. While that may not be your intended use, be careful about discounting others who may use it in that fashion.
Why do we use the Fort? Simple mathematics. Staying at the Fort is still the cheapest alternative for staying on-site at WDW when one considers the ability to prepare ones own meals.
We go to WDW to take our kids to the parks, we could not go if we were forced to stay at one of the other resorts and eat out every meal. The Fort provides what we need. However, when they keep raising the prices it begins to approach the realm of impossibility for us.
In addition, this still does not address the issue of how a concrete pad can be more expensive to operate than a motel/hotel room. Sure I understand the laws of supply and demand, but it seems to me that the answer might be to build Fort Wilderness #2 and/or expand the current offerings to meet the need while providing a place to stay for families who are less fortunate financially.
Disney has done this with all the other resorts
why not another campground?
May I finally suggest that there was not a contradiction in my statements, simply a misunderstanding in your interpretation. The joy of camping does far surpass a stay in a motel room and I will choose a State Park or a National Park over a motel/hotel room any day when my goal is to simply relax and enjoy the surroundings.
However, that is not my purpose when I go to WDW. My goal while at WDW is to visit the parks
not sit at my camper (if its your goal
great for you, its just not our intention). The reason I stay at the Fort is mostly financial. Do I enjoy the Fort in the limited time that I am there? Absolutely, it is the greatest and most beautiful campground I know and we love it. Perhaps we may not spend as much time there as you, but it is a beautiful place to be.
In short, we choose the Fort because it enables us to visit WDW more often. To state that we shouldnt consider the cost or use the Fort in a way which is different from your own seems a little elitist to me.
No disrespect intended
just a thought from the other side.