Is it really this hard to reserve a campsite?

[cheekymonkey]

We are toying with the idea of camping in October. For all the dates I put in the Disney site says, "The Resort or Resort Category you requested is unavailable for the dates and party size selected."

We are trying to schedule a budget trip and we love to tent camp-the weather should be perfect in October. Are the camp sites that popular or am I doing something wrong???

 

[Born 2 Fish]

They are popular in Oct.
Keep checking online for ressies,,or call Disney direct.
I dont know the days you are look'n for, but some times you havta reserve a week or two and then after you get the ressies, cancel the days you don't need,
Its harder to reserve just a couple days rather than a week or two.

 

[timni]

yes they are popular. BUT you can get a ressie if you keep calling. From my experience people book 2 - 3 weeks to get the ressie then once they nail down when they are actually going they cancel. I start calling about 2ce a week if things are booked. Keep trying. If your concerned try a full hookup ressie just to get in then if you get a partial you can cancel the full.

 

[seals]

We couldn't get 4 days but we could get 5 days for our dates. We paid in full when we checked in and when we left early the last day was refunded. I think we could also have called to change it before the 5 day deadline. For upcoming trip I wanted to add the night before and only when I put in 6 days before, and including our week, did it show availability. So the sites are there but it may not be showing them. Calling may be the easiest option.

 

[clkelley]

Also, you have to go down a layer on the website to actually get the "campsites" to come up. Check on the box "I know the resort I want", then specifically check Fort Wilderness campsites.

Checking "campground" on the general resort categories won't get it.

I've had the most success looking for dates when I start my stay on a Wednesday, then go to my actual check out date. Then I cancel the nights I don't need.

 

[ftwildernessguy]

Flexibility is the key. Most people who say there is no availability are trying for a specific type of site for specific days, so instead of there being no sites available, the reality is they are unable to get the specific site type they want for the specific days they want.

 

[freshlybarked]

We are very limited on when we can take vacation due to DH's job and our weekend jobs so I usually try to book a year ahead. It has worked pretty well for us. I haven't had to book longer yet and then take off days.

 

[BradyBz12]

We are very limited on when we can take vacation due to DH's job and our weekend jobs so I usually try to book a year ahead.

Same here. I put it on my calendar and book 499 days out. However 3 years ago we booked November in late September. That was a trick and took several phone calls to piece together all the days we needed, and that wasn't even for a busy time. But we pulled it off eventually.

Jim's definitely right about flexibility helping. Most sites are Premium and there are limited numbers of sites in the other categories. If you can widen your options for class of site, that might help. Good luck!

 

[WhitShores]

We always go the same week every year and when we got home last year we were trying to book our week for this year. The website kept saying it was unavailable. And for months it said that, but when we actually CALLED them in October we got it with no problem. It could be the website? Or maybe the time you're trying to go REALLY is booked up. I suggest calling, and don't give up.
There could always be cancellations. Heck, we just had to cancel ours for our regular May/June trip...

 

[mnsprk]

From the info I've been given you normally can't book "next calendar year" on line until around August when they finally come up with pricing. You can however call and block your ressie but that rate may change when the finally decide how much the rates will be.

 

[LarryJ]

From the info I've been given you normally can't book "next calendar year" on line until around August when they finally come up with pricing. You can however call and block your ressie but that rate may change when the finally decide how much the rates will be.

I think that caveat about possible new rates is standard if you book before the new rates are released. Some time ago you were guaranteed the current rate when you got your ressie, but that loophole was closed a couple of years ago or more.

Larry

 

[DisCamper]

It's not hard at all you just need to call before 7am.We have never had a problem after I found out that

 

[Shan-man]

From the info I've been given you normally can't book "next calendar year" on line until around August when they finally come up with pricing. You can however call and block your ressie but that rate may change when the finally decide how much the rates will be.

No, that's not correct... at least as far as booking a room-only reservation. For room-only you can call CRO and reserve up to 499 days in advance of your date of departure (not arrival). You cannot book this far in advance online, only by calling! If pricing has not been set you will be charged a deposit of one night at the highest rate for that room according to this year's schedule. For instance, rates are not available for next spring, so if you reserve now you will be charged a deposit equal to one night's stay at this year's published Christmas rate (the highest priced nights on the schedule), and the quote you are given on total room-charge will be based on that rate. It will be adjusted once the rates are published.

That said, if you are intending to travel during a popular time you would do well to figure out your dates, back-up 499 days from your departure and call 7am on that morning to get your ressie.

 

[KimIce]

We are toying with the idea of camping in October. For all the dates I put in the Disney site says, "The Resort or Resort Category you requested is unavailable for the dates and party size selected."

We are trying to schedule a budget trip and we love to tent camp-the weather should be perfect in October. Are the camp sites that popular or am I doing something wrong???

Also, you have to go down a layer on the website to actually get the "campsites" to come up. Check on the box "I know the resort I want", then specifically check Fort Wilderness campsites.

Checking "campground" on the general resort categories won't get it.

I've had the most success looking for dates when I start my stay on a Wednesday, then go to my actual check out date. Then I cancel the nights I don't need.

I agree. Normally I do not book on-line, but the other day I did and I just booked for October. At 1st I did not come up with anything, then I realized campsites were not checked, and after I checked it, I was able to book our dates for Oct. If you still can not get dates, call them and keep calling them even if you have to do it several times a day. It may get agrravating, but it usually does work.

 

[cheekymonkey]

Also, you have to go down a layer on the website to actually get the "campsites" to come up. Check on the box "I know the resort I want", then specifically check Fort Wilderness campsites.

Checking "campground" on the general resort categories won't get it.

I've had the most success looking for dates when I start my stay on a Wednesday, then go to my actual check out date. Then I cancel the nights I don't need.

Thanks for all the advice-this worked like a charm. I made sure "campsites" was checked, booked starting on a Wednesday (which actually works better for us) and got the dates I wanted for a tent site. YEAH!

After reading the camping board here I am super excited about the Fort. It's going to save us some money and we still get to stay onsite. Well, I shouldn't speak so soon about saving money-this is going to give DH an excuse to buy a new tent

Thanks again!
Sandra

 

[awmiii]

Thanks for all the advice-this worked like a charm. I made sure "campsites" was checked, booked starting on a Wednesday (which actually works better for us) and got the dates I wanted for a tent site. YEAH!

After reading the camping board here I am super excited about the Fort. It's going to save us some money and we still get to stay onsite. Well, I shouldn't speak so soon about saving money-this is going to give DH an excuse to buy a new tent

Thanks again!
Sandra

New tent? By then, he'll have a new motorhome!