Is the Fort slowly losing the "magic"??

[flash828]

I know there has been postings about what you miss about the fort...Do you think these things take away from some of the 'magic' Fort Wilderness offered and make it more like an everyday RV resort? I see some of the old pics of the totem poles, Musket Mickey and a bunch of other things left to rot, can't help but wish our stay would have all these Fort things. Are the new electric panels tree stump shape? Just simple things make it special. I think we all know we're probably never going to see Fort specific merchandise anymore (thanks Disney bean counters). When do they start getting rid of Chip and Dale, wagon rides (fishing...lol) and the likes….I guess am just worried that the 'Fort WILDERNESS' might be going the wrong direction. I know am not the only one.....

Do I still love the fort, even though only been there a few short trips..YES. Are we driving 1200 miles for the first time just to stay there, even though it's more expensive than the values..YES (and we get good discounts on everything but campground).

(off soap box)
Rob

 

[MyHappiestPlace]

I dunno if its lost the magic but I know the Fort I knew as a child will not be the Fort my children will know. Its all relative I guess; everything changes, nothing stays the same forever.

I do know that I still love the place. Why else would I keep going back

 

[Born 2 Fish]

For folk who are new to the Fort, then they don't realize all the wonderful things that arent there anymore.
So for newbies, its still the most awesome campground there is ! That being said, sure Disney is slowly taking some things away, but occasionally gives a little something back to the Fort. And even at that there are still sooo many/much to do at the Fort, for us, it really hasn't lost the magic, just pinched a little,,added a little,,and changed a little, over the years,,but it's still all good magic for us


now go sit in the corner for 1 hour for even thinking about that "getting rid of (fishing...lol)"

 

[BigDaddyRog]

There are LOTS of things that Magic Kingdom doesnt have anymore that it DID have when we first started going...but ask your kids if they wanna go and I promise you they wont say NO......The fort has lost some of its "old charm"....I dont think Disney see's it as "the working mans resort" anymore...theyve realized that they can make money from it and are going for the gusto. Totem poles, petting zoos, and peacocks are gone because the upkeep cost them instead of made them money. Im expecting the fort to be very similar to the high-end RV resorts in the future....big, concrete parking lots!!! Sad...but likely true.

 

[Disneylitch]

I hope it doesn't wind up as a high end RV resort. There are many more of us regular guys staying there than high end. Of course they had to get rid of the totem poles and Musket Mickey, they were't politically correct. Didn't anyone tell that everyone is supposed to be the same now a days.

 

[ftwildernessrick]

All in all, I will continue to go there at least twice a year, because it feels like home away from home, and I am able to put the everyday worries behind me more than any other place I go. And, me, my wife, and all my kids (all adults now) still love it. I have dragged my wife there 7 months pregnant and my kids as early as 6 weeks, so it is part of our life.

I miss a lot of things, but I contibute that to what I call 'Corporate America' aka the Bean Counters. Which means all they are worried about is the bottom line. (how much money can we make to make the stock holders happy & keep our jobs). I keep wondering when Musket Mickey goes away or the bear at Crockett's Tavern, because some idiot group will think Disney is promoting gun violence or some animal rights activist gets involved.

I do appreciate the rehab on the pool, I didn't like it when they took the diving board out many years ago. I understand the rehab on the sites as well, which was overdue, but I think it is funny how they are having to discount the Premium sites to where they are cheaper than the preferred sites, to get them filled. Personally, I think the whole Premium site thing should have just been written of as the cost of doing business. Hotels have to do a complete rehab about every 5 to 7 years.

It is part of my hope, when I retire in a couple of years and do an extended 3 month stay at FW, that I can find someone who will listen at WDW and talk with him/her.

 

[Disneylitch]

I agree that the campground needed a sprucing up, but not making almost site a Premium site. I gues the powers that be didn't talk to the guest or actually walk around the campgrounds. They would have been able to see that most MH, TT, 5th wheels could fit into the existing sites. I could understand upgrading some of the sites for the larger rigs, but they went overboard and are now paying for it. The only time of the year that they get their price is holiday season. We need to find a contact person that acually cares about what we say.

 

[BigDaddyRog]

Maybe one of us should let them know that this group exists on the disboards..and that it may do them well to take some suggestions from us....not that we would whine and cry about the constant price raising....but if they are gonna "up-grade"...maybe they should know what we, as their target guests, WANT as upgrades. Maybe if they KNEW what a real camper wanted...they'd comply.....then again...maybe not. But we'd never know untill we try.

Now, the question is....WHAT THE HECK "WOULD" WE WANT??????
My first request would be a counter service joint....and they could profit from that as well. Id also like to see each site have a covered firepit since they wont allow open fires except at the movie.

 

[BigDaddyRog]

Id also like them to make it a point...and they could credit it to themselves for being ecco friendly....not to destroy ANYMORE of the landscape. More trees...camping is about the great outdoors...not the paved outdoors.

 

[Magicbus]

Hey guys, this thread is making me lose a little of the anticipation pixie dust. We're going in a couple of weeks for the first time and I'm starting to feel a little sad.
Just kidding. If I haven't lost any pixie dust over all these years, I never will. But I know eaxctly what you're talking about. I've seen it and wonder why did they take that away or whatever?
And not to change the topic, but the Disney company does not always think about the bottom line. It gives back in so many ways, but does not make it public. At the local level among many other things, they are by far the largest contributor to an organization called "Give Kids the World" in Kissimmee. If you get a chance look it up on the net. And I know first hand that the day to day management team at the Fort are doing, without fanfare, some really nice things for guests that find themselves in special situations.

 

[BigDaddyRog]

Im very familiar with Give Kids The World, Sinshine Kids, & Make-A-Wish, and youre right...Disney is a major contributor to these wonderfull programs.

...And I know first hand that the day to day management team at the Fort are doing, without fanfare, some really nice things for guests that find themselves in special situations.

This sounds interesting...can you fill us in on some examples?

 

[flash828]

...even the nice music that played when you went to the 'campsites' page on Disney.com is gone....

I guess I just don't want the pioneer feel to go away.

 

[SimbaKY]

Yes, things change over time and updates need to be done, but I believe that Walt's original vision of Fort Wilderness is vanishing. Don't get me wrong, I have been coming to the Magic Kingdom since 1973 and the mouse runs in my veins. I just think that the new generation of executives are losing touch with the target "audience" at the Fort. I think Rog has a good idea of putting our concerns in front of the Executives...

BTW - my dream job at the Resort has always been to either drive the monorail or be Goofy, but I am too short!

 

[KimIce]

Id also like them to make it a point...and they could credit it to themselves for being ecco friendly....not to destroy ANYMORE of the landscape. More trees...camping is about the great outdoors...not the paved outdoors.

I hope it doesn't wind up as a high end RV resort. There are many more of us regular guys staying there than high end. Of course they had to get rid of the totem poles and Musket Mickey, they were't politically correct. Didn't anyone tell that everyone is supposed to be the same now a days.

I agree 100%

 

[mreyes01430]

I am almost "40" and feel like A kid while I am there and after we depart! We had this conversation Sunday evening @ a dinner @ my house! We are getting friends that are hitting "60" excited about makingreservation to camp @Ft. Wilderness with us! I remember going 12 years, but I donot think it compared to this past visit in October! As far as loosing it's magic - I think only the "Gold Club Campers!" that have camped at the Fort for so long would be the only ones able to answer that question. I love it! I informed my husband that we will go once a year once the kids are grown and gone!!!!! I just wish they had a ntoher type of "Dining" selection there.

 

[Disneylitch]

I have an example of something nice that someone in housekeeping did. When my sister and her family were staying in the cabins my nephew had a seizure and had to be rushed to the hospital. The housekeeper that was in charge of their cabin bought a stuffed Mickey Mouse and balloons and had it waiting in the cabin when they returned. No one told her to do this, she just did. That is someone who truly has the Disney Magic. It's not something you can teach someone, you are just born with it. We have been staying in the campgrounds for years. Everyone that works for Disney has been really nice and went out of their way to talk to us. However, that could also be because we love to talk to people and enjoy hearing about Disney. The bottom line is that Disney is a business and they need to make a profit. That being said, if they listened to the campers, they would probably make more of a profit because they wouldn't have done all of the "stupid" renovations. The pool was a good thing to renovate. It needed to keep up with the other value resorts. I think The Fort should be considered a value resort and therefore have the dining discount, etc. They could do it for up to 4 guests.

Getting back to The Magic. I love coming to The Fort and will continue to do so, as you can tell from my MH. I agree, there needs to be a way to make management listen to us. It would serve both parties.

 

[MyHappiestPlace]

I have an example of something nice that someone in housekeeping did. When my sister and her family were staying in the cabins my nephew had a seizure and had to be rushed to the hospital. The housekeeper that was in charge of their cabin bought a stuffed Mickey Mouse and balloons and had it waiting in the cabin when they returned. No one told her to do this, she just did. That is someone who truly has the Disney Magic. It's not something you can teach someone, you are just born with it. We have been staying in the campgrounds for years. Everyone that works for Disney has been really nice and went out of their way to talk to us. However, that could also be because we love to talk to people and enjoy hearing about Disney. The bottom line is that Disney is a business and they need to make a profit. That being said, if they listened to the campers, they would probably make more of a profit because they wouldn't have done all of the "stupid" renovations. The pool was a good thing to renovate. It needed to keep up with the other value resorts. I think The Fort should be considered a value resort and therefore have the dining discount, etc. They could do it for up to 4 guests.

Getting back to The Magic. I love coming to The Fort and will continue to do so, as you can tell from my MH. I agree, there needs to be a way to make management listen to us. It would serve both parties.

I really have no way of knowing if that housekeeper bought the stuffie & balloons herself but I know when I worked at WDW there were guest recovery accounts where we could ask for certain things for special guests/situations. We did this for birthdays, anniversaries, etc. I would guess that is what the housekeeper did in this situation.