Is there ever free dining for the Campgrounds?

[Jhuff8181]

The Campsites at Disney's Fort Wilderness is considered a Moderate resort right? Is it ever included in the free meal plan offers?

 

[andeesings]

The cabins at fort wilderness are considered a moderate resort.. not the campsites.

Considering the inexpensive price of the campsites, I doubt that they'd be offered with free dining. But I know that the cabins are actually offered with free dining.

 

[Jhuff8181]

The cabins at fort wilderness are considered a moderate resort.. not the campsites.

Considering the inexpensive price of the campsites, I doubt that they'd be offered with free dining.

That's what I thought, at first but... A campsite costs $66 per night (weekdays) and a Value Resort is around $100, but think of the additional costs of running a Value resort, maid services, utilities, etc. Isn't that an equalizer?

 

[North of Mouse]

That's what I thought, at first but... A campsite costs $66 per night (weekdays) and a Value Resort is around $100, but think of the additional costs of running a Value resort, maid services, utilities, etc. Isn't that an equalizer?

We're paying close to $100 per night campsite, but Disney does not look on this as an equalizer Think the main clincher is that you can have up to 10 people per site - too many extra meals

 

[bama_ed]

We're paying close to $100 per night campsite, but Disney does not look on this as an equalizer Think the main clincher is that you can have up to 10 people per site - too many extra meals

North is on it.

Campsites can have up to 10 people versus the 4 in a standard Value room.

Of course campsite rates vary based on time of year and level (Partial to Premium).

Campsites have never been included in Free Dining offers; cabins have always been included.

Free Dining does tend to pull some campers into Values instead especially if they were going to buy the Dining Plan anyway. But for a lot of us camping is a lifestyle choice on vacation. Personally we spend more days at Fort Wilderness than we do in the theme parks.

Bama ED

 

[TheRustyScupper]

1) Never, Never, Never free dining for campsites.
2) The reason is simple.
3) The resorts pay for Free Dining, not dining or parks.
4) So, the profit & loss of the resort is at stake.
5) With up to 10-people per site, the resort could lose a bunch.
6) Disney is not in the business to lose money.

 

[byejou]

I was actually given free dining with a campsite reservation in 2010. We have site & park passes only. Not sure now.

 

[chartle]

That's what I thought, at first but... A campsite costs $66 per night (weekdays) and a Value Resort is around $100, but think of the additional costs of running a Value resort, maid services, utilities, etc. Isn't that an equalizer?

If I read your post right its actually the other way around.

First when you get free dining you have to pay full price for the room. Second those overhead costs are the reason they need free dining.

A lot of those costs are fixed so they need x number of guests in the resort to pay for those extras. Even if they break even on the room they make money because they are not losing money.

Other issues. Free Dining is to bring people in during the slow times and get to stay on site vs off site. FW has no local competition so no need for this promotion.

Also while you pay full rack rate for the room the resort does not pay $39 a day (or whatever it is to food service). It would be about half but in the end it all works out as an overall plus for WDW.

 

[articfox676]

Perhaps the Fort could offer a dinning plan with a limit per site and discount for additional people. We were bike riding through the loops this past Saturday and the Fort was at the most 40 to 50% full. Maybe they should offer incentive for week day slow times.

 

[chartle]

Perhaps the Fort could offer a dinning plan with a limit per site and discount for additional people. We were bike riding through the loops this past Saturday and the Fort was at the most 40 to 50% full. Maybe they should offer incentive for week day slow times.

The numbers are just not there. You are talking a few hundred campsites versus thousands of hotel rooms. Unfilled hotelrooms cost a ton of money, unfilled campsites really nothing.

Free dining is marketing not something Disney does to be nice.

 

[North of Mouse]

I was actually given free dining with a campsite reservation in 2010. We have site & park passes only. Not sure now.

Must be confused. We have been camping at FW since forever, and have never been offered free dining!!!!! Cabins - yes, campsites - no

 

[TheRustyScupper]

. . . Unfilled hotelrooms cost a ton of money, unfilled campsites really nothing . . .

1) Yes, people will say they have lost revenue.
2) But, the PP is correct.
3) Hotel room costs when empty, which The Fort does not have
. . . utilities
. . . heat or A/C
. . . maid labor, even if not having to clean
. . . mortgage
. . . building repair and maintenance
. . . huge of support staff (Fort has support, but far less numbers)

 

[retired and happy]

We have also never been offered free dining, and don't know anyone who has been for a campsite. (15 years)

 

[Southern Bell]

I enjoyed the free dining when we got it at Pop Century(dining) and All Stars Sports(Quick Dining)! But my husband kept telling me it wasn't free especially after his tips on the dining plan! LOL! But I don't think I would ever buy it especially camping because they don't have a food court!
Where would one eat on the dining plan at the Fort? I know we could eat at the pool, carry out(Quick Dining) at Trails End and then the buffet on the regular dining, Pizza. But its not many choices compared to what they have all day long at the food courts. I think Disney is missing it! I think the Fort needs a great big food court! LOL! Just think how much money they could make! LOL!

 

[chartle]

..... I think Disney is missing it! I think the Fort needs a great big food court! LOL! Just think how much money they could make! LOL!

Probably very little if at all.

FW has I think the least number of possible guests for any resort. Also it's the largest resort so harder to get around. Add the fact that 99.99999999% of the guests can cook and most do cook at their site or cabin.

Just like Trails End it would attract very few people.

 

[thegoofyfamily]

I think Disney is missing it! I think the Fort needs a great big food court! LOL! Just think how much money they could make! LOL!

I'm not sure DH and I would ever use a food court at the Fort. The kids might when they went to the pool, but one of the reasons we pack our lunch when we go to the park is the food court type food is horrible IMO. And, when you can find something that is somewhat appetizing, you're running for a restroom shortly thereafter.

Now....if they could put a Rose and Crown somewhere in the Fort, I'm in!

 

[Southern Bell]

LOL!

Guess I should forget that thought! LOL!

But Yes, Rose & Crown would be nice!

I know a food court wouldn't be very practical! LOL! But I do think it would be nice if the Fort offered just a few more choices!
What I don't know! LOL!

But I guess I can't expect it to be the Grand Floridian! LOL!

It is camping!

 

[thegoofyfamily]

While we were riding around last week, DH and I were thinking that it would be nice to have another restaurant at the Fort. We enjoyed the buffet, but $150 for two adults and 3 kids is crazy. My 3-year old didn't even eat even though we did try and give him a plate.

When my girls were young, we were at the Fort for Halloween and the afternoon before trick or treating, we popped into Crockett's and had drinks and heavy appetizers for dinner and we all loved it! That was 10 years ago when trick or treating at the Fort lasted an hour or so and we only had @ 20 tot'ers at best. Anyway, I guess even if they had another restaurant, you'd have to reserve several years in advance and we'd never be able to get in.

Oh.....and 10 years ago???? We could go to F&W in October and walk in and wait 15 minutes to be seated at Le Cellier without a reservation. Ah....I miss the old days.....

 

[chipscamping buddy]

I do believe that when they first started the dining program they offered it free to the campground. However, that was only the one time.

However, I can't say that I miss it. I can't stand the forced structure of the meal plans. Plus the extra cost per night at rack rate makes it a questionable savings anyway. I would rather it was all done away with and maybe we wouldn't need to reserve a place at meals six months in advance.

 

[thegoofyfamily]

I would rather it was all done away with and maybe we wouldn't need to reserve a place at meals six months in advance.

Amen to that.